Hello everyone. I was banded in November of 2008, and almost 3 years later I am just about back up to my pre-op weight. There's a million things I guess I could blame this on, but the main reason I suppose is me and being non-compliant with the system. I've only had 4 fills. . the last one being the most discouraging when they said they couldn't put much more in as it was already filled to about the size of a pencil (the opening). It still seems however I consistently sabotage myself. I'll get in "health" mode here and there and lose 10-15 to maybe 20 pounds but then find myself eating around the band. . drinking with meals. . even having burgers and fries (I know right). I am never satisfied. . I have never been able to not drink with my meals since week 1. I feel like I'm just another failed statistic. .. another failed lapbander who has taken the gift of the surgery for granted.

I have an appointment with my doctor Friday. . I haven't seen him since January of this year. . . I know I know. . it's probably one of the reasons I'm failing. But I also never feel restricted. . I have never puked or had my band too "full". . and I'm kind of jealous of those who have had the experience in a way. . I almost feel like there is no hope for me in this system, but perhaps I am wrong. . perhaps I just need that re-motivation. .. the accountability to do better?

I'm considering trying to plead with my doctor to do a lapband revision to gastric roux en y. But I'd really like to give this one more serious go before completely cutting my stomach out to where I have no other choice as to the amount I eat.

Is there anyone out there who could help me?

-Billy the Bear

Sounds to me like you want to make the band work for you so now you need to work the band and work more closely with your doctor (and that's easy for me say from Australia where all my follow ups are covered by our Medicare system.) If you haven't acheived restriction then the band hasn't had a chance to work for you so why not make that your first goal before looking at other surgery>

Good luck moving forward.

Thank you for the reply Sage, I am hoping that I just haven't allowed it to work. I really am praying I can keep up with it and feel the restriction and let the good times roll.

I suppose one thing I am thankful for is I haven't really gained anything from pre-op. . . but maintaining for 3 years is still quite depressing, lol.

Don't get discouraged! The greatest thing about the band is the possibility for adjustment. Now, if you don't have restriction I would honestly just talk to your surgeon. There's no way your band is the size of a pencil if you can eat anything & everything. If your surgeon isn't willing to fill you I would recommend talking to a different surgeon. Getting a 2nd opinion never hurts. And sometimes the surgeon and the patient aren't a good match for each other. I trust you WILL NOT be another statistic! Restriction is needed for success with the band! I know you will achieve it. Do you know how many cc's are in your band, and the maximum amount of cc's allowed?

I agree with Peach ...... it just doesn't sound right. If the opening were the size of a pencil, you could not eat hamburgers and fries. You would not be able to drink with meals. You have never had restriction and, from my experience, this is why you have not reached goal.

Bill, I have what my doctor called the Lap band with plication where a large part of the stomach is pulled over

the band and sutured in place. I had my surgery three weeks ago and haven't been very hungry yet. Maybe

it's something you could look into. It has the advantages of the Lap band and the sleeve and is reversible,

(supposedly).

I would ask that they do a complete de-fill and then re-fill it. It could be that your band has a leak and this whole time there has been little to no saline in your band -happens sometimes.

Thanks for all your replies!

Update: Went in to see my doctor today and he said he wasn't going to fill me any more until I got on track with a solid diet plan (proper portions and such) because apparently no matter how full it is it "won't change the way you eat, you have to make good choices with what you're eating or the band is no good to you". Well to me it was very disappointing because if I was able to maintain a stable diet and control my portions, then why the hell would I have got the lapband done? He wants me back in 6 weeks and he says if I have my diet under control then we can add some more to the band. He also said I had 6 cc's in a 14 cc band and the last time he gave me 1 cc that with 3 cc's I was totally closed. . so there's only 2 cc's of room to play with. My adjustments are made under the xray machine with radio active liquid so I don't think there is a leak. I suppose I still feel some restriction, but not really enough to be satisfied with.

So all in all I'm just on my own here and hopefully can find the motivation through the forums and others to get on track with it and utilize this tool.

Wish me luck, cause I'm gonna need it!

Wow, it's a true shame he didn't give you a fill. Getting to my green zone is the thing that kept me on track. Of course my diet and portions were not proper before my band was properly adjusted. That's how and why I was morbidly obese! Being in the green zone is how I dropped 100 pounds in a year. I didn't have to do all that old fashoned dieting stuff that got me were I was like a big yo-yo.

