I was the lapband poster child, I really was. Banded August 2008 and I had amazing success. I got down to a BMI of 21 at my lowest but my 'stable weight' had me at a BMI of 23.

I exercised to lose, and the band helped so much. I ate like a bird, and I felt healthier and happier than I had in years.

But towards the end of 2011, I started feeling like my restriction wasn't there. The same restriction I had enjoyed pretty consistently for almost 3 years. So in Jan 2012, I went to see my dr.

I definitely had lost Fluid out of my band but to be sure he sent me for a bunch of tests. I did not have a slip, I didn't have an erosion. The band was just leaking.

So in March 2012, I got port replacement surgery.

Fast foward a few months. I'm still not 'holding' restriction. I go through a couple of truly terrible over-fill incidents, and we both become convinced my band is not leaking, it's just 'fickle'.

Then in August 2012 or so, he removes all the fluid and oops, I've lost 3cc again. He is confused and says it's rare to happen twice but let's go fix the leak again.

So I have a second op. The ops are tough, I swell like I'm 6 months pregnant for a week. But this time, he says he's checked everything and there is no leak.

He fills me til I have 10cc in a 10cc band and for a few days I am struggling to eat anything. But it doesn't last. A week in, I'm eating bigger meals. A month in, there isn't anything I can't eat.

And since January, I've gained 25lbs.

Because I have work commitments, I don't go back to see him for a few months. By this stage, not being able to fit into any of my clothes, I've started to diet and exercise. It keeps me from gaining anymore, but I'm not losing.

Last Friday I finally went to see him. A different doctor attends to me, and when she withdraws the fluid, I've lost almost 4cc since Sept. My band is leaking. It's still %$@ing leaking!

So here I am nearly 13 months from when it was first discovered that I have a leak, no better off. I'm maintaining my weight at a BMI of 27 with work and discipline, but all I need is one 'bad' day and I gain weight that I then find nearly impossible to get off. I'm not scared of exercise, but if I had any ability to control portions, I wouldn't need the band. I can't eat like a 3yo for the rest of my life without it.

So what now? I don't know. I have to see my surgeon again in a month to talk about my options and I'm not sure what to advocate for. Do I advocate for a sleeve, knowing that it will mean a lot of time off work that I can't afford? Or do I try to fix my band again knowing twice before it didn't work? Or do I just throw up my hands and try this on my own?

My surgeon is determined to fix this. He has never had a patient like me and he doesn't want me to have done all this for nothing. And I don't want it to be for nothing.

So I'm stumped right now and am asking for opinions. Any opinions would be welcome. What would you do if you were me?

Wow, I'm amazed to find others who have experienced the issue of a persistent leak.I have to admit that since I last posted, I've come to the decision to replace my band rather than revise to a sleeve. I have had great success with the band and I know it works for me, when it works, so rather than go the sleeve and develop possible issues, I will stick with the band and the issues I know and can live with already. And to be honest, with the band, there aren't any that I find onerous.

So I'm now scheduled for a full band replacement in 3 weeks, on the 27th April. I saw my dr on Friday and I've lost another 2cc in about 5 weeks so it's going to happen.

I'm actually really excited about it! I can't wait to feel the band working again. I love it when they fill me at my appts and for 2 or three days I lose all desire for food and have zero cravings. Oh how I miss that! Then it disappears and it annoys me no end. I just want it to work again!