what's the longest with the band

[banded2004 31]

Hi all! I just had my 12 year anniversary with the Inamed 4cc lapband. I was banded in Mexico with Dr Kuri. I was getting fills with him the first 3-4 years but after that found a local surgeon willing to fill Mexico patients. I last went for a fill in 2007 or 08..don't even remember. I had pretty good restriction..better than I ever had from my fills in TJ. I think Dr Kuri's office was being conservative with patients who didn't live close enough for an emergency unfill..I live in Nor Cal but still a good 9 hour drive back.

So since my last fill I have been pretty much at my "goal" weight..staying within a 5lb + or - range. SInce I started riding motorcycles and doing track days, my motivation has been able to fit into my one piece leather track suit that is unforgiving even with a few lbs up.

Today...sigh...when I hit my anniversary in August I thought I really should get this device checked out and luckily Kaiser covers getting a flouroscopy. Had that early September and it showed that the barium would barely get past my band and drain. My esophagus is twice the size it should be. I had to be unfilled the next week. I was unfilled 14 days ago and have managed to put on 16lbs since! I was already up 5lbs so now I am up over 21lbs! I KNOW this is totally my fault. I have been living with it being tighter than it should be for quite awhile. Thinking it was normal that I would have to "relieve" food from myself when I overate. I was overeating the band. It had been so long, I forgot all the rules and just dealt with it. I really had no pain..only would have acid reflux if I ate or drank too late so I learned to stop way before I went to bed. It is not easy to limit yourself to tiny portions when food just taste so darn good and we are conditioned to clean our plate. I followed the rules initially..but just ate more and more..now with consequences. Luckily and thankfully the band is in place. I think Dr Kuri's surturing of the stomach around the band helps prevent slips..Mine would have slipped long ago given how much abuse it has gone through. I had alot of pain the day of the unfill and a few days later...lots of gas pain..not sure if the unfill caused some wierd release of pressure or something but it was not comfy.

I tell people I not only got the band to lose my excess weight (130lbs off total) but more importantly to KEEP IT OFF. This I have done for past 5-6 years that I have lost all my excess weight. I was a slow loser and combined with not so helpful fills initial. I think I had only 2.5cc total in my 4cc band. Dr pulled out 2cc but pretty sure I was filled to 2.5cc..who knows.

Today I am seriously depressed because I am just about out of all my clothes. I don't have multiple sizes of clothes..with staying the same size or two for many years..my wardrobe is limited. I am wanting to cry thinking I need to go buy bigger sizes so I can breathe at work! Sigghh.. I have been soooo careful with what I have been eating..back to bandster portions..counting calories..the dramatic weight gain stopped for a few days..I stayed stable..but this morning it was up again by 1/2lb. Perhaps my few days back at the gym caused it...yeah right!!

I have my follow up appt with the bariatric nurse dietician on Oct 30th.not sure what the plan is from here. Doctor wants my esophagus to heal if possible. I am hoping it does and that I can get SOME fill back..even 1/2. What I miss the most is not having the hunger pains. I hate feeling like a mere mortal with hunger pains and counting calories and being obsssessed with my weight after years of being stable! Sucks!

I really had gone away from forums years ago. Probably typical of most band "veterans" ..life goes on. I really had no clue that so many people have been having problems. Never even knew about the gastric sleeve popping into the market. Now I am scared about all this stuff happening to me!

The band looked well in place..no slips or erosion. The pouch looked ok below my stretched out esophagus..so that is the main concern right now. I am just praying I can stave off this crazy gain..I was shocked to see the scale jump 5lbs overnight..I swear I am not eating or drinking anything to cause that dramatic of a quick gain..seems technically impossible.

I am sitting at work on the verge of tears thinking I am going to have to give in and head to the store and get bigger pants for work because now nothing is fitting without feeling like I cannot breathe or move! I can't wear sweats to work or stretchy pants...sigh...

