Looking to talk to people who may regret getting banded

[20zmom 0]

SassyB, I agree with you 100%. I didn't visit this forum for a long time because of two reasons: 1. People making HUGE deals of post op pain, gas pain, bandster hell, horrible Protein supplements, etc. and 2. All the ways people talk about cheating, and not following their doctor's orders, and starting solids too soon, etc.

I was beginning to get dragged into the pessimism and short cuts right along with them.

I had to step back and put things in perspective. And I am so glad I did. My surgery was textbook and my post op pain and gas was minimum. My recovery was speedy, my weight loss has been slow but constant, and it has been a struggle as my swelling went down and I was needing a fill, but the band allowed me to exercise my will power, where I was unable to before.

I don't want to know how to cheat the band, and I understand that my band doesn't make it easy to stick to a healthy diet, but it gives me a tool to try harder.

If you are struggling with your band, I suggest you walk away from this sight. FInd an "in person" supoprt group with TRAINED professionals who can help give you the info and insight that you need to be successful. Don't get marred down by what you read here. ANd most of all, Celebrate your successes with a postive attitude.

[Sarah.R 2]

SassyB, I agree with you 100%. I didn't visit this forum for a long time because of two reasons: 1. People making HUGE deals of post op pain, gas pain, bandster hell, horrible Protein supplements, etc. and 2. All the ways people talk about cheating, and not following their doctor's orders, and starting solids too soon, etc.

I was beginning to get dragged into the pessimism and short cuts right along with them.

I had to step back and put things in perspective. And I am so glad I did. My surgery was textbook and my post op pain and gas was minimum. My recovery was speedy, my weight loss has been slow but constant, and it has been a struggle as my swelling went down and I was needing a fill, but the band allowed me to exercise my will power, where I was unable to before.

I don't want to know how to cheat the band, and I understand that my band doesn't make it easy to stick to a healthy diet, but it gives me a tool to try harder.

If you are struggling with your band, I suggest you walk away from this sight. FInd an "in person" supoprt group with TRAINED professionals who can help give you the info and insight that you need to be successful. Don't get marred down by what you read here. ANd most of all, Celebrate your successes with a postive attitude.

I totally agree with you which is why I spend most of my time in the chat room. The thing that annoys me the most tho is definetly people who say they eat earlier than usual - I still remember one chick who said she ate an entire hot dog about a week out, she said it took her like 2 hours but she did it just to see if she could - People like that should be tranquilized and then have the band taken out - Yeah people will bitch at me for saying that but honestly who does that kinda thing?

[LollyMoe 1]

If you don't like your band, instead of having it completely removed, just have all the Fluid removed. You don't have to have any surgery that way and you can use your own willpower to continue losing weight since you feel the band hasn't helped you very much.

[Teacher07 3]

Elfie sometimes it takes more than 6 months to get restriction even with aggressive fills. I would say I had slight restriction for the first 6 months but it wasnt until I was about 10 months out that I had real restriction. You can't go from 1cc in a band to 6cc in a band in a month. Your body and habits need time to adjust to the tightening of the band.

[Carriedaway78 0]

I know what you mean about the benefits that others seem to be getting. At one point I had to stop coming to this site because I would get so depressed. I haven't thought about getting rid of the band because I couldn't afford another surgery, but I have been down on myself for not having gotten the bypass instead of the band. How many fills have you had? I received fill #7 on December 3rd and I'm still not at my "SWEET SPOT" but the restriction is better than it was. I read where some people need to get an unfill and I say to myself, that unless I was vomitting profusly I wouldn't get an unfill. This is because I have gone for so long without any restriction and of course no will power. So I commend you on doing it on your own. I will continue to tell myself that it's a lifestyle change and know that reaching my "SWEET SPOT" will come.

SassyB, thanks for the reply, sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I've had 5 fills and my doctor wouldn't do anymore than that because I have so many issues with pb's and vomiting, which I can understand his hesitation. However, I don't feel any restriction either. So I'm getting all the negative side effects of the fills, but not the positive. You are right, it is a lifestyle change, and I guess that's what I'm learning from all of this. That I have the willpower to do it, and so do you! Keep up the good work and don't lose hope like i seem to be, lol!

[NurseMelly 0]

Carrie- have you tried to figure out why you PB so much? Are you chewing, cutting small bites, eating slowly, taking a break between bites, etc? If you're not feeling restriction, there has to be some reason why you're Pb'ing, right? Just trying to help you out here.

I have 8.3 cc in my band and I'm almost 11 months out. I really didn't get restriction till around 6 months or so post op but during the time before that I really practiced hard with the banding rules so that I wouldn't have problems when I did reach restriction. I've never Pb'd and I've been stuck twice and both were my fault and I've learned from those incidences. What I'm trying to say is maybe if you can figure out why you PB and correct that, the doctor will fill your band again and you will get restriction and come to like the band more. I would hate being banded if all I did was vomit all the time.

[ElfiePoo 109]

Elfie sometimes it takes more than 6 months to get restriction even with aggressive fills. I would say I had slight restriction for the first 6 months but it wasnt until I was about 10 months out that I had real restriction. You can't go from 1cc in a band to 6cc in a band in a month. Your body and habits need time to adjust to the tightening of the band.

According to my doc, his patients usually have restriction in anywhere from 2-1/2 months to 4 months. They put in 3 cc's at my first fill and follow-up fills are about 2 weeks part if I need them. They'll do 1 cc fills at the followups, assuming I can swallow with no problem.

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[JoJo1 0]

I think you do have restriction. That is what the PBs and vomiting are telling you. I can fit more into my pouch at times but it is always a mistake. I sometimes feel hungry between meals and I then have a snack, but if I find myself hanging out in the kitchen snacking, I have to figure out what else to do. You have to remember "full" isn't the same as it once was. It sounds like you are trying to reach the "fullness" you once had and it is causing problems. Also many on this forum have talked about missing food, which is natural for anyone who has issues with food. Focusing on food, focusing on the things that are going wrong, focusing on forums that are not very positive, and focusing on what others tell you, are all counterproductive. Our Journey is not only about changing our attitude about food, it is about changing our attitude about being fat. I once read in a book, that if people are not ready inside of their mind to get rid of the fat, they will set themselves up for failure no matter what the circumstances are.

For me choosing good bandster foods is the key. I am less hungry if I just make myself do it and then leave the kitchen and focus on other things. Sugar and all forms of it make me more hungry so if I make myself leave them alone, I do much better. I am less moody, and more positive. Wierd I know but there is something that works for you too. I believe you will find it.

Best wishes and good luck....

Edited December 9, 2009 by JoJo1
correct spelling

[kannruss 0]

Hi Carrie,

I'll tell you what upset me most about your post. You said your doctor told you there is nothing more he can do. Excuse me? When I was going through the process of selecting a surgeon I was told to look for a doctor/practice that you would be with for life. They are there for you and are supposed to provide support to you. IF your doctor has already thrown in the towel on you then maybe you need to start working with another one. I know that goes against what some people say but if you aren't getting it removed then the very least you can do is at least go to a practice where there is a support system and someone who will try to get you to where you need to be.

That's just my opinion, I know but those are the words I really picked out of your statements.

I'm sorry you are going through this - I hope there is light at the end of this journey for you and you can keep the band and feel happy about it!