MoniqueD

Hey everyone!!!! I wanted to share with you that I am okay. I have a rough ride. After the band removal, I developed a hematoma the size of a grapefruit. It is going down slowly. M stomach still looks to be about 5 months pregnant. I have minimal pain and am improving daily. I still am not motivated by food. I hope I can maintain my weightloss on my own.... Lots of luv and luck to everyone.

Hello Everyone! So I am you newest unbanded friend. I had the band removed yesterday, 2/9/15. I feel awful. My entire stomach hurts hella bad. I can only lay on my right side and its so unconfortable. The surgery itself was so fast, 45 minutes or so. It was the recovery that was lengthy. I had an issue with low blood pressure. I can barely move. I can barely walk unassisted. I have to grunt to move. I did manage to take a shower an hour ago. It is a good thing I removed the band. My surgeon said the band was starting to cut into my liver. This may have been the cause of the burning sensation I was constantly experiencing. That pain is gone. I feel no burning in my upper stomach or back. I did manage to eat 1/2 scrambled egg, 2 slices of bacon, 1 sausage link and licked a hashbrown. I am totally not hungry. I just need this pain to subside............

Hello Everyone, So....the results from my upper GI are in....I am having the band removed!!! I am so scared. The result were...the band is in the proper place-no slippage, no errosion. However, my stomach itself was "slow" to empty. Even with zero saline/fill in my band. It appeared extremely tight. We were able to see the flow of barium stop at my stomach. The tech said my stomach appears lazy and things should move to my intestines quicker. Dr. Im suggest removal with no additional procedure. He said I coulld end up more hurt.... I am still happy with the result...Just nervous to take it out... It will either be 2/9 or 2/18. I'm waiting on the Dr to reply to my email... Question-to those who have had it removed....Doe it hurt? Have yo regained any weight? How much can you eat now? SCARED!!!!

Exactly. We knew the risks....At least I did. Now, we need to plan a get together... Heck, it sounds like we want to eat! I'm not sure we're ready to hit the pavement. Let's plan a reconnect lunch. Just my 2.

I must say I do not have any regrets either way. I think it has been a great experience. Even with my stuck, PBing, earlier bowel issues, current tightness in the AM, and burning issues......

I do believe Kaiser is having lots of problems with us band patients. I think a lot of people are having them removed. Dr Im sounds so by the way when he said, "We could always take it out." He also said, "Let's take it out." Without even seeing me or any testing...Why are they so willing to remove these dang bands? Are the studies now that bad?

Hey Everybody! Maria~Wow, I'm so sorry. How scary? What do you mean "sensitive to foods"? Nicole~I wonder if RNY is an option for me. I failed to mention I have gained 20lbs since May 2014 (in 8 months or so). I did try for 10....but not 20! I do need to have my plan ready. I see the DR. Monday. Reggie~I sent you a message. I am a little afraid of the other procedures too. Ashley~I miss you. We need a whooping!!! Can I have wine wine mine? I called and scheduled an appointment on Monday. The Dr ordered an upper GI too. I have to call and schedule it tomorrow. I am getting scared but understand it may be best to take it out. Question??? I currently weigh 185lbs. I need to lose 15-20lbs to be back to goal. I'd be okay with the 15... Would they do a sleeve on me with so little weight to lose?

How would you know if your band needs to be removed? I was banded Oct 2009. I lost 80+ lbs. I actually reached goal and decided to up my goal weight to 175lbs. My issue now is severe burning in my upper back!!!! I mean, it hurts bad! I forgot to mention, I have zero CC's in my band. I had it deflated about a year ago 9DUE TO GETTING EVERYTHING STUCK). I was frustrated and sick of getting food stuck. I have not received any fills. I have been eating okay and maintaining without any fill. I have been having the gas/indigestion issue for over a year. I have taken Pepcid and am now taking Protonix. It seems like the burning sensation is getting worse. I am afraid to remove it but will if I have to... What do you all think? Also, the Dr. indicated I could get it out if I wanted...He did not make seem like my issue was a big enough problem. I am starting to think otherwise.... Help, I'm hurting.

Okay....I sent my Dr an email.....The wait begins.

Hi Riley, Hi Canolie! I just went back and saw your posts. I did not receive an email notification that there were new posts. Riley, it's good to hear from you. I would love to go for a walk.... Canolie, congratulations on your new addition. Heather, congratulations to you too.....More baby power! After reading your posts, I definitely need to contact the DR.I hope I do not need it removed due to erosion..... UGH!!!!!