I always say the band was the best decision I ever made. I have had 12 years(well really half that at full goal) of doing stuff I couldn't have done obese..riding sport bikes is one..I put up with the quirks because I like the way I am..but now..I am scared to go back to where I was.

Praying for the best outcome and I can keep my band, get fill back and get this excess weight off again and go back to my size 8s and 10s!! Mwhhhaaa!!

[banded2004 31]

Hi - I hear your heartbreak! I have been banded since 2004. I gained 35 lbs this year. I had huge success until this problem happened! About a year ago my fills stopped working. We have spent this year trying to find out what is wrong. My surgeon cannot find a leak. To complicate matters I have developed intense pain below my port. I have been on and off antibiotics for months. My band is now loosened. I am on week three now of low calories using My Fitness Pal and I did the Five Day Pouch Test and used it to stop my cravings. It worked! Google Five not 5 when you search. The first day was hard but it is an easy plan. You don't need to buy the one that is being sold unless you want to. I am feeling better about myself and it's a start to losing the weight I've gained until I get this Band mess sorted out. :-)

[Kelliebelly 13]

Hey everyone.

Have just popped in to see how everyone is going. I am coming up to my 10 year bandaversary. Currently considering having my fill removed as I have recently started weight training and I am unable to get enough in to build quality muscle. I am hoping the clean eating and exercise I have done for so long would continue without fill.

Kel

[banded2004 31]

Hi - I hear your heartbreak! I have been banded since 2004. I gained 35 lbs this year. I had huge success until this problem happened! About a year ago my fills stopped working. We have spent this year trying to find out what is wrong. My surgeon cannot find a leak. To complicate matters I have developed intense pain below my port. I have been on and off antibiotics for months. My band is now loosened. I am on week three now of low calories using My Fitness Pal and I did the Five Day Pouch Test and used it to stop my cravings. It worked! Google Five not 5 when you search. The first day was hard but it is an easy plan. You don't need to buy the one that is being sold unless you want to. I am feeling better about myself and it's a start to losing the weight I've gained until I get this Band mess sorted out. :-)

Hi All- An update here. After being on under 1200 cal for 3.5 weeks including some walking I'm down 2lbs only. This has been my life long battle and why I had the Band put in. I have PCOD and morbid obesity in my family. Living on less than 1200 is pretty much impossible to sustain over a long time without a Fill. My pain keeps coming and going. My surgeon has referred me to an infectious disease specialist to get another opinion, who I see this week. The stress, grief and pressure I feel about this is overwhelming. I have lost faith that I can keep my band and return it to working order. It's been about 10 months now, 30 lbs heavier. My surgeon still does not know what is causing my pain after all the tests I've had. Stay tuned...very grateful to this forum!

[banded2004 31]

Losing my band. Sad and scared.

[Soexcited 64]

Losing my band. Sad and scared.

Why are you loosing your band? Are you having it removed?

[Soexcited 64]

Hi all! I just had my 12 year anniversary with the Inamed 4cc lapband. I was banded in Mexico with Dr Kuri. I was getting fills with him the first 3-4 years but after that found a local surgeon willing to fill Mexico patients. I last went for a fill in 2007 or 08..don't even remember. I had pretty good restriction..better than I ever had from my fills in TJ. I think Dr Kuri's office was being conservative with patients who didn't live close enough for an emergency unfill..I live in Nor Cal but still a good 9 hour drive back.

So since my last fill I have been pretty much at my "goal" weight..staying within a 5lb + or - range. SInce I started riding motorcycles and doing track days, my motivation has been able to fit into my one piece leather track suit that is unforgiving even with a few lbs up.

