I had my band surgery in October 2008 - I was so excited. I was finally going to beat the battle I've had for decades with obesity.

Well, It's now May 2011 and I actually weigh more than I did when I had the surgery. Whoopie Me! Now, I've never slipped and I've never eaten to the point where I could cause slippage, instead I've learned how to eat around the band.

I just kind of feel broken at this point. My goal in life is to be an FFK "Former Fat Kid," but I'm at a turning point in life right now, so here I am - back again.

Jay

I'm not sure if you're suppose to do this but...have you ever tried Phentermine? I went from 220lbs. to 173lbs. in about 6 months. They give you a lot of energy and suppress your appetite. May be a boost to help you get back on track. Maybe ask your doctor about it. Only problem for me was when I had to stop taking them, I've slowly put the weight back on (all but about 20 lbs) That's why I'm getting the lap band. Best of luck to you!

i dont know what you are going through only you know what i can tell you is that it took me a while to realize that the lap band is just a tool kind of like useing a ratchet instead of a wrench you still have to take off the nut on the bolt with your physical motion but using a ratchet just makes it easier with out physical motion it doesnt matter what you use the nut is not coming off. i recently wrote a forum on the lab band being a tool i had an awakening and lost 55 pounds with 7cc's i started at 296 but hit a bad rough spot and could not get under 265 thats when i decided to hit the gym and run and work out ive had the band since january 2011 and my goal is 195 im almost there and i believe you can turn you situation around its mind over matter we all hit rough spots and fall off the path but we must pick our self up and continue the journey that we have started

Maybe you can check out overeaters anonymous? Get into as many support groups as you can. Do you have access to counseling? The weight is just a visual result of what's going on inside. What is making you eat "around" the band? Really look into the reasons behind it.........I can say I have a food addiction. The food is such a comfort that it sucks. I'm trying to learn to be dependent on myself and IN-dependent of food. For me food is a band-aid, and a crutch for what is really going on inside. The weight is a way for me to hide and not be the me I want to be. The fear is suffocating me......but that's just me. We all have our own story. We all have our own truth and we all have our own journey......

Ok I'm done for now. Let me know if you need anything......Hugs to you.

i personaly think that the best weight loss surgery is taste bud removal i dont eat cause im hungry i eat because i like how food taste example i dont eat gritts cuz they have no flavor its the taset buds connected to the brain that make people think that they are hungry some one has to find a way to make the brain not want to eat

A few weeks ago I was in the same place as you Jay, I was banded in December of 2007 and I know exactly how you feel! However, I made an appointment with my surgeon and saw him last Wednesday. When I walked into his office I couldn't stop crying. He couldn't have been nicer about it! So supportive and proud of me that I had made the decision to go back. Not once did he mention 'fail' or 'fat' or 'disappointment'. He made me feel like I can do it. And this time around I've got so much more will power. He gave me a fill, and so far so good. I've eaten three small meals a day and I already have more energy.

I know its hard! But if you want to do it there is support out there and available! Hope to hear some good news from your side soon Good luck!

<br />I'm not sure if you're suppose to do this but...have you ever tried Phentermine? I went from 220lbs. to 173lbs. in about 6 months. They give you a lot of energy and suppress your appetite. May be a boost to help you get back on track. Maybe ask your doctor about it. Only problem for me was when I had to stop taking them, I've slowly put the weight back on (all but about 20 lbs) That's why I'm getting the lap band. Best of luck to you!<br />

<br /><br /><br />

I was actually on Phentermine before the surgery and did pretty well with it. However, once the surgery happened, I was taken off the drug. That's actually a smart one to think back on.

J

I also know how you feel...I did well at first with the pre-op and post-op diets (early 2010) and then gained 20 of the 60 lbs back...my band has not been helpful, and the doctor and nurse don't think I need to know how much fill is in band. My dietician looked at the chart 3 months ago and said I hardly had anything in the band... I know I am wrong to count on the band to kick in and make me feel full, but that is what the TV commercials led me to believe...it actually works on some people; the band does kick in with each fill and it guides them on when to stop. I have only felt a small restriction a handful of times in 1-1/2 years...

I want to start over with the band, but I can't do 90% diet and let the band work 10% of the time...that's not what I was told in the seminars that the band was for...I have always failed on diets when I have to do it all

by myself...I have lost more than 1000 pounds over the years, only to gain everything back. The band was my last resort...