dragonflylover

I was banded back Nov 2009.. I have lost maybe 25 lbs total. and most of that was on my own completely. I cannot eat healthy foods... i get a lot of pain and often stuck where I have to vomit because hours go by and I am still in pain. I currently have residual slippage according to my new Dr. I am also 8 weeks pregnant and went to dr. for fluid removal. She stuck me 6 times and was bending needles.. turns out my port now flipped... I can't really do anything about it since i am prego.. I am just so done with this thing. It hasn't helped me one bit. It has prohibited eating healthy and I had better success on weight watchers. Anyone else going through the same issues?

I TOTALLY feel your pain! I am 9`1/2 weeks pregnant and all of a sudden I am having major issues with my band. I had residual slippage to begin with and only .5cc's in my band because I felt completely restricted with that.. Although I can still eat more than I should... i wasn't getting pain like always. Anyway.. yesterday I vomitted while brushing my teeth / tongue.. thanks to pregnancy... and when I ate a few hrs later I had MAJOR MAJOR issues with pain in the lapband area. I honestly didn't know if it was lapband related or gallstones.. or something else! I ended up going to the ER last night and the sono showed my organs were all good.. so we basically are assuming its lapband related. I am assuming I slipped it even more after I vomitted yesterday. Today I am causiously eating mushy foods.. I have NO appetite and when I think of food I get nauseated.. I HAVE to force myself to eat because of being prego and this kid makes me nauseous if i do not eat every 2 hrs! I have had NOTHING but issues with my band. Oh i forgot to mention my port is completely flipped and I can't even get the .5cc's out!!!!! I CANNOT wait to have this band removed after pregnancy and go back to weight watchers where i can eat healthy foods and not be in pain!!! sorry for the vent.. i am beyond frustrated.. this is my second pregnancy and I feel like i am having more issues this time around because the lapband.. or it's contributing to issues!!

my sister and I have the same surgeon and it is also where we get our fills.. but every time we go there we get reemed out by the PA and she is very hesitant on giving fills... it's VERY frustrating. I would like to look into changing fill Dr's.. anyone

Hey all, So husband and I decided to go for it and try for our 2nd. Period is due tomorrow and i do have classic symptoms of PMS / early pregnany. Yesterday i tried eating pizza and had 1/2 slice that cause tremendous amount of pain. like being stabbed in the upper stomach. I felt like my stomach was contracting and was also hard to breath a little bit. after finally getting it all out i felt some relief. But the next day (today) my stomach just doesn't feel right. i feel like i was punched and the dull achy pain that goes through to my back just wont go away. I am afriad to eat solids.. even soup! but i have to. I am pretty sure i am preggers but my question is, could this be early pregnancy symptoms or band related? i didn't have ANY sickness with my daughter. thanks guys!

Hi all, I am having pretty moderate back pain on my left side mid-upper back, possible close to the middle of my back. Its becoming worse and radiating so I can't tell. This morning before the pain i noticed upper mid stomach pain..like dull achy pain causing nausea. Could this be related to my band? right now I feel like I am salivating excessively.. almost bubbly. I may need to go to the hospital if it gets worse.. i dont know whether to call lapband dr, or just go to regular dr.. ugh!

I am so sorry to hear your are having such a hard time. In times like these, all I can ever do is remind myself that its meant to be this way right now. In the end it will all work out just stay positive and be the best wife you can be for your hubby.. he's going to need your strength.. your a team.. stay focused, keep fighting!! sometime miracles happen and also dr' can be wrong..some don't take the time.. just do all your research and I wish you the best of luck. "everything happens for a reason" -Delia

Hello, I have to say, I am some what in the same situation as you. My husband and I decided just last night we are going to go for it! my situation is a little different. we have a 6 yr old right now. It will most definitely be like starting over again for us. We are both very anxious people when it comes to looking forward into the future and what to expect. I realized something lately, I'm 30 now, i don't know if it's a part of me growing up a bit.. i am definitely still in a 20's mind set... but.. I think it's time to live life as an adult. When we got prego with our daughter we were dating just 3 mths, no house, living with parents, lost jobs, really struggled. but in that time we got back on our feet.. bought a house even!!! its not the most ideal area, but it's affordable.. not in immediate danger and I am accepting what we have and how far we really came.. all with a child. and a spoiled one!! So, after years of worrying and waiting for the "right time" we come to realize.. the right time will never happen.. and you always find a way to make it work once put in the situation.. financially we should probably not have a kid at this moment. but.. i can't see our finances changing much in the near future and I am getting older..more risks. so my theory is, we work as a team and make it happen..whatever it takes. good luck with your decision... I am hoping to be prego within a few weeks!! ohh and I am def.. NOT at my ideal weight either.. I will do my best to continue to eat better while prego. -Delia

