lap band failure

clevername · 06-29-2008, 01:04 AM

I was banded in March of 2007. I lost 22 pounds and have been gaining slowly since. I haven't felt significant restriction and I have felt hunger from the beginning. I have an appointment for a fill this week, but am considering giving up on the whole thing!

Mrs J.J · 06-29-2008, 01:43 AM

Don´t give up, you have the perfect tool to help you loose the weight you need to loose. Speak to your Doc when you go for your filling, and in the mean time eat as fat free as possible.

Stay on track, this is your life you are wanting to give up on.

HUGS!

smsmithart · 06-29-2008, 01:51 AM

i have only lost 15lbs and i was banded in feb 08
and every lb was a struggle but i kno i have to work out or i dont lose..so i drag my lazy ass to the gym 5 days a week and the weight is coming off.my main problem is that i binge at night.im still hungry too but the working out is really helping im losing inches

WASaBubbleButt · 06-29-2008, 04:52 AM

The head stuff is the hardest part of banding IMHO. Binging, head hunger, boredom. Once you start really focusing on that and finding what works for you, you can then begin to work with the band.

There is a set of stages most folks seem to go through and one is fighting their band. When you get to the point that you realize this the WLS journey becomes a lot easier. It is a thing most of us go through.

The band can work but it won't work if you don't get the fills and follow up care. It won't work if you don't deal with head issues including head hunger.

I still have days where I open the frig 20x and I still have to stop and think... am I really hungry or do I just want to eat?

If I want to binge, I do. But today those days are few and far between and I binge on things I can eat as much of as I want. Veggies. Steamed veggies to be exact. But that is something that comes with time and a lifestyle change. I used to binge on Chocolate and burgers. It takes time but really, it does happen.

Mrs J.J · 06-29-2008, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WASaBubbleButt

There is a set of stages most folks seem to go through and one is fighting their band. When you get to the point that you realize this the WLS journey becomes a lot easier. It is a thing most of us go through.

Excuse my ignorance, what does WLS stand for?

MicheleK · 06-29-2008, 05:34 AM

WLS = weight loss surgery

WASaBubbleButt · 06-29-2008, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs J.J

Excuse my ignorance, what does WLS stand for?

MicheleK is correct, WLS is Weight Loss Surgery.

Here is my OH blog, it kinda explains some of the stages:

ObesityHelp - Gastric Bypass, LAP-BAND

Or, this and click on Feb/08:

MidwesternGirl's Profile

auntlucy · 06-29-2008, 08:16 AM

Don't give up! You are not a failure, and neither is your band. Remember that the band is not a magic wand that miraculously transforms you. It requires a lot of hard work. That hard work includes working to get the right level of restriction. Speak openly with your doctor about your concerns. Hang in there and remember why you had the surgery in the first place. You can do this!

AshleyRN · 06-29-2008, 08:53 AM

Don't give up! You can do it! All you need a little more restriction probably. Once you find the right fill, you'll be glad you didn't give up!

**Iluvharleys** · 06-29-2008, 08:56 AM

Until you get to the proper restriction, it is really tough. You need to tell your doctor you don't have much restriction and need a fill. It took me 6 fills to hit the proper restriction for me, while others get it in one. Hang in there and see what happens.

iluvlongnecks · 06-29-2008, 11:27 AM

You all give me hope!! I was banded in April and have only lost 31 lbs and then gained back a couple, 19 of those lbs were before the surgery. So you can see why I'm a bit frustrated too!

I have had only 1 fill with only 1cc and go back July 11th for another 1cc.My dr only does 1cc at a time.

.So I guess it will be awhile before I feel any restriction or get to where you all call my sweet spot......UGH!!! Mean time I just joined a gym and am trying hard to lose more lbs.........I feel like I'm doing this on my own and that I don't even have a band except for the fact that I have chew real well or I have food get stuck.

Thanks to all of you for the words of encouragment.......people like us need to hear it's going to get better!

asnewme1 · 06-29-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iluvlongnecks

You all give me hope!! I was banded in April and have only lost 31 lbs and then gained back a couple, 19 of those lbs were before the surgery. So you can see why I'm a bit frustrated too!

I have had only 1 fill with only 1cc and go back July 11th for another 1cc.My dr only does 1cc at a time.

.So I guess it will be awhile before I feel any restriction or get to where you all call my sweet spot......UGH!!! Mean time I just joined a gym and am trying hard to lose more lbs.........I feel like I'm doing this on my own and that I don't even have a band except for the fact that I have chew real well or I have food get stuck.

Thanks to all of you for the words of encouragment.......people like us need to hear it's going to get better!

One cc seems mighty slow to me. What doctor are you using? Can you speak with another one who might do more than 1 cc at a time? Where do you live

kgloverii · 06-29-2008, 04:02 PM

To all of those experiencing frustration, DO NOT GIVE UP. The surgery is only a small part of the journey. The follow-up and consistent dialogue with your doctor afterwards is what will make this surgery successful. I PROMISE. A lot of people don't invest the time into the aftercare visits. If you are not losing 1 pound per week, allowing for an occasional plateau, you need to call your doc for a consult and possible fill or unfill. I cannot stress enough that proper fill schedules are the most important.

As for those people with docs who are being ultra-conservative, I would as a) WHY are the being so conservative, and B) make sure you are getting in for a fill with them as OFTEN AS POSSIBLE until you get to the sweet spot. I am a girl who HAS the sweet spot and I can't say it enough... it is BAND HEAVEN. Don't give up till you get there...

Friend2U · 06-29-2008, 04:15 PM

I did the same thing. Keep going back for more fills until you reach the restriction that YOU need. It is different for everyone.

HANG IN THERE!!!!

Hugs,
Friend

Jachut · 06-29-2008, 05:17 PM

Start today, right now.

what are your daily habits? Do you exercise, are you trying to watch what you eat as well as how much?

It could be as simple as needing more fill, till then, you do have to sometimes struggle with the hunger. But you know, with a band, all those dieting "tactics" we all did so secretively actually work. Eat an apple before your meal. Fill your plate with loads of steamed veges. Fill your stomach with low calorie, low fat stuff like that (as well as your protein) before you even think about the sweet stuff or the chips or whatever. Dont drink calories.

Whether your band is working to its optimal capacity or not, you have to fight those things. I have to, you have to, we all do.

It can take several fills before it really becomes easier, so do hang in there. The band isnt magic and people are OFTEN surprised at how mcuh work they have to put into it. Most of us are in that stage of just wanting to hand over responsibility when we turn up for that first surgeon's appointment. We wouldnt be human if we didnt secretly think the band was going to make it really really easy. It doesnt but it becomes a hard that we CAN do and as you get to a better level of restriction with more fills it does become more automatic. After about a year too, I found my habits and tastes had changed.

You must exercise too though if you're not already.