After nearly 4 years, I want to quit

[Omadison 0]

I got my band in October 2007. Lost 40 pounds in 6 months, and then it all stopped. Couldn't get a good fill. Tight enough to diminish hunger, and too many things got stuck. Loose enough to eat comfortably (the bandster way - small well chewed bites), and I didn't have the dimmed appetite. I stayed away from the clinic for a year, gained back all 40 pounds. Recently went back 3 months ago, and still just cannot get it right. I don't want to quit, but can't see continuing to put the time and energy into something that is obviously not working for me.

[amyloveslou 11]

sorry to hear that did you think about the sleeve? They do say some people have problems with the band. my heart goes out to you.. i Love my band. I do have to work VERY hard with it. i dont eat red meat i dont eat Pasta, bread, pizza, cake anything that has to do with dough... I have a stuck episode Everyday... but i keep going. i do workout everyday too....

all of my fills have been done by the doctor under the help of the xray tech.. I drink barrium and they watch how fast it goes through my band... thats how they add the Fluid.

mybe you should talk to a diffrent band doc before giving up...

I do hope the best for you<3

any thing we can do to help were here for you !

amy

[Omadison 0]

sorry to hear that did you think about the sleeve? "

Thanks Amy for the support. I do plan to check into the sleeve, but my surgeon has gone to only lap bands. I will have to find another surgeon if I do that. I have an appointment tomorrow, and I will think more on it tonight, about how much longer I want to deal with this. None of the problems I'm having now were revealed in the "sales pitch" that was presented by many clinics and doctors 4 years ago. I realize that a lot has been learned about what the band does and does not do since I had mine. It's not the magic I was hoping for, and I so badly wanted there to be magic. I wanted so badly to end the dieting I'd been doing for the previous 35 years.

[dandi2005 1]

I can't imagine having to go through another surgery....it took a LOT of tweaking to get me to the "right" fill...and tiny amounts did make a noticeable difference. (I have a 4 cc band with 2.5 cc's in it) Maybe you could get your doctor to give you fills in small amounts to get you to a better place with your band before going through another surgery? Hang in there!

[amyloveslou 11]

Keep us posted on what the doc says. I totaly understand,i have been overweight since the 6th grade. I was just banded 5 months ago so I look down to 4years n havnt lost I would b off the wall...i can feel ur pain....in my prayers good luck!! Amy

[1happymama 1]

I am sorry you are going through this. I just got banded yesterday and I am cautiously optimistic. I've been home about 6 hours since being released from the hospital. My goal for the next 2 weeks is to just focus on liquids and healing.

The only thing that helped get me here is my psychologist and my husband's faith in me. I also made a friend at the clinic and we both got banded yesterday. We call each other "twins", and I plan on going to the monthly meetings at the clinic.

The only reason I am saying all of this is because in addition to my determination I think the only way I will get through this process is with a thorough support system.

In addition to this forum can you set something up with yourself and for yourself as a support? Oh I forgot to mention I have 2 "sponsors", one is my friend who got banded six months ago and another is my friend that got banded 18 months ago. they have been texting me like crazy the past two days and one took me to the hospital.

The support is vital to this process.

I am here for you too. Let me know if you need an email "hug".

Gotta go now, my mom and little sis are on their way to "take care of me". love it!

xoxo

I got my band in October 2007. Lost 40 pounds in 6 months, and then it all stopped. Couldn't get a good fill. Tight enough to diminish hunger, and too many things got stuck. Loose enough to eat comfortably (the bandster way - small well chewed bites), and I didn't have the dimmed appetite. I stayed away from the clinic for a year, gained back all 40 pounds. Recently went back 3 months ago, and still just cannot get it right. I don't want to quit, but can't see continuing to put the time and energy into something that is obviously not working for me.

[54Shirley 105]

Have you ever had it checked under Fluoroscope? This way they will take a look at it, and you will see it to. They can tell you if anything is wrong with the Band, and get you right at your fill line, while they watch it going in, and see where to stop,

Results a perfect fill. In time maybe a little tweak, but before you go under the knife, maybe you can have this done, and you will know if it's not good, or needs complete adjustment.. It is painless, so you know.

