positiveone

I was banded March 2009. Allwas wellfor the first 2years. I was 20 pounds away from my goal. I felt great, had a new wardrobe.Then problems started. Heartburn. Jumping outofbed to throw up. I was completely defilled and we waited 6 - 8 weeks before starting to fill again. It has never been the same. Ihave had 2 years of problems and have now gained 30 pounds.I am getting frustrated as I paid $16,000 to go under the knife so that I would stop the diet game. Now the story at my clnic is starting to change apparantly. Now I apparantly wont feel the "restriction" I felt previously...that is only the "honeymoon stage". Now it is up to me to stop eating. I need to go onto Fitness pal and choose wisely and eat small portons (1/2 cup of food) only 3 times a day. What am I missing here? What did I pay $16,000 and undergo surgery for if it doesn't restrict me anymore? If I could diet and monior myself, believe me, I would not have made this choice. Had I known it wasn't a lifetime weight loss I would not have gone through with this. Please...anyone...has anyone come across the same and made it through? Please tell me that some of you 4+ year banders have had problems and found that good spot again and the weight loss continued?

Thanks Missy. I wish I was told that 4 years ago because I can copy and paste otherwise. i haven't gone into to the link but I will...but can you tell me what the band does do for us then?

My friend was also banded 2weeks after I was in 2009. She got pregnant and had ababy and the band got all screwed up. She had to go through the surgery again and they adjusted the band. She battled with the nurses to fill her until she finally went to the surgeon. She is now at 6.8cc and nothing. She has gained back all her weight. The nurses are saying now that this is no different than Jenny craig or Weight Watchers! They are forgetting about the $16,000. I could be at WeightWatchers for far less and no complications. So you are at 7cc and you feel nothing?

Does anyone smoke or am I the one last smoker? If you smoke, please tell me what you did pre surgery and after. Thanks, Karen

I have many friends that have successfully quit after reading Allen Carr's book. Way to Go!

I think I have had it pretty easy...i am not burping at all? Yes...stomach is still tender, but to be expected I suppose. How is eating for you guys (or soup intake..or yogurt)?

Oh, I know that feeling of losing a best friend! However, it may be the drug you are on. A couple of years ago I tried to quit with Zyban and I swear it put me in a depression! The nurse had asked I "cut down as much as I can" previous to surgery, however, do research online scared me, so I stopped smoking 4 days previous to surgery and refuse to have another one. It's now been 9 days...whooohoo! I know, not a long time, but I figure if I can go 9 days, I can go a lifetime. And...I have to tell you....way easier than wher I was on Zyban! No depression! I feel more powerful....taking control of all negative in my life...smoking gone...surgery done & on my way to be 85 pounds lighter - yippeeee!

Hi Amber....good for you! I had my surgery the day before you and as much as I have been up & walking day 1, cant say I could do 3 hours at a time! I was out & about yesterday...driving...returning movies & buying more soup! hehe. I don't know if it is gas, tightness, pressure....whatever it is, I keep getting almost like a spasm by my left rib...which I assume is the port. This is making me tense up all my ab & back muscles. Other than that, I am very surprised. I was very worried of pain. I never did have to take the pain medication...not once. I'm excited for my new journey in life....although my caloric intake is low currently, I cant wait for my first fill & see what that feels like. Cant wait for June, July, August to come around & feel comfortable in short sleeves & tank tops! Here is to us!! Karen

Well, my surgery is tomorrow & I have not had a cigarette in 4 days...tomorrow will be 5. It has been easier than I thought, but I think it is also the fear of going under the knife while smoking! Truth will be after surgery...just have to keep telling myself "dont even think you can have one".

Good for you for quitting and congrats on your upcoming surgery! Honestly, there are zero benefits of smoking, but yes...it is an addiction and hard to keep off the mind. I am fine during the dy at work...seems to creep up to me at night & on the weekends. So, anytime I want a cigarette at night or this weekend, I am going to make myslef to a physical excersise...skip rope...sit ups....then I will be out of breath & wont want one..and it will be a positive thing and not a negative!

Oh my....let me know how your surgery went!!

That is the thing...my patient coordinator said to cut down as much as I can, but then I read of others that say they could not have the surgery unless they quit. I have definately cut down to 5 or less a day, but will try my very best to have zero 3-4 days out and hope I never want to have one again after surgery;). Did you have any cigarettes for days previous?

Hello All...I am Karen and I am new, I am going in on Feb. 25th for sugery. I have gone through many posts on this forum to help me understand what it is going to be like. I think I will be able to handle the starving feeling...hey, I have dieted so many times, I am used to that feeling;) And doing the pre-op shakes, I think I am prepared for that feeling. My question is....how bad is the pain afterwards? I have never had surgery and I am petrified of how I am going to feel afterwards. My surgeon said I can be back at work in 6 days (wed. surgery, work on MOnday). I also have theatre tickets on day 5, and I am hoping that I can drive & sit in a theatre without being in pain? Tell me your stories of how long you were up & at it!

Hello All, I am going in on Feb. 25th for sugery. I have gone through many posts on this forum to help me understand what it is going to be like. I think I will be able to handle the starving feeling...hey, I have dieted so many times, I am used to that feeling;) And doing the pre-op shakes, I think I am prepared for that feeling. My question is....how bad is the pain afterwards? I have never had surgery and I am petrified of how I am going to feel afterwards. My surgeon said I can be back at work in 6 days (wed. surgery, work on MOnday). I also have theatre tickets on day 5, and I am hoping that I can drive & sit in a theatre without being in pain? Tell me your stories of how long you up & at it! K.

My birthday is 3 weeks after my surgery, and my surgeon said it is fine to have alcohol as it is liquid. problem with alcohol is the calorie intake...not the substance. Any liquid will pass right through into the stomach. It is best to stay away from ice cream, milk shakes, alcohol as it is easily ingested, but can cause you to not lose weight, as on any diet. Moderation and all is well.