sizewize

My band has been more trouble than it's worth from the very beginning. Right now I have unfilled as much as possible and will await insurance so I can get it removed all together. I've been diagnosed with PCOS, a condition which prohibits weight loss and actually involves weight gain for no apparent reason. Thank goodness I discovered the Atkins low carb plan of eating which is the only thing that has resulted in significant weight loss and it's easy to do and after the first two days there's no hunger involved. I've heard reknowned doctors talk about sugar as being as toxic as tobacco and I now believe it. For anyone who wants to jump start their metabolism, I suggest buying the Atkins New Diet Revolution book and trying this plan. It works for me.

No, doctors and providers don't tell you the truth about the actual weight loss. I lost about 75 lbs. initially (being able to eat only slush and mush, as I call it) and then started the tricky road to fills and unfills. Traveled to other states even to have fills done right and all this has cost a bundle along with the initial $15K I spent on the procedure. After that first weight loss, I started gaining for no apparent reason, still eating (or having food slide down my throat) small quantities. I went to a doctor and was diagnosed with PCOS, a condition that prevents weight loss and actually is responsible for weight gain even when eating only 1,000 calories per day and exercising. Fed up with the whole thing, I had as much of an unfill as is possible. Now I'm waiting till I have health insurance in hopes my coverage will include complete removal of the band. One bright note throughout this ordeal...Thanks to a suggestion from a PCOS support group member, I started on the Atkins program and have now started to lose weight. And, if I chew really well, I can keep most of the foods down. It seems that carbs are really the enemy to weight loss. So, if you feel you want the band out, get it out. It's worth $5,000 (if you can afford it which I can't right now) for peace of mind. I wish I had started Atkins BEFORE I got the banding done. Good luck.

Your story is my story...exactly. A friend had the band and was able to eat everything only in small amounts and chewed very well. She lost 125 lbs. in less than a year. So I flew to Mexico and had the band done two years ago at a cost of $8,000. The first six months were good...able to eat most anything except eggs and bread and I lost 60 lbs. And that's all. For the past 1 1/2 years I've eaten nothing but slush and mush...soup, salad slathered with fatfree dressing, watery mashed potatoes with fatfree gravy and protein shakes. Haven't lost another pound and actually gained 20...How is that possible with eating less than 1,000 calories a day and exercising. So two months ago I went to my family doctor and she ordered blood work which diagnosed a condition call PCOS...I'm on meds for that now and have lost 4 lbs. in those two months. I think I could stand the band and the fills (without boring everyone with all my fill and unfill horror stories, let's just say I'm now over $15,000 self pay into this) if I had lost the 150 lbs. I needed to lose to be at a healthy weight. But I'm at 220 and at 5'4" that's way too much especially since most of the fat is in my stomach. I'm still wearing all plus size clothes...24-26...so not much has changed for me with the band. So now I'm going to have a complete unfill next week...hoping that will accomplish something like my being able to have a piece of fruit which I crave...maybe even a few bites of something normal. That's going to be another $1,000. Now reading your story I wonder if I shouldn't just have it removed. But I guess I'll wait to see what this new bariatric surgeon says when I go for the unfill. I too found out the hard way that lapbanding is not for everyone and I wish I hadn't done it. But maybe I needed to have this dreadful experience in order to get a grip on my eating and perhaps I'll be able to follow a normal diet. I used to drink about 10 sodas (not diet) a day before the band and now, of course, have not had a soda in 2 years so am hoping I won't fall back on old habits. Sorry for all the trouble many of us are having with the banding.

...Anyone with PCOS please HELP. I was banded two years ago and lost 60 lbs. and then it stopped even though I have not been able to eat many solids and most of my meals are mush and slush...soups, salads with lots of fat free dressing, watery mashed potatoes and protein shakes. I gained 20 lbs. and never changed my eating after banding...eat very small amounts of the above, that's all the band will allow. And I vomit sometimes also...doesn't matter what I've tried to eat. So for the past 1 1/2 years I've not been able to lose weight, most of my fat is in my stomach. Two months ago I went to my doctor, had blood work done and was diagnosed with PCOS and put on meds...Metformin. I've only lost four (4) lbs. in that time even though I hardly eat 1,000 calories daily. And I exercise...some days I bike up to 10 miles. I need to lose this weight (still weigh over 200 lbs. and am only 5'4")...but nothing seems to be working. Anyway with any information about PCOS, please write to me. Maybe there's something besides the meds I'm taking that will help. Thank you.

I'm having an unfill next week just because I can't keep any solids down no matter what time of day...and worse even than the vomiting which is daily, I haven't lost any weight in the past year even though all I am able to eat is slush and mush...watery mashed potatoes, soup, protein shakes...and I exercise regularly. I even gained 20 lbs...the less I eat, the more I gain. I was recently diagnosed with PCOS and am taking meds for that condition but still my stomach hangs to my knees...all the weight and fat are in my stomach...that's a condition of this PCOS. If anyone else has been diagnosed with PCOS, please write and try to help me. Thank you.

I have no medical advise to offer whatsoever but just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for all the troubles you're having and I hope all goes well for you. I was banded two years ago but have only lost 60 lbs. because I was just diagnosed with something called PCOS and that causes weight gain or inability to lose. My weight is all in my stomach and I hardly eat but gain nevertheless. If anyone with PCOS could advise me I'd be appreciative. Good luck to you.

Please help me...you are the first banded member who has PCOS...so do I? How are you being treated for that? I was banded two years ago...initially lost 60 lbs. and then it all stopped even though I can't eat much of anything without throwing up...usually just eat slush and mush...soups, watered down mashed potatoes, shakes, etc. I even GAINED about 20 lbs. I'm having an unfill next month because I can't eat and am not losing weight. Please tell me how your doctor is treating it. I was just diagnosed a few months ago...probably had it all my life. Thank you.

There's a Dr. Michael Murr in Tampa who takes Mexico-banded patients...first visit $250...haven't been there yet but have appt. for July 2nd for an unfill...have a condition which necessitates that right now.

Can't eat: Eggs, Bread, Most Meats, Fruit

I'm 35...must have input birthdate wrong. Now I'll try to find a way to correct that. As for exercise, I even joined a gym and do exercise about three days a week...still no weight loss.

Was banded in Mexico two years ago. First six months, everything went beautifully according to plan. Lost about 60 lbs. in that time. Then everything came to a screeching halt. In the past year, though I've had many fills and unfills, I haven't been able to eat anything but what I call slush and mush...protein shakes, watery mashed potatoes, soups, etc. and I have gained about 20 lbs. I'm losing it mentally though not physically. Recently went to a doctor and, after bloodwork, was told I had PCOS, a condition which prohibits weight loss and usually causes gain. I'm on meds for that and also started eating NutriSystem Glycemic Index foods and now can get solids to stay down but still no weight loss. Has anyone had this happen. Two years after banding and no continued weight loss? I still need to lose about 75 lbs. to get to a "normal" size. Thanks for any help I can get.

Have been to Fill Center in Tampa...dreadful experience. Have not been to the one in St. Pete yet. Am going to another doctor this time for a total unfill. Have already flown to KS to have a fill so would certainly welcome a very good, not very expensive fill center in Sarasota...I'd be coming from the Clearwater area.

Dr. Tiffany Jesse in Clearwater does fills for banders done in Mexico. Don't know the cost though.