Congrats on all your success Humming Bird! =) That is most awesome and you're a true inspiration. . . it's stories like that which made me want to go this whole route. . . but it's stories like mine that kept me skeptical. . and I'm really hoping I can get back on track.

I'm very disappointed to not have got a fill. . . I also think if I could get into that "green" zone that I would be able to control what I'm eating better. My doctor is kind of an unsocial unfriendly nut job tho, so perhaps I will seek a different doctor who can help me stay motivated. Anyone know how I would go about switching lapband doctors? I'll probably have to do it within the same facility. Another reason I don't frequent his office is because he is not a very personable doc and it's almost as if he looks at you in disgust. . so it's just a lose/lose situation with him.

BillyBear - My experience is much like yours. I am coming up on my 1 year bandiversary and I've lost a whopping 18 pounds, the majority was lost in the first month.

The only time I felt restriction was right after surgery and ended up having a complete unfill during the healing process. I have had 8 fills since and never again felt restriction. I've been yo-yoing on my food choices, either 110% compliant or as bad as 50/50. Either way the weight does not come off and now I can eat just about anything. I exercise at least 3 times a week of Bikram yoga (which are 90 minute classes of hard core) and play with my family riding bikes, etc.

I'm not happy with my doc either, he's a great surgeon no doubt, but I don't think he's used to people like me. His mantra is "use more calories than you eat and you'll lose weight". Ughhhh, if only it was that simple. I am also looking at getting a second opinion with another practice but still researching reiews and trying to find people in aftercare programs before I make my choice. I want to do the right thing and just don't feel like I can with my surgeon.

I'm very interested in knowing how things go with you and hoping to find support on these boards.

~Amie

Hi Billy - I am going to try and be helpful, but some of it might be a little painful to hear - BUT please bear with me...

Can the band work- sure. Can it work the way you are currently working it - doubtful. I am not going to jump on the "your doctor should be increasing your restriction" band wagon, I don't think he should be at this point. Why??? You haven't shown him that you are following the "rules" to be long term successful with the band. A full band can be cheated on just like one that is only 1/2 full.

Is restriction important - without a doubt. BUT just as important is what we eat, portion size, Water intake, exercise. We don't like to focus on these things.

Remember you shouldn't be viewing the band as a DIET - it is a long term lifestyle change.

Just because you can drink while you eat doesn't mean you should be doing it - but you already know that.

Now that the tough love portion is complete

I would go back to square one - do your liquid diet for a few days - even a week. I found this really helped me lose my CARB cravings.

Then measure your food for a week or so - I had no idea what a serving of anything was suppose to look like - so this really helped. Also during this period, I learned HOW to eat. What I mean by that was - I was an animal - i shoved food in as fast as possible. I took this time to really slow down, taste what I was eating - enjoy the actual taste not just the act of eating.

There was a thread on here "What did you eat today" (or something like that" - I dont know if its still around but I found that really helpful all. It taught me some great food ideas.

I am a realist - you can't be perfect 100% of the time - but 90% of the time make the right food choices - there is a time and a place for a good burger. Well these days I can only really eat 80% of a good burger but still!

You don't say anything about exercise - but find something you enjoy doing and stick with it.

Lastly - the mental part of this VERY hard and mostly over looked (just my 2cents) - you might think about seeing someone to discuss why you continue to self sabotage.

Change is hard - but you can do this!!! And the rewards an amazing!!

Dont give up billy bear! It def takes alot of work and re-training yourself!! I am down 145 pounds and it has not been easy. I def have the full feeling but I didnt get it until about 2 months after my surgery with a fill. So I understand not feeling full, but maintaining what you eat and small portions are def key. I know you can do it! And once you start hitting small goals.you set for yourself.it will be easier to keep on track. I started out at 356, so setting small goals like reaching 325 was one of mine... And once I.got.under 300 there was no.stopping... Im 8 pounds away from.being under 200!!! Trust me keep.focused and the results will be amazing. If you ever.... Ever need someone to talk.to.or keep you on track let me know! Im the sweetest girl... But im strict when I need to.be!