I have had my band since June 2005. I lost 80 lbs with by total starvation in two years. I was so sick last October when my band shut off all together, and no food or water could go down. My doctor sent me to the emergency room. He wanted me open because he said I was way to tight all this time. He said thats why I didn't loose tons. They opened me up and omg the weight poured back on.They said I needed a holiday to get healthier again. I thought im a malnuroushed fat girl:( They say my problem is medical and I can't have a slice of bread a day because my body does not process it. Every carb i put to my mouth they say sticks to my body. My Doctor has filled me and loosened me. My band has never been right. It is horrible. I feel like such a failure. I really had my mind set to this and tried only to loose 80 lbs in 2 yrs. I am so frusterated that I am looking at the mini gastric option. Im going to try again. My doctor says I can do it. He says he is so sorry i have not had a good fill. He only wants me to eat protien for 4 months. He will give me a pill to make this possible. Please cross your fingers. I'm so sad and frusterated :smile::redface: Also i am looking for someone who struggled in the beginning and was a success at the end. Please reply .