jerbear

I was banded 4 1/2 years ago and started having problems about a year ago that sounds very similar to yours. It turned out my band had slipped and had to have it replaced. Before they got to the point where they decided to replace it they took the fluid out and put it back several times. I got to where I couldn't eat anything but mashed potatoes and ice cream and cream soups. I now have a new band but the weight I gained during this time is not coming off very well.

I was taking B12 shots until recently. My doctor switched me to the nasal spray. I have not had blood work yet to see how it works. I do like it better than shots. I also get the combo of vitamins iron calcium and B12. My runs $15 a month

I don't won't to discourage you with my story but if your problem is the same as mine maybe this will help. I was banded May 2010. About a year ago I started having reflux problems and was throwing up. My bariatric doctor did some test said my stomach had slipped up to the pouch. They took out all the Fluid and waited a few weeks thinking my stomach would go back down. They started refilling band slowly and everything seemed fine. After a couple fills reflux started again. Again took fluid out. Again started to refill. This went on for almost a year. I was to a point where I threw up almost everytime I ate and was not sleeping at night because the reflux was so bad! I can't express how bad it was. I took protonix and presciption strength zantac daily as well as ate tums all day. I didn't eat past 6 sat up for several hours after eating. Slept on a wedge pillow. I tried it all. I had very little fluid in my band and the Doctor wanted to empty it for the 3rd time. Finally the bariatric nurse stepped in on my behalf and convinced the doctor to do surgery-she was convinced the band needed replacing. On Feb 4th I had my surgery. It turns out I had a slippage and the band needed to be replaced. I am 3 weeks post op and feeling great. At one point I debated on telling them just take it out and try to live without being rebanded. I am glad I didn't and now I am back to losing the weight that I gained while going through this fill/unfill process. I hope you don't need surgery, but you might want to ask you doctor or nurse if it's posssibly a slipped band.

I understand how you feel. I get to a point I don't want to tell people I had WLS. I remember one day a friend of mine that lost a lot of weight on Weight Watchers. We were together and someone made a comment about how much we had lost. She told them "she had surgery. I did it the hard way." I just explained that the band is tool and if I don't follow the rules I gain the weight back and I hurt inside :-(

BMI calculators are just guides. If you are healthy and your doctor and you are ok with where you are don't worry about it. Although I remember how excited I was when I went from 246 to 170 and in a smaller size. I said I was ok with that size. However my band continued to work and I got down to 136. Unfortunately I started having problems (that's another discussion topic) and had to have all the fluid taken out. I gained a few pounds and now that everything is resolved am trying to get back to or closer to my lower weight.

Get up and move as often as possible and move to get that gas out. You will start feeling better when the gas is gone. You may not have an appetite the first week or so. You still need to eat (using your doctors guidelines) to help the healing process and to get your strength back. I wasn't eating at first and when I made myself eat I felt better. Stay hydrated. And again WALK

You go girl! I understand how excited you feel. I went on a cruise back in March and was so excited to be able to buy a swim suit and wear it in public! Congrats on your progress!

I have a friend that has lost about the same amout as me, but she did it with Weight Watchers. She tells everybody she lost it the hard way-no surgery. I just want to scream! The band has been a great tool for me but I have exercised and have given up foods and drinks that I love to loose this weight. I work at it just like she does. I just took a different route. Just had to vent! Thanks.

The question I am tired of is "Now that you have lost the weight, why don't you have it removed?" Hello because I want to stay this size not go back to where I was.

They didn't give any reasons. I have been so careful to follow the rules and I can't figure out what I did. They said it's just something that happens sometimes.

I use the Atkins. It's convenient. I don't have to order it or mix it. The milk chocolate and mocha latte are my favorites.

I am having same problem and it is not because my band was too tight. My stomach shifted up above the band. They took all the fluid out and I had to wait 8 weeks to let my stomach go back down. When I went back in to start the refill I did not see my regular doctor and this doctor decided I need to have an EGD before refilling my band. He is also telling me that I may have to have surgery to fix it. I had to get an approval from our insurance and wait for a date for the EGD. I am scheduled to have it next Wednesday. It's will be almost 3 months since they took fluid out and I have gained about 15 pounds. I don't want the sleeve or bypass. I have been a success story with the band. I just want my band back and working like it did before all this started. I am very discouraged

Yes Nikki C please post the crockpot enchilada chicken. That sounds like a good one to do on my late days at work.

I can't eat pizza cause it gets stuck. Someone on Laptalk said it could be the cheese. I thought it was the crust. But either one, be careful of pizza. I love all the SEC but especially my Mississippi State Bulldogs Go Bulldogs!