DizzyLizzy

Sorry so late in my reply. I was having bad acid reflux suddenly, actually couldn't even keep Water down. I went to the doctor and they did the floroscope (xray) and found that my pouch was bulging on one side (stretched) and hanging a little over the band, so things were getting stuck in there and when I would lie down, even if I hadn't had anything for hours, the stuff sitting there would come up along with the acid that naturally forms trying to digest it. So they removed all the Fluid in my band and when I went back they checked again and it was back to normal. They have been filling me a little bit each month since, but I think since I stretched my pouch, it may be permanently "loose" because still no matter how much Im' filled I can eat a lot sometimes. So I may need to have my band moved up or down to create a pouch with firmer tissue.

I'm still in the same boat... can't lose a pound. I had gained back 40 lbs, but I've lost 10 of that, but that's been a several month or so process. I think I've kinda given up on the eating right part, because when I was I still wasn't losing. My band is iffy, sometimes I can still eat like a hog, sometimes not at all. I think my pouch is loose and can be easily stretched. I can't afford to get my band redone. I just started a new job, and my new insurance doesn't go in effect until the 1st, so I don't know if it will cover anything. But, I haven't given up on exercise, because I actually like it. Actually bummed we are in the middle of a blizzard, and I'm off but the Y is closed because of the storm. And the plus side is that I still am seeing changes in my shape, things continue to get less jiggly, so once I can get my mind right and maybe my band redone, I can get back fully on track.

I was losing ok, but stalled for a year. Had to have my fluid removed and now getting fills again, but I've gained 35lbs lbs back, so I'm down only about 40lbs now and was banded 2 1/2 years ago! But I'm going to keep at it.

I've heard of them getting flipped. But I also wonder, I know since I've lost weight my skin has shifted from my port. Like my scar where hey put the port is is down way lower from where the port actually is because I have some loose skin. So I wonder if they didn't get your port deep enough in your tissue that it's moved as your muscles, skin, etc changed and it's pulling the line? I know I would be a little tender around my port area after doing crunches and stuff. Ask your doctor to check it.

I understand! I'm over 2 1/2 years out and now I'm only 35lbs down from surgery day because I keep gaining! I had been down 65lbs at one point! For the past 2 months, I've even increased my exercised and am tracking my calories on MFP I'm still gaining. This is the same thing that happened to me before I got lapband which is why I got lapband, and I am just so frustrated now!!! But, I'm not giving up on it! It just makes me want to cry though, I've been upset all week about it since my last doctor visit.. even cried in front of the doctor, the dietician, the nurse, and the exercise physiologist! It's really messing with my head!

For those considering having the band removed, I haven't had my band removed, and don't plan to. But I did have to have all my fluid taken out due to a bulge in my pouch that tilted it. This was about 2 1/2 months ago. Since that time I have gained 12lbs!. I gained 5bls the 1st month. When I went back he gave me a small fill and even with that I gained another 7lbs! Even though I've upped my workout and been counting calories and keeping them about 1500 a day and I work out 4 days a week for anywhere from and hour to two hours each work out! So for those of you thinking you can keep the weight off after having the band removed, it's going to take some serious work! It seems to be harder for me to lose weight than before I had the band. I don't know if because when you have the band for so long, your body gets used to the low calories, when you go back to even eating low for a normal person, it's still too much for you. So, good luck!

Yea, it makes me want to cry too when I see pictures of myself when I was heavier. Even just face pics, I was like wow, what a difference! And the sad thing is when I was my heaviest, my son was a baby, so as much as I love to reminisce on those pictures of me and my son when he was young and think of how much of a joy he was, it still makes me sad to see myself like that. But at the same time, it's encouraging. I like the idea of putting the old pics on the fridge. I think I will do that. Maybe even figure out a way to send them to myself every so often during the day to keep me motiviated when I'm out of the house!

Thanks, everyone!

And I'm bummed. Funny how as soon as the doctor told me my weight Friday, I instantly felt HUGE because I thought I lost a few pounds, not gained. And as I sit here at work, my clothes are feeling extra tight...they didn't feel tight last week. Not giving up though... today is a new day. Just wanted to share.

