Hello. My name is Jenny and I have posted on here around the time of my surgery back in August of 2010. I'm not really sure where to post this but I'm guessing that the "General Lap Band Support is the right place because I do need support but I also want to share my story.

I was banded on August 24, 2010 by Dr. Luis Reyes. On my pre-op diet I had lost around 10 pounds and on the day of my surgery I weighed 220 pounds. I recovered quickly and an appointment was set up to see Dr. Reyes in 1 week's time after my surgery. During that first week I drank nothing but pain medication in liquid form, chicken broth, and Water and could only drink all these liquids from a 30 ml medicine cup and it would take me about 45 minutes to get it down. I thought all this would surely drop a few pounds and it did. I went from 220 pounds to 217 pounds in about 3 days, but when the 7 days were up and I was set to go to my appointment I was 224 pounds. While in the doctor's lobby there were other patient's that either had lap band or gastric bypass and they were all excited and I found out that they were also there for their 1 week check in and they were all on cloud 9 saying "I already lost 10 pounds. I have lost 15 pounds. I have lost 20 pounds in a week!" some of these were lap band patients saying this. They seemed so ecstatic about the weight loss and I was happy for them but then I thought about my reality of gaining 7 pounds when these people had lost all this weight in 1 week after surgery. I got called in and was weighed and I was so embarrassed when I saw 224 pounds and I had to fight to keep the tears in. I was sent to a waiting room and when Dr. Reyes came in he discussed my weight and I guess at this point he mentally pinned me as a patient that was going to be noncompliant with the surgery's rules and the diet.

He regarded me with suspicion because of my weight gain and I told him I was doing everything the rules stated and he told me that the gain was probably due to swelling. I went on my way and made an appointment to return in 1 month. In the middle of that month I was given the thumbs up to start exercising lightly so I chose Walking off the Pounds with Leslie Sansone and did it about 4 days a week for 40 minutes. I was still in the stage 1 of the eating menu and was slowly making my way to stage 2 and was feeling good. I got down to 212 and I surprised that I had because I was also in the middle of finishing up my last year of nursing school and it was pretty hectic. I was so excited that I was 212 because it was the first time I had hit that number in about 12 years.....but it didn't last. I kept with the same exercise regimen and transitioned fully to mushy food when I got the okay to do so by the doctor's office and the weight began to stagnate at 212 pounds and then slowly crept up all the way up to 224 pounds again. By the time my 1 month appointment came around I was furious and annoyed by all the happy people in the lobby proclaiming that they lost this amount of weight and that amount of weight. I was almost in tears when I saw the 224 pounds on the scale and thought "don't cry. the doctor will know what is wrong with me. he'll know why I'm not losing weight." I had my mother with me at the time and even she wanted to cry because of the anguish I was going through and she was also frustrated that the weight loss was not happening.

The doctor came in and shook our hands and asked me how everything was going and I blurted out. "I don't know what's happening. I don't think it's working" and I think he took it as a personal attack on him and his work which I didn't mean it to be. It was out of my desperation. I told him what had been happening. That I got down to 212 then all of a sudden I was 224 despite the dieting and despite the exercise. He proceeded to cut me off mid sentence and told me "It's your fault. You must not be following rules. You have to change your eating habits or it's not going to work." and I furrowed my brow in disbelief and just stared at him and finally said, "No. I'm following the rules. I'm eating nothing but liquids and soft mushy foods. I stop when I get full. I try everyday to get in 60 oz of water a day. I'm exercising as much as my surgery allows me to at this moment. I'm following the rules but I keep on gaining!" He talked over me and told me, "Stop drinking the sugary drinks. Stop eating the candy. Stop drinking the cokes. Stop eating the chips. Stop eating the pizza because this is why you're gaining."

