Asking for answers, and encouragement

[chiefsfankatie 0]

Hey all,

It's been several months since I have visited this site. I had esophogeal dilation and had my band completely unfilled for 6weeks. I gained 9 lbs in that time and now am having it refilled slowly. I have gained more because I have no restriction right now. Yesterday was my 1 yr anniversary and I am frustrated and cannot say its been the best thing I have ever done. Right now I am sitting at about a total of 60 lbs lost. I want to lose a lot more though, and now I am really struggling to do it. I am just wondering if anyone else has had a similar situation and realistically can I lose a lot more?? in my 2nd year? Let me know and good luck to all. KT

[catzintj 1]

you lost 60lbs in one year? that is great. you hit a bump in the road, ive been there. i hope you will be ok. the weight came off slower for me after the first year. ive gained about 10 lbs back since i quit the smokes. it is frustrating, but try to stay positive and keep trying. how much more do you want to lose.......

[Ang1982 4]

I can't answer your question as I'm only a couple of months post op but .... I can tell you that 60lbs in a year is a great start and with your band getting refilled it's a great time to get back on track. Maybe start journaling your foods to get the hang of things again? YOU CAN DO THIS!!! *HUG* You had a set back now you are back up on the horse and you can give-er. Take it one day at a time. You're doing great.

[Skinny_Jill 36]

Could you have lost the 60 pounds without the band? I know I couldn't. You are doing great. You had a rough spot but it sounds like you are on your way. I had to start journaling my food and exercising to keep losing because the band can only do so much. You can lose more but it may have to work it a little harder. My doc told me before I was banded that it would only do so much. You can do it!

Good luck!

[tonya66 13]

Okay first of all - 60 lbs is great!! Congratulations!

Can you lose a lot more the 2nd year? I'm on my 2nd year, and I have started losing. I too hit a bump in the road about 7 months post op, and have several issues since then.

I've finally gotten thru the issues, my mind is back in the game and I'm ready to lose again, and I can already tell I've started losing. There are lots of people on this site who reached goal around their 2nd band anniversary, there are some that took 3 years, the band does not stop working at 1 year. It will continue to be your tool, as long as you use it for a tool.

So, I know how you feel, I remember when I hit my 1 year anniversary, I was a bit diappointed that I hadn't reached goal in 1 year. I was sad that I actually weighed more at 1 year, then I did at 8 months post op. But, its because I wasn't using my tool. I will say I am a lot better off then I was at the time I had surgery. I might not be to goal yet, but I have lost a lot, and I feel better. Will I reach goal - I am confident that I will, it will just take me a bit longer to get there. You can do it too! Don't let anyone tell you that you can't!

Actually, I honesty think this year is going to be a little easier, I think I have finally hit my sweet spot after 10 fills and 16 months of trying to get there!

[juliegeraci 7]

KT, I lost about 60 lbs my first year too. Just start to get some good restriction again and the weight will come off. Good luck.

[gkeyt 0]

You can absolutely lose in the second year. The great thing about the band is that as long as you take care of your stomach, you can always go back and lose the weight. Unlike the bypass, where the stomach pouch can stretch out and the bypassed intestine can regrow absorptive villi--that's why the bypass stops working. The band doesn't do that. You caught the dilitation in time to be able to fix it with an unfill and stomach rest--that's great! Some people don't catch them, or are afraid to get it checked out, until they have worse problems and actually end up losing their band. So you are in a good position--frustrating not to have restriction, but your stomach is healthy and you can start losing again. You'll have to work on keeping your portions down and recognizing your full signs so you can avoid dilitation again--plus making sure your fill doesn't ever get TOO tight.

Remember, there is NO "honeymoon" period for the band--it can always work as long as it's there and our stomachs are healthy!