Ballew

Ballew,

I would love to hear more about your experience with the band and any experiences of those banded for more than 1 year. The challenges of those with long term bands are different than the newly banded. I have had my band 19 months now, and have been at goal for about a year. I fluctuate 3 lbs, but can see that my eating habits have changed, and worry that the weight will just gradually start creeping back. Any long banded people out there?

Well actually thats exactly what happened. It slowly 3 pounds here inched back up. Now I lost 50 lbs total but have already gained back 30lbs. I loved the lapband and am still wanting it to continue working.

Hi Ballew,

Did you keep up with your fills? As you lose weight, the fat around your stomach disappears and your band loosens up. Perhaps that is part of the issue?

Don't give up!

Hi ButterflyBandita! Thanks for the reply....

Yes, I did and I had the appropriate fills I even think one of them was too tight but I kept it so I could lose the weight even faster. Maybe that was the problem.

I had lap band surgery from Dr. Ortiz April 4 years ago and I have gained back all but 20 pounds from when I had my surgery and now would like to either have it removed or find out if anyone else has had this issue. I really want it to work and it worked beautifully for the first 2 years then slowly everything started failing.

Annette Ballew

Thanks so much - this is really a great "refresher" on what I am supposed to be doing. You are right I can't fall back and do the things I used to nor do I want to.

Thanks Again!

Annette

This is a life long commitment. I see the band as a tool that:

Helped me lose the weight

Curbed my hunger so I could make “smart” decisions on what to eat

Gave me time so I could educate myself on what eating healthy means to me

Learn how to add exercise into my life

Drink lots of water that a big part of our success.

I continue to eat mainly in bandster style, you’ve got to chew – you’re not using your band if you don’t – and make sure you eat protein first, veggies/fruits, carbs. I added in exercise and continue to use it to not only keep my weight under control but to keep me healthy and add in the needed curves and muscles.

I also focused on learning how to eat right through education; I’m organic now and focus on healthy foods. Not processed foods.

I know that my journey was not only the weight loss portion, but the maintenance portion. You have to keep fighting and understand that for many of us we may have a food addiction and we need to come to that decision that its something we have to watch and be aware of.

Look at how you are eating. Did you go back to your old styles, are you grazing are you eating healthy in bandster style and exercising? If the answer is no (and only you know the truth). You still have your tool, jump back in and use it. You may not know its too tight until you start chewing and eating right. If you do this and you still have issues go in for an adjustment.

I’ve been on maintenance for over a year now and I continue to watch and learn to make sure I don’t jump back in to gaining weight – it’s a constant worry and for me it should be. I received my band 6/6/2006, and lost over 130 pounds – I’m not going back there.

Take care, you can do it – but don’t let the weight gain continue another day – get back on the wagon and go girl – you’re worth it!

Best,

Lisa

I hope someone can give me some insight. I originally weighed 199 pre-op then 9 mos later was at my goal weight of 148. Now I weigh 164 and am concerned and don't know what to do. I still get stuck with rice, bread, pretty much anything if I eat too fast and don't chew enough. I don't know if my band is too tight or if there is something else wrong. I am scared my weight keeps creeping back up.

Please help!

Hello everyone, it has been a while. I was previously known at Beery (Annette Beery) got divorced and remarried - something about lapband makes this happen, I don't know. Anyway, I previously weighed 205, then got down within 9 mos to 148 and now I am up to 165 and am a bit frustrated. I have had several fills and now don't know what to do. Anyone have this same issue?