jbarry0201902

So I just had my band removed a month ago. I was considered a success at first. Lost 70lbs. The first 1-2years were hard but it worked. It pretty much makes you a bulimic. This was what I found and other that I know that have had it. You struggle to eat real food. By that I mean apples, cucumbers, meat of almost any kind, Pasta, rice etc. I slimed on almost everything. My pouch hated pineapples. Every time I ate it my stomach kicked it out. Then I got pregnant.... after baby was born I was up 20lbs and while trying to get the fill back to where it should be I gained another 20lbs on top of it. Then I got pregnant again. This time I was having severe heart burn and acid reflux. When the baby was born she was big. I never got rid of the reflux. Had to have all Fluid removed. When things settled we started to refill and the reflux came back. Did a upper GI and found it had slipped. Not the stomach up thru but the angle of it was off. So without fill and still not being able to eat good things I gained ALL the weight back plus 10lbs. From what I read on here is that it is very common to have issues after pregnancy. If you plan on having kids in future I would really research it. I've had a hard time. I was having pain even with it emptied. I had a lot of chest and shoulder pain. Once the band was removed all heartburn and reflux has gone away. I haven't had to take tums or anything since. The pain gone too. I am now looking into the sleeve and if I had known when I had the band placed in 2010 that it isn't permanent and that the complication and removal rate is almost 50% I wouldn't have gone that route. Just really research it first is my advice.

someone I know had the same thing.... Like clear a room gas. It wound up being gallstones and needing to have gallbladder out. Don't know if that's the case for you but may be worth looking into?

I can answer this one.... I just had a fill with a new surgeon as mine retired... He says that caffiene is an irritant to your stomach... thats why you get heartburn from too much coffee.... He said it can really irritate your stomach and it can also contribute to band erosion.... He scaired me enough to start cutting back. Can't quit yet gotta wean down to avoid the headaches. I got a 6 month old so when he asked me if I was drinking caffiene I sad yes and he said how much? I said I have a 6 month old and work FT so alot lol.... He asked me to stop.... and thats what he told me in the caffiene lecture lol.

Try staying on fluids for a day to let things calm down. I am always super tight after a fill but it gets better over time. I wait about a week to see how things go.... But I also haven't had trouble with water unless I gulp it....

I felt like that too.... by day 6 or 7 it was like I went to bed and woke up and felt better. It almost felt like it went away over night..... but for the 1st week I was so full feeling.

:scared2: Started real food this past weekend. I am surprised that I can eat stuff..... I know it won't last but I even had some rice with no problems.... salad with chicken tonight. I am careful, but so far haven't had any trouble at all..... granted I don't have a fill scheduled for 2 more weeks. I'm sure things will change then... Is it normal to be able to eat stuff that it was suggested that you would struggle with? Thanks!

I only told a select few friends and family and asked them to keep it to themselves. I don't need people watching my every bite... I beat myself up enough about my weight and when I make choices that I know I shouldn't I don't need to be under anyone else's microscope and have them judge me. I have the people that are closest to me that know and support me... I have this site and the monthly meetings for support. That works for me. Its really a matter of personal preference.

I was banded last Monday.... It wasn't until Friday that I could actually get down the protein shakes and some water.... it gets easier day by day as the swelling goes down....So keep trying even though it seems impossible. The super full feeling went away, but I'm still not hungry. So I have to make myself do it, because the urge isn't there. Good Luck!

Thanks.... I know I shouldn't weigh yet but I just wanted to see.... The pain is definately there.... Having gas oains in my left shoulder and neck... and my stomach area is pretty sore...I'm hoping it will start getting better. I don't have the disire to eat, but I know I have to get something in there so I'm doing the best I can. How is your pain level?

I gained 4 lbs since I was banded monday.... Could it be all the fluids and swelling? I'm barely able to get enough in? Just wondering if this happened to anyone else? Thanks

Congrats! I was also banded Monday. I too am sore, not staying asleep long.... Although I did manage 4.5hrs last night. I am struggeling with getting enough Water etc in. Hopefully today will be a little better..... Good luck!

