Mimilou2004

It is crap, you do not have to see a nutritionist for 6 months...the Military would not have 2 sets of rules. Mimi

I recently almost lost my band...it was a nightmare and I gained over 20 pounds in the following few weeks and if truth befaced I probably gained closer to 30. I felt out of control and didn't want to be big again....I have my band back and functioning and am struggling to lose what I gained....my Surgeon told me if my band slips again I will lose it. You are in a difficult position and I don't understand why you are not getting aftercare help...what about seeing the nutritionist? I feel your pain and wish you well. I don't suppose you have been journaling your food and exercise? Mimi

Hi, Meekie...what group are you using for your band care? I use Riverside Surgical in Lexington, SC Mimi

Arriving at goal is half the battle, maintenance is the other half....let's face it we are all good at gaining and losing but not so experienced in maintaining. I have found that journalling also helps during the M phase. You pretty much know what you have been eating and burning to get where you are. Not making any changes in intake or exercise should result in a stable weight. Ah, but life creeps in...a little drink here, a pice of cake there, a buffey you say? All of these temptations and more will still be in your life and how you deal with them is the real work of Maintenance. It is a good idea to plan ahead for weight fluctuations and pre-decide at what number of pounds you will take redial action and just what that remedial action will be.... it is a real journey we have undertaken. Best wishes and congratulations. Mimi

Some of the sutures can take up to 75 days to dissolve and those pucker areas very well may smooth out. Don't make any final judgements for a few months. I will warn you that after my TT when I was unfilled and gained wt, I got really chubby "down there" and my thighs got huge...nice flat tummy, though!!!! Mimi

Congratulations on your restriction and getting a PT...I love my PT and went from a few weeks to now 2 years and I don't regret a penny..!! Mimi

I have heard about it but not as a reverse abdominoplasty...I was disappointed after my TT to have all the skin and wrinkles still on my midriff, I wasn't told ahead of time. Best wishes, Mimi

LOL, I am so low tech, I just write everything down. I was vigilant and strict about it then slacked off and found I needed the accountability of writing it down. Journaling has been of great help to me in making good choices. Mimi

It is possible your doc was never in the port so doing it under Xray is good...he can fill you just right. Many docs leave the needle in while the patient drinks, but Xray is the sure fire way to ensure he is in the port, not just in scar tissue. Good luck, and try not to worry. Mimi

Mine is in the same place which makes it at my clothing waistband level...but it doeent interfere with exercise. Congratulations and best wishes. Mimi

It is possible to get more restriction after an adjustment....sometimes it shows up unexpectedly a few days later, which is weird, I know. When I feel the way you are, I always worry "What if the band port was missed and I didn't really get an adjustment?". Since your doc is away, rest easy and do the best you can...you have proven through maintenance that you know what you are doing...congratulations because maintaining is hard work!!! Best wishes and keep posting your journey!! Mimi

Yes, do go slowly and listen to your body. Right now I am exercising quite a bit and using my band gently....I would like more restriction but I am also scared of it!!! Keeo posting, Mimi

I disagree with Angie and totally agree with Cindy...something has changed and a small unfill now before damage is done would be wise....my doc thinks problems start small and because we are afraid of not losing or even gaining we wait til it is a big proble,...New fills can always be scheduled.... Sometimes I wish I had never started calling them fills...it puts a very negative spin on UN-FILL!! I wish I had started calling it what it is...a lap band adjustment...no matter which direction it was in. Good luck and let us know how you are doing. Mimi

Karen, I am so hoping for the best for you...I am on a journey similar to yours but 4 months in your future. This time around I am taking it slow and easy....I understand and sympathize with your wish to not spend your life barfing...I got to the point where I was 118 pounds and liking it but barfing all the time and not feeling well. During the process of being unfilled and re-operated on plus the post op wait and the slow fills I gained 21 pounds. I am not at the fill point I want to be but I am close and the only problems I have is forgetting I have some restriction and having to run to the bathroom...my own fault not because of having more surgery. Give it a chance and make haste slowly and you may have a long term very good outcome. Best possible wishes, Mimi

My stomach had slipped up and over the band in 3 places and defilling as a fix wasn't an option. There have been a few posts where the defill fixed things but more posts where surgery was necessary. Give the defill a try, you have nothing to lose. I wish you the best of luck, Mimi

From personal experience, I agree with Vlp and wonder if you might benefit from a very small (0.25-0.5 ml) downward adjustment. I wish you the best, Mimi

Karen is so right....Be kind to yourself! You are making positive steps now after a break...sometimes we need a break, LOL. I am glad you are back exercising, that is super. Best wishes, Mimi

Like RSilversea. I just can't have them in the house...not even crunchy cereal!!!!...It is hard but you can do it...just maintaining your wt like you did is a wonderful thing!!! What about treating yourself to a personal trainer for a few weeks? That is incredibly motivating....! Best wishes, Mimi

Thank you for your concern...yes I had to have the slip surgically repaired and at the same time my hernia was repaired. I ended up being unfilled for 4 months and had to start all over from the beginning. Mimi

I know you made the right decision....best wishes. Mimi

You raised good points, Jack. I was told that all the vomitting I was doing caused the problems, but who knows, maybe the hernia happened, caused the reflux and vomitting, and that caused the slip. I know for sure that the prevalence of hernias increases with age, as you said. Mimi

Yes, it happened to me, too, plus the slip. Good luck. Mimi

According to the surgeon who repaired mine, I am much more likely to have it slip again, especially if I start vomitting again or stay over-filled. Please discuss this with your surgeon so you can avoid any known (to him) triggers. Mimi

I think it has something to do with air trapping and causing pain from a stuck bubble. I obeyed for a long time (months) and one day w/o thinking I used a straw and had no problem....the rest is history. Good luck, Mimi

I was so relieved to find this thread as I too, am struggling mightily. After being overfilled, slips, hiatal hernia problems, I was unfilled then had repair surgery...short version. The bottom line is that I am experiencing everything you all are....after being unfilled for 5 months and slooow refilling, I am up over 20 pounds and feel horrible, food is constantly calling me and I am back mentally to where I was 2 years ago as far as wanting to eat all kinds of slider food. I hope you all keep posting your struggles and journey back. The only thing that I haven't back slid on is exercise..I have a trainer 3 days a week and do the tradmill for several hours on Sunday. She has been my saving grace. Mimi