Today...sigh...when I hit my anniversary in August I thought I really should get this device checked out and luckily Kaiser covers getting a flouroscopy. Had that early September and it showed that the barium would barely get past my band and drain. My esophagus is twice the size it should be. I had to be unfilled the next week. I was unfilled 14 days ago and have managed to put on 16lbs since! I was already up 5lbs so now I am up over 21lbs! I KNOW this is totally my fault. I have been living with it being tighter than it should be for quite awhile. Thinking it was normal that I would have to "relieve" food from myself when I overate. I was overeating the band. It had been so long, I forgot all the rules and just dealt with it. I really had no pain..only would have acid reflux if I ate or drank too late so I learned to stop way before I went to bed. It is not easy to limit yourself to tiny portions when food just taste so darn good and we are conditioned to clean our plate. I followed the rules initially..but just ate more and more..now with consequences. Luckily and thankfully the band is in place. I think Dr Kuri's surturing of the stomach around the band helps prevent slips..Mine would have slipped long ago given how much abuse it has gone through. I had alot of pain the day of the unfill and a few days later...lots of gas pain..not sure if the unfill caused some wierd release of pressure or something but it was not comfy.

I tell people I not only got the band to lose my excess weight (130lbs off total) but more importantly to KEEP IT OFF. This I have done for past 5-6 years that I have lost all my excess weight. I was a slow loser and combined with not so helpful fills initial. I think I had only 2.5cc total in my 4cc band. Dr pulled out 2cc but pretty sure I was filled to 2.5cc..who knows.

Today I am seriously depressed because I am just about out of all my clothes. I don't have multiple sizes of clothes..with staying the same size or two for many years..my wardrobe is limited. I am wanting to cry thinking I need to go buy bigger sizes so I can breathe at work! Sigghh.. I have been soooo careful with what I have been eating..back to bandster portions..counting calories..the dramatic weight gain stopped for a few days..I stayed stable..but this morning it was up again by 1/2lb. Perhaps my few days back at the gym caused it...yeah right!!

I have my follow up appt with the bariatric nurse dietician on Oct 30th.not sure what the plan is from here. Doctor wants my esophagus to heal if possible. I am hoping it does and that I can get SOME fill back..even 1/2. What I miss the most is not having the hunger pains. I hate feeling like a mere mortal with hunger pains and counting calories and being obsssessed with my weight after years of being stable! Sucks!

I really had gone away from forums years ago. Probably typical of most band "veterans" ..life goes on. I really had no clue that so many people have been having problems. Never even knew about the gastric sleeve popping into the market. Now I am scared about all this stuff happening to me!

The band looked well in place..no slips or erosion. The pouch looked ok below my stretched out esophagus..so that is the main concern right now. I am just praying I can stave off this crazy gain..I was shocked to see the scale jump 5lbs overnight..I swear I am not eating or drinking anything to cause that dramatic of a quick gain..seems technically impossible.

I am sitting at work on the verge of tears thinking I am going to have to give in and head to the store and get bigger pants for work because now nothing is fitting without feeling like I cannot breathe or move! I can't wear sweats to work or stretchy pants...sigh...

I always say the band was the best decision I ever made. I have had 12 years(well really half that at full goal) of doing stuff I couldn't have done obese..riding sport bikes is one..I put up with the quirks because I like the way I am..but now..I am scared to go back to where I was.

Praying for the best outcome and I can keep my band, get fill back and get this excess weight off again and go back to my size 8s and 10s!! Mwhhhaaa!!

Just wondering how you are doing? I have Kaiser too and was wondering about your experience with them, Im in San Diego....where are you?

[banded2004 31]

After 10 successful years I am losing band because of infection. My band stopped maintaining Fills early this year. I would have perfect restriction and a day or so after my Fill, none. I had tests to see if there was a leak including an exploratory surgery. They could not find a leak. They could only examine the port and about 6" of tubing in this procedure. My first fill after this surgery was when I started to feel unwell and I have been fighting the infection for about 5 months. The infectious disease specialist I saw yesterday said, "1. Your device is not working, and 2. You have an infection which is almost impossible to heal". I have been on and off antibiotics for months. So I am at the end of this long journey with my band. I have gained 35 ...losing 8 of that by low very caloric intake. It is all such a disappointment. I also had plastic surgery - a full abdominoplasty and mastoplexy when I lost all my weight.

