HeatherinCA

Hi guys! I was banded in December 2010. Lost some weight, gained it back. I'm at about the same weight I was when I started. I've been having pain like right under my ribcage, and where my bra sits, especially when I sit down, (i feel better walking or lying flat), like something is pushing me there (center of my chest), it's extremely uncomfortable and bras are horrible, I've been through a bunch.. could that be my port? Or something? I know where they put in the needle is maybe 3 inches lower toward my belly button, but I know there is something near my ribcage. Also a ton of gas, burping gas. The last few weeks I've been scared to eat, because it's so bad. I did get 1 CC taken out a few weeks ago (I guess I had 6 now I have 5, but I don't know my capacity), that feels a little better. Eating less seems to help, I'm not going to lie my diet isn't good. I've been eating fairly regularly for the past 2 years. I can still get food down now, I'm not vomiting or sliming. I'm scared something is wrong.. But, it could be my bad anxiety blowing everything out of proportion (I have terrible anxiety). Any advice? I have an appointment soon and I feel like I need to ask my band doctor for help, but I don't know what to say exactly. (is there a test I should take, or should they empty my band? did I slip?) Last time they just asked if I was vomiting and then he took a little out and that was it...

Should be fine. I tried it pre-band. The food absolutely horrible though (it's literally like mushy cat food stew, no matter what flavor you get), on top of the $300 box, you have to supplement it with salads and fruits, and other things. Very expensive. Ultimately probably too much food for a bandster. Also yea lots of soup, and cereal stuff.. things that wouldn't satisfy your band.

Don't test it. I read something today and I think it rings true. The goal here is to see LITTLE you can eat and not be hungry, NOT how much you can eat. It's not there to stop you from eating, it's there to help you be less physically hungry. Not everyone gets stuck, or sick. I've been banded a year and not once have I thrown up, I've had some discomfort, but nothing ever got stuck. Ultimately it's all up to you and the choices you make. Like Dulci posted, it should be easier to make good choices because you won't be hungry eating less food.

Of course those numbers reflect that, and they should. It's important to know how many people fail, give up, gain weight as well as succeed.. It's just the reality of getting banded. I think it says a lot about the band. I know it works amazing for some people which is great, but it also says, most people can only manage to lose 60% of their weight.

I've been banded a year, not near my goal yet, but I notice the amount I can eat changes. Somedays something will make me ultra full and it's painful, and other days it goes down fine, no gas, feels ok. Who knows!

Nope. But, we are all addicts basically.... The band is a lot of work to achieve success. For me it's an everyday mental struggle.

I think it depends how you react to it. For me, I eat normally, I don't have stuck episodes. I could easily hide it. I got a new job about 6 months in, nobody knows except the people I've told. I have a lean cuisine for lunch, it's not that weird. BUT, ultimately it's good to have a support group.

Between the pre-op liquids and stuff, I lost a good 30lbs pretty fast. But then it slows dramatically once you start solid food.

Well, it all depends on the person and how dedicated they can be. The average weight loss with the band is 50lbs. From my experience, I've been banded a year, somewhere around 5-6 months, I had some distractions, I gave up. I started eating more normally (I'm lucky, or unlucky that nothing gets stuck in my band). I had lost 60lbs at this point, now I've been putting on weight. Honestly, it's all a matter of how you go about it, if you have willpower and can stick to the plan. For me, I stopped being afraid of my band. I'm working on a restart, but it's hard! Not gonna lie, the initial love affair with your band wears off.

Not satisfied, but not physically hungry. The goal really, is to see how little you can eat without being hungry.

Haha the dog story, how true! I'm exactly like that, I can always rationalize eating. LOL yes the Kardashians, I think Rob's appendix ruptured or something, and he was the surgeon on duty, made me laugh. Khloe & Lamar lived somewhat near that hospital haha. I started back on track today, so far so good, and my fill is on the 26th. Going to exercise now!

I've thought about it, but I can't physically force myself to do liquids. I'd give up after 1 protein shake haha.

Thanks girls. Yea, true, can't say the last time I lost 41 pounds and kept it off for any length of time. I do feel better, and smaller which is nice. But it's getting to the point my pants don't fit right, and frankly I'm just embarrassed I'm letting myself gain weight. We spent all this money, and I put in all this effort, I should continue. I might look into a group, I'm just not sure that is right for me. What kind of stuff do they talk about there? I'm worried it will be corny... like I was never one to enjoy Weight Watchers meetings. I kinda wish I could talk one on one with a psychologist, about what reasons might be causing me to want to eat. Or how to not turn to food for everything. I feel like now, I'm eating because I'm happy, which is ridiculous! This year has been a rollercoaster... I need to learn how to not use food for everything in my life. I guess I'll discuss this with my office when I go next month. My doctor is always in a hurry it seems... ack, he intimidates me, but he is a good doctor and I trust him. LOL random he was on The Kardashians, made me laugh ahhaha

#1 rule of the lapband, it won't stop you from eating... The fills don't hurt, to me it was just extremely awkward. Poking a needle in your belly. Then I felt extra full for a few days. My doc said light meals the day off, and i think liquids after for a day. Every doc has a different recommendation.

