msmarrie
Hi! I was banded in 2003 at the highest weight ever in my life, 311 lbs. On the day of my surgery, I was 290. By 2006 I had reached my goal weight of 150 but allowed myself to gain back 20 lbs because I looked better and felt more comfortable around 170ish. Even at that weight, I was still able to rock size 6 pants and size 3 dresses!
I had my last fill around 2009 because my insurance didn't cover weight loss surgery or related costs and I was able to maintain a pretty steady weight until 2016 when I started to feel very hungry and was noticeably gaining weight and having trouble getting it back off. I now had insurance to cover my related expenses and went for my first fill in 7 years. My weight was 190.
Unfortunately, due to a dilated esophagus, I was unable to get my fill and had to have the remaining fluid in my band taken out. In the meantime, I lost my insurance. So, now I am on a new journey to getting insurance coverage, having my band filled again and possibly replaced. My current weight is 230 and holding.
I consider myself a successful old timer, so I am here to offer my experiences and support but I also have come to realize that bands have changed and I will need your support as well as I embark on this new journey.