I am so back and forth with this thing. my husband is almost begging for me to take it out. this is where i am at so far. Lost only 25-30 lbs in 1 yr. granted the first 10 mths i was not exercising, and not 100% on a diet. BUT... i was over restricted for several months and could barley eat anway.. why i didn't lose more is a mystery to me. Recently i went to a new fill dr who has better technology... After drinking that chalk crap, she could see it moving through my esopeagus (SP?) and into the pouch.. which was streched and sagging over the band. at that point she removed Fluid and left me with .50cc's for 1 month. I went back and drank that crap again.. and she put in 2.00cc's which gave me a total of 2.5cc's and according to this XRAY machine i was fully restricted. I also have a second small pouch and residual band slippage. Lately i can eat everything and anything i want to. apparently i need more restriction.. BUT the xray machine showed me perfectly restricted.. i dont get it.. it hasn't even been a month since this fill and i am now afraid that i am once again stretching my pouch.. i do not have pain this time around.. it's almost like not having a band. it costs me $80 per visit so i can't constantly have this ting checked out. IDK what to do.. i am becoming beyond frustrated and down about myself. i am losing my esteem, drive and am depressed.... i am still working out which seems to be the only thing maintaining the loss... but i am still not losing. do i really need to starve myself?!?!?!? I dont feel like I am going way overboard with food.. I know if i didn't have the band i would eat 2X the amt i currently do. I feel like being thin is just not meant to be for me. so discouraged.

thanks.. good luck with your band and your journey.. not everyone is the same so you might have a great experience.. i hope thats the case for you..

Still lots of work needed.. this is my best before pic.. around 250. recent pic 226.

hey guys, it's been a while since i updated.. so, i finally got my insurance back in september. I saw a new fill Dr closer to home and with better technology. This Dr. (Dr. Mehta) has an x-ray machine that can see inside in real time. I had to drink that chalky crap and we saw the fluids go through my system.. it got to my pouch and filled up the pouch, drained some..then some stayed in the bottom of the pouch which appeared to be stretched and sagging over the band. So Dr. ended up removing the 5CC's i had and put me liquids for 5 days so the pouch can shrink. well this all took place mid october so now i am back to eating normal food. Now, i see the difference. I can eat so much more, and I get hungry a lot more as well.. I have to go back in a few weeks for a followup and hope I get my restriction back. Dr. couldn't tell if I stretched or slipped. i don't know what to expect in a few weeks.. but i do know this is very hard to control amounts... the good news is, I am still going to the gym..so I am not gaining back.. :thumbup: Has this happen to anyone? thanks!

Hello, I am sorry to hear about your recent seperation.. i am a true believer in "everything happens for a reason" so hang in there.. it will all work out for the best.. but i understand fully the hurt... I have been taking Prozac for years now... prior to banding, and currently. It comes in a capsule so i usually open it and mix the powder in some low fat yogurt.. it NEVER bothered my stomach and prozac has worked great for me and everyone else i know.. zoloft was not so good for me.. it magnified my anxiety and panic... good luck!

6x a week at the gym.. and sundays i usually clean the house which is another form of workout. unfortunately i don't see much scale results.. nor are my pants falling off yet. BUT i have only been doing this for 3 weeks now and yes, i do mainly cardio fat burn.. so we'll see!

