Aussie40

Congratulations on your amazing achievement!

When I have my band in the sweet spot, I can lose weight without feeling 'real' hunger all the time. However, the band doesnt help with head hunger. Like you, I'm always looking for something between dinner and bed time - usually something sweet. I have found that lollipops and fruit juice icypoles can often satisfy that urge. They take a while to eat and dont have too many calories.

I was very happy to find this thread, even though I have mixed feeling about the title. I was banded on 2/1/2012 in a remarkably easy procedure. My recovery flew by and I started the fill procedure exactly 4 weeks after my surgery. Over the course of eight months, I had a total of five fills that brought my level to 8.0cc in an 11cc band. I never reached noticeable restriction, let alone the green zone opr my sweet spot.
I thought I knew that bandster hell lasted from the day of surgery top the first it e restriction was achieved, and I thought I was prepared for that. Wow, was I wrong. I couldn't understand how I could possibly be only 3cc from the stated capacity of my band and not feel a single thing even close to restriction. In fact, I felt not different than I had before the and went in. If I hadn't had the receipts on file (I was self pay), I would have thought I'd hallucinated the entire experience. After than that fill in August 2012, I went off the rails. Frustration overwhelmed me, and combined with a financial pinch that made further appointments with my surgeon impossible for several months, I gave up. So in that sense, I failed my band.
But I can also honestly say that my band hadn't done much to help me succeed. I know that if I had been able to continue with my appointments, I would have eventually reached restriction before now, so it does all end up as my responsibility.
I either case, shortly after the new year, I received a notice that my surgeon had left the practice he'd been with when my band was implanted and that I would need to transfer my care to one of his colleagues. Having sorted out the money situation, I felt the first stirring of hope in a long while, and I made an appointment to see the other doctor.
It was the best thing that could possibly have happened. I adore my new doctor. She totally understood my feelings without letting me deny my responsibility for my own actions, which had resulting in my regaining half of the weight I had lost since beginning my surgery prep. She also understood that there's no way for the band to work effectively until I have achieved restriction, so she proposed a plan of aggressive follow up, gave me a full 1cc fill, and scheduled an additional appointment for me two weeks from the day with a promise of further fills until I achieve restriction and am able to get my band journey moving along,
All that gave me hope, but finding this forum has given me so much comfort. Knowing I'm not alone in not having a smooth path from day 1 is so comforting. Knowing I'm not the only one who hasn't lost 50 lbs or more in the first year after banding has totally made my day. I admire every me on this thread for having the courage to share, and I thank you for letting me share as well. You rock!

that would be funny as f**k

Hi Lynnae
I am really sorry to hear that you are struggling but I think there are some issues that you could consider before you give up on the band and replace it with a sleeve.
Many people (including me) find that the band feels tighter in the mornings and it is harder to get food down then. My surgeon says its is perfectly OK to skip Breakfast altogether. I just drink a skim milk cafe latte (the milk has protein) and then wait until late morning before I try to eat anything.
The band will also feel tighter if you have been getting food stuck and vomiting. I'm guessing that process inflames the area around the band. For me, it can take a day or two to get back to normal after that so I need to be really careful. If you have been vomiting frequently, then you might be permanently inflamed which would have the same effect as having your band too tight. Everybody goes for the crunchy & slider foods when the band is too tight because that is all we can get down & we have to eat something. Please don't be too hard on yourself.
It might even be that you need a big UNfill to give your body a rest and a chance to heal, before you experiment with refilling in very small increments. Then you could find out more about band-friendly foods from this site, so that you can give yourself the best chance of avoiding any more vomiting.
I really hope things get better for you soon.

I think a tattoo done in stages to mark progress on the journey is a wonderful idea. But as Terry pointed out, you would need to pick a body part where the skin isnt likely to sag, or to be affected by any later plastic surgery.
I have been thinking about getting a tattoo after the weight is all lost and the plastic surgery has been done, to hide the scars. To see some examples, just google 'tattoo to cover Tummy Tuck scars' & then click on images.

