The cold hard truth

[MyHighway 52]

I have been hesitant to post this as I know there are several folks who do not want you to post anything that is considered negative about the lap band.

I'm just posting my truth, because I feel like there are people who come here to try to make a decision as to whether or not the lap band is the right decision for them and I think that it's fair for them to have all of the facts.

I was banded on 12/5. I didn't really lose any weight on the pre op diet or after. It was frustrating. I had restriction, was eating healthy, it didn't make any sense. I posted my frustration and I was accused of "bitching and moaning". I wasn't, I thought a support group should allow for voicing frustrations, but there are some avid band advocates that think if you have a complaint it's you being impatient, not working the band correctly, not exercising or cheating.

I'm not doing any of those things, and that seems to be very hard for some to understand. What it seems to be is that I have a very difficult metabolic issue occur that is not allowing me to lose weight. It's not the lap bands fault but the lap band was not the effective tool that my doctors promised me. Now, I say this so others will know because if I had known I would have never had this surgery. Quite frankly even if I was losing weight I don't know if I would have had this surgery. I think that is important for people to hear that when they are considering this option. There are a lot of healthy food options I can't eat because I can't make them small enough, when I'm working out and forget to sip Water and instead take a gulp it comes straight back up, sliming is a disgusting experience, if I lie on my side I can feel my port pushing in and it hurts, when my band was filled too tightly I PB'd everything and my esophagus still hurts and hasn't healed from that period. This isn't for everyone. Now I am stuck with this band and all of its restrictions, eating about 800 healthy calories a day and not losing a pound. My doctors don't know if I will be able to lose weight... Ever with what is occurring in my body and this is my cold, hard, truth.

[lisacaron 5,075]

I'm sorry to hear that you are having these issues. I honestly hope that your doctors can help you to resolve some of your metabolic issues and that in the future the band surgery might be something that can assist you further, or perhaps even be revised to another surgery.

That is the beauty of the lapband surgery it is not permanent and you are not stuck with it for the rest of your life. It can be removed and/or modified to another surgery option if one is right for you. Had you chosen another surgery you would be stuck with it for the rest of your life.

I wish you much health and happiness in your future, don't give up on yourself.

[parisshel 1,892]

I'm sorry this has been your experience and your regret is entirely justifiable.

Would you consider getting your band removed? Remember, you aren't "stuck" with the band, and you could have it taken out which would resolve the physical problems associated with it that you address.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Debbie3sons 1,936]

Your Doc. needs to find out what is going on , have them check with floro and a x ray , also have them check your Thyroid , sometimes that is hard to check , just a suggestion , and how many fills have you had , I also have been at what I call a plateau for bout 3 months weight has not gone up or down and I have hay fills so I am not sure what's going on , but I will let Doc. know when I get in to see him, I am sorry that you are having a negative experience , some do and some don't some going in thinking it's a quick fix and that they will lose a lot of weight over night , wrong we also have to still watch what we are doing or putting in our mouth and stomach's, well I hope get better for you and remember the band is reversible , but try and give it some more time , some times we get impatient , but , talk with your doc thourughly and let them concerns and don't let them blow you off, that's what their there for you are one of their patients just like every body else , well I hope you get answers good luck.

[MyHighway 52]

Thank you both for supportive. Yes, I am in the process of exploring band removal. I will have it removed, just getting insurance approval, etc.

[catfish87 3,471]

I'm just posting my truth, .....

I was banded on 12/5. I didn't really lose any weight on the pre op diet or after. It was frustrating. I had restriction, was eating healthy, it didn't make any sense. .

My doctors don't know if I will be able to lose weight... Ever with what is occurring in my body and this is my cold, hard, truth.

Your doctors "don't know if I will be able to lose weight".....?

Really? After a couple of months? I'm really sorry to hear this.

That is sad....very, very sad. I wish you had a Doctor like mine....NO WAY IN HELL he'd be giving up on me after a couple of short months. It took me longer than you've been banded to get my second adjustment. And many more months before it really started working for me.

I wish you much success in whatever may come.

[2muchfun 8,927]

I think you don't understand that many of us lost no weight for months post surgery. I lost 12 lbs the first two weeks and then nothing for the next 4 months. Mind you, I had no pre-op diet so all of my 12 lbs was just Water weight loss. It happens to many of us. Not saying you're whining or bitching, you may be too impatient though? And that's understandable. We all wanted our journey to start immediately but for some of us, it was delayed by months.

I would urge you to not give up and try working with your doctor and his staff to make this work for you? Speak to the nutritionist. They can see many ways for you to make this work. Throwing in the towel 2.5 months into your journey seems like you're not giving this much of a chance. Good luck.

Edited February 19, 2014 by 2muchfun

[MyHighway 52]

I appreciate your insight but I'm neither throwing in the towel nor being impatient. I did all of the research ahead of time and was fully prepared to be patient for a slow but, hopefully, steady weight loss. I've have had several fills, I have 7 ccs in my band. My doctors have discovered a medical issue that has a metabolic side effect that makes me weight loss resistant and gain weight easily. I do have hypothyroidism so that is also a contributor but the main issue is newly discovered as I have gone through this process and had not lost any weight my doctor ordered several tests and we went over my health and well bring in great detail that is where we stumbled across this other issue. I don't wish to disclose those details.

[JustDoIt130 369]

So you were banded on 12/5/13? Just over 3 months ago?

[MyHighway 52]

So you were banded on 12/5/13? Just over 3 months ago?

Yes banded on 12/5

[rosettag 122]

IMy doctors have discovered a medical issue that has a metabolic side effect that makes me weight loss resistant and gain weight easily. I do have hypothyroidism

I had a whole day of metabolic blood and urine tests to see if I had issues which could make the band useless.

If you have metabolic problems our National Health Service doesn' t provide you with free lap band surgery.

Didn't you have such tests before surgery?

Other kinds of WLS might be good for you..

Don't lose hope

Hugs

[MyHighway 52]

I had a whole day of metabolic blood and urine tests to see if I had issues which could make the band useless. If you have metabolic problems our National Health Service doesn' t provide you with free lap band surgery. Didn't you have such tests before surgery? Other kinds of WLS might be good for you.. Don't lose hope Hugs

By no means was my surgery free. I did have blood work ahead of time, these issues were not caught. The issue I have is not caught in normal run of the mill blood tests. It was caught as a result of me crying to the dr, because I knew they didn't believe I was doing things by the book even though I insisted I was. With 7ccs I can only eat about 6 bites of yogurt for lunch and a very small dinner. I've gained weight... There should be no reason. There would be no way for me to cheat. That's when they finally started to believe me and I went to a specialist who helped to diagnose. I'm trying no to lose hope, thanks for the note.

[jennybean 175]

IMy doctors have discovered a medical issue that has a metabolic side effect that makes me weight loss resistant and gain weight easily. I do have hypothyroidism

I had a whole day of metabolic blood and urine tests to see if I had issues which could make the band useless.

If you have metabolic problems our National Health Service doesn' t provide you with free lap band surgery.

Didn't you have such tests before surgery?

Other kinds of WLS might be good for you..

Don't lose hope

Hugs

What kind of issues can make the band useless? I tried to look it up but came back with nothing. I am curious because I seem to be having trouble myself and want to know what to look for?

[B-52 7,113]

I would be extremely worried about my Metabolic Syndrome, and what are going to do to treat it...ASAP....they should be on high alert...when someone says Metabolic Disorders", they get my attention....

The band can wait....

By chance, are you a diabetic? High BP? Cholesterol?

Edited February 19, 2014 by B-52