Hey Jes, I'm really interested in what Reggie's issues are? Reggie, girl? Where are you? I am scared to regain the weight. I might email the good Dr. tomorrow. I know I do not eat right! I eat everything! I love soups and salads the most....Sliders, I know! Unfortunately, I started in on them last year when I was tight, having stuck issues, and was very frustrated. I think I am ready to get back to business...We have to remember, we did not do this for nothing. It's a lifestyle!!!!f

How would you know if your band needs to be removed? I was banded Oct 2009. I lost 80+ lbs. I actually reached goal and decided to up my goal weight to 175lbs. My issue now is severe burning in my upper back!!!! I mean, it hurts bad! I forgot to mention, I have zero CC's in my band. I had it deflated about a year ago and have not received any fills. I have been eating okay and maintaining without any fill. I have been having the gas/indigestion issue for over a year. I have taken Pepcid and am now taking Protonix. It seems like the burning sensation is getting worse. I am afraid to remove it but will if I have to... What do you all think?

Hi Reggie! Hi Ashley! Hi Heather!!! It is so good to see some activity on here. It has been so dead! Reggie~I need your telephone number ASAP. I do not have it in my phone. I need to talk to you about band removal and errosion. Please message me your infomation so I can call you. Me~I have been doing okay. My band is completely empty since (for the last year or so) I actually like it unfilled. I had reached 159lbs and did not like how skinny and sunken I was starting to look. I wanted to gain 5-7lbs back...Well...I have gained 20lbs back. I now need to lose 10 of those. I plan to get my stuff together soon. I have been experiencing a serious burning sensation in my upper stomacha and upper back. It is constant. It's there when I'm hungry or full. I have gone to my internal medicine DR and started a round of Prilosec (sp?). If this doesn't improve, I may need to see Bariatrics. Has anybody experienced this? I did see the Dr. last year who said I could always have it removed. I am not sure what to do..I just know this pain can not continue.

Hello everyone. I need expert, bandster help!!! I was banded in October 2009. I can't believe it has been almost 4 years. I started at 255 and am now....drumroll please....165lbs. The it has been a real journey. This is a lot of work. I still have difficulty eating in the mornings. It's like the band needs time to relax, open up and prepare to accept food. As a result, I have fallen into a bad pattern. I am addicted to Starbucks Double Tall Carmel Macchiato's. Daily, it accounts for approx. 200calories. I tend to eat late afternoon and into the evening. I have very little appetite at all. I have to remind myself to eat or mentally check to see if I'm hungry. I can not help it. I feel ill and unable to swallow proteins early in the day. I resort to sliders daily. I love soups and salads. Many times it's what I have to eat in order to get the food down. I eat very little bread and few carbs. I need advice on changing my pattern and getting more protein in. If this makes any sense at all...I feel like I have lost muscle mass. My skin feels different. My muscles feel loose and week. How can I rebuild muscle mass? Has anyone lost too much weight? Is anyone having issues getting things stuck? How can I stop losing and work towards maintaining??? Needing your best help....

Thank you all for the replies. I am going to try to record my intake for the next week and definitely increase my protein intake. I have avoided Starbucks for the past 2 days. I need to focus on my am consumption. Karen, I am going to try to make my own coffee too. You are so right. It is not the same. Hazelsbliss, you are so right. I need to do everything you mentioned. I have located my binder and a really good after weightloss surgery do's/don'ts book I purchased some time ago. I need to get on it asap. I do not want to keep losing. I plan to get to the gym this week. lellow, weak as a kitten....LOL. I understand. I need help doing things I never needed help doing as a fluffier woman. I need to increase my protein and vitamins asap. I plan to go to my health food store and purchase some protein powder to add to my smoothies. Yes, that's the plan.... I'm on it!

Hello Everyone! I see there has been minimal activity. Where the heck is everyone? Hello Reggie. Long time no hear. Sorry to hear you are blossoming. Yes, we need to get you back on track! Hello Maria. OMG! I am so sorry to hear you are having your band removed. Give us details. What was going on? How are you now? Me??? I've been doing ok. Weight wise...I'm great. I am at goal. I am now 165lbs and do not wish to lose any more weight. I need to eat more actually. I am seriously concerned about my weightloss. I loss the last 20lbs with minimal effort. I was super stressed at work and was having a ton of issues getting food stuck. I began to eat less and probably more appropriate amounts. I can not eat early in the morning. I have the horrible habit of Starbucks Carmel Macchiato's for breakfast. I tend to eat late afternoon and into the evening. I need to break this cycle. Many would say, why am I complaining???? Well, this too is a serious concern. I am losing weight....can't seem to stabilize and can't eat solids and proteins without getting stuck. In fear...I am resorting to sliders. What to do???? We need to support each other....We did not do this for nothing!

Ok...so...WHERE THE HELL IS EVERYBODY????? We have been missing for far too long!!! I was just wondering how everyone is doing. Please chime in!!!! I am doing well. I need to get myself together though. I saw the good Dr. last month and had a fill. I now have 3cc's in my band. I have good restriction and horrible will power!!! HELP!!!! I look good/fine but still never made it to GOAL! My Dr said I'm doing good compared to his other mand patients. What the heck does that mean??? I have no idea how others are doing??????? We need to PLAN and STICK to a walk and or LUNCH...Cuz I know we can EAT!!!! We just need to talk!!!!

