Any hope for an abuser?

[bacon 514]

I have ben banded for almost 9 years now with minimal success. I've flat out abused the band ever since the honeymoon was over. I'm really trying to get back and do things right.

I ran into a video on how things are supposed to work. Not bad mouthing my surgeon, but I think this is info a patient needs to know. They may be doing a better job these days of explaining things IDK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa3Lwt6ElIs

My question is fairly simple yet has 2 parts.

1- Has anyone ever recovered from a stretched out pouch?

2- Is there a way to shrink it back and restore the nerves at the top of the stomach?

I lost my job shortly after my last doc visit in 2015. That said, I've not had decent insurance until now. I am working full time now and have pretty decent insurance. I have plans to get to the LB doctor. A revision is not in the cards right now due to just starting this job and not being able to take time off.

I appreciate any and all advise!

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

There is hope for an abuser if the abuser stops abusing. From your telling, I think you abused yourself more than you did the band by not seizing the opportunity it offered. Whether you can form a partnership now remains to be seen.

No way is my intention to make you feel bad, but I'd waste both our time if I coddle you and pat your head. First, though, is that you pick yourself up while never beating yourself up -- beating yourself up is a great way to gain weight. All things are possible and therefore, your surgery practice may not have given you all the guidance and instructions that should be given. In my experience, it's usually the bandee who doesn't want to hear the drill because it's not what she wants to hear. I've come across this countless on this and other sites. To those who say the info was withheld, the obvious question is "Why didn't you ask questions?" The worst scenario is where the band owner exclaims, "You mean I'm supposed to do something? The band isn't magic?"

Does saying "I have plans to get to the LB doctor" mean that you've made an appointment? The only plan that matters is the one that's been set in motion. You won't know much about the viability of your band now until you go in, have an esophagram and whatever else the surgeon finds useful. If all is promising, it's up to you get learn to tell when the band is adjusted optimally and how to make the best food choices. The band is an aid. It doesn't lose weight. You're in charge of your own weight-loss with aid of the band.

While you're making appts, also see the practice RD. Start keeping a detailed food tracker -- every morsel. Lots of people use My Fitness Pal. There are other free options, too. The written/electronic record does more than tell you what you can still do later in the day. It helps you determine where there's room for improvement should your diligent efforts be awry. Try the practice's support group two or three times to determine how it can help. If it's too loosey-goosey or some such for your personality and the way you operate, check with other nearby hospitals. It's rare that they don't welcome outside patients to their groups. At the very least, a monthly meeting puts another couple of hours of structure into your schedule. Structure through the day helps most people.

Until your band is adjusted to work with you well, it's up to you to eat properly. It'll be up to you, too, later on. Always up to you.

Edited January 14, 2017 by WLSResources/ClothingExch

[bacon 514]

I have always felt I did not do well with adjustments. I had 3 emergency in-fills always following a fill. My last fill was tight but I have tolerated if for a long time, that said I've been living on slider foods since april 2015. I've been on fluids since Monday. I just tonight took some pork roast and ran it through the blender. This morning I had a 1 egg omlett. I took 30 minutes to eat each meal. I really think that my biggest issue is eating WAY too fast. I guess time will tell. One other thing I'm going to do is a 3 day Fluid only fast once a month.

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

I've had to go back only once that I can recall to have some of a fill removed. Getting it just right can be tricky. It doesn't help that a band that's just right for long time can go either too loose or too tight on a whim.

Lots of people choose to do liquids now and then. It's not my way. It would feel like punishment which is the last thing I want to feel.

Just so you know, I wrote the first note the way I did because I don't have it all together. I lost 115 after surgery, but then a life event started me regaining about 80. Then twice i lost 25, but regained. Last July I went in for a check up and to reconnect with my surgery practice. So far I've lost about 35 (?) I think -- I'm not an avid or compulsive-crazed weigher because I know that, if I eat properly, I'll lose weight. Seeing any gain on the scale will not spur me to renewing or increasing my effort. Some days are difficult and when I do overeat or eat poor choices, I've been managing to rein myself back in soon enough. I'm not even sure whether, if I were stricter with myself, my rate of loss would increase. I'm at a point where, as long as I'm losing, the rate isn't all thta important. There are limits, though -- if it were just a few pounds a month, for example, I'd be hopping up and down and plotting to speed it up.

[Christina.Rose 287]

I had a similar problem with losing insurance post op and rarely getting into the green zone. My surgeon was TERRIBLE and now that I have been seeing a really good team (Im revising to the sleeve) I can see even more how little information and preparation I got from my previous surgeon. (Dr Milton Owens Chapman Medical center Orange, CA.....avoid like the plague) I understand your sentiment about feeling uninformed. I asked questions, but I didn't know enough to ask ALL things band related to equal the benefits from seminars and classes and interaction with a solid knowledgeable team. I got a generic print out and info where to buy shakes. That was about it. I assumed it was normal because I never even knew anyone else who had bariatric surgery. So wrong! Anyways I was banded in 2009 and paying out of pocket for fills.....one time I was so tight I couldn't swallow saliva.....and it was very difficult to keep up with them since they are so temperamental and office visits cost so much. So for years I had a dormant band and could usually eat anything (occasionally I still got stuck, but no regular restriction) I recently found out my band has slipped because I had an endoscopy for my upcoming sleeve surgery. If I had attempted to get a fill it would just be a waste of time and money because my pouch was stretched and my band was out of place. I recommend you talk to your bariatric doctor (whomever is going to be filling you) and ask about a barium swallow test to check out the placement of the band before you start getting fills again. Also, make sure you have the insurance or financial means to stay current or maintain your fills or the band wont work for long anyways. liquid diets will help you lose weight with or without surgery, but to use your band you need to know whats going on in there. Best of luck to you!

Sent from my SM-J700P using the BariatricPal App

[Treadmillwalker 486]

I have ben banded for almost 9 years now with minimal success. I've flat out abused the band ever since the honeymoon was over. I'm really trying to get back and do things right.

I ran into a video on how things are supposed to work. Not bad mouthing my surgeon, but I think this is info a patient needs to know. They may be doing a better job these days of explaining things IDK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa3Lwt6ElIs

My question is fairly simple yet has 2 parts.

1- Has anyone ever recovered from a stretched out pouch?

2- Is there a way to shrink it back and restore the nerves at the top of the stomach?

I lost my job shortly after my last doc visit in 2015. That said, I've not had decent insurance until now. I am working full time now and have pretty decent insurance. I have plans to get to the LB doctor. A revision is not in the cards right now due to just starting this job and not being able to take time off.

I appreciate any and all advise!

This video does not reflect how my lap band surgery was done in October. I have a small pouch created by my band. My stomach is sewn around my band to avoid slippage. I feel hunger and restriction. I respect my limits and the band works for me. I don't drink one hour before or one hour after eating. I take sips of Water as needed if food catches. I eat Protein and veggies and avoid carbs.

Edited January 18, 2017 by Treadmillwalker

[Christina.Rose 287]

Hope my advice helps!

Sent from my SM-J700P using the BariatricPal App