Bel

I have lost everything i aimed too, i have decided to lose more the last week or so and am dropping it easily! I would never change the band, i couldnt keep the weight off without it and i wouldnt want to try...the thing is, you really come to realise that eating to live not living to eat is much more satisfying but you do have to put i the work, its hard no doubt but its so worth it. It took me years to really realise the band is a TOOL not a cure, i lost my weight but i worked for it too which is generally not something many people realise you have to do when you want to lose weight, with or without the band. I have lost 99lb/45kgs and kept it off for nearly 7 years but it was a choice, i still have to make a concious effort to eat nutritious food and not eat the easy stuff! I really hope you get back on track soon, i always say to people you need to think about why you chose this...why you put yourself through a life threatening surgery. If you can remember the reason and use it to motivate you then you cannot fail. If you need a band buddy im happy to help, pm me anytime and i will help you however i can. As i said i recently started losing again through choice so i am going through all the old things like restriction and crap again! Best of luck Bel

Hi, Im sorry you feel like this but i understand the band can be frustrating. It sounds to me as though you are too tight, you should be able to eat and drink without the problems you are having, being too tight can also cause you to gain because you eat 'easy' foods like ice cream and chocolate...it can also cause a heap of other probs like slippage. I wonder if maybe you should see a nutritionist as well as getting an unfill...they can help you with diet and what you should and shouldnt be eating, i am banded 6 years and still see mine for weigh ins and advice. It helps to keep you accountable. I wish you luck, hang in there and please think about an unfill Bel

Hi Everyone *waves* I have been banded 6 years and lost all my weight but i am finding now that i have decided to lose a bit more i have to work a lot harder to do it. Problem is that im a severe asthmatic and i struggle to keep my breathing under control while i exercise at any decent pace....i am on medication but it doesnt help and the doctor cant give me anything else. I need to work harder to lose the weight but my chest gets soooo tight and i nearly faint half way through cause i cant get enough air. I use my elliptical and have used that to lose the weight before but when i try to up the anti i cant last 10 mins. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this, asthma and exercise and how you manage to get past it....any help would be appreciated cause its really starting to piss me off.....i know i can go for hours if i didnt have the asthma because i am fit apart from my shallow lungs!:thumbup: Bel

Thanks for the reply....i found out today i actually have Exercise Induced Asthma and the only treatment for it is drugs. I saw my doctor this arvo and he gave me a really strong med that will hopefully help so i plan on trying it out today. Wish me luck!!! Bel

Awww your welcome chicka, listen if you need any one to talk to through this process just pm me! i am happy to help because i have been there and know what its like. Good luck on your journey lil chick

WELCOME, im really happy for you! I had the band at 16yrs and that was 6yrs nearly 7 years ago, never looked back. I wish you all the luck in the world and im happy to see you have realistic expectations! Bel

having someone in the family who has the band would be a fantastic advantage! If your health is poor and you have a proven record of attempting to lose weight i would go for it, GOOD LUCK If you have any Q's pm me or post em here :-)

Hi *waves* I wanted to let you know i understand! I have been banded 6 years, 7 in November. I got my weight off but around two years ago had to have an emergency unfill and was loose for the last 2 years because i didnt want to have a fill again for fear of being too tight, i put on a bit of weight...not heaps but i started to feel hopeless, i forgot what it was like to use the band as a tool and not think it is meant to do it for me. When i joined this board i realised how far out of control i was and just how loose. I found that i cant depend on the band like i used to because now my body is used to it, even with restriction i have to stay in control. I went to see my surgeon and get regular fills, i started back on the track 3 weeks ago and have lost 3 kgs. The key is to find what made you get the band in the first place, what helped you in your head to lose the weight initially and then use it. I have also found going back to my surgeon once a month for regular fills and weigh ins has got me back on track. I hope you find the way through this and dont give up, if you lost the weight the first time you can lose it again chicka. Bel

hi Ryan I had the band 1 month after my 16th birthday, that was 6years ago. I wonder how overweight you are because it is a huge thing to do and honestly i wouldnt recommend weight loss surgery for anyone that age unless it is life and death, i was a certain heart attack risk Doctor said i would be dead in a year. It has been a huge emotional journey for me, coupled with growing up it is a huge thing to go through. I honestly am still adjusting and im now 22 years, it changes your life to a point you just cant grasp at such a young age. Having said that it saved my life and im happy to answer any questions you have. If it is something you end up persuing you will need huge family support as this isnt something you can do on your own at this age. You will also need a lot of counselling and help to deal with it. Despite having this i still have trouble. Best Wishes Belinda

