MizPeppy

Oh, I feel for you. I hated myself too because I wasn't losing weight. I would hide when the surgeon would have to come to my unit to see a patient. It wasn't until I had to have the band removed that I realized that there was almost no difference. I decided to embrace who I was and got rid of my too small clothes, found fat-friendly activities and friends, did things I would have never done (put on a bathing suit and swim, rode horses with my son) and I got to the point where I decided to diet for my health. I also worked on emotional eating. I have lost 46 lbs from diet and exercise and $8,000 in band placement, removal and various other band related tests. Boo. This was a huge lesson for me. Fat people are expected to fail and when the band fails we are the first to blame ourselves. If it doesn't work for you, it doesn't. Don't waste your time hating yourself. Beth

Just an update. I have lost a total of 46 lbs. I exercise at least an hour every day and eat low carb with lots of low carb veggies. I feel great except for the fact if I drink fast I'll vomit. I don't understand why. I will talk to my surgeon again when I see him around. I realize there is scarring, so maybe that has something to do with it. I am 2 months out from band removal and losing about 2 lbs a week by myself. I'm not having a revision surgery. Good luck to all, Beth

I was banded in 2007, lost some weight but the band didn't really work for me. It seemed to me when folks would post that the band did nothing for them, they would be chided for not eating right and exercising. I swear my band didn't make much difference except for causing chest pain. Turns out I needed it removed and guess what? The only difference is that I can eat faster. I don't eat faster since I'm a slow eater but I can't feel any difference. The nurse seemed surprised and said that most people feel like they can eat a lot. I have lost 10 lbs after band removal with Weight Watchers. I am on the road to a revision - not sure which. I just want to let the strugglers know that the band doesn't work for everyone. My surgeon says that in his (large) practice that 4 out of 10 people lose a lot of weight, 2 out of 10 lose 20 to 30 lbs and the other 4 don't lose at all. Dismal. I probably would have gotten it anyway but now I am researching the crap out of the bypass - good and bad. I am talking to everyone I can find who is willing to talk. Anyway, I guess my point is that it doesn't work for everyone. It just doesn't. Don't attack yourself, give it your honest best. Beth

My surgeon wanted it in one surgery, but insurance couldn't qualify in time since I had to have emergency surgery to have it out.

I have had the band out and am doing well. He said it was loose, so maybe that it why I never really felt restriction. There is no difference between what I can eat now and when I had the band. I din't have the sleeve because it would have been a long wait for insurance. I have to fo through the whole process again for the sleeve so I will get it around Jan. That's ok with me, I have to save up the $, lol.

I have had my band for 2 1/2 years with really no weight loss until this year. I had gotten back up to 311, and decided to go on WW in Jan. I lost 28 lbs by May 10. I was really working my plan and exercising then I got gastroentertis. I couldn't vomit because of the band and I must have done something since I have been nauseous ever since. I am having the band removed tomorrow. I am terribly disappointed since I was actually using the band for the first time since I had had it in. I also want the d@mn thing out since I can't eat and have lost 11 more lbs without trying. I am thinking of switching to a sleeve and have to decide by tomorrow. Yikes.

Stephone, lets keep in touch. I was a band failure and I wish I would have had beeter support. I'm not needy, I'm too indepenant and it would be fun to have a bud. Do you have a date or just sometime in Aug. I'm actually going to see if I could have it sooner. We'll see. Beth

I have to have my band removed today, it is causing nausea and epigastric pain. I found out friday that today it would come out and have to decide by today if I want the sleeve. I did not lose weight with the band until this year when I realized that I had to diet too. Doh! I have lost 39 lbs this year with the band but for the last 3 weeks I've been nauseous and in pain so out it comes. I don't want to gain anything back but I'm so afraid I will have trouble like I did with the band. I don't want to be rushed into this but I am already having surgery so this would be the time. I have until 9:30 to decide. Wish me luck! Beth

The immodium is probably not helping. If you don't take it, do you continue to have loose stools? I would experiment with not taking it and see if that helps. Good luck!