I read so many stories on this forum and am alarmed at all the problems band patients have. There a very few long term band patients (10 + years) and it seems we are all in trouble.

Feeling discouraged. As well as the emotional toll this having my band cost me $15,000 CDN and plastic surgery $12,000 CDN. Ouch!

[parisshel 1,892]

@banded2004: I'm sorry to read you have had this complication with your band. It sounds very draining. I hope removal will rid you of the infection and that you can find another option to continue on your path. You've done very well and I can only imagine your frustration at this point. Sending supportive thoughts for your surgery and healing.

[banded2004 31]

Thank you for your thoughtful words! It's so great to have a place of support like this. :-)

[ThinDolphin3 3]

coming up on my 8th yr and still havent gotten to my goal weight....had a large mass on my thyroid and it seemed to halt my success. I stopped following the rules, ane that is my fault. Started back to the gym and then got severe bronchitis just recently. So havent been back to the gym and the pool for about two wks now. Just got my powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury order and chewable Vitamins and the Vitamins kind of weird taste but they help. Getting ready to start a liquid diet to kick start the process again to lose this fat everywhere. Have any of you tried the new skinny pill the garcina cambodia stuff and the colon cleanse and wondering if anyone has had success with it to help get rid of the belly fat.

love and light .....prayers for success for everyone on here

[banded2004 31]

All the best to you!!! I've had mine for 10 yrs.

[luvsesroh 1]

Hello! Ive had my band for going on 8 years. I originally lost 116lbs. And kept it off till my pregancy 2.5 years ago. I had so much nausea and vomiting with the pregnancy that my doctor oppt to unfill my band. I gained 30 lbs with the pregnacy and have managed to lose 20lbs back. I really have another 40lbs to go before im at my goal weight. Ive been spoiled with no restriction for the last 2.5 years but im planning to go get a fill within the next few weeks. I never had any problems with the band before but i have to admit im worried about filling it again since ive been used to just eating what i feel like. Has anyone else gone through something similair?

[maygoddess 53]

Hi all! I just had my 12 year anniversary with the Inamed 4cc lapband. I was banded in Mexico with Dr Kuri. I was getting fills with him the first 3-4 years but after that found a local surgeon willing to fill Mexico patients. I last went for a fill in 2007 or 08..don't even remember. I had pretty good restriction..better than I ever had from my fills in TJ. I think Dr Kuri's office was being conservative with patients who didn't live close enough for an emergency unfill..I live in Nor Cal but still a good 9 hour drive back.

So since my last fill I have been pretty much at my "goal" weight..staying within a 5lb + or - range. SInce I started riding motorcycles and doing track days, my motivation has been able to fit into my one piece leather track suit that is unforgiving even with a few lbs up.

Today...sigh...when I hit my anniversary in August I thought I really should get this device checked out and luckily Kaiser covers getting a flouroscopy. Had that early September and it showed that the barium would barely get past my band and drain. My esophagus is twice the size it should be. I had to be unfilled the next week. I was unfilled 14 days ago and have managed to put on 16lbs since! I was already up 5lbs so now I am up over 21lbs! I KNOW this is totally my fault. I have been living with it being tighter than it should be for quite awhile. Thinking it was normal that I would have to "relieve" food from myself when I overate. I was overeating the band. It had been so long, I forgot all the rules and just dealt with it. I really had no pain..only would have acid reflux if I ate or drank too late so I learned to stop way before I went to bed. It is not easy to limit yourself to tiny portions when food just taste so darn good and we are conditioned to clean our plate. I followed the rules initially..but just ate more and more..now with consequences. Luckily and thankfully the band is in place. I think Dr Kuri's surturing of the stomach around the band helps prevent slips..Mine would have slipped long ago given how much abuse it has gone through. I had alot of pain the day of the unfill and a few days later...lots of gas pain..not sure if the unfill caused some wierd release of pressure or something but it was not comfy.