I just got home..... not feeling bad. Starting to hurt after car ride. Haven't had pain meds since 6:30am. No nausea.... pleasantly surprised how smooth it went.... Can't wait to start using this tool and seeing the results! By far he easiest surgery I have had...... So Excited!:thumbup:

Thank you everyone!...I'm sore and have some gas pains and gurguling feeling..... hopefully it will start to subside... Did any of you have some pain even after small sips when the liquid hit your pouch? Doc said it was normal, just wondering if anyone else had the same? Thanks!

I just had a guy call me a Fat F__ck. In a road rage incedent.... his road rage not mine... and I know I should have ignored it but I would be lying if I said it didn't bother me. It did and probably more than it should have.

I started my diet today too! Good luck. Hang in there you will get thru it. It will be so worth it in the end.

April 12th here...

I used Wellbutrin. but like with anything you really have to want it. I quit before I started the band journey. My surgeon requires 3 months smoke free and they test you to make sure you are not smoking!

I have the POS II also. I haven't talked to anyone at the office yet on what has to be done. I have to start from the beginning. I went to the seminar and all that before but since it was a year ago I have to start over. But I can't wait. I would love it if they tell me I just have to do 3 months! Thanks for the response!

I read the guidlines on Aetna's site and they had 2 conditions. So my question is do they make you do the 6 month diet? I read something about a 3 month diet and supervised exercise program. Does anyone understand that stuff? Thanks!

:redface:Hi all, I have never posted before, but feel like I need some support. I am at the starting line. I went to the seminar 6 months ago. A month later my insurance changed and the hospital near me didn't work with that insurance for the weightloss program. Well as luck finally has it I am getting new insurance next month that they do work with. I got really excited, but then these thoughts started running through my head. I really need this I have a bad back and had surgery and will face more if I don't get my weight under control.Also just other weight related health issues. My concern like I'm sure many of you had is what if I have this done and can't handle it after? What if it doesn't work? I know someone that this happened to. I'm well aware I will have to give stuff up and I am ok with that but I was thinking I need protein and what if I have a struggle with meat or anything else.... then what do you eat? I really appreciate any advice or stories you might have. Thanks, Jenn

I too have friends like that. I am really close with my friends family and they are always saying can't you just watch what you eat? Well if I could contol myself 24/7 would I look like this? I feel like saying thats a stupid question. And its always the skinny ones. My friend is skinny and she was like I know how you feel I was fat when I was younger. 1st of all she was young and she was chubby at best. She tells me can't you just eat what you want but in small portions? Yeah in theory I suppose I do but it almost never happens. I eat fairly healthy. I swear I could eat just lettuce and stay fat. Finally we were talking about my wanting surgery and she was finally starting to think in a different way. She said well I guess your right you do have genetics playing a roll. She eats what she wants and stays thin so she couldn't possibly get it even though she thinks she does. I think what made her different view was because I was trying to educate her on it. And I told her that chances are if I diet alone I may lose some but will never lose all and it would be a constant yo yo as it has in the past. I have a bad back I've had surgery and my back can hardly carry me around and I want kids and to live life like everyone else gets too with out worrying about wether or not people are judging me and staring at me and giving dirty looks. I don't know about you but I have this thing when I grocery shop I feel like people judge me by looking at whats in my cart. Its always healthy things but I feel like by the way they look that they are thinking they were going to find 6 boxes of twinkies and 2 gallons of ice cream just because I'm fat.

Thats awsome. Thanks for responding. I keep telling myself the pro's out weigh the cons. I don't do seafood at all. I do like my red meat, but I am a mostly chicken or turkey person. I was thinking about how many diets I've tried with little success. So this might be my only option if I can find a way to swallow my fears. Your doing great I hope I have that kind of weightloss.