Lap Band Proved Poor Tool 4 Me

[sexysmirk 0]

Hi everyone,

Unfortunately I don't have a success story. I wish I had never been banded.

I was banded 2/08. I lost 35lbs before the surgery but have since gained almost all back.

They told me it was not a "magic bullet" but only a tool. I get that. But for me it proved to be a poor tool. Let me explain.

I don't eat just in response to hunger, obviously. If I did, I would not have become 150lbs overweight. So it didn't bother me too much when the band didn't change my hunger signals at all. But that was supposedly the big draw of the band- "it tames the hunger".

The main problem I am having is that it changed what type of food I can tolerate- and not for the better. I'm tired of throwing up, and sitting and burping and swallowing, hoping I'm not going to throw up.

This happens if I eat any fruits or veggies. I can blend up berries with milk or yogurt in the blender but I can't eat veggies at all. I actually miss salads and broccoli (my favorite vegetable). I also can't eat meat or eggs.

The main foods that are at all healthy and that I can tolerate are some types of cheese, milk & yogurt, whole wheat Pasta (but only with olive oil and garlic), and the berries in the shake I mentioned. This limited diet not only gets old fast, but it has eliminated most of the healthy foods I actually love and used to eat.

And the really big problem is that I have gotten so upset and discouraged that I have discovered there are many unhealthy processed and high fat foods I have no problem eating. Ice cream, brownies, chocolate... I won't go on but suffice to say if it is high in fat or highly processed, it seems to be able to slip through the band fine.

I had problems with throwing up and acid reflux from the beginning, my doc said the band fit tight when he put it on and I swelled up. And yes, I've had fills put in and removed and put in again.

So, to sum it up, I'm sorry I ever had the operation and if I could have it taken out without going back in the hospital for another operation, I would. They say it's reversible, like it's so easy to remove, but it's still surgery and they stitched it to my stomach. That means scar tissue, which makes it all the more complicated for removal.

So I'm going to see my doctor again next Wednesday and have every drop of fill taken out. It still means I can't eat meat or eggs, but I can have Beans and sometimes some overcooked broccoli when there's no fill at all.

I'm sorry that this "tool" did more harm than good for me. And I'm angry with myself because I should have known better.

I understand I may be in the minority- I read alot of success stories- but I decided to share anyway. Perhaps this helps someone. Or perhaps someone out there can relate.

~Sexysmirk~

Edited September 5, 2008 by sexysmirk
Just because I'm half blind doesn't mean everyone else needs me to post size 5 fonts!

[Jaculin412 0]

Sexysmirk..... I am so sorry to hear your story. What does your doctor say? Is there a reason for the failure of the band? I mean I know it's a tool but it sounds like that is exactly what you used it as "a tool". You did your part but for some reason the band is not doing it's part. I wish you luck and hope that you and your doctor can come up with answers so you can succeed in losing the unwanted weight.

[GRACEBER 0]

6 weeks before surgery I cut out all sugar from my diet. It was not easy but I knew it would be my worst enemy. I still eat sugar free Ice cream in small quantities. I actually lost 12 lbs as a result. Now I am 6 weeks post op and have lost another 20 lbs. Just had first fill yesterday and felt no restriction so I called my doc and asked to have more fill added next week. I think the most important thing is that we take advantage of all the resources that the doctors office offers, nutritional counseling, etc. And just try not to buy foods that will tempt you at home. If I kept high calorie Snacks in my house I'm sure I would eat them, too. Don't give up - get some advice from your doctor and see what they can do to help. This is the toughest journey I have ever taken but I am determined to succeed.

Good luck to you.

[sexysmirk 0]

Unfortunately, my doc wasn't as supportive as your reply to my post. The last time I had my fill taken out, he kept asking me if I was sure I was chewing enough and was I really exercising. I have been really good about exercise, walking 2 miles per day or swimming for an hour when I can't walk (I have had knee surgeries and sometimes it's difficult to walk).

Thank you so much for the support!

[Nanook 2]

Sorry you're in this situation too. I have a similar story and was banded last 8/07. It gets frustrating when you read how well others do with it and you really wanted it to work for you too. I gained back all the weight I'd lost on the 5 week liquid diet.

It seems that some people have struggled with diets all their life but get banded and it's like a life saver and it's the tool for them. For me I've struggled with diets all my life but the band was just like another diet to me. I've done the follow-ups for fills and unfills but it just never worked. Maybe because I was always overweight and lost over 100 lbs twice in my life but then turned around and gained it back my body refuses to do it anymore. I'm not 20 anymore and have put my body through a lot to lose weight and this was the last time.

I did expect more and was afraid at the time to get the RNY and why I went for banding instead. My daughter had the RNY and has been successful but I still don't want to take a chance on a revision surgery. Too paranoid at this point that nothing would work. But that's OK, I'm still trying to work on being healthy just not through WLS and will have mine out sometime in the future as long as insurance covers it. I wish the best to you and hope you can work out something that brings you relief, take care, Nancy.

[sexysmirk 0]

I did expect more and was afraid at the time to get the RNY and why I went for banding instead. My daughter had the RNY and has been successful but I still don't want to take a chance on a revision surgery. Too paranoid at this point that nothing would work. Nancy.

Yes, I can relate. I did lots of research beforehand and went in convinced that gastric bypass was the right choice for me. My doctor talked me out of it, saying lap band was less dangerous, reversible, etc. He even promised to do the bypass if this didn't work. But I had such a bad experience with this, I can't imagine going back under the knife again. Not to mention not being able to afford missing work again or weather my insurance would even cover it. Ugh!

