Band refill after long unfilled lapse

[Vderks 2]

My journey started about 9 years ago with a Realize Lap Band in June of 2009. I initially had great success with a 50lb weight loss (half of my goal) which occurred over the first few months post surgery. Then I figured out how to "trick" my band with dense sweet calories and my weight loss stalled but I didn't really gain back any.

Fast forward 4 years and I had a couple of scares where a piece of meat got stuck in my stoma, followed by a move to a new city and state. After the last incident where I had a blockage emergency, I had my band unfilled. That was 5 years ago... I've since gained 1/2 of the weight back that I had lost... I tried multiple other diet plans and actually did have success with Keto but it simply is not sustainable for me.

A year ago I made an appointment with the bariatric center but canceled it hoping to give Keto another try. Here I am a year and 10 more pounds later... SO, today I called and made an appointment. The soonest they could give me was two months from now which is kind of disappointing. My experience with KETO has really helped get my sugar cravings under control, unfortunately my age (59) and metabolism has my body at it's preferred weight set point.

I'm not really sure of what to expect going forward. If any of you have had long lapses in your band I would appreciate some insight.

Thanks,

Vicki

[Julie norton 2,850]

My journey started about 9 years ago with a Realize Lap Band in June of 2009. I initially had great success with a 50lb weight loss (half of my goal) which occurred over the first few months post surgery. Then I figured out how to "trick" my band with dense sweet calories and my weight loss stalled but I didn't really gain back any.
Fast forward 4 years and I had a couple of scares where a piece of meat got stuck in my stoma, followed by a move to a new city and state. After the last incident where I had a blockage emergency, I had my band unfilled. That was 5 years ago... I've since gained 1/2 of the weight back that I had lost... I tried multiple other diet plans and actually did have success with Keto but it simply is not sustainable for me.
A year ago I made an appointment with the bariatric center but canceled it hoping to give Keto another try. Here I am a year and 10 more pounds later... SO, today I called and made an appointment. The soonest they could give me was two months from now which is kind of disappointing. My experience with KETO has really helped get my sugar cravings under control, unfortunately my age (59) and metabolism has my body at it's preferred weight set point.
I'm not really sure of what to expect going forward. If any of you have had long lapses in your band I would appreciate some insight.

Thanks,
Vicki

Best of luck... yes yes yes
Bands are adjustable and that is why they can work well.. even after an unfill takes place
It is hard to get the right point of not rejecting food..... and to just stopping eating sooner.
It is a difficult dance with your band ....and I’m still on the dance floor 11 years later.
Yes ....with too tight or too loose fills
For me. I just keep trying. And it is reversible in the long run, which no other wls is ( not counting balloon)
Try try try again... I’m behind you.

[Vderks 2]

Thanks Julie! I feel as though I will have to learn everything brand new.

[princessaktmc 1]

Hello. I got my band in 2009 also. It worked Great for awhile. I had 2 kids with the band . I had to get my port replaced about 3-4 years ago and then had problems again with the port 18 months -2 years ago but couldn't afford to get it fixed. So I've been unfilled this past couple of years. I started having left upper quadrant pain and went to the doc and my tubing had completely come detached from the port and is free flowing in there pushing on things causing pain. So although I don't want to spend the money on it right now as we recently bought a house, I can't live in pain either. I'm set to have it fixed May 18th. I'll be starting all over again, in a sense. I'll try to keep you updated and will wait to hear your updates.

Have a great weekend!

Edited May 12, 2018 by princessaktmc