Hey everyone, So the only way i could fit the gym in to my busy life was to go on my lunch breaks. luckly for me, they built a brand new lucille roberts about a mile from my job. so my new routine is.. 1pm i start on the elliptical and set it for weight loss program.. i put my weight and age and it automatically sets the program for 30 min. basically i am doing intervals of level 1 for 6 min, then level 8 for 6 min. my heart rate is averaged at 165 which according to the machine is above fat burning and in peak to high mode. i usually start off at a good pace.. not pushing or fast.. then after the 6 min the resistance changes to 8 and this is where i push and go faster.. i do feel the burn, i am sweating, and pretty much out of breath no matter how much i control my breathing. is this good? i know this means my heart rate is up and i am in fat burning mode. but should i push? or go steady throughout the whole interval changes? after the 30 min i move to the weight machines.. i do inner and outer thigh, flys, abs, and deltoids?? i think it is.. here is my issue with the machines.. i heard less weight more reps is for toning, / fat burn.. more weight is to bulk up. BUT... if i use less weights on the abs for example.. i dont feel a burn, i dont feel like i worked the muscle.. therefore i increase the weight to 55 lbs and i have to really focus on isolating the muscle. once i am done with my workout.. i go back to the office and eat my lunch. hoping that this is the best time because my metabolism has the extra boost... my questions are.. am i better off pacing the elliptical or pushing myself to the point of pass out? should i stick to less weights even if i am not feeling a burn? and, is it best to eat lunch before or after a workout? i am just trying to get the most out of my workouts and make sure i am getting them done right in the end. ohh i forgot to mention that i workout during lunch for 1 hr 5 days a week. and on saturday morning i take the kick boxing class then followed by total body workout..(which is not cardio..but more muscle building and strengthening). thanks!

Elliptical- i can actually go 3+ miles without almost passing out..plus i sweat A LOT more and is much easier on the joints and boobs.. hahah

Hey Esin, you are right, there is A LOT of support on this forum and it is really nice knowing when you need that boost or support you got it..right here. :-). I'm sure everything will turn out great for you and in my opinion i am finding out that there really IS no easy way out. I've noticed something in these last few days..since i have been working out everyday.. i definitely have A LOT more motivation, energy, and it's easier to stick to a healthy diet. I know that once i get down to my optimum weight, the band will help keep off the weight gain... i think thats what they mean by it being a "tool" someone posted on here a very useful website.. BariatricEating.com - BE, Inc. The number one bariatric website for Protein, Vitamins, and success. i am grateful for finding it, there are soooooo many yummy recipes.. I wish you well and let us know how it all turns out!! P.S. weather was rainy the last few days here in NY ..but today the sun is shining and it's going to be 81 degrees... too bad i am stuck in a box (my office) at work

Hey all, so i am approaching my 1 yr bandiversary.. i'm only down 25/30 lbs still.. and to be honest. most of it was post op weight loss from eating mushies.. and another 10 lbs because of stress in my life. i am not happy because of a few reasons. I know there are members out there that i will get an ear full from because i haven't exactly been "by the book"... i know what i am supposed to do.. and lets get real... most of us were or are looking for an easier way out in some way.... when i went for the seminar prior to surgery.. i was told basically everything i wanted to hear. YES, i was informed of what i should be doing while banded.. what i should avoid.. but i was also told that i would feel full and satisfied and my life wouldn't change so much other than working on being healthier and losing weight. well, it's not so much like that :smile:. Basically no matter how slow or how much i chew my food. i ALWAYS have discomfort. I addressed it with my dr. had an endoscopy and all went well.. no blockage, band in place.. it's all good. I had .5 CC's removed and felt somewhat better. so i have 5 CC's total in a 14 cc band. I can most definitely eat a lot more than i should be... when i can get it down.... I was told no more than an egg amount of food. i eat a normal size portion.. and maybe more. I am rarely satisfied. I stop eating because of discomfort or PB. I have done the whole..wait it out 30 min.. i am just NEVER satisfied or full. I have to be honest.. weight watchers was much more successful and i was always satisfied. I am really starting to regret my decision unfortunately. i wish there were more posts like this when i was doing my months of research.. but even then.. we are all different. we all have different surgeons and Dr's.. i have to say. i am completely unhappy all around... (dr, surgeon,lapband,weight loss, uncomfort) I'm not really looking for much advice in response.. i just wanted to throw out my feelings.. on that note, i'm getting ready for the gym and will do my best to lose weight the old fashioned way.. maybe get the Fluid removed from my band so I am not so uncomfortable on a daily basis and i can eat more than Soup to be satisfied :biggrin: thanks for hearing me out.. i hope i helped someone who's researching the band.

