Anyone banded 4+ yrs & starting from 0?

[BandedDiva10 11]

I was banded in Sept 2010 . My start weight was 275. My lowest weight was 205 (about a yr 1/2 into the surgery) and my current weight is 256. A husband & 2 babies later I am completely unfilled and am going to get my first re-fill in about a month. Anyone do a re do & started from scratch and had a good outcome? What did you do in the beginning? I'm thinking to just treat it as if I'm getting the surgery again. I was so excited when I first got it done and felt amazing when I lost the weight. I need support. So much hafs changed in my personal life , I'm hoping it won't be so bad.

[bacon 514]

I'm getting to be a pro at starting over. I think you are on the right track. Set a time for liquids then pureed then reg foods. Check out the accountability group in the maintenance section. Best wishes!

[BandedDiva10 11]

That's what I'm going to try to do... start from scratch and basically do what I did when I first got the surgery! Where can I find that section? I'm completely new to this app

[bacon 514]

I tried to make a link but was unable for some reason. Just go to "General Weight loss surgery forum" and then to "maintenance forum" the thread usually will be at top as we check in daily (well most days)!

[bacon 514]

I think that getting the fill you will HAVE to start with liquids and graduate up as before due to the fact you have none now.

[Bandista 7,466]

@@BandedDiva10 way to go getting yourself back on track. The process of getting to the right fill should help a lot -- we need our appetites dimmed in order to lose weight. The links below in my signature help me when I need a reminder or to get my head back in the game -- O'brien's Golden Rukes of Lapband and Dr. Simpson's site. Also some people use the Five Day Pouch Test (not sure why it's called that but you can Google it under that name) -- basically a liquid diet. Once in a while I do a juice fast and that helps me. Keep working with your doctor -- let them know you are ready to do this thing. You can do it! And you'll have so much fun with your kids and be healthy for them and for you -- but to get there you have to choose yourself first. Time to Diva up!

[bacon 514]

I HIGHLY recommend watching the videos. I have been banded for seven years and have never heard of most of this info. Thank you @@Bandista !! This could change everything!!

[B-52 7,113]

I think you answered your own question...the band was properly adjusted and worked great, then you had it unfilled....

Starting over from square one as if you just had surgery would be the right choice, and then get back to where the band starts doing what it is supposed to do.

I am just a few months shy of 4 years, and everything has been great with no complications.

I did once get 1/2 cc taken out. My Dr. could not understand why I asked, if it's not broken why fix it?

Sure enough, 1/2 cc threw the entire balance out of whack. My appetitie came back, I began to eat larger portions. It was scary.

I went back 3 weeks later and had that 1/2 cc put back in.

So I cannot imagine what it would be like to have the entire band emptied!!! As though you didn't have the surgery at all???

As far as maintanence with the band, I am one who does not underastand the concept. For diets, sure....loose the weight after a crash diet then start to re-introduce foods....but the band, it is the same with me today as it has been since getting into the green zone, and will stay that way for the rest of my life...it is my new lifestyle, which has become the Normal lifestyle. I don't do anything different today than I did over 3 years ago.

I started at 275, went down to 165, then stopped there...not that I chose to, but my body simply retured to where it should be....my weight normally fluctuates within the same 10lbs.....no big deal, and I weigh myself daily, sometimes more, out of habit.

[BandedDiva10 11]

I think you answered your own question...the band was properly adjusted and worked great, then you had it unfilled....

Starting over from square one as if you just had surgery would be the right choice, and then get back to where the band starts doing what it is supposed to do.

I am just a few months shy of 4 years, and everything has been great with no complications.

I did once get 1/2 cc taken out. My Dr. could not understand why I asked, if it's not broken why fix it?

Sure enough, 1/2 cc threw the entire balance out of whack. My appetitie came back, I began to eat larger portions. It was scary.

I went back 3 weeks later and had that 1/2 cc put back in.

So I cannot imagine what it would be like to have the entire band emptied!!! As though you didn't have the surgery at all???

As far as maintanence with the band, I am one who does not underastand the concept. For diets, sure....loose the weight after a crash diet then start to re-introduce foods....but the band, it is the same with me today as it has been since getting into the green zone, and will stay that way for the rest of my life...it is my new lifestyle, which has become the Normal lifestyle. I don't do anything different today than I did over 3 years ago.

I started at 275, went down to 165, then stopped there...not that I chose to, but my body simply retured to where it should be....my weight normally fluctuates within the same 10lbs.....no big deal, and I weigh myself daily, sometimes more, out of habit.

I guess you're right. When I first got pregnant I had extreme nausea which caused me to throw up constantly so my dr recommended to get it unfilled. And the same happened with my second. They are 2 yrs and a week apart. So during the whole time I was unfilled. I'm starting my liquids tomorrow and I'm going to just do this!! My start weight was 275 too!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[enjoythetime 1,457]

@@B-52 great response! How often do you find yourself doing the 5-day pouch test? When and how do you decide it's time? Do you recall how long post-op you were when you first tried it? Thanks!

[B-52 7,113]

I learned about it from veterans here, who are now gone, that I used to follow.....

I do it anywhere from every 4-8 weeks.....and will know when I realize I am eating too much (more than usual) too easily.

I have theories as to why that is, and I will say it does make a differnce.

The first time I did it intentionally was at about 2 years. Before that the Dr. and staff where always saying to go liquids for a few days such as after a fill, etc. I then started to realize that this seems to be good thing.

I am now, and have been meaning to do a "Cleanse"...just have not got around to it.

[enjoythetime 1,457]

Thank you @@B-52! This helps a lot! I'm about 2 1/2 years post op and at times I notice I eat more than others but then there are times that I eat less so it's currently all balancing itself out. I think just from a maintenance stand point I will try this next week.

[Laniev00 3]

I was banded in 2008. And am getting the revision to sleeve at the end of this month. The band was one of the worst decisions I made. Constant vomiting for years that I finally took all the Fluid out in 2013. I am looking forward to getting sleeved.

[BettyLue 28]

I was banded 2006...starting weight 245.. Maintaining 133lbs