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Anyone out there that has been banded since 2003? I Iwould be interested in knowing how you are doing? I was one of the first dozen banded by my surgeon 5 years ago an am curious how some oldies feel.

thankful after 5 years and not being filled completely empty for a year and a half I still have a hard time swallowing. Sometimes the same food gets stuck and sometimes it doesn't. Doc says I take 2 big of a bite- dont chew enough -its the food or maybe it was cooked in the microwave or grilled so it is too dry-also I could be eating too fast. Whatever--I could not tell you which it is because sometimes I do not do any of these things and I still have problems. It is usually but not always the first bite or so. Someone suggested drinking something hot like tea before you eat. This does help if you can do this. Chris-5yrsout-47yrs

I cannot believe that is all you took off of work. I took off 2 weeks which was just right. You need to give your body time to recover and your mind time to get used to your new routine of eating and exercising. Walking is the best way to get rid of the gas but I think you need to start that right away even if it is just getting up to go to the rest room. Chris 5 yrs out 47 yrs

I just found out my band was not slipped. It is my gallbladder. Amazing how much alike the pain was to when I did not chew my food up well enough and it would get stuck going down through my band. Anyways I am having my gallbladder out Mon. 5/19 by the same doctor who inserted my Lap band, which makes me feel alot better. Chris

Brandi, What is DS? Sorry there are alot abbrev I do not understand on here. Chris

Brandi, I know exactly what you are talking about. There is so much positive talk here I think we are just afraid of sounding pesimistic. I do not want to discourage anyone becuase it could work great for them. It is something you just need to try to see if it will work for I guess. I was banded 5 years ago. When were you banded? I lost weight at first when I was afraid of what I could eat and when I was on liquids and blended foods. Who couldn't then right. I never felt like my band worked for me like I was told or thought I was being told. I may have misunderstood. I was suppose to be able to eat regular food without pain, like chicken, be done eating within 30 minutes and feel full for 5+ hours. I have had multiple fills and unfills and this never happended for me. I followed all the rules but would be told one thing at my support group and another from my doctor. The fills are expense and like I said they were never to what I thought it should be, stated above. I finally was unfilled completely because I was gaining weight and again just frustrated. I lost 40#'s the first year but have gained it back over the last 4 years. Let me know your story. I would be very interested to here it. Chris

Hi Ann, Don't be so hard on yourself. Your picture shows a beautiful lady! Is that really you? Anyways I was banded 5 years ago. Unfortunately this weight thing never gets easy. Write me and let me know what is going on with your band. Why do you think it is not working for you? I have had some rough times also. Lets share, maybe we can figure this thing out together. Chris

Good luck, let me know how you do. Make sure you walk around the bed the house wherever and you should do fine. Even just getting up and using the restroom helps to get rid of the gas from the surgery. That sounds like the biggest complaint I have heard. As sound as you come out of the anestetic start waking around and getting up. Keep in touch and let me know if you have any questions for yourself. It has been 5 years since I had my surgery but I think I can still remember most. Chris

Well my band is fine. I had my fluro and the only thing out of the ordinary was slow mobility of the barim fluid. I did not really understand what could cause this except stress. I had an ultrasound to rule out gall bladder problems and am hoping to find out the results Fri. I just ate some bean soup mushed up and my stomach is very sore. I will keep you all posted.

I have an appointment Wed. for a barium x-ray to see the status of my band possibly slippping. I will let you all know the outcome. Still on liquids and feeling fine. Chris

Hi, I am from the Toledo Ohio area. I was banded in 2003. Dr Duckett from Northwest Surgical Specialist. Chris

Banded 5 years and back to my original weight. A year ago I was so frustrated that I had my band unfilled. Over the last week I noticed my band was giving me pain after eating items I normally had no problems with. Usually this pain would start 2-3 hrs after eating. It has gone from 2hrs to 1 hr to 15' to immediate pain. It would be different foods not all items I ate, but now I am on liquids only for the last week. I am sure my band has slipped but am hoping it will take care of itself if I stay on liquids and soft foods for as long as needed. I am not to happy with my Doctor and I have different insurance now that does not cover any obesity procedures. i am still paying for the last test over a year ago so that is why I have not gone into my doctor. Has anyone else been through something similar with their band?

Thanks alot for the info!! What does PCP stand for? Chris

I lost than gained my weight back. Having some complications now that I am checking into. I never felt I could get my fill to where I could eat enough regular food that I felt full for any amount of time. Yes I followed all the rules. I just became frustrated and had my band unfilled a little over a year ago. I so not want to bring anyone down I was just curious if their were many people on here that have had the band for more than 4 years or so. It does not seem like their is and I wonder why. Maybe new people just have more questions. I know what brought me on was complications I am having!

Anygoodfilldoctorsintoledoohio?

I am in Toledo,Oh. Went to Owesis and Duckett. Know of any Doctors close by that handle this? Thanks, Chris

I am on liquids and softs for a week now. So far it seems O.K. I have not seen my doctor for 1 1/2 years since I had my band unfilled due to dissatifcation and frustration including my insurance no longer covering any obesity procedures. I have been banded for 5 years and have gained my weight back. i am hoping i can take care of this on my own but will go to doctor if i start vomiting.