ronnfia

Had mine July 23rs

I had similar issues and also was unfilled. The rest took care if the problem but I ended up gaining 25 lbs during the rest period. Now in process of getting refilled with hopefully just one more fill to get proper restriction. Gotta tell you, at first being able to eat a full meal was absolute heaven.! But looking back I wish I had just gone liquid for a couple of weeks instead to let the band settle.

Hey. I got banded 6 years ago and although I was been able to stop gaining weight I never got down to my desired weight. Had issues with possible slippage and was completely "unfilled" earlier this year, Disaster. Now up 25 lbs and struggling to get refilled to get good restriction and at the same time try and get weight off on my own. It's been very hard but I feel a renewed determination to succeed. Hopefully will get another fill within next few weeks and get back on track. Good luck to everyone on their journey.

as for how the band feels, you don't feel it or are even aware of it until your first few fills. I don't think I was aware of mine until my third fill. I was in the office after getting the fill done sipping my water to make sure it went down and I felt the restriction for the first time. it was quite a feeling. from that point on you are very aware of the band, not because you feel it but you feel it doing it's job. if you eat too fast it lets you know. if you eat too much it will let you know. and the way it lets you know..... it comes back up. i have heard a lot of people have problems like total restriction or acid reflux or pressure, I have had all of them too and it just takes time to get your fills just right. I am lucky to have my Dr relatively close to me in proximity, any problems and I can go to their office to have an adjustment. honestly if I could have done it differently I would have, the sleeve wasn't avail when I had my procedure, would I have done it? probably not. my dr wasn't too keen on it due to the shape your stomach becomes, said more chance for reflux due to the cylindrical shape. ru en y? yes I think I would have done the actual bypass. but I made my choice and I work with it the best I can. like I said I have had problems and I am still dealing with them. one habit I started was eating lots of small meals. the portion is under control (usually I can only eat about 1/2 a sandwich or maybe an egg at one time) , but the amount of small meals is way too high. carolinagirl had some great words of encouragement and advice and I thank her for that. she doesn't know me or owe me anything but support and comradely from this group is invaluable. wow, I'm sorry to have gone on so much, thanks for letting me open up.... good luck whatever journey you take

I took 2 weeks off

For me all I feel is the port in my belly.

thanks terrydumont46, I will get back to basics.. I work nights so I think instead of a meal at night I will do one shake instead. I totally understand the portion advise and will put it to use. I'll keep updating and let you know my progress. thanks again!!

I ended up having a possible slippage a few months ago. my Dr decided to loosen my band and let it settle back into place. deep down I was hoping to have a problem so I could get sleeve or ru en y revision, honestly the band is a struggle, daily struggle. I also have acid reflux issues and a large bottle of emeprosole when needed. sadly the band corrected itself. I have Kaiser and if there was a problem I could have has the revision for free. bummer. I feel like its time for a sit down with myself and make a new start and work harder at using this tool. also going to try and keep posting here. it's been a while and I feel better connecting with others "in the same boat".

6 years out and still struggling.

Looking for support from long time banded. I was banded in 2007. As with everyone I have had ups and downs. Overall happy since I was able to stop my weight gain but haven't had the large weigh loss. I am 230 , was 260, want to be 180. I eat lots of small meals can't eat any more than about a cup of anything but like I said, lots of small meals. Had slippage a few months ago so was unfilled and let the band settle. Band ended up ok so was refilled. I guess I'm looking for words of encouragement and support. I find once I get pounds off they stay off, am considering opti fast to get weight down. Any advice out there?

I had a possible slip and my treatment was to have it un-filled and let it settle back into place. my symptoms were night time reflux, immediate feeling of throwing up no matter how much I ate and always feeling uncomfortable. I pretty much hated to eat because I felt like crap and it felt like a chore just to eat. after 3 months I had a ct scan to see how the band was and it was back in place. I honestly was hoping for a major slip because I am tired of fighting with my band. if I could I would opt for the old fashioned gastric bypass and be done with the band, I still am having issues and would recommend bypass instead, that's just my opinion.

tipsby great posting. I was jolted awake by your "fighting with the band" comment. I feel like I have been fighting with it the entire 6 years. I hope you have found peace with yours and I will do my best to follow your lead. thank you!

I got banded march 2007. have had lots of ups and downs. overall pleased, I wanted the band mainly to keep from gaining and lose a little which I did. so no major weight loss. recently has a possible slip so was un filled and allowed to let band settle. bad idea because my habits came back ( or were unleashed because we all know sometimes the band just masks the issues) anyway got refilled and back on track but still no major weight loss, but now I am ready to drop more but don't think I can handle another fill. as it is now I can only eat very little at a time (so lots of small meals, another issue) has anyone overlapped treatments and used opti fast and if so was it successful? I feel like once I lose the weight the band pretty much keeps it off.

Hi Dawalsh, thanks for your comment. In the clinic I go to (kaiser) there are 4 surgeons that handle the operations and the fills, i get to see my surgeon occasionally but normally See another for my fills and follow up appointments. Kaiser does the sleeve but my dr is recommending the ru en y if I have it redone. She advised me of patients having lots of reflux issues with the sleeve and ultimately I would prefer gastric bypass because in an emergency my dr said it can be reversed. The sleeve cannot be. Wish me luck in my travels!!!