need advise please

hello i had lapband in 2004 and havent had any fills yet. I weighed 345 at surgery and now I weigh 357. I was told by a different Dr I saw that he would have never used that small of a band on someone my size and now that im even bigger Im worried what might be happening to my band and stomach. I am in such a BADDDDD financial situation it will be after feb 2007 before i can even think of starting my fills. I won the surgery so I have no insurance and no money to go on with my surgery its like having a brand new car but cant afford the gas to get to where I need to be. I want advise as to if i ought to be taking diet pills to help me with appitite controll. I can and sometimes do or am able to eat a whole foot long sub from subway in 1 sitting and then there are times I cant even eat a whole regular home made sandwich why do I have such a variation in my eatting ability? what can I do to controll my appitite? I also suffer from sever depression and cant get meication for that beings i have no insurance and no money to even go see a dr. I feel like im stuck between a rock and a hard place. My fills are 150.00 but I BADLY need a floro to just check out the band esp with the time gone by and the weright gain but they said that would be 300-600$ which I dont have. sounds like pennys and feels like millions. i am going to go see dr cywes in jacksonville fl after the first of the year and hopefully get my life on track but would appreciate any feedback my peers have for me. Thanks alot china

China, your profiles not filled in as to understanding your weight gain instead of losing. Have you've been measuring your intake meals to 3.5 ounces. That's why I went with RNY instead of Lap Band, it's to easy to cheat the Band. Have you've asked your original surgon if possibly they'd continue helping you with a fill or two since you've hadn't had any? And are you attending any Support Meetings? Those who attend are the most successful. This is just a Tool to help you. Not a Quick Weight Loss system. You need further training and may even need to go to a Psych Doctor to help you get in control. I am not a Doctor so I can only suggest going to your surgeon an pleading for help as you state you can't afford it. Try following the Plan more closely such as in he "Weight Loss Surgeries for Dummies" book. Good Luck Mike

The band is a wonderful wl tool, but it only works if you have fills to achieve the restriction necessary to curb your appetite. Two years with no fills is just like never having the band placed at all. Call a good bariatric surgeon and explain your situation. Perhaps they will let you make payments or at least give you a free fill. This battle is your to win or lose. I understand that money is an issue, but taking no action to achieve fills for 2 years is a real pity. Good luck.

China- I am so sorry to hear about your situation, and while it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel, I think the others who have posted had good suggestions. TRY to find a sympathetic Dr to help. You may want to try one at a teaching hospital that may have some people who need experience to do a fill or two. While I am not advocating someone using you as a guinea pig, it may be a good answer if they are being observed by an experienced Band Dr??? As far as the gaining issue, TRY, TRY, TRY to eat less and eat properly like a bandster. Measure out your portions and you will begin to feel more in control of the situation as you find out what works for you. Also, get out and get moving! Walk as often as possible- it will help you stay busy, get exercise and burn calories, but it will also give you a boost from the depression. I know it is hard to stay motivated, but just remember that the band is there to help you, and while you are saving for a fill, you CAN be doing something to help yourself! Now, pick yourself up, and dust yourself off, and know that we are all pulling for you! ((((HUG))))

China - just wanted to offer my support to you that u will find a resolution. It is very hard to do without insurance or money but you will need to control your portion size even though you can eat a whole foot long sub...this is one of the reasons I didn't do the band...I knew I would be non-compliant and not work the tool..and even though it happens with the rny - that's when the "punishment" comes in and brings me back to where I should be. I wish you the best in your journey!

China Rose, Have you spoken to Dr. Cywes? Has he agreed to take you as his patient? He is a good and kind man. Could you maybe open a medical charge account I think they are available through Dr. C's office and many others. Also I have heard that Capital One has a medical credit card that charges no or little interest. I'm just thinking that yes you probably do need a flouro to check out the condition of your band and your pouch since you have not been followed by a physician for a long time and never had a fill. Maybe you could check into one of these alternate forms of payment and pay a program fee to be followed from now on by a good reputable surgeon. I would not go to just anyone. I do know how great Dr. C is because I know many of his pts. and they all LOVE him and his work. You have to do something to start making use of this great tool that you have been given. The sooner the better! Wish you the best ! Let us know how it goes. Kat