The Worst Lap Band Patient in the World

[TxChelsey 1]

I am 16 months post op and have lost a whopping 21 lbs. I started with a 50 lb loss but have gained 30 back!! I don't have much room left, but I am going in for another fill Tuesday. I haven't been to the doctor in 6 months because I am embarrased that I have gained. The only thing the band seems to do is make me eat more slowly. I can still eat a lot of food!! I am starting do get that miserable feeling again...anything over 300 lbs is killer! I am so dissapointed in myself and I wonder if I am ever going to be able to lose this weight. Someone give me the kick in the ass I need!

[kkarryall 0]

So you have the 4 cc band and are almost filled? What has your Dr. said in the past? Have you checked to make sure there are no leaks, slips, etc.? Something just doesn't sound right if you are able to eat that much food. What kind of food can you eat? bread?

Wishing you the best! Keep us updated...

[*susan* 1,709]

Don't be embarrassed about going to the doctor, they are there to help you. They cannot do that if you avoid them and are not completely honest with them about everything.

When he gives you a fill, does he first remove all the fill you had to verify that the correct amount is in there and you do not have a leak? If not, he should.

Also, are you keeping track of your daily intake? When you are struggling, it really does help. A couple of great sites are FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal and Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate.

[Unforgettable 0]

Susan had some great suggestions. When you go I'd have them completely unfill first to make sure there isn't a major leak.

Are you eating the right things, even if you can eat a larger amount? Are you exercising? Journaling/tracking intake? You need to make sure you are doing your job or else the band won't be able to do it's job. Also you shouldn't be embarrassed to go to the doctor - suck it up and do what you need to do to get back on track. They can't help you if you don't help yourself. And perhaps you should go into therapy as well. I recommend it for almost all WLS patients, but especially if you are having problems, aren't eating, not exercising etc a therapist will hopefully be able to help you through your problems.

Good luck!

[Breeezie 0]

I was in the same position as you 3 ½ weeks ago. I had lost 25kg since I was banded in Oct 07, I hadn’t seen my doctor in about 12 months, I knew I had gained … but until he weighed me I had no idea how much. I had gained 10kgs!! My heart sank. This was my wake up call, if I didn’t change things now it was only going to get worse. My fill doctor actually took some of my fill out saying it will help me to get back into healthier eating and he gave me some great advice that my surgeon hadn’t.

When I went home I was somewhat saddened by the whole thing and I didn’t even turn to food for comfort, this time it was what was causing my grief. I found these forums and learnt a lot about myself and more about my tool. I went to my cupboards and hidey places and I threw out all slider foods, everything, there was nothing tempting left in my house. I made a list of healthy foods I would eat (since I’m sooooo picky with food) and went straight to the shops and stocked up, I accounted for Snacks and food on the run. I am also now putting one thing on my list each week that I will try before saying I don’t like it and I actually like them!

I also used an online calorie counter just to judge how much I was eating for the first week.

I enrolled in a Yoga class and am looking into more alternatives to my just walking. I really feel freaken fantastic, so healthy and more than ever I’m happy! I have an appointment to see my doctor again on Friday, when I will see how much I’ve lost (since I refuse to weigh myself at home), but I do know I’ve lost, I see it, I feel it and it feels great.

I basically started again, I haven’t forgotten what happened, I learnt from it. You can do the same; remember why you started this journey, see yourself reaching your goal, have fun and don’t be ashamed, we all make mistakes, it’s how we pick ourselves up that counts.

Good Luck!

Edited August 17, 2009 by Breeezie

[Unforgettable 0]

Breeezie,

Thanks so much for sharing your story. That was great to read. I'm glad you're back on the right track now. Let us know what the scale says!

[TxChelsey 1]

Thanks, Everyone! I have a fill appt tomorrow and a date with the gym.

[FrogStar24 0]

I know this is a bit late considering your post was a week ago... I hope the fill went well. One thing I try to remind myself is that you can start anew each day.

As much as I beat myself up, there's no reason to let the hard work I've done all slip away because I feel silly talking to my doctor about it. My doctor commented last time I was in there that I'm not losing as much as he'd like. I was angry about it, after all the hard work I'm putting in!, but now I try to remind myself that at least I'm still losing.

So you gained some weight back... not all of it. Hopefully the new fill helps, and find something you like to do at the gym. I rarely make it there myself, but I play tennis, softball, and try to go for walks if I can.

I find the days I have more troubles with the band are the days where I force myself to do stuff I'm "supposed" to do. There's a part of me that will always self-sabotage. I know I should have more dairy or drink Soy Milk... but guess what, I don't like it. I'm much happier now that I'm not forcing a glass of soy milk down my throat every day.

Take small steps. Maybe get your eating habits back in check before you start an exercise regimen. I do better with one thing at a time.

Best of luck.