Ravyn

I have failed and abused my lapband. I'm the same weight as I started out, way back in April of 2010. Sigh! I'm on to a new gimick - Vegan diet. So far so good...but I"m still an emotional eater. I guess I need overeaters anonymous, and not a lapband. Wish you all luck. I'm still searching for the motivation to drink protein shakes and do P90X.

I wish I had an answer for ya... are you able to go to Mexico for a fill? I heard that Hospital INT was very nice, but I don't know if they provide fills for patients using the fluoroscopy method. Try the doctor who performed your surgery. I'm in need of a different doctor. Mine will charge me 350.00 a fill, after I used my 6 free fills. I'd be willing to travel to TJ, if I ca get it done for 100! Let me know if you have any tips. I'll do the same for you

Hi, live in Los Angeles County and I want to change doctors for my fills. I would like a doctor who uses the fluoroscopy technique. I would even be willing to travel to Tijuana, Mexico if I could get a referral from someone. I hear that pricing is much more affordable than my 350.00 quote that I'm getting from my present doctor. Thank goodness I get 6 for free. I've had three and I'm worried about where to go after I've used them all up. If you have any recommendations for anyone within the Southern California region I would appreciate the tips. Thanks

congrats! It should be smooth sailing from here! May I ask, will you be getting your fills in Mexico? I am in Los Angeles County and am interested in a different fill doctor. Someone else suggested Mexico, but I am unfamiliar with traveling in and out of TJ for medical needs. I really want a doctor who does that fluoroscopy with the fill to make sure it's the correct amount. However I'd like to do it for a reasonable price. Was wondering if you share the contact information for your doctor in Mexico? I wish you all the best!

Yes, mine was easily felt just under the skin initially, but it has adjusted itself and now I can't feel it as well as I did before. I think the swelling had something to do with it. Now I am barely aware of the port. It's good to check with your doctor. I hope you don't have to back under the knife! All the best!

I am happy to say that fill number 3 is working YIPEE!! I finally have restriction. I have to really slow down my eating and sip rather than gulp beverages. I love this!!! It hasn't curbed my appetite so much, but that's just me and my emotional hunger. I'll have to tackle that head on! Anyway, I'm excited that it's finally working. I was so afraid that I would never have restriction. It's funny too, because I had my fill on Sunday and I didn't notice a change in my stomach's capacity until Wednesday. I feel a weightloss coming on Even if it's two pounds I'll be delighted! Thanks again everyone for all your support. It really was daunting on my spirit! Oh, and I'll be searching around for fill doctors with a more reasonable price range. Best Wishes to all! -sigh of relief-

Froggie you are a great role model for me! I MUST look into more sugar free treats. I've tried to eat more fruits as a treat, rather than ice cream and cookies. As for my fill process, I had NO restriction. Nothing got stuck and I could drink anything at any pace. However, I got a fill on the 22nd, and I just noticed this week that food is taking longer to pass through. I took one bit too many a few days ago and thought something was going to come back up. I managed to keep it all down by walking around. So that was my third fill and finally I have some noticeable restriction! Yipeee! I think I'll be able to do this now. I takes me much longer to eat even half a sandwhich. I'll try this week to cut out sweets completely. I had about 8 cookies throughout the week. A sabotage moment, no doubt! But those two cookies a day adds up to NO weightloss. My doctor felt that the realize band just takes longer than the lapband. He felt as thought I would have some loss from the next fill. However, he wants it to be slow, because my weight was not that extreme to begin with. He is keeping me at a strict visitation every two months. He also is expecting me to exercise more than I have been. I feel that I'll be able to control things better, now that I actually am forced to slow my pacing. Thank you so much for your support. I'll take your advice on the sugar free pops and stuff like that! Keep posting, so I stay motivated

Froggie, it's good to hear from you, and so many other April Bandsters! I'm glad you're experiencing success with your band. I've been struggling and have gained 6 pounds back. I'm hungry all the time and can eat bread and potatoes with no problem. I guess I'm far away from my sweet spot. Keep up the goodwork and keep me inspired