Hello Everyone! Yes!!! The same exact thing happened to me. I am currently 2 1/2 years post-op!!! I am still happy with my band and my decision! Unfortunately, I ended up in ER with severe, severe, SEVERE!!!!! abdominal pain. I thought I was dying. Ultrasound revealed I had an excessive amount of bowel in both my upper and lower intestines!!! The ER Dr. was like, "You have to get that out of there as soon as possible!!!" The staff, I'm sure found it to be quite commical. I was given tylonol #3, magnesium citrate and told to drink Miralax daily.They could not stress the importance of Water, WATER, WATER enough!!!! During the summer, I have no problem drinking 64+ ounces of water. However, during the winter it's an entirely different story. I struggle with the water. I must do better!!! I was also told to take a stool softener DAILY!!!! Exercise also helps tremendously !!! Now, ask me if I have done so and continued this on a regular basis????? NO!!!! I needed this thread to remind me of what can happen. I plan to go back to the plan asap! I just had to take a Fleet Enema to relieve myself. I know it is embarrassing and I must admit I am often jealous of those "regular" people who go daily. Tomorrow is a new day and a great opportunity for us to start over! Get drinking!!! Water that is....Get movin' and get ourselves on track.

Hello Everyone! I think we all could use a little bit of help. I am completely out of control....I eat what I want. I drink what I want. I am not exercising and going alll down hill..... I need help. I met w/ my Dr. In November and we decided I was too tight. Thus the problems I was having getting food past the band. Even healthy proteins were getting stuck. I was miserable. I previously had 6cc's. He removed one quarter of a cc (.25cc) and I felt instant relief. I could eat and not get stuck..... Then the unhealthy eating began... From Thanksgiving on....to Christmas....and now I am ready to get it together and lose these last 20lbs. I am currently 189lbs... I would love to lose 10lbs this month.... I am scheduled to see the good Doctor at the end of January.... I can not go there at the same weight or greater..... I would love to lose another 10lbs by the end of February....... Can I do it? Will I do it? What can I do to motivate myself? What can we do to motivate each other. We are struggling here???? Tomorrow! I vow to write down everything I eat....Be it good or bad....I figure I must start some where! We all my check in more. MAYBE checking in will give us added accountability. Let's do this Richmond!!! We have to remember why we started this process. I need positive feedback and support and I know you do too. Let's help each other........

Congratulations, Heather!!!! I hope you are adjusting this week. Each week will get better and better. I know you will ultimately be happy with the results. How much have you lost so far? Hello Everyone!!! How are you all? It is like a ghost town in here! I do check in occasionally and would love to see you all in the future. Maybe we could arrange a holiday party or walking activity!????? Me? I'm still maintaining and doing okay. I just celebrated my 2 year Banniversary last week....October 20th! I still can't believe it's been 2 years.... I still struggle, I still have to work hard, and I still need to lose 30 or so pounds!!!! Overall, I am still happy with my results and am told I look good! I feel good and am striving towards....AMAZING! I feel almost 20 again!!!! I think I'm up 5lbs...more like 188/189lbs....When my all time low was 183lbs....Not changing my ticker because I am going to get back there. I have a 2 year sergeon appointment next month and am trying to get there!!!! I hope all are well.....

Congratulations, Heather!!!! I hope you are adjusting this week. Each week will get better and better. I know you will ultimately be happy with the results. How much have you lost so far? Hello Everyone!!! How are you all? It is like a ghost town in here! I do check in occasionally and would love to see you all in the future. Maybe we could arrange a holiday party or walking activity!????? Me? I'm still maintaining and doing okay. I just celebrated my 2 year Banniversary last week....October 20th! I still can't believe it's been 2 years.... I still struggle, I still have to work hard, and I still need to lose 30 or so pounds!!!! Overall, I am still happy with my results and am told I look good! I feel good and am striving towards....AMAZING! I feel almost 20 again!!!! I think I'm up 5lbs...more like 188/189lbs....When my all time low was 183lbs....Not changing my ticker because I am going to get back there. I have a 2 year sergeon appointment next month and am trying to get there!!!! I hope all are well.....

Hello Everyone! I hope all are well....Miss you all!

Hey everyone! So sorry I was unable to make it last Saturday.... How was the reunion/Walk???? Post some updates!!! All is well here. Still at a complete stand still but still.....HAPPY!!!!!!

Hello Everyone!!!! Just checking in~! I look forward to seeing you all on the 14th!!!!

Happy Friday!!! Just wanted to pop in and say "Hi" and get us back on page 1......