And I looked at my mother for help because there was no point in telling him again that he must be talking to the wrong person because I am not cheating and I'm following the rules that he set for me. My mother told him "Look doctor. Before she had the surgery and when she was little I let her eat whatever she wanted, but this surgery was big and I don't think she would throw this all away to cheat. I live with her. When she's cooking her food I'm there in the kitchen as well cooking for the rest of the family. I watch her. She does not cheat because we both want this to work." and it was the God honest truth. I wasn't cheating. I did have cravings when she was cooking for other people I would resist tasting and leave the kitchen immediately and would be successful in doing so. So he told my mother "Does she have her own room?" my mother said yes. "Does she go to sleep after you go to sleep or does she stay up late?" and my mom said she stays up as long as she wants to stay up. And mind you I'm 26 years old and a nurse and he still treated me as if I was a child. then he told my mother "well, ma'am. that's it. there's the problem. She's sneaking in food late at night while everyone else is asleep. The candy, the Cookies, the sodas." At that point, I zoned out and was unresponsive to anything else he said after that. I hated him for accusing me of behaviors that I was not exhibiting.

After that he decided that what I needed was a fill. It was my first fill and he told me I have a 7 cc band and he put 2 CCs in that day. He made me left my own feet so band can protrude out making it easy for him to eye the port underneath my skin. It was hard holding up my legs especially as an obese person. He saw me struggle. Then he poke and prodded me with the needle and hurt my with each stick. and that was that. He sent me out, I went home, drank some Powerade, couldn't keep it down, couldn't keep my own saliva down, and ended up having to have a cup with me for more than 24 hours to puke my bile into. I called the office and told them that I needed an unfill and they told me I couldn't come in right away that I had to wait til 2 pm and I had called around 10 am. I was miserable. I went in and they weight me again after a day and I had gone down to 217 pounds and the lady that weighed me was all "OMG! 2 pounds in 1 day! that is awesome!!" if only she knew the hell I was going through in that 1 day. I was told that Dr. Reyes wasn't in because he was busy at the hospital and I would have to see his colleague Dr. Garza. When I began talking to Dr. Garza. He actually sat there and listened to me and didn't interrupt me while I was talking. I told him that it wasn't working and that I was having more difficulty trying to lose weight than when I was trying to lose it on my own without the lap band. I told him I was following at the rules and he told me "well, it's different for everyone. but I don't want you to give up. Keep trying and if nothing helps then come in and we'll try to figure out what's wrong." So then he got me ready to removed 1/2 cc from my band and he actually had one of the ladies come in and hold up my feet for me which was so much more comfortable and when he stuck me with the needle his hand was steady and gentle and it didn't hurt. But what surprised me the most was how after I got unfilled he sat me down and gave me a a tiny cup of water and told me to take my time drinking it and if it goes down without any complications I was free to go and if it didn't then I'll come back in and I'll readjust you again. I wanted to cry because Dr. Reyes didn't even care enough to do this for me. He just told me bye without testing if I could drink and keep down the liquids after having my band filled. So I went home and I could drink and eat but less which was how the band is supposed to work. I lost about 2 pounds and ended up going back to see Dr. Reyes.

He told me he didn't know what was going on but not to blame the lap band because it's the patient's job to to work with it. So I went to my main doctor and there was this new PA there and she diagnosed me with hypothyrodism because of my symptoms of not being able to lose weight and stuff and I went back to Dr. Reyes and told him I had hypothyroidism and I guess to him this was the reason I wasn't losing weight and he seemed to become nicer after I told him that. So then the PA calls me to tell me to buy some potassium pills to take with the thyroid medication she gave me and I did because I finally thought that the reason for not being able to lose weight was finally revealed. A couple of days later my doctor called me and told me to come in and when I did he told me that he had fired the PA because she was diagnosing multiple people with diseases they didn't even have and prescribing medications for these "diseases" so he told me that I don't even have hypothyroidism and told me to stop taking the pills that the PA gave me. So I was at square 1 again. Around this time my enthusiasm started to dwindle. I didn't care about losing the weight anymore. I didn't care about exercising. I didn't care what I ate. I thought what for? I'm a failure. I've been doing everything right. I followed the rules and maybe it just wasn't meant to be. I stopped going to Dr. Reyes' office and now weigh 230 pounds and have weighed this much for months. I recently went to the my main doctor for a 3 month check up and saw my weight at it was 232 pounds and something just clicked...that I need to continue losing weight and get rid of all the negativity and let go of the past. There was a time when I thought of revision to gastric bypass or gastric sleeve but I don't think that I could do this all over again.

