Roses4me

I also fear the sugar monster. It is hard to change and you are right, it is an addiction. I have stopped drinking soda and have started substituting sugar free jello for when I get a sugar urge.

KayTee, I don't regret having the LapBand. I am also very disappointed in myself. As someone stated earlier you cannot eat ice cream when you have a band and expect to be successful. What they miss is that after all the work and time and wanting, after not losing weight what point is it to NOT have the ice cream. I haven't given up and neither should you. Maybe, there should be a Discussion Section for those that are not losing weight to see what we can do for each other?

I haven't lost any weight either and it has been 3 years. I also feel hopeless and blame myself when I see how successful others are. I still see my surgeon as I refuse to give up. He has asked me to consider revisional surgery to a gastric bypass which he does not perform.

I am in the same place. 2009 band and no weight loss. I have a fill scheduled for jan 18th. I need support. Would you like to work together?

Struggling with no weight loss. I am still trying though. This time around I am going to use my surgeon's resources to help.

Good luck and I hope you find someone. My friend that had the revision had a serious hernia issue that required surgery. During the hernia repair, they performed another bypass. They did not perform the bypass just because he had regained the weight. My surgeon will not remove the band unless there is a medical problem calling for removal. He will not do revisional surgery at all. Whatever his reasons, I respect his decision and I will work harder at making my band work. As for insurance, I have a doctor that requires payment of any balance not covered by insurance and he is upfront with his policy. This may be why the surgeon you visited asked for the additional money. I have found this to be the case with higher rated/experienced physicians that I have seen. The screening paperwork I filled out prior to my first visit had this requirement specified. Your insurance sounds much better than my ANTHEM insurance. I paid just over $1,000 out of pocket for my Lapband for the various individuals involved with my surgery and the hospital.

I am not bipolar; however, I do have my own issues. I do have problems with emotional eating and it has definately stalled my progress. My recommendation is to be sure your surgeon is aware of your illness and to try logging everything that goes into your mouth for tracking. I don't know if it will help in the longterm; but, that is what I am trying right now. Good luck and I wish you well with your band!

Your post is awesome and very helpful to me! I have also been able to eat whatever I wanted except for french fries...which seems a little odd to me.. One bite of a french frie and up it will come..therefore; I don't. Bread, steak, etc., I have no problem with. Since I have never "felt" restriction, I can eat as much as I want. Before I had the Lapband I never felt full and would overeat. Now that I have the Lapband I am giving up on feeling "full" and I am starting over by measuring everything I eat and using the journal on My LapBand Journey. At the moment, I have no restriction and I will see my surgeon this Wednesday. I have gained weight and I do not want to face him. The problem is that I want to lose and I will have to walk into his office and see everyone there that is so willing to help. My doctor tells me the band is only a tool. It is up to me how I use it and it is up to him and his staff to help me be successful. So now I remember the saying: If it is to be, it is up to me

Hi everyone! How do you know when you are in the "green zone" when your band is filled properly? What is your personal experience? I have yet to achieve "green" and am looking for advice on what signs you feel to know you are there. Thank you, vic

I have an MBA and I am a Nuclear Engineer. Education level does not equal success at weight loss or understanding of the mental challenges faced. I do see a therapist. I wish I was in as good a shape mentally as you are as my journey would be so much easier. IMHO, if I were the surgeon you visited and you explained your story to me I would also not recommend a second surgery at this time. It sounds like the surgeon you visited is acting ethically and in your and his best interests. Btw, my insurance will not cover a second surgery unless it is a removal due to band failure. vic

I wish you luck! My doctor will not do revision surgery such as you are requesting. I know there is one doctor in the Richmond, Virginia area that will do repeat surgeries as a friend of mine had to have a second gastric bypass performed due to weight regain. I have a Lap-Band placed in 2009 and have had problems losing weight...some my fault and some band related. My band is currently deflated due to esophageal dilatation and I will be going for my first "post-deflation" fill this week. I asked about a possible transition to a gastric bypass and doc said "no". I have to learn to use the tool I have (my band) or see another surgeon. I like my surgeon and I appreciate the fact that he does not take this issue lightly and will work with me as long as I try and do my part. The doctor you consulted is telling you that you have to pay him the full cost of the surgery BEFORE he can put a band in minus the 900 bucks your insurance is willing to pay. It isn't important if you have the money. I am not sure what you mean by the 25 pounds question. Are you sure you understood the question correctly? Good Luck, vic

