Goal&Unfilled

Patty I’m so relieved for you! That’s great news to hear you’re on the way back to Weight Loss Town 😁. I went to my 4th barium swallow after fill removal on Dec 15 and was allowed to put back 1ml but no more at this stage and likely forever. I have 5mls now whereas I had 6.25mls before my esophagus crapped out. Restriction at the moment is average/ordinary but nothing that gives me security. I need more. My Bariatric GP says “no way”. She’s referred me back to my surgeon for a conversion to sleeve with a 4 month game plan. If my esophagus FULLY heals and can take a fill without reflux...the band will stay. If by August, I’m still refluxing under a barium swallow guided fill (?) then no more fills for me. If I’m not loosing by August on 5mls (?) Out with the band and chop-chop under the knife I go. im up 20lbs since being I filled which is sh*t but when this happened last time (a kink in the tubing-had to wait 3 months post surgery for a fill...) I had gained 70lbs. THE STRUGGLE IS REEEEEEEAL! 😂 ok. Thanks for posting; everybody! Your stories help. Keep us posted Patty and hang those leathers in full eye sight. Not long now!! Elle x (Australia)

Hi Ladies...I'm glad I found you here. We all share VERY similar stories, albeit at slightly different stages. Like I mentioned in a reply post to Maygoddess' post of some time ago...I was unfilled due to too much restriction after getting down to 167-175 lbs. I'm now about 213lbs. I can't stand it and I feel like a weird stranger. I've had 3 barium swallows and it appears my oesophagus is healing. The next bariumn is scheduled for this Friday and I CAN'T WAIT!! I want my clear head back and my wardrobe Anyway...as there has been talk in my GP's office of a band to sleeve conversion...I've been doing research on that too, lest I need to do that...and I also have the same questions....primarily...will it be as effective. My GO and my research say band to sleeve conversions are not as effective as (what they call) "virgin sleeves". But who cares...we have far less to lose and we all seem pretty health conscious. So let's get on with this ladies! Let's do it! We know what to do. Maygoddess...we want you in those leathers ASAP!!! How serendipitous that I came across your post right when I was feeling like my story was the only one out there. AND to now read you had the conversion to the sleeve and are feeling great for Day 1. A good start. Let's take it day by day. Keep us posted...and I will do the same on Friday. Elle x

MayGoddess! Thank you sooooo much for taking the time each time you have posted to record your experiences. I was completely unfilled on December 15th 2017 and now it is April 1st, 2018...so that was....3 1/2 months ago. I have gained about 40 pounds. I have been researching and reading non-stop since having an unfill...just to find similar stories or some insight into what is happening to me. And then I read your post. EVERYTHING that I was experiencing before my unfill including my attitude to food, the band and my glorious body (size 8) was the same as yours. You completely wrote down my story. Thank you so much. Finally I feel like I'm not loosing my mind, thinking I'm gaining weight by breathing. I gained 11 pounds in the first 5 days. How is that even possible? I was 'dieting'!! Anyway...I'm keen to know where you are at now. I have had 3 barium swallows (what we call it here in Australia) and each of them showed gradual improvement...so much so that it seems I MAY get my first fill this Friday. I am so excited. Like you, I miss the way I had no interest in food. My food thoughts are outta control these days and I want the respite from it. I, like you, also feel weird and uncomfortable in this new chubby body- a body that transformed into a size 10/12 so rapidly!! Tomorrow I am back on Optifast to give my oesophagus a final break before this next barium swallow...and then we'll see. My Band Dr has introduced discussion on converting to a Sleeve, I've done heaps of research on that but I would SO much prefer to just have my band working like it was before (sans the 'too tight' amount of fill). I've noticed your profile suggests you've had a gastric sleeve? I would so much appreciate an update on whether or not you lost the 40 lbs...whether you still have your band...what amount of fill you have compared to your 'too tight 2mls'...whether the infection was addressed (and how?!?) and whether you converted to a sleeve...(?)...ANNND whether you are still with your boyfriend! See...? I was listening intently!! So....I'd love it if you could fill me in. And I'll keep you posted too. Thank you again. You've really made my day just even listening to your story. Cheers, Elle