HAHAH nope sorry. for me it has not gotten better. i burp and pass gas more than ever in my life now. my poor hubby. i burp like a trucker. it's bad!!!!! and it's uncontrolable. good luck!

ok, so here is my reply for all.. Plain - i had probably less than 2 oz of chicken. i will pay attention more to the size of bites next time. i do know that i chew very well. Esin- researching is the best thing you can do. i personally would NEVER do bypass or sleeve. I am not comfortable with cutting my organs.. but remember, just because i am having issue with the lapband, it doesn't mean you will.. every BODY is different, ever surgeon is different. i wish you the best of luck... thank you. darkangel - i'm very happy to hear the band is working out well for you. it seems you are 100% dedicated to lose the weight. go you. for me, it's a different story.. as much critism i receive, no one really knows what i deal with on a daily basis. YES, i do go to the gym, YES i do stay away from food at night. NO i do not eat breads and i am not perfect either.. but i definitely choose my foods more wisely. i think once i get this "TOOL" to work with me, i will be golden. leigha- i am guilty for not weighing out my foods.. however, i do have a measuring spoon and i have a very well trained eye for measuring ever since weight watchers. but as far as the lean chicken last night, i ate less than 2 oz. I put a palm size of chicken breast on plate and gave about half of it to my cats..the rest went in the bowl all in all.. this thread turned out to be very useful and helpful. so thanks everyone. i feel great today, my workout yesterday was amazing and keeps me motivated.

thanks plain. you do have a point, i need to be more positive about it.. but i can't deny that it can be VERY discouraging at points. i haven't given up and i'm getting back on track. i guess i am coming to terms with that fact that i have to work even harder than i was told by my surgeon.. but.. i'm sure i will have people agreeing with me that it almost seems easier to have done without the band. the "tool" is not really doing it's part other than causing me grief.. but thats something i will have to take up with my dr about. but several members posted very good advice and made a few good points. i really do stay away from a lot of things simply because i know it wont sit well.. so thats a plus. today i had rotisserie chicken breast. was delicious.. then i threw it up 5 min later because i CANNOT eat lean chicken.. i just can't do it.. thats part of my frustration.. shouldn't i be able to eat lean chicken? anyway.. thanks for the advice and i'm sure with some more positive outlook i will see results.

thanks leigha and coneflower. leigha i think your right and i'm going to take your advise and have a little removed. it is torturous to eat and can be very discouraging at times.. thanks everyone for the good advise and in about a month i will have health insurance again... yey!

well.. i have no problem with constructive critisim...however, at the time.. i do not have health insurance.. so with that said.. going to a nutrionist and pay out of pocket is not within my budget.. SO i'm on my own for now. I am not sure if you have experienced what i go through on a daily basis... and i doubt it since you are quick to judge. I am not innocent and i stated that. I know where i go wrong but my point was.. even when i try my hardest i still have pain and stuckage while eating and its beyond frustrating. I cannot eat grilled chicken, or any type of lean chicken or meat. I cannot eat steamed veggies or raw veggies, it DOES NOT sit well.. and I will not vomit everytime i eat and take the chance of slipping the band... if you read my last sentence i did join the gym. I dont agree with you that I am not trying, like i stated I will lose the weigh the old fashioned way. :confused:

Thank you! i never heard of body magic or levive. i will have to look into it.. i appreciate you taking the time to read my post and thanks for the encouragement. once i get my insurance back in a month, i want to go back to my dr and get evaluated again.. i'm a fighter.. so lets see what happens

OK, so in all honesty.. it's been months since I have been on here. I have been through SOOOOO much in my life.. not making excuses.. but I am now ready to get moving on this again. I had my surgery 11/09 - i am down just about 25 lbs.. i REALLY was expecting a lot more of a loss.. but again, i didn't put all 100% of myself into it. what I am shocked by is, as of right now i have 5 CC's in my band. i had .5 removed because i was getting stuck way too often. So even with 5cc's i still get stuck not AS bad though. I have cut out just about 80% of carbs and breads than I used to eat. mainly because i just cannot get them down.. i REALLY do eat A LOT less than I used to.. and although i am not eating strictly salads, and veggies.. nor exercising as much .. i would think i should be down a lot more by now... what is frustrating is this.. the PA who does the fills in my surgeons office, is very judgmental.. she does come down hard on us.. and is very hesitant on giving fills.. now i am speaking more for my sister because I lost my insurance and haven't been there for a few mths. my sister is at 6cc's and can still eat a huge plate of food.. no problem. there is something wrong with that.. YES. she really shouldn't be eating a huge plate of food.. but the purpose of the band is to help us eat less and feel full quicker right? so being that this is a tool.. why isn't it working?.. and yes, i am expecting a bunch of replies about how we need to work at the weight loss as well.. blah blah i heard and know it all.. how is it that some people lose massive amount of weight with little effort.. and some need to feel like they are on a diet their whole lives? is it the Dr? i dont get it.. and it's very frustrating. some days i feel like i just want this thing out of me. it causes more aggrivation than anything. the pain of eating is getting old now.. and yes, i have slowed down and chewed my food well.