starsinmyeyes

I just re-read the post and realized you had a band slip....did they remove your band or put it back in place? are you filled or unfilled? Guess, getting a fill as I suggested may not work if you are having problems with the band. I can say that when I had that weight gain, I couldnt get immediately in to see my doctor, so for several weeks I counted cals/carbs and measured my food so that I could stop the weight gain and get control of my eating. Those tips the others have given are so awesome too....drink Water, herbal tea, broth, sugar free Jello or a popsicle, fruit n cheese....something light at night if you still feel hungry. Sometimes when you think you are hungry , you are really just thirsty and water should do the trick. Maybe also do an inventory of your feelings at the time you decide to snack...am I just bored? am I eating a snack out of habit? am I trying to make myself feel better/satisfied in someway? am I really "hungry"? It sounds like you did alot of work to lose all that weight and kept it off all that time...I'm sure once you put your mind and heart into it, you can lose the weight again. And just think, the weight you have gained is really nothing in comparison to what you have lost in total. Believe in your self!

I had hit a bump in the road a few months back...I had a possible slip, so my band was unfilled 2 cc's. Well, I ate more in a few weeks than I had in a long time.... and had gained 25 lbs to prove it (150 + 25=175). Turned out there was no slip, so asap I got filled again and I am happy to say I am back to my previous weight...actually lower (147lbs). Perhaps, you should see your doctor and consider getting a fill?

@ icestorm....I am no longer having my periods that frequently. The horomone therapy has helped. I just dont want to be on horomones any longer. And yes I have already been seeing my Gyno. I will most likely have the abulation next month if my insurance approves it.

I feel you sister! Sex has definitely improved and yes it is alot about how you feel about yourself!

I didn't start working out until a few months after my surgery. There is a normal "down feeling" or "blues" that comes from being under anesthesia. Honestly, I think I was really going through grief and loss issues regarding my loss of the relationship I once had with food. Me and food still had a thing, but it had changed and it just wasn't the same....not being able to do emotional eating because the "go to" foods I used to eat gave me dumping syndrome or I couldnt digest. I had no motivation either until I went to my first post-op fill appointment and sat in the waiting room talking to other WLS patients. It was motivating to hear about their successes. Oh and I also read success stories on here and watched videos that lap-banders posted on youtube. It helped to see others losing weight and I told myself that since I went through the surgery i was not going to make it be for nothing. I started out just taking 2 to 3 mile walks with my IPod, listening to music that really got me pumped up and then I started working out with a friend so that we could motivate eachother. Have faith that this lifestyle change is going to work if you work it. You will find your motivation somewhere inside of you....if you didn't want to ultimately lose the weight, you wouldnt have had the surgery. So, maybe you just need time or that certain something to click and ignite your motivation.

I had been cycling birth control pills for years with out periods. Then when I started losing alot of weight (now at 153 lbs lost) I started getting periods again and they were irregular and long. I went to my Gyno and she put me on the Depo. I was doing ok with that, besides the weight gain and nausea the 1st few days after getting the shot and my periods were becoming normal. Then I made the decision to have a tubal ligation so that I could stop using birth control all together. Well, here came the irregular periods again and frequent too...like 1 every week or two. It was awful! My Gyno put me on the Ortho Estra patch to regulate my periods. It has helped, but here I am using horomones again. She suggested an "Abulation" procedure and also said I am Pari-menopausal too. I am considering the procedure because I do not want to continue using horomones..I have had a blod clot before and heart disease runs in my family. I am scared of having a stroke too. So I really don't want to continue using something that could cause me to have serious medical problems. Uggghh....so frustrating!

It sounds like its in the area of your stomach and the first thing I thought of was gas or food not able to digest as well. But if gas-x or pepto don't help get to the doctor right away. A while back I had stomach pain and it turned into something bigger and not band related so please take care of yourself.

I had at one time gone over 6 months without a fill. But, I had hit the green zone...so I was losing steadily and had no problems to go into the doctor for. But, when I did finally go in, my doctor was surprized that I was doing so well with my weight loss since I hadnt been in for so long. He said most band patients who stop going in for fills, are not following their diet, are gaining weight, etc. My doctor said that even though I have hit my green zone, I should still come in every 3-4 months...not 6-8 weeks like I did before hitting the green. That way they can monitor my band, check the fluid, address any problems or questions I may have, etc...so my next appointment is in October and I am going to keep it. Unfortunately, I have to pay cash now since my employer changed insurance and the new insurance does not cover fills. Perhaps that is why some people stop going in? Their insurance doesnt cover it? I'm still willing to pay out of pocket, so that I can maitain my lap-band success. But, I know in this economy it is not always easy for people to come up with the money sometimes.

