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Is The Band Really Failing You, Or Are You Failing The Band?



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I had surgery surgery back in Feb and by May had decided I wanted to switch surgeons for a number of reasons. The first doctor I talked to told me I would have to wait until I was a year post-op. The 2nd doctor I talked to agreed to take me on as a patient, but was a pretty good distance from where I live. The third doctor, my new doctor, also agreed but wanted to look at my band under fluoro when he did my first fill so he knew what he was dealing with being that he was not the one who did my surgery.

I dreaded switching because I had read so many horror stories, but the process was actually fairly simple. Best of Luck!

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I had surgery surgery back in Feb and by May had decided I wanted to switch surgeons for a number of reasons. The first doctor I talked to told me I would have to wait until I was a year post-op. The 2nd doctor I talked to agreed to take me on as a patient, but was a pretty good distance from where I live. The third doctor, my new doctor, also agreed but wanted to look at my band under fluoro when he did my first fill so he knew what he was dealing with being that he was not the one who did my surgery.

I dreaded switching because I had read so many horror stories, but the process was actually fairly simple. Best of Luck!

I am just now running into this same situation and I hope I can find a new doc. I really respected my old doc but he is no longer doing the band and wants his patients to see a new partner. If I have to change docs anyway I would rather see someone closer than he.

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17 months post op......and i am def working my band for best results..

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Pitfalls can occur to many of us. All we have to do is to try and succeed. The stated facts are wriiten, continue eating wrong foods, gain the weight, lose good health and lifestyle changes, then you die.

Try and jumpstart your life by eating porper foods and in smaller quanities. Follow your doctors/dietitian orders. The studies are out there for all to read. YES, it's hard work on our part, but YOU are the only one that can make it work.

Best wishes and Keep the Faith.

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I'm doing well since switching surgeons last Tuesday.

They scheduled me for a fluoro first thing. It showed all was well with my band and also that I didn't have much restriction.

Then I saw a PA that took my vitals .

Then I saw a nutrionist, that talked to me and gave me her myfitnesspal user name so that she can follow me. I don't really like having to remember what I ate & logging in but I will start doing it because I have to be completely different than before cause that wasn't working for me.

Then I saw my new Dr. Who reviewed everything and decided to give me a fill. I have restriction now. I was a little worried at first because I could barely eat up until yesterday I was eating broth & Greek yogurt. I was able to eat about 3/4 cup of chili I made today but slowly to give each bite time to chew and go down.

I'm hoping that I'm at my sweet spot & that my band will loosen up just a bit.

I've lost 5 lbs since last Tuesday.

Overall, I'm happy . Woo hoo!!

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food addiction is a sickness no different then alcoholism or drug addiction or being bulimic or anorexic! And I'm sure there are people who have the band that are suffering with food addictions. I was one of those with a food addiction but the lapband helped me be satisfied with good foods and small portions for a long time and I lost a lot of weight. Well I am up to 8cc of fill and I can say I cannot lose anymore weight and I have exercised and ate only Protein and veggies for months and months and everyday I fight because I am never full or satisfied. I wake up hungry and go to bed hungry so what do you say to someone who follows all the rules and struggles because the lapband has not helped to keep them full or satisfied. My doctor states I should be able to go 4 hours and not be hungry because the food goes in your stomach and stays in the area where the hormones tell the brain I'm full now I don't need anymore. Well those hormones are not working in me. I struggle everyday since I've had my band. Watching the clock for my next Protein and veggie meal. Any thoughts on whether the band is not working, My doctor says I should not need a fill with 8cc's in there.

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food addiction is a sickness no different then alcoholism or drug addiction or being bulimic or anorexic! And I'm sure there are people who have the band that are suffering with food addictions. I was one of those with a food addiction but the lapband helped me be satisfied with good foods and small portions for a long time and I lost a lot of weight. Well I am up to 8cc of fill and I can say I cannot lose anymore weight and I have exercised and ate only Protein and veggies for months and months and everyday I fight because I am never full or satisfied. I wake up hungry and go to bed hungry so what do you say to someone who follows all the rules and struggles because the lapband has not helped to keep them full or satisfied. My doctor states I should be able to go 4 hours and not be hungry because the food goes in your stomach and stays in the area where the hormones tell the brain I'm full now I don't need anymore. Well those hormones are not working in me. I struggle everyday since I've had my band. Watching the clock for my next Protein and veggie meal. Any thoughts on whether the band is not working, My doctor says I should not need a fill with 8cc's in there.

I'm not a doctor so I can't say for sure if you're band is working or not. I do know that it shouldn't matter if you have 8cc in your band or not. If it's not too tight and your hunger clearly isn't controlled, you need another fill.

I would talk to your doctor. It sounds like your band isn't working because it's not filled enough for your anatomy.

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Actually, I think that any device that only allows you to eat a bite that is the size of a grain of rice IS failing you. That is simply ridiculous and no way to live.

if you think that way the band is not a good choice for you. Thankfully we all have choices... I chose to eat small bites which are bigger the the size of grain and be a size 4/6... some others might choose to lose weight without help and that's great... I couldn't do that... I tried for years and years so the band was a perfect option for me and I'm willing to accept whatever sacrifice is necessary. 3 years out and I don't regret my decision and live a normal existence

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if you think that way the band is not a good choice for you. Thankfully we all have choices... I chose to eat small bites which are bigger the the size of grain and be a size 4/6... some others might choose to lose weight without help and that's great... I couldn't do that... I tried for years and years so the band was a perfect option for me and I'm willing to accept whatever sacrifice is necessary. 3 years out and I don't regret my decision and live a normal existence

i eat nothing resembling a grain of rice like floridas.....

obviously another person who has no idea how the band works...or what it does or even is..

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I'm going to get a fill on December 4th. Called the doctor and she's not happy about it but its my choice. I need this!

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. summerseeker

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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