happy2bthin

I too, revised from Vanguard to a Meridian band. My surgery was 7/09. I have only lost 24 pounds of the 50 I gained and I'm now seriously lactose intolerant. I asked my doctor why the weight loss is so slow -- I've had to work for every pound I've lost. She said all of her patients w/ a revision band have said they can't lose weight. I'm on a losing streak right now, but the lactose thing is really bothering me! If I eat anything dairy my stomach just kills me and roars constantly for days--lovely.

Hi, I went for a routine check-up the other day and I'm having very frequent heartburn. My doc said I have to have an upper GI to see if my stomach has prolapsed up through my band--he said it's common? Has this happened to any of you and is this due to something I did? I go in the morning. He said if it has come up through the band he'd unfill me for a month to let it go back down. I'm very concerned please talk to me if this has happened to you. Thanks!

If you're just dilated, then yes, but if you prolapsed, no.

I was almost six years out and mine slipped due to overeating. I pushed my band to the limit EVERY time I ate. I used it to tell me I was full -- BIG MISTAKE!!! The Realize band is completely different though than the one I had. It doesn't let me know when I'm full -- which stinks because I'm having to learn all over how much to eat.

My band slipped Feb. 08 and I just had it replaced on 7/29/09. My insurance would only pay to remove it so I paid to put it back in. I went round with them since Sept 08 and just couldn't live gaining weight so I just went ahead and paid. United Healthcare is awful!!! The cost to just replace it was $2700 hope this helps.

It sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I was re-banded on July 29th and I'm at 207 pounds. I was down to 168 prior to prolapsing. I would like to get to 160 eventually. I agree with the other person that you should check w/ your doc about your arm swelling.

Hi Laura, I've been banded for almost 6 years and I just read your post. My doctor advised me that if I'm not hungry in the morning -- don't force it! Skipping breakfast won't hurt us because we take enough supplements to sustain our bodies. I haven't eaten breakfast in almost six years. Drinking something hot in the morning only opens your band up -- that doesn't make any sense to me. It defeats the purpose of it. It would be like drinking a milkshake when you're full just because it will go right down. I've had great success with my band. I've lost over 100 pounds. So I speak from experience. My doctor was the first surgeon to place lap bands in Dallas so I trust him and I take his advice. As far as how much you should eat he said you should never be able to consume more than a cup to a cup and half in one setting. You're a band newby so they just haven't got you to your sweet spot yet. You'll get there and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. Literally, you won't be able to eat an entire Lean Cuisine for lunch -- I promise. I'd be happy to talk anytime you want to. Good luck. My only advice is try not to overeat to the point you're throwing up. You cause hernias and a possible prolapse -- which is where I just was and had to have my band replaced 4 weeks ago. Talk to you soon.

Hi there has anyone had their band replaced due to a prolapse? I had mine done 3 weeks ago and I need to talk to someone in my same situation please.

I was banded in December of 2003 and I prolapsed in February of 2008. I had lost over 150 pounds and gained 50 back while the insurance was trying to figure out if they were going to pay for it or not. They were willing to pay to remove it, but not replace it because my BMI wasn't high enough. My doctor called the medical director at the ins. and tried to convince him that not replacing it was completely stupid! I would gain all my weight back and the guy at the ins. commented that I would then qualify to get a band. Have you ever heard of such a crazy thing in your life?! So, after waiting a year and 4 months, I had it replaced at my expense. The insurance paid to removed it and I replaced it. I don't know how they are going to cover office costs now or even if they are, but I have a band. My symptoms were no restriction and sulfur burps. My doctor explained to me that in a prolapse the stomach actually flops over the band and hangs below it causing food to get stuck in there and it "spoils" giving off sulfur gas--lovely huh??? I'm almost 4 weeks post revision surgery and I'm having a LOT of burping again. I'm concerned it has prolapsed again. Actually I'm kind of scared. I'm going to visit with the dietician today and hopefully I can talk to the doc and ask what's going on. I'll keep you posted.