I know my doctor is cautious with fills because if you get too tight, then you can end up with acid reflux, vomiting, a slip, or just not get proper nutrition. They want you to be able to eat properly, just not as much, but the band is not going to do it all. I've realized now, 2 1/2 years later, that I was not following the rules in eating only a half cup and stopping like I was supposed to. They want you to stop at the half cup so you don't stretch your pouch (like I did). And then set back, because it still takes about 20 mintues for your brain to realize you're full, and see if you get that feeling after stopping eating for a while. If you do, then you're good, if not or if you're hungry an hour later, then you might need a little fill. So, I think your NP is being cautious based on your feedback. Just saying "I'm hungry" is not good enough. They want to have a comfortable feeling that you are not just relying on the band to do everything, because it won't. Sad to say, lapband is a lifetime assisted diet, and it's not as easy as people think.

When they took my Fluid out my band I felt like a bottomless pit and could eat anything. When my pouch started to heal and my band settle back in place, I noticed I could not eat as much as fast, so my band itself gives a little restriction, but they told me I had the smallest band they make, so that might be the difference. I also notice that even when I had a fill, my restriction would vary day to day, even hour to hour! So you probably aren't stretched yet, but be careful...get in the habit of follow the eating rules now! As far as getting things unstuck, I found if I drank something hot, like tea, it would help to move it through a bit.

Oh, dear, you are just starting! Don't give up so quickly! The band is not magic. It takes time and it takes effort on your part and cooperationg with your doctor to make it work for you. Stay close with your doctor, be honest with your doctor and yourself about what you are eating and drinking and how much you are exercising. You will have periods success, failure, and sometimes nothing at all! Your band is a tool, but no tool will do anything on it's own! I paid for my band myself too! That is giving me more reason to stick with it, even though I have had setbacks and failures. I've only kept off 50lbs in the two and a half years since I've been banded and still would like to lose another 75 to 100 lbs! So, I'm still working with it and trying to get myself back on track. You HAVE to follow the band eating rules if you ever want to get to your "sweet spot" I didn't and never got there, so here I am trying again! Good luck, stay focused, and never give up!!!

Don't get discouraged. I've been banded for 2 1/2 years now and have only lost 47lbs since being banded. (I lost almost 70 but gained back 20 over the last year!) And I stretched my pouch and tilted my band and had to have all my Fluid taken out about a month ago. BUT I AM NOT DISCOURAGED! I actually am more inspired now to do it right! I go back this Friday for a recheck and hopefully can start getting fills again. Keep at it, keep working with your doctor, and be honest with yourself and your doctor about what you are eating/drinking and your exercise and how you are feeling. You are a team, you need each other, and in time, this will work for you!

www.myfitnesspal.com FelizMi

Yea, I would definitely be calling to get in sooner to see the doctor. 3 more weeks of not getting proper nutrition could be fatal!

For those of you who have or are looking to take your band out, have you tried keeping your band in with all the Fluid removed first? I had to have all of the fluid removed from mine because I stretched my pouch. But even without any fluid I have some restriction still and cannot totally pig out like I could prior to getting my band, but I can eat pretty much anything as long as it isn't too dry. And I've still mangage I think to lose a couple of pounds over the last 5 weeks since I had the fluid taken out. (waiting to get on the doctor's scale for confirmatin of that). Just curious as to why if the doctor says there is nothing wrong with the band, why removing fluid hasn't helped for those of you who say you can't eat at all.

You have to work with your doctor. I found that out the hard way, not going for a year and gaining 20lbs. The band doesn't work the same for everyone so you have to work with your doctor to get at the right spot for you. And it doesn't work the same all the time. I know for me changes in my health, mood, stress, all affect my restriction. Until you can get to your doctor, follow the meal and exercise plan they gave you (I hope they gave you one) and stay away from empty calories and sliders. Stay encouraged!

