So disappointed

[2muchfun 8,928]

Hope someone from the UK is monitoring this thread so they can cast some light on how this works in your part of the world? Here(U.S.), it's either patient pays, insurance paid or aftercare is all part of the package.

You definitely need a new doctor? You're in the right forum, but the topic headline and initial comments were confusing. Sorry. So, here's what I suggest: Start a new thread in the Lapband support forum. Just click on this link:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/16-general-lap-band-support/ and start a new topic. Maybe the headline should be: Need UK Help Please? The headline may grab someone's attention who may understand your situation better?

All of us here can walk you through how to make this work for you but the aftercare costs and who pays may be beyond our expertise? Hang in there, you can still make this work.

tmf

[Tomander 614]

I agree with what the others said... PLEASE hang in there... the band does work!!!

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

[Delightful Soul 1]

Hi Galaxy,

I just learned about this site today. I, too, had surgery two years ago and decided about six months ago that the band wasn't for me and I asked about having it removed. I was experiencing a lot of discomfort. After having some x-rays and having my fill reduced, it still wasn't working for me so today met again with the surgeon. He wants me to wait a month before making a final decision as he doesn't feel I got the support I should have had (dietician, support groups, etc.).

Like you, I am a grazer and it took me a long time to figure out that the band doesn't work well for people like us. Also, I have an emotional eating issue that affects what, when and why I eat. I made the decision to be banded based on very little research and didn't talk to anyone except for the successful bandsters who were hired by the clinic to sell their services. I don't blame the company or even the procedure as clearly it works well for many people. I'm disappointed as I didn't lose a pound since the day I was banded and will be paying for it over the next three years. Consider yourself lucky if you can get a portion of the fees you paid back. As for the scars, mine are small and will fade but nobody promised I wouldn't have some scarring. I wish you better luck with your weight loss journey.

[B-52 7,113]

It's all about how many calories consumed throughout the day, and calories burned off....

I have a good friend with the lap band for over 5 years now, whose protocol is to eat numerous small meals - Snacks, throughout the day...a nibbler who has put it into some structure...she never sits down to a full meal...but maybe has 5-6 very small meals throughout the day....her total calorie intake is very small, and she exercises everyday, plus works a full time job,

She has had the band longer than I have, and is 100% successful in her weight loss....

The band does work, but it has to get properly adjusted first...and that can take some time...months usually.

The more successful people are those who comply and change themselves to adapt to the demands the band requires....

And then there are those who choose not to change, and in order to keep their old habits/foods, they will come up with different excuses, rationalizations and theories as to why they don't want the band adjusted.....then complain later it does not work, or they have fallen off the wagon and need to get back on track.....when really they won't let the band do it's thing.

It's totally up to you...and no one else can do it for you...it's a free decision.

But the band can, and does work if one wants it to and is willing to make sacrifices, life changes, or they can hold on to the old way of doing things, and stay fat, and unhappy complain all the time.

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

i agree 100% with what B52 wrote here.....it is TRUTH and it is REALITY

**then there are those who choose not to change, and in order to keep their old habits/foods, they will come up with different excuses, rationalizations and theories as to why they don't want the band adjusted.....then complain later it does not work, or they have fallen off the wagon and need to get back on track.....when really they won't let the band do it's thing.**

[ChristineZ 41]

The band is a tool! You have to use it as a tool! I was a emotional eater and ate when I was board. I'm still fighting it! I'm changing! You have to make a life change for the band to work. I had surgery the 11th of April and it's really hard and I go to the gym 3-5 times a week and try to stay active now that it's warmer out. It's a life change not a mirical cure.. It's a long hard road!

[judyblue0125 0]

I had my lap band surgery several years ago..(approx. 5 ) and have not lost more than 20 pounds and I have regretted the surgery from the beginning. I did NOTING but throw up violently for the first couple of years... now, not as often because I hardly ever eat... (and YES, STILL NO weight loss) not sure how its even possible. I have finally gotten insurance about two weeks ago and met with a new surgeon to schedule surgery to have this removed. This was one of the WORST decisions in my life, to have the lap band put in..... I HATE waking up every single morning with this... it's not one food or another that I can just say I won't eat it because it makes me throw up.... because it's not the same food every time... one day I can eat it...the next I can't.. it"s INSANE... because of the lap band I have 2 hernias, lost my two back bottom teeth from throwing up so much, my abdomen hurts all the time and its pushed out and hard, plus I am sick in the stomach all the time... either because I am hungry and I can't eat..or I have eaten ...

I would MUCH RATHER weigh 245 pounds than keep this lap band in !!!!!

My new surgen was kind enough to remove all the Fluid yesterday to try to make me more comfortable until I can get my new insurance to approve the surgery and have it removed..... it has helped a lot already having the Fluid out of the band.

He was talking to me about maybe having the sleeve put in its place... I said..nooooo thank you....

Not sure why this didn't work for me, all I know is ...it DIDN'T....