I hope you're doing well! It may hurt now, but it's worth ALL of it. I was banded in Dec. of 2003 and lost 145 pounds. Hang in there I know it's tough. Don't cheat on your diet -- you will prolapse and be back in for another surgery.

Hi there has anyone had their band replaced due to a prolapse? I had mine done 3 weeks ago and I need to talk to someone in my same situation please.

I had revision surgery on June 29, 2009 due to a prolapse. I had experienced sulfur burps as my sign there was a problem. Today is July 21st, 3 weeks post-op and I'm having sulfur burps again. I'm concerned that I may be in the same situation that I was prior to surgery. Does anyone know??? My doctor stated ONLY 2% of banded people prolapse and have to have revision surgery -- I think he lied because he says he does these surgeries ALL the time. Anyone have any comments on this?

I'm just the opposite! I can't eat during my cycle. I'm so tight it's ridiculous. It must be affected by our hormones--weird!

You WILL reach your goal weight just hang in there. If you fall off the wagon just get right back on there! Take one day at a time and in no time at all you'll be swimsuit shopping--yes, I said swimsuit shopping!!!

Please keep me posted on your status. I requested my band be looked at on the fleuro and my doctor refused. He said the only time he does upper GI's is IF there's a problem. It's only been done 3 or 4 times in the 5 years I've had it. That worries me because it's a foreign object in my body.

You go girl!!! You look GREAT! Let me know how your surgery goes. I'm almost at that stage and want to talk to someone having their skin removed. Thanks, Rachel

I'm not going to lie, food was my crack cocaine! I'm 5 years out and do struggle with other addictions (buying things on E-Bay, eating Oreos (BAD), surfing the internet). I would say yes, you do trade addictions--just find a healthy one like excercising! I actually enjoy walking and biking--I can't believe I'm saying that because I weighed 324 pounds 5 years ago and couldn't even walk around my house let alone the block! Good luck, Rachel

What are the Wal-Mart protein shakes called and what part of the store are they in? I'd like to try them because you said they're good. Thanks, Rachel

I have. Your stomach is a muscle and overeating causes it to stretch. Only drinking liquids will make it shrink and will give you a weight loss boost when you return to food. It works great!!! Smart doctor.

No, it's not torturous after surgery. For me it was like they did surgery on my brain for the first week or so-I ate a couple bites and felt full. You DO NOT get hungry while you're on liquids after surgery. I ate 1/2 a soft taco from Taco Bell 2 weeks after surgery and was VERY full. I'm 5 years post-op and have lost 129 pounds as of today. I'm grateful I made the decision to change my life. I was a whopping 324 pounds when I got a band. I'm unable to eat a whole Lean Cuisine for lunch because I get full. I never thought I'd be able to say that! Don't be afraid of being hungry. You won't be. Your mind will tell you that you need to eat, but that's the food addiction talking--ignore it and go do something you enjoy to take your mind off food. You'll do fine! Good luck!

Hello, A friend of mine just got a band and her doc told her to stay clear of popcorn? Anyone know why?

Hi All, I'm new to this, but I have to ask...does anyone suffer from constipation? I was banded on 12/24/03 and my doctor asked everytime I went in if I had constipation issues. The answer had been no up until about 6 months ago. Now, everytime I get my period I can't go and eating a fibrous diet is almost impossible. Any suggestions? :party: One more issue...when I went in for my 2nd fill, last May, my doctor told me that my band was 'empty'--meaning I hadn't had a fill. Has anyone's first fill just 'disappeared'? If so, did your doctor have an explanation as to where it went? :help: Thanks, Rachel

His office was in the process of going to computerized records at the time of my 1st fill, so he thinks I didn't have a 1st fill. I told him I definitely did, but he didn't think so. This also happened to a friend of mine just a couple of months ago. Her first fill was gone. No explanation from her doc either.

Hi Tina, I was banded on 12/24/03 weighing in at 323 pounds! As of today, I weigh 165 pounds! I heard something on the radio that might be inspirational to all: No food tastes as good as it feels to be thin. I'm living proof that the band works. I haven't had any complications and I'm very happy. Good luck, Rachel.