Tired of being miserable

[ang in ohio 0]

I am 10 months post op and have lost a total of 38 pounds (including my pre-op weight loss). I lost the first 30+ pounds within the first couple of months and have been losing and regaining the other 5 pounds for the last 6 months. I am so frustrated. I have had SEVERAL fills and one unfill and now have about 8.8 CCs in my 10 CC band. I feel no restriction but cannot eat anything healthy. I experience PBing after nearly every meal so I don't understand why I haven't lost more weight since I can't keep anything down.

I know that the lapband is a tool and not a miracle cure for obesity. I do not have any misconceptions about my role in my weight loss journey. I have learned a great deal about portion sizes, high Protein amounts, not drinking before, during, or after meals, etc. but what's the point of any of this if I can't eat healthy foods.

I am tired of living like this. I have decided that I would rather be fat than be this miserable. I am looking for advice about how to approach my doctor about having the band removed. I am scheduled for another fill in 2 weeks but really don't want to wait that long to get this process started. I know that I am going to have a struggle getting my insurance to cover the removal since I have not had the band for 2 years and don't have any obvious symptoms of slippage / erosion, but I have to do something.

I have mentioned my frustration about what I can and cannot eat at each of my fills, but I have a feeling they don't truly appreciate how miserable I have been. Also, my surgeon is not known for his bedside manner. He can be very condescending and demeaning. I can only imagine what he is going to say when I tell him I want to have the band removed.

Any suggestions about how to get started would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your compassion and advice.

[cheryl2586 3,053]

Well I dont know what to tell you here except Im sorry you are having such a hard time. Unless you are having some signs of medical necessity I dont think the insurance companies will just take it out that easily. Even at two years post op Im not sure unless you are having medical issues with the band its self will they pay to have it taken out. I would first start by calling your insurance company and asking them what their rules are in band removal before you approach your doctor. Maybe they can guide you of even finding a new doctor that would be better for you.

[KareBear831 0]

Well I dont know what to tell you here except Im sorry you are having such a hard time. Unless you are having some signs of medical necessity I dont think the insurance companies will just take it out that easily. Even at two years post op Im not sure unless you are having medical issues with the band its self will they pay to have it taken out. I would first start by calling your insurance company and asking them what their rules are in band removal before you approach your doctor. Maybe they can guide you of even finding a new doctor that would be better for you.

I agree with fluffy-to-fab that finding a new doctor/practice might be a first step. Perhaps that office isn't doing the fills/unfills in the most beneficial way for you.Plus finding a doctor who is compassionate and caring would be a help for you in this situation; for anyone in all situations! I am pre-op so I can only imagine what you are going through. I hope and pray for you that things get better for you. I also agree with fluffy-to-fab that talking to the insurance company would be a good idea. I am sorry for your feelings of frustration; I know they must be hard to take.

[Noturningback15 45]

I agree! New doctor please! I had the same problem up to 7 months after my surgery and I knew it was not my fault so I switch doctors and starting getting better fills and that made the world of a difference and they were more motivational and nicer which helped as well!

[mousek 4]

I am 10 months post op and have lost a total of 38 pounds (including my pre-op weight loss). I lost the first 30+ pounds within the first couple of months and have been losing and regaining the other 5 pounds for the last 6 months. I am so frustrated. I have had SEVERAL fills and one unfill and now have about 8.8 CCs in my 10 CC band. I feel no restriction but cannot eat anything healthy. I experience PBing after nearly every meal so I don't understand why I haven't lost more weight since I can't keep anything down.

I know that the lapband is a tool and not a miracle cure for obesity. I do not have any misconceptions about my role in my weight loss journey. I have learned a great deal about portion sizes, high Protein amounts, not drinking before, during, or after meals, etc. but what's the point of any of this if I can't eat healthy foods.

I am tired of living like this. I have decided that I would rather be fat than be this miserable. I am looking for advice about how to approach my doctor about having the band removed. I am scheduled for another fill in 2 weeks but really don't want to wait that long to get this process started. I know that I am going to have a struggle getting my insurance to cover the removal since I have not had the band for 2 years and don't have any obvious symptoms of slippage / erosion, but I have to do something.

I have mentioned my frustration about what I can and cannot eat at each of my fills, but I have a feeling they don't truly appreciate how miserable I have been. Also, my surgeon is not known for his bedside manner. He can be very condescending and demeaning. I can only imagine what he is going to say when I tell him I want to have the band removed.

Any suggestions about how to get started would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your compassion and advice.

I would suggest journaling everything that I eat and ask to speak to the nutritionist and see if they can shed any light on what's stopping the weight loss.