I had my surgery in the summer of 2011. I lost 20 lbs prior to surgery, and only 20 lbs since. I was seeing the nurse practitioner at my surgeons office. She gave me 9 1/2 ccs in my 11 cc band. Whenever I went to see her, she was asking me what was wrong with me, and telling me that she had only known one other person the band did not work for. I was eating well, and exercising, but I could not lose more than 20 lbs. I received a call from someone who had gotten the lap band when I did. She lost much more weight than I did. My friend suggested I make an appt with one of the surgeons in the practice, not the nurse practitioner. I went yesterday, and a doctor gave me a fill of one more cc. She said the next one can be done with an x-ray, just to make sure the band is ok, and fill it as much as possible, without being over filled. I have more restriction today. Sad that I wasted a year and a half, but hopeful that the band will work for me now.

This post felt like something I could have written. I have several banded friends and they were the biggest reason I chose this route. They don't know I've been banded and I feel discouraged that they haven't yet seen the changes in me I've seen. They make comments about 'when you're banded this... that..." and I think I'm a failure. But I'm realizing everyone's journey is different. I still feel like I'm better off having done this. Keep working at it - it'll all work out!

Don't let your friends make you feel that way! Your on your way and this takes time. Your not a failure at all!! Your an amazingly strong woman with a big heart. You'll get there....we can't give up!!