~Sexysmirk~

[Lanakila 1]

I know that both of you are terribly disappointed in your lack of success. I'm certainly not going to harp on your poor food choices, as I think that these are probably based in something else completely. Have you considered seeking a therapist that specializes in weight loss surgery patients? This is not to say that you "need therapy", I just mean that you might benefit from exploring some strategies to help you cope with your problems.

They can help you decide whether you would like to see a different doctor. Maybe they can help you determine exactly why you eat for reasons other than hunger. Maybe they can help you overcome your feelings of being upset and discouraged. I think that the mental adjustment to the band lifestyle is far, far harder than the dietary restrictions themself. Considering how tough of a time you are having with the dietary part, it's no wonder that you are struggling with the mental aspects...even if you aren't aware of them.

We accept you, wholeheartedly, whether you are a success story or not. Don't hesitate to stick with us. You can rant about your frustrations, rave about ANY victory you have, and know that we will support you in any way we can.

[xxnocorexx 0]

I'm also sorry to hear you are having such trouble...have you talked to your dr. about the healthy foods you are unable to eat? You are obviously in stage 3 eating, but are you taking amll bites and still chewing them to almost liquid? From what I understand you should be on a diabetic diet and avoid sugars and things high in carbs...Sounds weird...I hope you can figure something out that will make it better for you so that you dont have to get it removed...

[justme69 0]

it is really really hard, hardest thing ive ever done, started at 308pds, down to 235. that sounds ok, but the truth is its almost 3yrs out, and i lost the first 65-70 pds in the first 3-4 months, pretty much stayed the same for the last 2 yrs, and it is frustrating, cuz i know i do need to lose so much more. try sparkspeople.com, it is free and really helpful, sometimes we just need some new motivation. good luck

[MollyBrown 0]

It has not been the best tool for me either. Overall I am glad I did something because at least I feel the damn thing there everyday and it reminds me to stop, eventually.... I have only lost 34ish since being banded 11/08. I want to hit 50lbs at my one year mark. I know I can do it if I just put my mind to it.

So, what the hell is wrong with my mind???? Everyday I start and do well and then at 2-3pm I hit the chocolate bowl at work (you are right, it slides right through). And I am a good cook, we like to entertain and be entertained, and that includes lots of good food....

Somehow, some way, I need to get on track.... As much as I would like to think I would be doing better with a bypass, it is likely that my skin would be sagging to my knees, I would test the dumping syndrome thing, and my hair, my nice full hair would be thin and chemo-like.... The band was the right thing, I am just fighting it, afraid of success, letting my head hunger rule my physical need for wellness...

So, how are we going to fight this thing and make it work? Is it one day at a time, change one thing at a time....

I made the decision today that I am going to Overeaters Anonymous next week; and take at least three walks next week. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it is a start...

Edited September 6, 2008 by MollyBrown

[Elgtee/wiggle-walk.com 0]

I think they may just have a little to much Fluid in your band. Don't give up, I used to weigh at least 359 lbs and now 208, have been down as low as 192. I love my band and would do it again in a split second. I hope they get your band adjusted. I have had to have an unfill before because of the same thing.

[Elgtee/wiggle-walk.com 0]

Your exactly right, one day at a time, one meal at a time. The lapband is just a tool. I lost 114 1/2 lbs in 8 1/2 months before I even got the band and weighed as much as 359 and I am only 5'2. When eating, ask yourself how much do you have to eat before you know how good it is. Do you have to comsume the whole thing or can you be satified with 2 or 3 slow bites ( like chocolate ) that way you can still have 2 or 3 individual size pieces and be satified that you did not deprive yourself. If your not dieting you can never blow it. Call it your lifestyle change and never blow it again. Good luck.

[Shauna80 0]

I'm really sorry to hear the bad stories...its frustrating being overweight, but its also a place where a lot of us have been comfortable. Going through WLS is a HUGE change, and I would say that 95% is a MENTAL CHANGE!!!!! If you do not change your thought process, and how you look at food and why, this tool will not work with you. All the doctors I saw told me that there will be foods that you wont be able to eat anymore, and there will be ones you still can eat...but the fact is that the band is NOT gastric bypass, and the success ratio or statistic is only 50-60% of weight loss on average...where as the gastric bypass is 80-90%...they say it can take an upwards of 2-3 years to lose that 50-60%, and that is usually for the people who work with the band, eating right and exercising. Not to say that these stories of people haven't done that, but in general this is all stuff we knew going into this journey...this is a life long work in progess, and that is the way it needs to be looked at.

You spend years hiding behind food, then one day make a personal decision to do something positive to change your life...these changes will not happen in 1 or 2 years when the average overweight person has been heavy for their whole life. You have spent your whole life with bad habits, that wont change overnight, or even in a couple of years. This mental change has to be realistic and gradual for it to work. I know that going into something like WLS, I have to know when I wake up off that surgery table I am a new person, and my life from that moment forward is going to be different...I'm going to be different! Good luck to those having problems, and I hope you find a great doctor to help you...just know there is tons of support on here and dont give up!!!

[taz 2]

I hate to hear of people having trouble with wls. I wish I could say I have an answer for success but I cannot figure out how to help myself. Since February I have only lost 17 lbs. I haven't weighed in a while so I don't know how I stand now. I've recently moved and will have a consultation with a new doc next week. Thank goodness he agreed to see me. I don't know if this will be helpful or not. Time will tell but I feel pretty defeated right now. Time will tell. :lovechoc:

I hope everyone here can find help and success somewhere. Take care.

[taz 2]

Hi Nanook. I hope you have been keeping well. We moved about a month ago and everything was chaos. Maybe with things settling down I can at least think about using my band. Wish me luck.

Tina