band not working 7 months post op

pjrugby · November 23, 2007

Hi everyone

i haven't been on this site for a while, because i feel disheartened. I am glad for all you guys out there who have found success with your band.. but i have not. and i search for any threads similiar to mine, and i just end up feeling a total failure.. and then i feel very sad.

its 7 months post op.. and its not going well. no restriction post op.. and after 10 days on liquid i managed an egg sandwich very easily.

1st band fill. no restriction

2nd band fill. some restriction but this subsided after 2 weeks.

3 rd band fill.. well i was delighted it seemed to work. restriction and feeling of being full

i have never pb'd and after the 3rd fill if i ate too much it was painful so i i just put my fingers down my throat and it came back up... which was painfree.

however i am now 7 weeks post 3 rd band fill and again the feeling has subsided

all fills have been done under fluoro... and after the 3rd fill the doctor told me the band was full up. and he could not add anymore Fluid or the band would be distorted.

after the 3 rd band fill i was full after about 4 to 5 desert spoons of food. now i can eat double that...!!!!

i am very upset that my band just doesn't seem to work properly

as my fills have been under fluoro I and the doctor can cleary see on the x ray that the band has not dislodged.. the doctor said that my stoma (i think its called that the area which my band covers) was tight after the 2nd fill but by the time of the 3rd it looked loose .. he didn't know why..

my hospital has offered no more support. i have now written them a huge letter asking what they are going to do. because i did have restriction and now it has gone..

help.. i feel more and more fed up each day, i was self funding and this has been a huge waste of money.... any suggestions anyone... ?? any one live near london who has any ideas of anyone i can see (which will be cheap )

the more fed up i get, the more i eat chocolate and rubbish junk food, which slips down so easily.. i still have some restriction with regard to bread.. but can eat a whole slice and a half of bread in one sitting, and i could only eat half a slice 7 weeks ago

i welcome any support and comments.. i would love to come on this site and for once have good news. but i just don't seem to have the same experiences as anyone else

kind regards

Paula

WASaBubbleButt · November 23, 2007

What kind of diet are you eating? What is your exercise routine? Are you doing the solid Protein first, etc? The quantity does not sound all that bad.

Exactly how many cc are in your band and which band do you have?

We can figure this out, you watch. We are pretty good at this.

VegasGrace · November 23, 2007

Boy, I hate that for you...I don't know what I'd do if my band was at maximum adjustment and I hadn't lost a pound.

I just don't know... most people can lose pounds just by cutting back on what they eat. And if you have cut back on what you eat (due to the band) it seems logical that you would have at least lost a pound.

I have cut back dramatically on the quantity of food I eat and I have lost about 1 pound every week or 2.

Good luck and I surely hope they find a leak or something in your band.... at least they could get you to restriction... if you have the smallest band...maybe your band is too large?

sfeiner · November 23, 2007

Are you being careful that you don't drink while eating and wash the food through the banded part into your big stomach? Are you eating Protein first and is your food thick enough to stay in your smaller pouch? And are you avoiding sugar? Remember, we still have to work at this. As everyone keeps reminding everyone else "the band is just a tool. We have to make it work. Best wishes...Sharon

Beka · November 24, 2007

What kind of diet are you eating? What is your exercise routine? Are you doing the solid Protein first, etc? The quantity does not sound all that bad.
Exactly how many cc are in your band and which band do you have?

We can figure this out, you watch. We are pretty good at this.

Oh hun, it sucks that you feel this way! Totally agree with WASa give us all the low down and I am sure that if we all stick our heads together we can work something out. As they say 2 (or more) heads work better than one.

Bex )

chubbydiva · November 24, 2007

Has your doctor ruled out a leak in the band? A slow leak would account for initial fullness and then none. Just a thought.

DonHoll1 · November 24, 2007

We need more info.How much have you lost? What do you eat? Do you exercise? Donna

juliegeraci · November 24, 2007

Paula, you may have lost some of you fill. I would have them remove your fill completely and measure it before refilling. Chances are you have lost some saline . Good luck.

Beverly1010 · November 25, 2007

Paula, I agree with everyone else. When were you banded? How much weight have you lost?? Do you exercise, how much? How many calories a day are you consuming? Do not drink for an hour before and after a meal. Drink lots of Water thru the day. How much Protein are you getting, my doc and dietician wants me to get at least 50. Hang in there!!!!!!!!