Hi Folks,
I used to spend a lot of time on the KC Bandsters Yahoo Group, but sadly that group seems to have dropped off quite a bit. Having just spent 10 months "off the band" after pulling out all the fluid February, I feel the need to share my re-band experience.

By way of introduction, I was banded by Malley back in 2007. My top weight was somewhere around 350lbs, but I wasn't weighing myself much at that size. Being 5'9, that was a lot of weight to carry around, however having been very active physically earlier in life, I moved like a much smaller person. I've never had problems with knees, but did start to have trouble breathing and with stamina. Apart from the obvious self image issues, and my desire to get back into some sports, the biggest problem with weight was traveling on airplanes. As a consultant, I fly a lot, and the dirty looks and the squeezing into seats was hard to deal with.

Psychological issues aside, my body just processes food well. I'm a great food processor. I can eat and store fat with the best of them! Add to that my desire to bury my problems in food, and you get a great support structure for the promotion of body fat. I win!

My pre-band diet had me down to 310 lbs by surgery day. I blogged my progress at KC Bandsters through almost a 100lb weight loss down to 220lbs (lowest I measured). I kept right around the 220s for about 1.5 years. I shopped at Macey's and not at the big and tall stores. I was actually quite happy, but there was a problem...

In an attempt to break through 220, I actually got myself over filled. The symptoms were night time and eventually daytime acid reflux, and generally just not feeling as good as I should have. I ended up stretching the top off my stomach out, and had to have my band emptied (once my stubborn self acknowledge the problem).

Over the last 10 months, I gained 40 lbs. I weight in yesterday at Malley's office at 268!! Yiikes!! That takes me back to August of 2007! My clothes don't fit, and I'm having trouble with stamina at the gym. The weight gain was actually striking at first. I jumped 20 lbs almost over night, and then eased up to 260 after a few short months. I have tried to watch what I eat to see if I could lose weight again (without the band's help), but no dice. I can tell that without the band, I will balloon right back up. The diet and exercise only seems to maintain me around the 260 mark where I have stayed for about 4 months.

I got my first refill yesterday, and am quite disappointed. I paid the 150 out of pocket, and got 3CCs in a 10CC band. Malley gave me 5CCs my first fill back in 2007. I still have no restriction, and now I have to wait 4 weeks to get another fill (and pay another 150). It's frustrating, because I have no help from the band for all the Christmas meals that are about to come up!

So... here I go. I'm hoping that my restart will drop the weight gain from the last year as quick as it came back. I'm a lot more active now, than I was a year ago, so that should also help. Wish me luck!
---Bob

Banded: 4/3/2007
By: Dr. "Rock Star" Malley
Started/Current/Goal: 310/268/180

Bob, I think I remember you from those times on KC Bandsters. I think I may be in a simliar boat where i need to go get mine emptied and start over. Thanks for posting this. While it isn't what i want to do, I think it may be what i need to do.

Jonathan,
What happened was that I got an over fill. Then I lived with it for a long time. I dealt with the symptoms, and assumed I'd lose weight. I was under performing at the gym, and not generally feeling good. The Reflux started to become constant, and I stretched out my upper stomach.

I visited with another doctor in Malley's office, and she removed all the fluid. I think it was a joint decision. I was supposed to come back 2 months later, but I enjoyed being able to eat and felt so much better that I didn't come in. Before I knew it, I was gaining weight! UGH!!

Then I was telling myself that I needed to work that weight off before I embarrassed myself at the office with the weight gain. Just didn't have time to make the drive down there, really. Silliness on my part.

So, here I am with a newly created belly, and clothes that don't fit. I'm ready to try again to beat that 220lbs mark. I know it's possible, and I'm smarter and more active now, so I think it's doable.
---Bob