Congratulations on your amazing achievement!

I use it as I would sour cream, if I am eating yogurt, I go for one of the flavored varieties. The plain, I use to give my cooking added nutrition and flavor.

Hey : ) I Love that you are not quitting or making excuses but, instead, looking for Solutions ... Be encouraged - you both have the tool of the Lapband. And can be set free! My thoughts:
http://on.aol.com/video/i-weighed-454-pounds-before-having-weight-loss-surgery-517631677
Hope in YOUR Future is Power in YOUR Present!
Lee

I was banded 4 years ago myself. I have had highs and lows with the surgery. I started at 305. I've managed to stay away from the 300s, but I have only lost 50. I had begun getting myself back on track, but when my mom was diagnosed with cancer, my life started going down hill. She died in June. It took me a minute to get refocused, but I'm now finding my rhythm.
I am working out regularly and trying to keep my calories under 1500. I have been tracking nearly everything I eat, but I have my moments with that. I've lost nearly 12 pounds since I started this get back on track program. I found a new surgeon and medical team. I have been slowly getting my fills. I pray that things get better for me. I had this surgery for a reason. Often I've lost sight of the purpose of the sleeve verse having some other gastic surgery. I am training myself.

I was banded in 2010 (I weighed about 263 at my highest) and lost 50 pounds pretty easily. Then my husband and I decided to have a baby. I know I should have stuck to the program during the pregnancy, but I used it as an excuse to eat *everything.* Big mistake because once I had my son, it was impossible to stop. I told myself I could eat what I wanted while I was breastfeeding, but I stopped that about 3 months ago and have gained about 30lbs of the weight back.
So I'm here to recommit myself to a healthier lifestyle - to be inspired and (hopefully) inspire a few people in the process. We are all strong people who made a choice to live healthier. Maybe we thought it was a choice we'd just need to make once, and what we're discovering is it's a choice you have to make every day. But with support, we can do it. Let's vow to try, not to be too hard on ourselves when we stumble and realize that this is a marathon, not a sprint.

I have not been on this site for 2 years now due to my having failed my lapband. I was banded in May of 2009 and have only lost 35 pounds. Due to issues I've had with my band, I have ended up having all of the Fluid removed and since then, I've gained about 10 pounds. I'm thoroughly disgusted with myself and feared this from the beginning as I've never been successful at anything regarding my weight.
I am switching physicians and will be going to see my new doctor on January 8th. I PRAY that I can get back on the bandwagon and be successful in 2013!!! The first step for me was coming back on this site and acknowledging that I have not done my part in this journey. So...here's to 2013! I hope that we are all successful in our weight loss journeys!

Occassionally, I run across a few posts from people like me who have failed their bands. But these posts are usually just a venting opportunity. I have failed my band - I acknowledge it - and it would be great if we could have a group of other "failures" who want to work together to become success stories.
MY STORY
I was banded in March of 2007. At the time I was 299 lbs. I am a 6ft tall lady. Today, I weigh 255, and basically just as big as I was when I got my band. I have got numerous fills and I usually eat through my fiils. I can eat whatever I want. I overeat and I am confident that I have caused my stomach to expand. I snack on candy, I eat the wrong foods - I eat until I am STUFFED. Sometimes when I overeat, I feel sick and gag to relieve the pressure.
I moved to Houston 4 months ago, and last week, I went in for a port-readjustment with Dr Alanis. It went well and I now have a new resolve to make it work. My doctor mentioned to me that about 40% of all bandsters fail. I do not want to be a failure. I have paid too much money to go through this.
MY GOAL FOR DECEMBER

To write everything I eat down, including calories
To stay within 1500 Calories.
What's your story? What's your goal? How can I support you? How can we support each other?
Misery loves company, and company can help us move from failure to success. Please join me by telling me your story, and your GOAL for December. Let's vent - but more importantly, let's talk about strategies to make this work - let's share and support each other - Let's turn this from failure to success.
I REFUSE TO BE A FAILURE