Padanelle

Its almost 5 years, and my biggest problem is still eating slowly and chewing throroughly. I have slowed down a lot, but its still a struggle. When I'meating at home alone I use a 30 second eggtimer between bites. That has helped a lot. Fortunately, drinking with meals has never been an issue for me.

I'm trying to get rid of some of my hanging belly flab. Its not so bad that I need surgery. I read about Radio Frequency (RF) skin tightening, and I wonder if anyone has tried it and if it worked.

I lost 60 lbs the first year I was banded, and managed to put 20 lbs back. This past year I have made a conscious effort to loose the extra lbs, and am slowly getting back to it - lost 12 blbs since the beginning of the year. I've added Protein powder back to my diet. I don't like the flavored powders, but enjoy unjury unflavored or chicken. I mix it in Soups, mashed potatoes, pudding, and of course beverages - cryastal light, juice, smoothies. It makes a great latte - coffee, low fat milk and some cinnamon or pumpkin spice.

I'm approaching my 4 yr anniversary. Best thing I ever did! Dr Fielding was my surgeon. The entire support team is great! Joan

I put on 20 lbs, and have been experiencing a lot of pain when walking. Turns out that I developed bone spurs. The podiatrist told me to get a pair of New balance sneakers.

It's been over 3 years and I am not where I wanted to be. Over a year ago, I was unable to keep any food down, and although I was thrilled that i had lost 7 lbs in a week, knew I had to get my band ajusted. Turned out, my band had slightly slipped, and the adjustment corrected that. Unfortunately, I was then able to eat foods I had difficulty with since getting banded (pasta, bread, etc), and in the past year, have put back 20 lbs. The worst part is that I have developed bone spurs in my feet, making it quite painful to walk - a problem I had before banding, but resolved itself after loosing weight. I have avoided getting an adjustment, as I don't have insurance, and the fee for a fill has gone up to $200. But I can't take the pooy pain anymore, and I am now determined to get back on track. I made an appointment for a fill and to see the nutritionist on Monday, and have dug out my old info on living with the band, making grocery lists for healthy foods. Wish me luck!

Good luck next week. Hope rge scoping shows only a minor slippage, and you can get a refill and be back on your way to loosing again. I only had 2 cms taken out, but I can't stop eating. I've put on 5 lbs in the past few weeks, and at this rate, I will gain everythinbg back quickly. One consolation, is that what I'm consuming is no where near what I used to, but I'm woried that I'll strethc out the pouch. I know I need to get back on track, and start planning my meals. I just keeping saying tomorrow....

Erin, Maybe you need to have a bit more removed. I was banded 2 years ago also. Suffered for a long time with difficulty eating and PBing. The developed acid reflux. I'm self pay also, so hestiated on going for an adjstment. I'm glad I finally did, as the acid reflux cleared up instantly and I can eat anything now - which is a bit of a worry, since I have started to put a bit of weight back again. I probably should go for a small adjustment, but I'm going to try to hold off for a bit until the weather gets cooler. I found that I have more difficulty swallowing when the weather & humidy is hot. Does anyone else experience that? Joan

Thanks, bandwhisper. I found the info very helpful.

For those of you with PB and too tiht band problems, there was just a post under "Slipped Band" that I found quite informative. here's the link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/132186-slipped-band/page__pid__1642798#entry1642798

So great to see so many new posts - and comforting to see I am not alone with my struggles and experiences. Louise, hope the finances for medical worked out. I was laid off the week before my surgery, and have been unemployed for 2 years. At first I had COBRA insurance, but that is over, so its a real worry. And being out of work has been depressing. Normally, I would binge eat, but a too tight band that I couldn't afford to loosen kept me from that. Though I am amazed that ice cream and wine (not together) did not put on more weight. I admire all of you who continue to exercise regularly. Last evening, despite the heat, I went for a walk on the highline with a friend. A little over 2 miles. Was quite proud of myself. Though i think I probably should have skipped the nice cold beer afterwards. But it was sooooo gooood. Joan

NYU Medical Center had these made up with their logo. They sell it for $5. Way overpriced, but well worth it. Its like an old fashined egg timer - hourglass with sand, except instead of 3 minutes, the sand runs out in 30 seconds. I just turn it over when I'm through chewing, and don't shove more food in my mouth until all the sand has emptied from the top to the bottom part. Its been a life saver for me.