I got the band out, but I will have the sleeve in Aug. I would have had to wait another week to get the sleeve, and I was soo sick I just wanted the band out. This is the day after that and I feel great! I am going to be on WW until I get the sleeve so wish me luck. I will be hanging out here though, learn what I need to know. Thanks for your replies! Beth

I totally understand. I do. I am with you 100%. I never felt the effects of the band. For two years and many fills and unfills, I lost the battle. I went on WW at the first of the year and lost 28 lbs. I then got gastroenteritis and couldn't throw up and screwed up something. A month later I am still nauseous and on Monday will get the band out. I am thinking of doing the sleeve, because as of today I've lost 38 lbs and don't want to gain them back. I have no Fluid in the band now, but as soon and the pain and nausea are gone, I'm afraid I will eat. I still don't trust myself. I am reading food, Women, and God. which doesn't have anything to do with God really, (I'm a Buddhist) and it has been so helpful for the emotional stuff. We are fat for a reason and until that reason is taken care of it will be a battle. Good luck to you. My advice is to diet like its not there. You are worth it. Beth

Jachut - I love your raves. You give an intelligent point of view that I respect.

Amen, it took me 2 years to learn this, lol. And some work with emotional fat issues.

I had the same response on WW boards. I now never mention my band, or the fact I can't eat all my points. I still lose and cook healthy meals for my teenage son.

PS - I love the thread title! It puts the responsibility back where it belongs. I am not a victim, I just haven't been taking advantage of my tool.

I am so happy with my fill. She took an hour going over things with me. She is so different than my surgeon. I am following her eating rules and am really looking forward to success. I got my band in Oct. 07, but have had difficulty with fills - nausea, unfills, etc. I gave up this summer because I felt like such a loser. I am recommitted now and will join you. For the past two days I ate when I was hungry - 200 calories average at a time. I ate 5 times. I was satisfied. My family is doing a buffet for Thanksgiving so my goal is to eat 1 tablespoon of the things I want and stop. It will be easy to stop since I have a good fill. I am going to make another fill appt. tomorrow. Take care Tab, and be strong today. You are so worth it! Beth

The IV therapists at my hospital are trained to do unfills, I will ask them tonight if they know.

Me too! I am going to a fill center today since I can't work with my surgeon. I am excited about a new start! My goal is to eat only when hungrey, stop as soon as I am full. Beth

I know you posted a while back but I just bought a bike and want to ride. I live in WA and would be interested in finding bike paths etc. Let me know if you want to get together. Beth

I was banded by Cagle and Dally. I had been NPO for 10 days and had gallbladder surgery, then went on the milk diet. I did really well except for one day when I ate a chicken sandwich. The banding went well though, except for the fact I can't get good restriction and haven't lost weight really. I have an appt. Oct 1 to get a fill and get back on the wagon. I'm going to start over fresh on my 1 year anniversery and try again. The 3 other people I know who had bypass with Cagle went on the milk diet - one cheated twice, one cheated a lot, the other went on a low fat diet instead. The milk diet is eaisier after the first few days. Good luck, Beth

I am 10 months post banding and I gave up trying with the band for 2 months. I decided to embrace myself as I am. I am doing a lot more now - camping, swimming etc and I don't constantly think of my fatness. I was so unhappy with the band since when I finally got some restriction at 7 months post banding, I got stuck and had to have all the Fluid removed. I haven't gained anything, and the few days or so I have finally gotten in touch with my band. I feel full and stop eating even when I want to continue, and within 5 minutes I'm not thinking about food anymore. Is this what restiction is? I can deal with that. When I am doing other things (now that I don't let my fatness stop me) I don't think about eating. I hope this lasts because this is my idea of how I thought the band would work. I have been so disappointed in the past that I don't want to get my hopes up, but I think it clicked.

Can you go to an urgent care and get the test? I almost positive they wouldn't do surgery with a high white count. Good luck, Beth

Wow, makes sense. At work I have a lot of confidence and my scrubs are very bright. My other wardrobe is earth toned and I get a little uncomfortable wearing a lot of color. I will have to change that! Beth

Wow, that sounds like a great book. I just bought Chop Wood, Carry Water on Amazon and I can't wait to get it! Beth

BrandyII, I am so glad I stopped here today. You and I have a lot in common but I haven't posted in any of your threads. Last week I decided to embrace my fatness too. I have been struggling with the band and feelling like a failure and hating myself yet again. I decided to start living life to the fullest as a fat person, eat healthy foods, exercise by doing things I love and developing new friendships. I bought myself a bunch of new clothes, joined a fat events group, and I even applied for 5 new jobs! I also thought the band would restrict my eating and I wouldn't have to "diet", but the only way I lose is by strictly dieting. Then I fail as I have done so many times in the past. I had good restriction at one point, but got something stuck and had all the Fluid removed. I now have 3 ccs in a 10, will get a fill, but will concentrate on loving myself and living life! Keep me posted as to how you are doing! Beth