I tell people I not only got the band to lose my excess weight (130lbs off total) but more importantly to KEEP IT OFF. This I have done for past 5-6 years that I have lost all my excess weight. I was a slow loser and combined with not so helpful fills initial. I think I had only 2.5cc total in my 4cc band. Dr pulled out 2cc but pretty sure I was filled to 2.5cc..who knows.

Today I am seriously depressed because I am just about out of all my clothes. I don't have multiple sizes of clothes..with staying the same size or two for many years..my wardrobe is limited. I am wanting to cry thinking I need to go buy bigger sizes so I can breathe at work! Sigghh.. I have been soooo careful with what I have been eating..back to bandster portions..counting calories..the dramatic weight gain stopped for a few days..I stayed stable..but this morning it was up again by 1/2lb. Perhaps my few days back at the gym caused it...yeah right!!

I have my follow up appt with the bariatric nurse dietician on Oct 30th.not sure what the plan is from here. Doctor wants my esophagus to heal if possible. I am hoping it does and that I can get SOME fill back..even 1/2. What I miss the most is not having the hunger pains. I hate feeling like a mere mortal with hunger pains and counting calories and being obsssessed with my weight after years of being stable! Sucks!

I really had gone away from forums years ago. Probably typical of most band "veterans" ..life goes on. I really had no clue that so many people have been having problems. Never even knew about the gastric sleeve popping into the market. Now I am scared about all this stuff happening to me!

The band looked well in place..no slips or erosion. The pouch looked ok below my stretched out esophagus..so that is the main concern right now. I am just praying I can stave off this crazy gain..I was shocked to see the scale jump 5lbs overnight..I swear I am not eating or drinking anything to cause that dramatic of a quick gain..seems technically impossible.

I am sitting at work on the verge of tears thinking I am going to have to give in and head to the store and get bigger pants for work because now nothing is fitting without feeling like I cannot breathe or move! I can't wear sweats to work or stretchy pants...sigh...

I always say the band was the best decision I ever made. I have had 12 years(well really half that at full goal) of doing stuff I couldn't have done obese..riding sport bikes is one..I put up with the quirks because I like the way I am..but now..I am scared to go back to where I was.

Praying for the best outcome and I can keep my band, get fill back and get this excess weight off again and go back to my size 8s and 10s!! Mwhhhaaa!!

Just wondering how you are doing? I have Kaiser too and was wondering about your experience with them, Im in San Diego....where are you?

Gosh...sorry...did not see your question to me until now! I am in northern california..my batriatric surgeon is at Kaiser Richmond, CA. I live in Vacaville.

Quick update..Was refilled in mid December after I was rechecked in November and esophagus had shrunk down in size with the complete unfill. As I sit today, I had gained 45lbs since last September. It was quick and was devastating. I had a 1cc fill back in December and 5 days ago had another .25cc fill. That one is settling in place and I finally..hopefully managing to drop lbs again. I NEED this weight off!! I am constantly hungry since this last fill rather than lower my hunger as it used to! SIgh..been quite a journey with this new body and new banded self!!!

[Want2surf 22]

I know this is an old thread but thought maybe people are still interested. I was interested enough to click on it.

I'm at 8 years, 2 months.

I lost 15 pounds below goal weight in 14 months and maintained for several years. I eventually gained back 50 pounds. Then I lost 45 pounds and now I've gained back 20. I'm in process to get the band removed and a revision to gastric sleeve. My band is too tight even when unfilled. Most foods won't go through even after sitting in the pouch for hours. I was able to gain weight because I found certain, unhealthy foods (cheetos, cookies) would pass through. Thus the revision. My diet has been horrible since banding because even Water won't go through a lot of the time. The sleeve will let me eat a variety of healthy foods.