Hi Kim, Just wanted to let you know your not the only one, i have been banded six years, a couple of years ago i had surgery because the port flipped and then last month it did it again but i was lucky enough that it flipped itself back! Good luck the second time around, will be thinking of you Bel

hi all, just thought i would introduce myself....im Belinda 22years banded 6years ago :-) 99lb/45kgs down

Sorry it took so long to get back to you, haven't been on the board a few days. It took me around 1.5 years, slow loser. I found it didnt matter how slow i lost because a loss is more then i would have had before the band

hi, i had the same problem, a small adjustment should do the trick...1 and a half cups for me personally is too much to lose weight on, perhaps your the same? I find to lose weight i cant have any liquid calories and i can have 1 cup max per sitting :-) Bel

Leisa i have lost a total of 45kgs, i lost all i wanted to and reached goal but have since decided to lose a little more. Got my first fill in 2 years on Tuesday and have lost 2.2kgs since :-) Have also had no problem maintaining my weight

I take it your an Aussie? Medicare will reimberse you some but no a whole heap, if you talk to your doctors receptionist she will be able to tell you for sure :-)

Not to worry it will heal, its normal! I had it badly and i even get black bruising when i get adjustments, different skin types bruise differently. The above poster is also spot on. :-) Bel

hi there, just wanted to put in my two cents worth. I was banded 6 almost 7 years ago, lost 99lb - 45kgs and have been on maintenance for 4.5hrs. I found it easy in the start but then i stopped losing so i stated exercising and lost weight. If you are willing to make the change you wil lose the weight it is that simple. People do eat around the band and they dont exercise and then wonder why they dont lose weight, i don't mean to be harsh but if your not going to do it properly you cant expect results. The most important thing with the band is going to the Dr regularly for fills and weigh in's. I'm still getting fills on occasion, though they are very small and i see my doctor every few months to check im keeping the weight under control, the band isnt something you can just let go once you have lost the weight. I know the band has complications but in reality if you have no complications with the band and aren't able to lose weight your not doing what you should be doing, exercise and eat right... don't get me wrong i know plateau's exist and they suck! Anywho, if you are willing to make changes then you will lose the weight :-) and keep it off, it can be hard if you have medication or illness that causes weight gain though Bel

I was banded on the gold coast in 2001 but have since moved and have Dr Bowden and Dr Dunbombe, both are fabulous

i was banded 6 nearly 7 yrs ago, lost 99lb or 45kgs and have been on mainenence for 4.5 yrs :-)

in my opinion, the band seems to be working for you, i don't understand why you would think about changing if its working, the chances of something major going wrong a minor, if something did happen then maybe it would be worth looking into changing but really, why fix it if it ain't broke? The fills are a positive, if you need the band loosened for some reason (illness,pregnancy) etc you can. The sleeve is not something you can change to suit your life. Just my two cents worth :-) Bel

For my surgery they gave me some lovery paper knickers... you wear a gown. They cover your legs with blankets during the surgery to keep you warm. They have no reason to go down there so i wouldnt worry too much. You will most likely be topless but they wont do that until you have been knocked out Bel

Ok so, from what i have learn't (which isnt much) Body fat is a lot more accurate way of measuring your healthy weight because it scans your body and tells you how much fat you have, bone, Water weight, muscle and exactly how much you can lose to be considered healthy. Bmi is much more general, how much you should weight is based on simple measurement which in my opinion is too general to be accurate. My nutritionist measures my body fat by a machine, it says i should be 2kgs heavier then a healthy bmi based on my muscle and fat ratio. I also have very dense bones which the machine takes into account unlike bmi. Im no expert but wanted to reply :-) Bel:biggrin2:

Hey Everyone, I have a question for those of you using Protein powder as a Meal Replacement for 1 meal a day. I am getting my first adjustment in two years tommorrow and i know i wont be able to eat Breakfast because my band gets very tight in the mornings. I have been looking through the many posts regarding Protein Powder and their is so much debate about wether or not it helps lose weight or causes weight gain when you use it as a meal replacement for 1 meal a day. So i was hoping that any of you who USE protein powder on a daily basis can share your experience with me as to wether it helps or hinders you, i would also like to know if you find it filling? Thankyou in advance for anyone who can help me, im so confused and really dont want to use weight loss Meal Replacements. Bel:thumbup:

Jacqui - thank you so much for all your help! With the questions i had here and with restriction you have been a gem :-)

hey, i had a similar problem...high blood pressure and extreme stress on my heart at just 16. I wanted to respond so you dont think nobody is listening! The only person who can tell you if lap band is suitable is a doctor because they need to know all of your history including weight loss efforts. It would be impossible for us to give you a yes or no answer because we dont know everything about you :-) If you have a weight problem the lapband COULD solve that if it is suited to you, again a doc would have to help with that decision. If there is anything you would like to know about the band i would be happy to help . Also you can pm me if you want to know anything else Bel