I had my lapband performed in Ft. Lauderdale by Dr. Michael Perez over 7 years ago. I weighed 217 the day of surgery. I had high hopes of becoming the 125 lb. girl I always was in my 20's... Well, I lost 17 lbs. within the first 10 days. That is where it ended. I never lost a pound more. As a matter of fact, I am now 250 lbs. 7 years later. I have been told that my surgery was successful but I did not follow the program and caused my own problems. I denied this for MANY years. Stating that I could eat large amounts without ever feeling full. I DID work out on a daily basis and honestly tried many, many times. I think the fact that (A) I am an emotional eater and ( I was now in my 40's and my metabolism was changing had a lot to do with it but, hey, it really was MY FAULT. I have eaten sooo much ice cream in the past 5 years that I should own part of Ben & Jerrys. I never even liked ice cream before this operation. When I do get full, usually when I eat something healthy like chicken, I throw it all up and then crave ice cream. Obviously the band is working but I have abused the hell out of it. I have not seen a bariatric surgeon for over 5 years because I basically gave up. I have an appointment tomorrow with Dr. Paul Chappano, St. Vincents to see how I can get back on track. I may need a fill. I have no idea how full it is anymore. I am being charge $500 cash before I can see him for the dietician, etc... Whatever that is... I am curious what this REALLY covers. I am told that my insurance will not pay for fills so I will be charged $75 for each fill. So tomorrow will cost me $575 just to see if they can help me... Wish me luck. My mother died last month and I am on a mission to get healthier. Please give me any advice you have about keeping with the program and support groups. I am doing this alone and know nobody else with a lap-band. I'll let you guys know how it goes tomorrow.:wub:

Hey Good luck with everything!! It is great that you are getting back on track. This is the time you can really focus on you. You are strong and have the ability to make this band work for you. Stop buying Icecream... For me if its not in the house i am not likely to eat it. A good friend told me once, if you know your biggest weakness, you can overcome all odds. By knowing your self and your triggers, you are better able to recognized your patterns and activly change them by bring atttention to them. Way to make the first big step towards loving yourself again!

Congrats! you have made a step towards your new life. You did one of the hardest parts. Admitting where you went wrong and verbalizing it. We all mess up but it is so hard to admit it. We are all in this "band" world because we have food issues. Honestly unless we learn why the band probably wont help long term. you need to find a good support group with others that have been banded. Your surgeon should be able to give you the meeting times of one. Keep using this sight. 95% of what is on here is really good stuff. Find a couple of good supportive friends that will hold you accountable. Not a complete diet Nazi who makes you wanna hang yourself and give up if you have one bad day but some one who will hold you accountable and who will be honest with you even when it really sucks. If you were going to stop smoking or drinking people would say stay out of those enviroments dont go in the bars dont buy cigs you cant do that with food. what you can do is try to buy only the healthier foods that will promote wt loss and good health and every once in a blue moon its okay to treat yourself to that ice cream. thats what is great about the band. once we learn about our demons we can have most things in small moderate portions on occassion. first though you gotta figure out how to just eat to live and not live to eat. been there done that. I promise you NOTHING I MEAN NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SKINNY FEELS (I have lost 77 pounds) Good luck and God bless. I never thought i could do it in a million years. I promise if i can do it any one can.

Hi, I know you can get back on track. It sounds like this is what you really want now for yourself. Sorry for the loss, it is hard to do this on your own. I agree ice cream Is something I like more now that I am banded. But I eat only very small amounts (high in FAT) I do not want to be FAT anymore and it sounds like you want thin too. I was banded 9 months ago and have lost 99 pounds as of this morning. I go to the Nutritionist / Dietitian almost every month. These people know food and there nutrients. They know What and how much of it to eat. It is all about body chemistry. They recommend to me Eat Food. Not Much. Mostly Plants and Protein first. I do try not eat any thing from a box or package. I make most all my own foods and eat nothing with more than 5 ingredients listed. Read the labels. Best wishes and please join me on my wagon we can help each other on our journeys together. imaluckydog

First, I am so sorry to hear about your mom! It must me hard. On a brighter note, now, you know you are not doing this alone. Not only do you have all of us to support you, you have your mom watching over you. I have no doubt in my mind that you are going to do this!

Good luck and keep us posted!

I am sorry to hear about your mom. I lost my mom who was my best friend too. Only TIME helps the healing process......Well I want to say Congratulations for Starting OVER! I am doing the same thing. I was banded 2/14/2006. My hightest weight was 256 and then last summer I was down to 176. It truly felt great. But I am in the same boat as you are too. I got to a point for whatever reason my band tighted on its own and I could not eat hardly anything for a couple of weeks. Then I got hooked on ice cream and then sometimes that would not go down. I was not happy. I had to get an unfill. Then I could eat much better. But from STARVING to eating again was not a good thing. I have done this 2 to 3 times going back and forth. Fills(then band tightens up again after about 3-4months) then Unfills.........Not sure why my band never feels just right. I very rarely have that full feeling after eating too. Why do we never have the full feeling everyone talks about?? Now I am eating those big portions,( I do try to eat healthier but fail at that too) I am going in 2 weeks to get a fill but working really hard to change by lifestyle and eating habits up till that day comes. I started walking at lunch and at my son's baseball practice, cause I do not like where this is going and I know only I can change this horrible cycle with God's help. I like this website for support cause my doctor's support groups are too far away for me. I have found a couple of groups here but sometimes their are conflicts with my son's sports etc.....I hope to accomplish what I began back in 2006. I would really like to keep in touch with you and know we can do this!!!!!

:thumbup:Don't give up! I had my band 08/15/08 and lost 10lbs and have gained it back. I have had 3 fills with fluoro and the Dr said when I swallow the fluoro backs up and he doesn't understand it. Im going to give it another try and take it a day at a time. I work in a Drs office Reps and patients bring cakes candy and food everyday. My husband is a feeder and loves junk food! I glad to know this is something we can start over with. Good Luck Redi123