Congratulations on the 90 lbs - and keeping it off! WOW! Exercise is still an issue for me, though I walk a lot more than I used to. A long walk for me is 1.5 miles. But when you consider that just walking a half block was a major effort pre-surgery, that's a major accomplishment for me. I bought a groupon for 1 month of unlimited dance lessons. I decides I would try all of the different dances the first week, then focus on the one(s) I liked best. So the first week I took 2 - 3 hours of lessons each day. Friday, my last lesson was a Zumba class. I was really looking forward to it. Even went out and bought special sneakers for it. It nearly killed me! Think it was too much to soon. They have free classes in Herald Sq on Thursday evenings, so I may try again. Joan

Hi Louise, Good to see your post. How've you been? I've had such problems with eating solids for over a year, terrified to go out to a restaurant for fear of not being able to make it to the restroom in time. I was resigned to eating soft foods and soups, but no regrets, as my quality of life is so much better. I could barely walk without pain before being banded, and got out of breath if I bent down to pick up someting. I love going out for walks now. I even took dance lessons. Getting some fluid taken out recently has been wonderful. It cured the acid reflux, which was a result of a minor band slipage. I was constantly hungry for about 2 weeks, and ashamedly pigged out on all of the wrong foods - cheeseburgers, hot dogs and a can of Pringles a day. Fortunately, after 2 weeks, the band has kicked in again, and i am feeling full after normal post-surgery portions. I have even gone back to my food journal that I kept for about 8 months after surgery, and am once again making healthy fun meals. One of the biggest helps I found was a 30 second eggtimer that my doctor's office sold. I always inhaled my food before, and eating slowly was the hardest thing to learn. The egg timer really helped. Hope you're doing well. Joan

Don't give up, and please don't let embarassment keep you from going to your doctor. A fill might be just what you need. Good luck

I was banded 2 years ago. Recently I developed acid reflux. Then I was at the point was I could barely tolerate soft foods. I was constantly bringing everything back up. When I reached the point of not even being able to tolerate icecream and having difficulty with liquids, i knew it was time to see the doctor. An esophagram showed that the band had slipped slightly. They removed 2 cm, and now i can even eat cheeseburgers... and the acid reflux is gone. Exercise should not cause the band to slip. However constant PBing can. If you are constantly PBing or experience a lot of pain, go see your doctor.

Haven't seen any posts on this thread in a year! Now that we've celebrated our 2 year anniversary, how is everyone doing? I managed to loose another 10 lbs this year - down a total of a little over 60 lbs. Goal is 80 lbs. Still a way to go, but very happy with the results. Its been a constant struggle with the band, and I have had difficulty with solid food for months. But recently I couldn't even handle soft foods. I had been hesitating on going to the doctor, as I don't have medical insurance, but when it became a problem to even keep liquids down, I knew I had now choice. I was happy to learn an esophagram was only $175. It showed that the band had slipped slighly, but the NP said by removing 2 cm's it should correct itself. It is so great to be able to eat solid food again. I am afraid I have been going a bit wold all week - cheeseburgers and chips 4 days in a row. Have to get serious again, before I start putting on weight again. Hope you are all having success with your band.

I find sipping red wine during a meal actually helps me digest better. Drinking water during/after a meal is usually disastrous for me. My doc said having a cocktail up to 10 min prior to dinner can help relax the esophagus. I'm all for that! I have learned that there is no blanket rule for everyone, as each person's reactions are so different. And just when you think you have learned what works for you - it changes!

The hospital where I had my surgery offers 2 support groups p/mo: one for those banded 1 yr or under, the other for 1 yr+ bandsters. I was banded just over 1 yr ago, and have not gone to the later group yet. I have gone sporatically to the first. I found it very helpful going the first few months after surgery, but then found that most of the time the issues are the same, and the same few people tend to monopolize the conversation. However, I usually did pick up some new tip. They also offer a nutrition class once a month. I enjoy these more. The best part of both of these is meeting other bandsters and talking with them befor or after the sessions. I'll probably try the 1yr+ group soon.

My dr said it is better not to drink while eating, but if you try it (sips) and don't have a problem, then its OK. The main thing is to listen to your body. What works today might not tomorrow.

Congratulations kdee. You look great! Joan

Cheri, You look FANTASTIC! Congratulations on reaching your goal. Joan