So, I'm trying to become more positive and I feel like this is my time to really lose the weight this time. Without the band. The band means nothing to me anymore. And one day I want it removed. I'm not focused on it anymore. I'm just focused on eating healthy and exercising. I'm currently doing the 17 day diet by Dr. Moreno and doing turbo jam and/or zumba 6 days a week and I have lost 10 pounds so far and contribute nothing to band anymore. It's all me! and will only be me.

I would still like to come here on these boards for support on my weight loss journey though. I find that music really helps in situations and I just wanted to share a song that resonates with me and relates to my lap band situation with my doctor and everything and wanted to share it here. You can look for it on youtube. It's Called Monarch by Natalie Walker.

Thank you, Polly (aspiring evangelist)

I am alot of things but a mean thin girl and pompous I am not. I am sorry you took it that way. But I don't sugar coat it and I have been around long enough to know that when my dr told me the band will do 70% of the work he means that when properly restricted the band can prevent over eating but it cannot stop you from eating the wrong things or eating too much of the wrong things too often he was right.

Since you didn't state the calories or tracking methods you used I had no idea you were doing that. Your post did come off as being angry at the world and this must be everything or everyone's fault. If you didnt mean it you should try to convey your feelings more accurately as unfortunately we can only read what you write.

In the 4th paragraph of your original post you specifically said I stop eating when I am full. I was saying that we shouldn't eat until we are full. We should eat until we are satisfied.

When you post on a forum such as this you will get people who coddle, who stroke and people like me who cannot under stand how if you ate 900 calories you didn't lose weight. But since you say that's what you did I believe you must have an underlying medical reason for not losing weight because the math doesn't add up.

If you feel you need a new dr then by all means get one who specializes in the band and had a good staff who will give you step by step instructions. Mine did and I couldn't have done it without him.

As far as my success..... I am damn proud of it and the point is if I can lose it...anyone can. The amount I needed to lose was huge... But no matter how much one has to lose.... had it not worked after 3 or 6 months I would have turned every stone to find out why. It just didn't seem like you did that. If I misunderstood then I regret that but I still would tell you to channell your energies into finding out why instead of resigning to the fact that the band failed you.

Thank you, Polly (aspiring evangelist)

NO religious affiliation! "Aspiring Evangelist" is a name LBT gives to mass poster's.

I gotta back up Floridays and marfar here. If you're looking to be baby'd and coddled, this is the place to come. It's also the place to come to if you want or don't want the hard truth.

I lost 12 lbs the first 2 weeks and then nothing for nearly 4 months. I didn't throw in the towel. If you're looking for consoling for giving up after 3 short months, I can't help you. Sounds to me like you're looking for consoling or affirmation that giving up was the right path?

And it aint being mean Cheri. Enabling someone can also be mean. We all have different paths here and we all advise and support differently. That's why this is such a great forum.

tmf

NO religious affiliation! "Aspiring Evangelist" is a name LBT gives to mass poster's.

You know you can change that if you want to on your profile...not sure where exactly but I managed to find it one day... Just in case you wondered.

FLORIDAYS demeanor was heavy. Maybe this ONE time, womanofa1000secrets needed an ear, support. FLORIDAYS can be harsh but she's almost always right. Her approach is just not for everyone. Nevertheless, I look to her for advice.

FLORIDAYS demeanor was heavy. Maybe this ONE time, womanofa1000secrets needed an ear, support. FLORIDAYS can be harsh but she's almost always right. Her approach is just not for everyone. Nevertheless, I look to her for advice.

