Ok, I'm a fairly patient person and I know the band is not a quick solution, but geez, couldn't the powers that be give me a break just once in my life and let me lose a few ounces? I haven't lost a single pound since my surgery. Granted, I haven't gained any more than the 8 of water I gained back after surgery, but I'm doing my best here and have yet to see much in the way of results. I'm eating my protein, eating less overall, staying away from fried foods, breads and pastas, and I'm trying to stay away from the other bad foods I know I shouldn't eat. I've eaten so much chicken and fish that I should really open up my own farm, and should also be buying stock in Campbell's soup. If I ate any slower breakfast would run into lunch and dinner, and I'm still always hungry. Two fairly aggressive fills down and there's still no change.

Maybe it's the time of year that has me frustrated most. Winter is here and that always means more pain for me. I'm in pain every single day of my life, but winter brings it out in force, and I don't know how many more years it's going to be that I'm going to be able to make it cane-free. Some days I cry at the thought of getting out of bed in the morning just because I'm tired of the pain. Maybe I'm just bitter because at 34 years old I can't remember a time when I didn't have to worry about collapsing on the floor because the pain was too bad to stand up, and even if I finally manage to lose weight, collapsing on the floor from pain is never going to stop being a problem.

I was really looking forward to the chiropractor visits that are a part of my banding package, but I can't say that I'm thrilled so far. I've just spent $18K on a non-refundable, non-optional comprehensive services package and the first thing the chiropractor tried to do was to get me to attend his other clinic for acupuncture treatments. In his opinion, acupuncture is the only treatment that's ever been effective for my illness and, what a co-incidence, it's not covered as part of the comprehensive package and it would be additional. Couldn't he have waited at least a few appointments in to up-sell me? Does he think I'm not noticing this? :present: There's no way I can get hooked on a treatment I can't afford... that would be cruel. After 23 years with a painful illness, to get treatment that worked and have it taken away because I couldn't afford it would be much worse than never knowing if it worked in the first place.

On the up side, my mother is no longer having screaming hissy fits at me about my lack of weight loss. It has moved into the realm of pointed glares. At least that gives me the option of looking away and ignoring it. :Dancing_wub:

Have you asked if it's possible to trade the chiro for the accu? Since he's SO certain it's the only thing that will help you? If he's so certain, he should be willing to let you try it and see if it helps.

With the type of pain you're describing I can only assume exercising isn't really an option for you at this point correct? That is more than likely the issue with the stalled weight loss. Your calories in vs. calories out ratio.. you're maintaining, but as you said not gaining, which is a good thing.

I'm shocked your doctor didn't suggest bypass over banding because of your condition. I have a friend with FM and everything hurts her, all the time, once she did the bypass her pain was manageable after dropping 50lbs in about 6 weeks, she was able to workout and lose. Go off pain meds, and go into "natural" pain management.

Speaking of natural have you and your dr tried those types of methods?

I feel your frustration through the screen and I genuinely hope your situation gets better. All the best!