It's worth the shot.

[Catherine55 43]

I'm sorry to hear that. I think the advice on checking your band to make sure it's not leaking is a good one. Other than that, you have to stay really proactive with your care and fill level for this to work. Not going to the clinic for a whole year surely played a part in why you gained back 40 pounds. The band is just a tool -- it won't do the work for you. But, it's a really good tool, and the good news is that you already have one!!

Why don't you give it six more months before you make a decision? That's six serious, committed months. You know that you succeeded during your first six months, and I bet that if you are honest with yourself that there are things you did differently during that time that you have not been doing since then. You won't know if the band really works for you unless you follow the rules and keep going back to your doctor until you are at a good fill level. If you keep your band too open and eat whatever you want, there is a 100% chance that it's not going to work for you. Also, if there is a leak in your band and you don't get it fixed, the band will not help you to lose weight. You have to take charge and be involved in this process for it to work. That said, it's not too late for you. You can start again right this second.

With best wishes for your success,

Catherine

[Omadison 0]

Yes, my band has been checked for proper placement, and there are no leaks. My problem right now is that I'm too tight. Too tight doesn't work well, just as too loose doesn't either. I am going in today, and will ask for a tiny unfill. I got this lapband because the "sales pitch" from every clinic and doctor 4 years ago, was that dieting would now be over. Well, that wasn't quite true, was it? The first 6 months was great because I had no carb cravings, and I could eat my bandster meal comfortably. The honeymoon ended, and it was back to battling and obsessing and dieting. I will be the first to admit I was not eating right during that year off. The year wasn't just "blown off" because I was tired of it. There were some family and economic issues playing a part. I have decided this morning to give it some more time. Too much of my life has been spent consumed with weight issues. I think if I could get to a good fill level (the "sweet spot" as they say) I could eat my small meal comfortably, have dimmed appetite for 3-5 hours, and stop constantly thinking about diet, food, and all the issues that come with a weight problem.

Catherine, thanks for the encouragement to stick with it awhile longer. You look great!

[Catherine55 43]

I got this lapband because the "sales pitch" from every clinic and doctor 4 years ago, was that dieting would now be over. Well, that wasn't quite true, was it?

Yup. They kinda lied to you. But this really is so different from a normal diet because when you're at a good fill level, you eat less without being hungry or feeling deprived. So, they kinda were telling the truth, too (but that statement is so misleading -- they should not say that!)!

I have decided this morning to give it some more time. Too much of my life has been spent consumed with weight issues. I think if I could get to a good fill level (the "sweet spot" as they say) I could eat my small meal comfortably, have dimmed appetite for 3-5 hours, and stop constantly thinking about diet, food, and all the issues that come with a weight problem.

That is so awesome!! I am rooting for you!! Would you consider starting a blog? It's incredible how much encouragement you get on-line, and posting regularly will help to keep you on path and will also let you get good advice and encouragement from other bandsters. I think your strategy is a really good one and am looking forward to seeing you succeed!! :)

Catherine

[vlp1968 83]

You have gotten great advice and encouragement. My 2 cents is to start excersising if your not already. Start slow and gradually increase the duration/intensity. If you already are working out, increase the intensity/duration or change up what your doing (if your walking try swimming for example). It has so many benefits, just one being weight loss. You can do this!

[bonnie51 4]

Omadison,

That sounds like an excellent plan. As Catherine55 stated, rededicate yourself to the band, use it as you did when it worked for you. Plan your food and then you don't have to obsess about what you will eat. Get some basic meal plans that will work for you, with your band. Meet your Protein and Water needs every day. Get some exercise, just walk, if that is all you can do for now. Start with these goals and perhaps try a small unfill so you can eat solid protein.

Good luck.

[Omadison 0]

I got my very small unfill this morning. Doc thinks this could be my sweet spot after he really listened to what I was saying, and took out a tiny bit of Fluid. I had a small snack that did not hurt going down :thumbup: and am greatly encouraged that I can move forward from here.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement!

[options123 3]

I am cheering for you Omadison.

[bentonhuey 1]

I am cheering for you, too. I am glad you got a slight unfill and am praying you found your sweet spot. Good luck!