:crying:OMG! I really appreciate the outpouring of support. There are so many helpful suggestions here and not all of you said things that I wanted to hear. Many of you said what I need to hear. Like the comment about the ice cream - a weak moment - no doubt, but a helpful comment. I get 6 free fills with my current doctor, after which I must pay about 350. I will definitely consider finding a new doctor. The flurouscope thingy sounds like a marvelous idea. I'm sure it's costly. Anyway, my doctor was very positive, even though I had gained a total of 6 pounds since March. He says that the realize band works differently than the LAP-BAND® and that most people don't get results until the 4th through 6th fill. He said I just needed to do more cardio. I got my third fill on Sunday, bringing me to about 10cc. This just doesn't sound right to me, but he told me to do liquids for two days followed by two days of mushies. Well, it's Tuesday and I have a throbbing headache and I'm ready to scarf a pizza. WTH am I supposed to do. It's 2:50 and I just finished my 3rd Protein shake for the day and I'm STARVING. Is this normal? I think if my band were working, I'd feel full after 10 ounces ounces of Protein Shake. Why am I being teased? Oh well, I guess I should just ignore this headache and annoying tug in my belly and just have what? Another protein shake? I want PIZZA! Darn it, now I'm angry! I don't know what to do. I can't go back til October. I guess I'll drink another protein shake until I'm no longer hungry?? Argh! Thanks again for all the support. This is a wonderful place to get help. But I feel like I need a sponser living in my house.

Zandile100, I lost a total of 12 pounds since my banding date of 4/18/2010. I can't believe it! I went for my third fill 8/22 and had gained 6 pounds. I'm struggling here. I have had 3 fills and I swear my little band it just about full! My doctors swears this is normal. He says I need to do more cardio. I did...and NOTHING! I'm just miserable, hungry, and I hate protein shakes. I'm going to get a pizza with the works! Have a great day!

Wow Mimi, it sounds like you're doing great from my perspective. I had a fill on Sunday. He put in 2.5 cc's, giving me a total of 10cc. I have the realize band, which I believe holds 11cc. I have lost NOTHING!! I had one stuck moment and was actually excited. Now everything flows just fine. Nothing gets stuck and I'm starving. My appetite is STRONG. But I'm refusing to eat, so I have a headache. UGH! I wish things were working better for me. I'm afraid I'm going to binge in an hour cause these Protein Shakes are teasing me! Best of luck to you though. Maybe at my next fill (in two months) I'll be full and satiated.

Wow! That was an inspirational post. I'm don't love or hate my band. I'm disappointed in my band however, because I haven't lost anything in 4 months...and I'm still with my same old man My band must be defective, because yours is doing so much for you. LOL! Congrats on your success and your on your engagement. My next stop is Craigs List ; D

I am so discouraged and am at the breaking point. It's been 4 months since I got the band placed. I have lost 10 pounds and that was due to the healing process. I have had two fills and my doctor doesn't like to put too much Fluid in, so I have had no problems eating or drinking anything. I crave all the stuff that got me to the point that I am at and basically NOTHING has changed. I told my doctor that I didn't have any restriction and should I come in sooner than the recommended 2 month mark, if I were gaining or if I stalled. My doctor said stick to every 2 months. So here I am, 2 pounds more than I was the last time I saw him. I just want to cry! I'm so frustrated that I almost bought a pint of haagan daz butter pecan. I stopped myself, with a scoop of vanilla. Anyway, at this point my band isn't even a tool for me. On days that I feel strong I can still eat to capacity, so imagine how badly I do on days that I'm emotionally wrecked and weak and feeling no support. Should I just give up? Am I a loser? I knew it wouldn't be easy, but geeze! I took two Bikram Yoga classes, 1 spinning class and 1 pilates class in a week and lost NOTHING!! I can't do this. There is just something wrong with my brain and my body. Am I destined to be obese? Am I? I don't even know what to ask. I just don't know what to do. I go for my 3rd fill on Sunday, and I'm embarassed to even go. I feel so scared and so alone.

Wow! It's really hard to say. It's a wedding and you should think about how they would feel if you weren't able to make it. I couldn't wear my bra for a week because of the scars and healing. I was hopeful that I'd return to work 3 days later, but that was not my reality. It took me a week to before I could do social events. Just be careful with commiting yourself to something that could really be disappointing to someone if you didn't show up. Best of Luck and I hope you heal faster than I did ;0

Hi! Wow, it looks like there are plenty of Cali Bandsters here. I'm from Southern Cali - San Fernando Valley. I was banded in San Dimas. I'm totally struggling and feeling like a complete failure at the moment, but I'm still checking in on the site for motivation and inspiration. Best of luck!