I CAN SO RELATE! I had a similar problem only I haven't lost any weight. I am up and down 25 pounds every few months. I was banded in April, 2009 and I am essentially starting over. I had a barium swallow performed and my surgeon identified esophageal dilatation and removed all of the Fluid from my band. I meet with him this wednesday. I am starting over and could use a pal to go through this with me. It is hard to explain to people that two years out I have lost nothing. victoria

Your doctor is right. If you eat too much after a fill, the symptoms may be just as you felt. Either you ate too much food or you need Fluid removed from the band. I have had this problem before. Good luck to you. vic

maybe we could work on this together. I too was banded in 2009 and haven't lost any weight. I am starting over AGAIN.

Hi everyone, My shoulder pain is finally gone. I am supposed to go to work tomorrow; but, my body just doesn't feel up to it. I think I am going to take another week off....at least until after my doctor's appointment next monday. My doctor's (Michael Trahan) nurse called me this morning and told me I could start pureed/soupy foods today. She asked if I was getting in all of my liquids and I told her I was still having a hard time of it. Otherwise, I am doing pretty good. It is so weird to eat half a cup of food.....reach for more....then feel that sharp pain telling me I am full before I have the first bite of my second serving. Unofficially, my home scale says I have lost 10 # in 6 days.....wow.

geez, your experience is awfull! You really need to do something about your open incision. Who is your doctor? My Doctor's nurse talked to me today (banded on the 14th) and she told me I could start eating soupy consistency foods like baby food, etc. I think I am doing pretty good. I am still having problems getting all my Water in to ensure I don't get dehydrated. How are the rest of you doing?

Hi everyone, I received my LARGE size Lapband on the 14th. My stomach aches probably 80% of the time. I am still on Clear liquids trying to get up to 64 ounces a day before I can move to full liquids. I am having gas pains. I didn't need any pain medication when I was in the hospital; but, since I have been home the last two days I have used it a couple of times. As soon as I drink something, my stomach feels funny and I stop. Yesterday was the first day I even got close to 50 ounces of clear liquids......and then wet bowels came with it:( Overall, I am HAPPY I had it done. I do not feel hungry. I am hoping to get in 64 ounces today so I can start Protein drinks and cream Soups, etc. I think my problem is I am taking too big a swallow. vic

Thank you everyone! I feel much better now knowing it is probably gas pain. Cuno, you are on mushie food already? My doc wants me on a full liquid diet for two weeks before I can try pureed foods.

Hi Guys, I was banded on tuesday the 14th with the large band and yesterday was the first day I was able to get 6 cups of clear fluids in let alone 8. And to top it off, the wet bowel movements started....geez.... But, my real question is, I started having sharp pains in my left shoulder yesterday and I still have them. They do not radiate down my arm. IS THIS THE GAS PAIN they were warning about? My doctor is keeping me on Clear liquids until I can get 64 ounces of clear liquids in and down. This is my 4th day post-op (5:30 a.m.). Thanks in advance for your help! vic

I thank you too for bringing this up. This problem just started for me yesterday (surgery was tuesday) and I am still on clear liquids. I will stop worrying.

Hi Everyone, I was banded on the 14th. Came home yesterday. I have a hard time standing straight up due to the soreness on my left side. I am also having alot of trouble drinking all of my fluids. Last night I took two pills with a ounce of Water and I immediately began to feel nauseous and felt like I was going to throw up. I spit up a lot of saliva but nothing else. I have only been able to drink about half of the water we are supposed to. Otherwise, I am still happy I am banded.

I am interested. I have my surgery next week on tuesday the 14th.

Thank you for your help! It is funny that I really haven't felt like eating anything today.... vic

Hi All, My surgery is rapidly approaching and I have second thought jitters. I also have a cold which started yesterday and I am both afraid of surgery and afraid of not having it if my cold doesn't go away in time. I am trying to decide what I want to eat that I may not be able to eat for a long time and my mind is blank.....isn't that strange? I would of thought I would be thinking of all kinds of sweets, chocolate and bread. My doctor told me I do not have to do a pre-op diet. That seems contrary to what everyone else here seems to have been doing. Website help needed? How do you guys get the bunny bandster and the weight tracker on here? I have to figure out how to put my information on the side too. thanks for the help and encouragement! vicky