chuggachugga

Hi Mary S. I read your response to the "regrets" section and was wondering if you could tell me a little more about your situation? I myself am nearly a year out and have also lost very little weight and feel like a terrible failure myself...what has your experience been? Do you ever think about getting the gastic bypass done? (not that I could afford that procedure, just curious..) Hang in there...

anyone know how much revision surgery costs?

Can you do any damage to your band if you "drink your food through"?

I posted this under the slipped pouch, but thought it should be its own thread.... How about a stretched pouch, or is that just for bypass patients? Does a stretched pouch shrink back to its normal size over time? How can you tell? Can you still be sucessful with a stretched pouch? I don't know what is wrong, but I just have this feeling that something is wrong....I am so scared, though, to go in and find out (does a barium swallow catch erosion, slips and stretched pouches?) because there is literally no way I can afford another surgery. No chance, even if I tried to take out loans I wouldn't be given them at this point. I was thinking about switching insurance to one that covers bariatric surgery (although do any cover surgeries when they go back in to fix things?) and then going in for the test. I'm at my wits end! What should I DO??????????

Thanks for your response--anyone else have any personal experiences or stories?

Thanks so much, that is very helpful. How about a stretched pouch, or is that just for bypass patients? Does a stretched pouch shrink back to its normal size over time? How can you tell? Can you still be sucessful with a stretched pouch? I don't know what is wrong, but I just have this feeling that something is wrong....I am so scared, though, to go in and find out (does a barium swallow catch erosion, slips and stretched pouches?) because there is literally no way I can afford another surgery. No chance, even if I tried to take out loans I wouldn't be given them at this point. I was thinking about switching insurance to one that covers bariatric surgery (although do any cover surgeries when they go back in to fix things?) and then going in for the test. I'm at my wits end! What should I DO??????????

Does have a slipped band cause any long term, irreversible health problems besides interfering with weight loss? What about erosion, does erosion cause any long term, irreversible health problems?

If you have "proper restriction" how many of you can drink while you eat? Just curious.

Does the one in Rockville cost anything? Thanks guys!

Does anyone know of any support groups in the Baltimore area?

Thanks so much, Em, your supportive words meant so much! I felt so much better after reading your post. You might just be right.

So if I get proper restriction, will I be able to "drink through" bread and other things?

I'm at 2ccs in a 4cc band.....i have a little restriction but i can definitely still eat bread....does the "sweet spot" actually stop you from eating certain foods? Can't you just drink and flush it through?

I'm the worst bandster there ever was. I drink with all my meals, I drink soda, I eat the same I did before the surgery. I take big bites and don't chew well enough. I still eat carbs, I eat bread and sandwiches, chips, crackers, etc. The only good thing is that I do exercise. I obviously wasn't ready to do this, but I did. I was baded about 6 months ago, and of course haven't had much success. I know that it's bad and that this is all my fault. I cannot, however, pay to have the band taken out. What should I do? I am obviously sabatoging my health, but what am I doing to my insides as far as the bad goes?