So glad to have found this discussion this morning! Just last night, I posted the following in the "general discussion" thread (evidently the wrong place for it):
"I had lap band surgery over two years ago, in November of 2010. I began at 339 pounds, lost twenty in the pre-surgical two week low carb diet, and after surgery got down to 249. Then I bounced, and everything seemed to go wrong. Looking back, I think I was over-eager about increasing my fills, and it got me to the point where there was zero hunger control, etc. Now, I'm back up to 325 pounds. My band is still at around 9cc, but it doesn't really do much at all for portion control anymore---just creates problems with certain foods at times. I feel like my eating is completely out of control again, and I'm discouraged as hell. I haven't been back to my bariatric doc's office in about a year and a half, just out of sheer embarrassment. That said, I can't handle being this big again, and I need to do something, but I'm honestly afraid of going back to the doctor. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Is it possible after this degree of failure to get back to a place where the band is actually helping again and serving its purpose, or have I likely just screwed this option up permanently?"
Just like you, Juan, I haven't been to my doctor since November of 2011. I just got off the phone, after scheduling a new appointment for May 30th. He was heavily booked up, and it wasn't a time of day when he usually schedules people, but he wanted to be sure and get me in. I have to say I'm nervous about seeing him, but it's time to swallow my pride and just do it!