Stephanie, well my doctor said the reason for the hair loss was that I was not getting enough protein. So, I have had to increase my protein...he has me taking in 70-80 grams per day. Which is double what i was getting, but obviously was not enough. I also take the hair growth supplements along with my multi vitamin and calcium. I also found this "hair food" stuff at a beauty supply shop. It has keratin, protein, and biotin in it and makes my hair look fuller just after working it in with my fingers. I still dont have the full lush hair that I used to, but I'm hoping with time to get back to that. I have friends who have had WLS and they went through bouts with hair loss and/or becoming brittle and dry.(thank goodness mine is still soft n not dry) Anyways, those friends of mine, after time, like 6 mos to a year, finally got their hair back and it stopped falling out. So, I have faith I can make it happen!

I'm not absolutely sure....but I think they are carbonated. I have had the smallest size, sugar-free slurpee. I drank it slow, but felt burpee...so I havent had one since.

To Melcat, I had the same problem right around month 10-12. I had hit a plateau and reached out to others here on this site...got some great advice. First thing, I went in for another adjustment....just a bit tighter made all the difference. I have a 9cc band, I went from 6cc's in my band to 7cc's. I changed up my exercise program to include bike rides, swimming and hikes (got myself outside instead of stuck in the gym) , and I explored other ways to get my protein in because I was tired of shakes and egg whites. Oh and of course water, water, water! My weight just started falling off quickly...like 10 lbs a month. I hope this helps. Don't let yourself get down. My doctor always tells me "this is a marathon, not a race...The weight will come off with time."

I call my lap-band...."Lappy". Rhymes with happy.... It's her silly nick-name, but she helps me to be happier than I've been in a very long time.

I'm prone to infections, so I couldn't do the Mirena or the Nuva Ring. And I had unbalanced hormones with the pill. The Depo caused nausea and weight gain. So I am now using the Ortho Evra Patch....so far so good.

I was banded 2 years ago and in the recent 4 months i've lost a significant amount of hair. After having blood tests, etc, the opinion of my doctor is that I'm not getting enough protein, I am anemic, and have low B-12 levels....all of which can contribute to hair loss. So, i am revving up my nutrition with good foods and vitamin supplements, as well as, using some good shampoo and hair treatments. All of this seems to make a difference...hope my hair continues to make a come back.

I am 26 lbs away from my goal weight and I am definitely in the green zone....ever since my last fill last November I have been losing weight and inches pretty steadily. I changed my goal weight...I originally thought 175, then 165, now I say 155 lbs. But, honestly I think I will just go until I feel like I'm at the right weight, so it could be sooner than my current goal. But, I have a few questions....when I reach my goal, do I continue to lose weight? do I get un-filled a bit? also, does anyone know much about laser liposuction/body sculpting? I would like to tighten up my arms and thighs and would like a less invasive option.

I had several people try to talk me out of having the surgery...but I would never change my decision. I am so happy and feel incredible. I agree with everything the others said.....it's all up to you, it's your body, your life, you are the one who will do the hard work, and you are the one who will feel great after the weight loss. And by the way....those who tried to talk me out of the surgery are now praising me for how much work I did and how great I look.

Largeaslife thank you for the reply....I know I have been worried about any unfilling, I wouldnt want to start eating too much. So, the upshot is I can probably increase my calories to maintain my weight once I reach my goal or I could keep losing. I have a medium frame and I dont want to get too skinny...just feel great like I do now. Congrats to you as well!

Thank you Mandagay....come to think of it I did watch the LapBand on youtube before the surgery.

I wake up choking as well and I had my surgery almost 2 years ago. I think I have not digested my food yet or had liquid still in my pounch. But when I choke it often feels like acid reflux. So my doctor put me on Prilosec and it has helped a great deal. I just make sure I dont eat or drink within an hour or two of bedtime and if I do have anything close to bed I prop up with pillows. Ever since I have made these changes I havent woken up choking. Hope that was the end of it.

I have had that same problem off and on with fluids and solids. Right now warm fluids like tea, soup etc. work best for me. I can't tolerate bread, lettuce, certain fruits and veggies right now. But, last time after a fill I was able to eat a lean steak and was doing great with salads. At my last appointment I got a small unfill, just .5cc. My doctor thought perhaps my band was too full, but I am still having the same issue. I can't figure it out, but I'm still losing weight. I'm just hoping for a time when certain foods no longer get stuck and I still feel satisfied with a small meal and of course I continue healthy weight loss. Well, good luck to all of us trying to find our "balance" or "sweet spot".

I am very tight in the morning as well. I can usually sip water, hot tea, etc...then after being up for a few hours I drink a protein shake for breakfast. I usually have to eat soup, or something saucey and moist for lunch, then by dinner I can eat normally as well. I find that if I am planning to eat a meal that is full of bulk and substance like meat, salad, etc I drink a lot of water to get my stomach ready. Plus we are supposed to drink a lot of water anyways. I have noticed a decline in weight loss as well and I can only think its because I am eating more at dinner which means more calories, and then not being as active as during the day. I have had my band for over a year and I am now only going every 3-4 months for a fill, so it's not like I was just filled and got too tight.....I just have had to adjust my activity level in the evening and excercise self control at dinner. I am hoping that I see some better results like what I was experiencing before. Perhaps try that too and see how it goes....or pay a visit to the doctor. Good luck