Sooooo Frustrated!

[tonyahebert 1]

I am so glad I found this thread, because I had begun to feel like a whiner in other forums where the majority of posts were from happy posters who really could not relate to me and my story.

I went to Mexico for my lapband due to the fact that i was self-pay. I was very happy with my experience there...the one thing that I wish would have been emphasized more was the problems I would have with after-care...

My surgery was May 31st. My first fill was July 17th. My fifth fill was November 7th. I have lost 25 pounds and feel very little restriction. I can't eat bread or red meat, or I get stuck. I have PB'd 4 times, maybe. (Not wishing to PB but emphasizing the fact that I don't have much restriction) I have been happy with my fill doctor so far...have actually recommended him to people on this board. His pricing is fair and he has been doing fills as long as the lap band has been approved in the US.

I only have 4.5 ccs in my 10 cc band. I called my doctor today to schedule another fill (he has a 10 day window) and he talked me out of coming in this week for a fill. He basically told me "at some point, you need to learn some self-control." (direct quote) and asked me to start a food journal so that he could see exactly what I was eating cause apparently I was doing something wrong. I have cried throughout the day.

I have been on the computer and phone today, looking for a new doctor. My problem is that I live in very rural east Texas, and my current doctor is 150 miles away from me. This new doctor is basically the same distance, but she is selective on which patients from Mexico she takes...She will only take Inamed or Allergan band...My paper work from Mexico says I have a J&J Swedish Adjustable band, so I don't think she will take me, even though she is listed on my Mexico doctors website as a recommend fill doctor.

I am not going to give up. And I guess I am really not here for advice. I just need some support from others who haven't had the picture perfect lapband experience. Some might say that being 25 pounds down in six months is not bad...but when I read of the people who had their surgery at the same time I did, and they are down 50, 60, 70 pounds, I just want to scream.

Thanks for listening to my vent.

[Daisalana 33]

Ok I know, I am not someone to lament with you, but I want to emphasize it's not that you're failing with the band, I really fill you just need some more fills. I've heard on average bands your size need 6-7cc to get adequate restriction and if you think you need a fill.. well, your doc is really a jackass, if it was all about self-control you wouldn't have gotten the band would you? :/

Hope you can find somewhere to get a fill, can you call your Mexican doctor and ask if they can recommend someone?

[Nanook 2]

If you are pbing why do you say you have very little restriction? I would think if you can't eat bread or Protein very well that you have restriction. Is it possible you have too much restriction? Are you eating around the band with slider foods and high sugar/fat foods?

If you got on the phone with the doctor's office you want to see and explain to them your situation and how you'd really want to see them maybe they'd bend a bit and make an appt. for you. I think with your situation you really need to have the backup of a good fill doctor. I understand being a struggler as I was also and now am without a band. Don't feel bad as you're not alone. Good luck to you, Nancy:smile:

[Tabithan 19]

Hi Tonya,

You have no idea HOW MUCH I relate with you. Please join me on my thread and let's go through this journey together - vent to each other, create success strategies together, and see successes together long term.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f255/i-have-failed-my-band-support-group-81953/

I hope to see you soon....

[Fort Bend Band 0]

I was told the same thing by my doctor at one fill and it really hurt my feelings and made me feel ashamed and embarrassed. I do not always eat perfectly but who does? Most of use would not need the band if we felt in control of our food. Anyway I convinced my MD to give me another fill that day and guess what? I finally got to my sweet spot. I love my doctor and I do realise that he was trying to give me good advise but we still know our bodies better that anyone else! Sometime you still have to advocate for yourself. My doctor was able to agree later on that maybe I did need that fill and I do think the doctors have so many people that expect the band to do it all for them that they make this comment sometimes because they want to make sure you are trying to have some personal accountability. I do want to sympathize with you too because I also felt like crying that day when my doctor threw the "good choices" thing in my face.

[tonyahebert 1]

Just an update...I went back for another fill, (my 6th since mid-July) I now have 5.5 in my 10cc band. I was surprised that he gave me a whole cc this time...I am keeping my fingers crossed.