I lost a lot of hair for about 6 months, it has seemed to stop (for the most part) now.

Hey guys! Ok, so after sorting out my new insurance I got a referral to see my band doctor. Going to call him today. I'm scared trying to psych myself up to get started again. Well, fresh start for the new year I guess! So 1 year, down 41 pounds, I have gained 17. Still happy, but ready to get back on track. It's annoying having your pants fit weird and stuff, ready to fix that!

Hey guys! Glad to see you all doing so great. Me, not so much... not sure what happened, I just kind of gave up now I am eating far too much, and it literally hurts (extra gas etc etc). Not making excuses, I just literally feel like I can't control myself. My life is in a really good place now too (compared to earlier in the year)... I haven't gained too much back, but I'm scared that will happen. I need to restart but I'm so lost. Should probably go see my doctor, but they are zero help. and haven't called me once since my surgery or my fill. I feel like I need some kind of support, but I'm not sure they can provide it to me. Does anyone do support groups, or talk to a psychologist? Is there psychologists that deal specifically with WLS? (the lady I talked to prior to surgery didn't seem all that helpful..) Any ideas or if you have some words of encouragement that would be appreciated!

Congrats Dave!! Man, the last 2 months have been INSANE (moving, many sick family members, death in the family, being unemployed for 9 months). My diet pretty much went out the window :-/. I'm giving SOME effort, but not enough to lose any weight. Things are starting to steady out in my life though which is good, I got a great full time job, and most of my family is back to ~somewhat normal~ so I can get back to focusing on it... I'm just so out of motivation. I'm thinking maybe I need a fill. I'm really not sure though. I recognize I eat out of habit, usually not because I'm hungry, but I do find myself getting hungry now that I am on a normal schedule. I eat breakfast at 6, then by noon I am usually starving, which I could go longer before, or I would never feel absolutely starving. I almost feel like maybe I need to talk to the psychiatrist or something, I'm just massively losing the mental battle right now. *sigh* I dunno. Well, it didn't take me 8 months to gain all this weight, so it will take me longer to lose it! A few things I've noticed, lose skin.. is gross. I'm only 26, but my arms, and my stomach and my legs have so much skin. It's not so bad, but like my stomach kinds sticks out now. How about you guys? Also what about gas, I feel like the burping gas is crazy! I have so much of it. Especially if I like sit bunched up for a long time, or have tight jeans, it's so painful! Anyone watch Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition? Can I hire the hot trainer, I think he is about the only person that could make me exercise

I generally don't.. sometimes I do a few sips. Mostly, it's just uncomfortable, makes my stomach feel weird. The food goes through pretty quickly I wouldn't worry too much about "washing it down." I try to eat, then I drink when I'm done. I've just gotten used to not drinking.

There is no such thing.. at least for me. My hunger is gone. It's working, but I still need willpower to do the rest. Which is very hard. You have to learn how to eat the right amount of food.

Gotta track your calories. You'd be surprised... also it's surprising when you "think" you are eating good, but you aren't. I eat "a little too much" every day and I'm not losing. It's my own fault. You have to have a calorie deficit to lose weight. Also a lot of exercise causes you to gain muscle and lose fat, but maybe not pounds. The fills are used to control your hunger! Nothing else. That's all the band does. Shouldn't be making you sick, and you shouldn't have trouble eating.

Well, isn't it different for everyone though? I mean, I can eat as much as I want (well with in reason obviously), I feel full because I eat a good amount of food... I struggle mentally, forcing myself to eat less, because I know I wouldn't be hungry with less food, I know the band doesn't know how much food I eat... I'm never hungry at all. I just can't be mentally satisfied with 1 taco... or a baby size sandwich. Should I be? I still have cravings, but it's really not that bad. I feel like every person uses the band differently, and their body reacts differently to it. I have 5.5ccs. I don't really think I need more fill. My hunger is gone, full for 5+ hours.

Yea.. i mean if you have to take small bites it's kind of a pain in the butt. I don't get stuck on it, but I can see how it could happen. Right.. there really isn't a way to have a roll without rice right? Just get sashimi, or pick the filling out I guess!