ReeByrd

I found Bariatric Pal via web search. I was banded in October of 2008, and never had adequate restriction. I didn't feel my doctor was responsive at all and he insisted that my 5cc fill (14cc band) was enough. I didn't think it was.

Why?
Well, I could always eat what I wanted. Bread, muffins, pasta -- a 3 piece KFC meal with biscuits thankyouverymuch! I was always hungry and despondant. There was an over abundance of "Why me-ing." Meanwhile a friend of mine who never had a fill (same doc) was down 60lbs, I was so happy for her, and so miserable for me.

My doctor even asked me if I was "blending my food, like pizza?" Wow...I didn't know it got that bad! No I wasn't. I felt like I was whispering in the wind, and being tired of waiting for 2 or 3 hours to SEE my surgeon for follow ups, I just decided to go rogue with my band; I couldn't bear the thought of seeing the doctor for my yearly (at that point) visit, so I just ...stopped....going. Just me and my loose band eating our way back up 30lbs.

When I finally decided I was being irresponsible with "me" I started shopping around for doctors who would take pity on me, poor wandering, wayward lap-bander. I found that the majority said that fills were the solution and that I'd never been adequately 'restricted.' I felt vindicated and hopeful...something I hadn't felt since 2010, yeah; 4 years ago.

I have a new doctor and a fill that has me losing weight now. I definately have adequate restriction. Even though I was banded so long ago, I feel like I've really just begun this journey. To be fair, over these 6 years I found that I wasn't "ready" mentally. I said all the right stuff for the psych eval, and I actually believed it at the time, but in hindsight, I was looking for a miracle, not to work. So I guess it was a combination of both things that has me back in a LB forum. I hope that I can encourage others who may be discouraged with the slow weight loss of the band or anyone who found themselves in my situation -- not wanting to 'upgrade' to a gastric bypass or sleeve--but for whom the band "wasn't working,"

I had nowhere to turn, it seemed no one had my issues -- I had an inadequate fill and my doctor seemed hell-bent on keeping me there, so I just dropped out of the whole LB lifestyle.

I'm hopeful now and doing the right things, so let's see if it "works" now :o)