I totally get that. You see the people who can eat and eat and eat and never gain a pound. Or can drop pounds at the drop of a dime. I think a part of metabolism can be trained, and part is just hereditary. I've heard some doctors just fill you right on up and you get this sudden reduction in calories, where as my doctors will only do a 1cc or less every 6 weeks. They are firm believers that slower is better. And I'm thankful for that because it seems the slower you get your body adjusted to eating properly the more long term success you will have at getting the weight off and keeping it off in a healthy manner. I know one thing I am going to do when I can start getting fills again is try to cycle my calories... switch between low calories, say 1200 a day, and "normal" say 2000 every other day and see if I can still lose. That way my body's metabolism won't adapt to the "starvation". I think it's already kind of working as, I wasn't really tracking my calories before I had to have my Fluid taken out, but I know with tracking now averaging about 2000 calories, it was more than 2000 calories. But, over the last 5 weeks, I've been eating about 2000 calories a day and burning about a 1000 3 days a week with exercise, and I think I've lost 5 lbs! I'm waiting to use the doctors scale to confirm. No that's not a huge loss, but here I was gaining before! And I know last night when I did zumba, I felt the best I have in a long time, was able to keep up just fine, felt light on my feet, so I think my body actually need more fuel to up my energy and metabolism! I hope I'm right!

Go to the doctor anyway!!! Can never be too sure!

Does that have potatos in it? I know I will sometimes have problems with potatoes, especially left over because they seem to get "thicker" and more dry. Especially in the microwave because it can zap a lot of the moisture out. Just like I had a fresh grilled hamburger Memorial Day and I ate the patty just fine. Ate a reheated one today in the microwave for lunch, and couldn't finish it because it was dry. And I don't even have any Fluid in my band!

No, you're not crazy. I've been there dieting long term, even with my band I'm still struggling. I work out all the time watch what I eat, but my body sometimes just doesn't want to coopoerate, and then often times neither does my brain or my willpower, lol. Everybody is different. Do what you think is best for you, nevermind what anyone else has to say about it!

My doctor did explain this possible problem to me prior to surgery, that is why he has always been so concerned with if I've had reflux or not. He won't give you fills and will take Fluid out when his patients have reflux. When I initially started having reflux, which I found out was due to me eating too much, stretching my pouch, which titled my band (although my doctor says reflux is often a sign of simply being too tight becuause, I've read, the food doesn't go through properly and does extra work and create extra acid to break the food down) I too just thought I was hungry, so I ate more and more and more. Eating actually made it feel better, while I was eating. It was after I ate that was the problem. And then it got to the point where unless I was sitting or standing up, I couldn't keep anything down. Fortunately I didn't put up with it for too long, and went to the doctor and they took my fluid out and I haven't had a problem with reflux since. But, I can see how it would create leasions around the band area. Because the acid will come up and just sit in your pouch where the food should be sitting, and acid burns your cells, which cause your cells to change creating cancer. So, it all makes sense. It's just another thing you have to watch out for. The band as with any surgery or diet has tons of complications that can result, that why they say do them under the advice of a physician. I hope you recover well and soon. Glad you put this out there so that people will take any changes with their band, or health period more seiously and see their doctor right away instead of thinking, "oh, it's nothing!"

I know for some, being too tight is a problem. My doctor would always ask if I was having and reflux because if I was he wasn't going to give me a fill and would have to take some out. He says reflux is an indication of being too tight, because the food, although it may go down, it's not going like it should. I read somewhere that food doesn't just slide through, it goes down in a series of up and down motion and compression and your body makes acid to break down the food, and if you're too tight, your body will naturally make more acid and work harder to get that stuff down, causing the reflux. Fortunately I wasn't having a problem with reflux then. My reflux came on as just eating too much too fast, stretching my pouch, and tilting my band, which was leaving me open for stuff to just come up, like a tilted pot with no lid!

Great!!! I am even more hopeful that mine will be ok! I like the Pure Protien shakes in a can. The chocolate, Cookies n creme, and banana are good right out the can. I like to put them in the freezer for a little bit before I drink them. vanilla is blah, but I've tried adding some flavoring, like the little bottles you find in the seasoning section at the grocery store and a little splenda to the vanilla and it makes it better.

I hope no one is jealous if my weight loss, my 120lbs has been over a 6 year period! About half over a 3 1/2 year period before banding and the other half since I was banded December 2009! Several plateaus and change ups included! But I'll never give up!