sdbeachmom

I was banded in 2002, and your story could be mine. I feel better knowing I am not the only one. I have a non functioning band for at least 4 years. I guess I should have it out, but I still hope it could be like it was the first few years. I read that the reflux problem is somewhere around 70% at the five years out mark. Now what will I do?

I would do a google search for band doctors in your area, and the surrounding area. I would then start calling each one asking if they take outside patients for fills, and their prices. Dr. Ponce is in GA, he is great but a little pricey. Get going for your next fill. Also, make sure to find out their policy if you need to come in right away for an ufill. Good luck, you deserve a caring fill doctor/nurse. Cookie

I hope we have moved on from the tell BrandyII how weak she is thread. After reading all those posts I was so disgusted I just turned off the computer and thought about how self righteous people can be. Telling her to go and knit or make sure she has a great exercise program, or worse yet "make those great choices" is despicable. If the people who made those comments could do that themselves they surely would not have needed a band or any WLS. I belong to a support group for bandsters with about 200 folks, and there are many of us in many shapes and sizes and at different places in our journeys. Our main goal is to be supportive and cheer on the people we have this band bond with. Never have I heard this type of bashing in all my years banded. Here's the thing, if you have proper adjustments you will not feel hunger and cravings. Not EVERYONE can get to that point. And the struggle is the same as BEFORE you were banded, get it?? Can you remember how you felt? But to heap shame on those that have tried everything plus, is just plain ignorant. Take it from me we have enough shame, guilt, etc. We came here to say how we feel, not needing an "it's ok", but not needed crap like I am giving you tough love either, what a crock of crap. Why didn't that tough love, knitting, exercising work for you all? You should be ashamed of kicking someone when they are down. I hope you never find yourself in that spot and have these rotten things written to you. Give someone a "kick in the butt", are you kidding me? Maybe whoever wrote that should have done that to herself and then she wouldn't have needed WLS?? BrandyII, please go and talk to your band surgeon. Sometimes the placement is off, but it might be hard to get them to admit that. One of my friends was banded by the Dr. who helped invent the band, and she had to have rebanding, and now is doing beautifully after many years of struggling. Good Luck (and know you are not alone) Cookie

Sometimes when I post, writing my thoughts can be tricky. I certainly didn't intend to crush anyone's happiness. Or say, be careful this might be you someday. Sorry for any inference if I did :thumbs_up: I came to this particular posting area to vent my feelings being so many years out and my struggle. I sure wouldn't do this to the other areas of the site. I am thinking I might have posted on the wrong area. Anyway, I wish everyone great success. Failure is in the mind of the (band) beholder. Most look at me and tell me I look great. But, they are probably remembering what I used to look like! I still need to lose the twenty pounds I put back on after my plastic surgeries. And that is a real struggle with horrible horrible reflux. So my band is basically NOT filled at all. I am using the old eat/feel like crap/try to diet/and exercise routine. HA Think: pre band, no restriction However I am grateful that I am still in a size 12 and not the 22 I used to be. Cookie

Well, you have brought up a lot of really good points. Sounded like me 5 years ago. Follow the band rules, and you will be great! haha I wish I could take back all the rah rah stuff. You can have all the right answers and do the right things when your band is adjusted and working properly. Mostly..... And I say that with hesitation because we wouldn't have needed a weight loss "tool" in the first place if we could control our appetites and urges. Therefore using logic we must come to a conclusion that this "tool" might not work for everyone in the same way. Or the "magic" may not last forever. Or, we may not hit the magic number we were hoping for and have to settle for what we achieved. Sometimes things just go wrong, or maybe we just go wrong. That's real life. It's wonderful to be able to reach nirvana, but lest we may fall back or not get to that great place, one might want to hold back on the "I'm so glad I am doing beautifully, and will forever, and you must be a failure for not heeding the information we all signed at surgery rant. I know what we read at the beginning, and I pray no one has to feel this failure and shame. Do just a bit more research and look at the 5 year mark for both surgeries. And write back in 5 years....... Good Luck Everyone! I wish you all pain free happy days.

Thanks so much for the info on the ticker you are so sweet!

Can someone tell me how to add the ticker at the bottom? I see how to make it, just don't know where to put it in. Thank you

this is a good start for talking it out, it's been keeping me from jumping off a bridge, brandyII. __________________ Boy, Brandy are you so right. Sometimes it's a minute at a time to keep from being so depressed. Sometimes I eat and think and feel like I did before I got my band. Thanks for your thoughts Cookie Banded almost 6 years

I think if someone does the real homework and sees the actual statistics they will find the average weight loss-per JAMA- for the band is around 40% of their excess weight. Reading about someone's great loss at the one/two/three year mark is not a concrete stamp on the band's effectiveness. The five year mark is generally the point where it appears that band "failures" are prevelant. I feel like a failure because I got to the tiny size 8, and wasnt' able to hold on to it because of massive reflux I can't keep my band filled. I am still glad for the weight I lost, but let me tell you the struggle I have now is mind blowing. Talk about one day at a time. And I had hoped all that was behind me. I am almost 6 years banded by the way. It might be wise to consider all methods, and look at what long term statistics are. Failure might be in the eye of the beholder....at least we are trying right? Cookie