. That's the beauty of a public forum.... If you throw it out there ... You will get lots of different styles and hopefully one will fit yours.

So now I may need to start my own support thread as I have been called harsh, mean and pompous.... Hmmm maybe I need to just go to bed.

But I think you're keen, FLORIDAYS! :wub:

True, the forum brings many styles of poster's but it also brings many different styles of listeners!

Don't give up.. find out everything you can about what is going on with you. Just very odd and you need to absolutely address it.. which you have.. grab the bull by the balls!

Floriday's is straight forward and will say what she thinks, it is her way of helping and isn't meant to be mean or insensitive. She gives information to try to help.. don't take offense hun..

I can only imagine how fustrating it must be to not lose weight after being excited.. pumped going into this. We all face mountains from time to time, climb it, and you will get there. I know you have been doing what you are suppose to be doing, there is something Clearly wrong.. talk to dr's and get 2nd and 3rd opinions if need be. Anything.. but don't give up.!

Good luck to you.. and if you need someone to talk to.. message me anytime. *hugs*!

~kayna

Thank you kayna

I think there are different ways to say things. It just seemed a little mean FLORIDAYS . . . hey look at your weightloss, you DO seem to know how to work with the Band. Congratulations on your weightloss it is GREAT!. And I take back my mean remark now since I reread everything.

Sometimes we need a "nice understanding" post and some with "lots of advice" and of course the "Kick in the Butt". I have needed the "kick in the butt" many times.myself, I have also given the "kick in the butt" reply to others.

I am not enabler, I just felt a connection with her words. Sometimes we need to be welcomed in before we get the kick in the butt. I did not baby her I told true facts. She was angry at a lot of people including herself, no Doctor should talk that way, unless they were sitting at the next table by you at pizza Hut and watched you down a whole pizza. I would not put up with an unprofessional Dr. I would leave. After the past 3 years being banded and on the message board. I have seen a lot of people that were treated that way and thought it was normal.

My Dr saw all his LapBanders and did their fills himself not a nurse or PA. He was ALWAYS respectful and nice and very encouraging. Wish everyone had that. We should all be nice and help each other. With written words it is hard to know the what the same words spoken would sound like.

cheri

NO religious affiliation! "Aspiring Evangelist" is a name LBT gives to mass poster's.

Polly, after you hit 500 post you can change the name to whatever you want, through my settings in profile. J/S

I agree, find a new doctor! Don't let yourself be miserable just because your doctor was an unsupportive jerk. I drive almost 2 hours each way to see a good doctor and I can tell you, it makes all the difference in the world. A good doctor is concerned about his/her outcomes and wants to see the patients succeed and will work with you to help you through any issues you have. Good luck to you!

Just because a person or people loose weight with lapband, does not mean everyone can or that anyone can do it. There are medical reasons that can make this tool not work at its best. I know some insurences and some doctors make sure you go through a lot of medical testing pre surgery to make sure it is safe for you. I hope your doctor did this. Do you think you have a true medical problem causing you to gain weight? If so, try and narrow it down and go to that specialist. An ob, a gastro doctor....whatever area of your body does not seem to be working, see that specialist. Knowledge is power. If it turns out you do not have a medical problem that needs attention, then find a great nutritionist or therapist to help you through this. Do not give up on yourself. Follow the rules and see the doctors. and write a letter to the dr who said you are eating in your room at midnight and let him know how that made you feel. Then move on past him. Write a thank you note to the other doctor who was kind and considerate. Good luck with your journey.

I too have had a lot of struggles with my band. I'm struggling with the same weight for the last month ir so. I have had some weight loss, but lately I haven't. Honestly, I want to be thin bad, but I wonder how bad. When I'm emotional, I struggle with making the right food choices. I work out. I have been trying to find more intense work outs, because I need to burn more than I eat as suggested. I've got to do better. I enjoyed reading everyones response. I'm just trying to stay connected to get back on track and stay there.