Need help, lots of questions...

[schel 0]

I had surgery in 2005, lost about 30lbs after surgery, and now am 30+ pounds at my highest weight before surgery.

Last fill 2006. Never went back because I am ashamed and don't think this is working for me. I am considering converting to full gastric bypass.

What should I do call and go in for a fill? Make a consult appt with my surgeon? ( I really don't want to do this) I don't care for my surgeon.

I am so discussed with myself.

I think I need a heads up.

Please advise.

Thanks.

Michelle

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Do you want bypass? Then find a surgeon you like and get it done. Do you want the band to work? I don't know if it will work for you but I can tell you odds are it will NOT work if you don't keep up with fills. You still have to diet and exercise, but the fills help.

Only you know the answers...

[thebandedgirl 0]

I don't like pain. Surgery is painful, and gastric bypasses are major surgery.

If I were in your shoes, I would try to find another surgeon in my area who would be willing to take on another surgeon's patient. If I couldn't find one, I'd go back to my original doctor.

You might get a disapproving look. You might not. Explain that you were discouraged and afraid, but now you're ready to do what you can to make the band work for you (but this part applies only if you are really ready).

I'm newly banded, but I've done a lot of reading and have learned that fills are fickle things. The first one doesn't usually give restriction to people. I was told to expect four to six fills (or more!) before mine would be where I need it to be. Maybe one fill wasn't enough for you.

Don't forget that nutrition is important, too! If your surgeon didn't give you instructions on how to eat after you were banded, do research or call your surgeon's office! There's a wealth of information available in this and other forums. Find a nutritionist who specializes in bariatric surgery.

Exercise!!

If I did all of this and the band still wasn't helping me, I would consider other surgeries, but not before. Mainly because of the anesthesia, cutting, and recovery time :confused:

Really, this is how *I* would approach it. You have to weigh your options and consider what is best for you.

Lap-bands don't work for everyone; neither do bypasses. Sometimes it's because, for whatever reason, the particular method was incompatible with the patient's body. Sometimes it's because the patient cheated the system, which is possible with ANY weight loss procedure. You HAVE to follow the rules or you're not going to be successful. You HAVE to go to follow up appointments to make sure you're doing well and things are working as they should.

*hugs* I understand feeling out of control and spiraling into a bad place. That's how I got to be 300 pounds. There came a time when I realized that what I was doing wasn't helping me at all. I had to pull myself up by my bootstraps (that was hard), admit to my mistakes (even harder), and decide what to do about the situation. It sucked!

But I did it. And you can too.

(Sorry for babbling and/or incoherency. I'm tired!)

Edited July 11, 2009 by thebandedgirl
Clarity issues!

[jujuvee 0]

All of the above answers,and if your surgeon did not pay for your surgery out of HIS pocket then why do you care what he's going to say. Just suck it up and go back in there get a fill and use this as a chance to start fresh, new eating plan, new exercise plan and create a new you!!!

[schel 0]

Thank you everyone! I have been in denial for a long time. I am going to make an appointment and take one of my cheerleaders from home with me, (my mom or my other friend that said she would go with me to the doc) and get a new fill, follow a better eating plan and do what my friend does each and every morning even on vacation, gets up and either runs, (not something I ever think I'll do) bikes or powerwalks. She takes 1/2 hour to herself every AM and it is her time away. I think this would be good for me also.

Thanks for letting me back in to this board and your helpful answers. I am looking forward to my 1st 20lbs to feel refreshed and renewed! Along with more comfortable clothes again.

Thanks again, I plan on being here for encouragement along the way.

Thanks again!

Schel

[RestlessMonkey 7]

jujuvee you are too funny! I agree...if the doc's not paying, who CARES! :confused:

Schel, you have a great plan. That's the thing about the band...it's there if we falter. Like a car in the garage. Eventually if you want to get in and go for a spin, it's there. You can start to use your band any time. Good for you deciding to pick that tool back up and use it to get healthy! :ohmy:

[wynn 0]

First, I'd like to say that I'm very sorry that you have not had a happy experience after your surgery. This is a lot to go through to not have it be a success. I hope that you find the answers you need to help you regain the control.

I would like to make a few comments that may help you. First of all, getting the band and then not getting fills is like buying an expensive electric drill and using it to hammer nails. The band is a tool for weight loss and it can be very effective, but only if you use it right. And to expect it to work for you without fill is only leading you to feelings of frustration and failure.

The other thing that I think is very important for you to realize is that your doctor works for you, not the other way around. We have this tendency to idoloize our docs and we forget that they're essentially employed by us. If he mistreats you in any way, even with the disapproving looks, I would definitely look for another one that will help build your self esteem. After all, that's why we have the surgery, isn't it? To make us feel better about ourselves? Why then would we go to a doctor that does the opposite. Do a google search for fill centers of america or fill centers usa. If you live in or near a big city you may find one near enough to you to go there.

I do not think you need to go for another surgery. I personally think that you can be successful with the band with the right support and encouragement. As I said, this is a tool for weight loss, not a magic cure. And I believe that what you need is someone to help you with that tool, someone to be there to answer your questions, and reassure you when you're struggling.

None of us stay on program every single second, if we could do that we would not have needed that band, and I have gone to my doctor many times (especially in the beginning) when I had not lost any weight. My doctor was very kind, and just spent a few more minutes with me talking about my food choices etc. That's what your doctor should be doing for you. Also, there are lifestyle classes that you can attend, and you should definitely find yourself a lapband support group to go to.

I'm happy to help you in any way I can. If you'd like my email address I would be happy to supply you with that. I was banded last september, and I'm 16 pounds from my first goal. I originally had set a goal of 155 pounds, I'm 5'10" 3/4" but at my current weight, I'm thinking this may be a bit too thin, so I'm going to 175 and then reassess. I use the chat room on this site, plus a couple of other supportive web sites to keep me on track. I saw my doctor once a month for the first 8 months, which was not an easy feat as his office is 3 hours from me. I'm 53 years old, so I tend to lose slowly, but that's ok. This is not a race for me. The time will pass anyway, I figure. It can pass w me getting smaller or getting bigger. I'm trying to choose smaller. I would be happy to mentor you in any capacity that you think would help.

Again, I'm so sorry that you have not been able to experience your band as a success, but I don't think that your chance has passed you by. I think its just waiting there to be seized. In any case, I would not consider a second surgery until you've exhausted all possibility of making the band work for you.

Good luck, and let me know if I can help you in any way.

Wynn

[queenlil09 1]

If you are unhappy with your doctor, find another that you like. You are not going to want to go see your doctor if you don't like him, no matter how good of a doctor he is. I had a problem with my surgeon as well and I just recently found a new one that I LOVE. He is awesome and SO encouraging.

Don't be afraid to go back in if you've gained back weight. That's what your doctor is there for, to assist you in the process after your surgery. Trust me, he's seen it before, and probably much more than a 30 lb weight gain, so don't worry about how he's going to react.

You have it in you to do it, and it seems like you're on the right track by wanting to make it work and get this fixed. Just stick with it. You can always come here for support if you need it :-)