2 years NO weight loss:(

 Hello All,

I got my lapband placed on Sept 14.2009 lost 50 pounds..now its back..however I haven't seen much change..I had a fill and it didn't really work for me because i couldn't keep foods down and i was having port pain..and now i'm always hungry..I have an bariatric surgeon but however they dont even follow up with me:( last time i seen him was in November 2010..i currently dont have nothing in the port..but now im at the point i dont find this band useful at all..im ALWAYS hungry..some foods make me vomit..and i dont seem to be losing any weight.. i dont know if my band is working or not..when i last seen the bariatric surgeon i had test done and they said everything look fine..but whats the problem? im not losing no weight and its gonna be exactly 2 years:((

 Bianca:

You need to get back in with your doc, as well as a nutritionist, and find out WHY it's not working.

they dont even follow up with me
i dont know if my band is working or not

One thing about the band, it requires regular maintenence.  Your body changes as you lose or gain weight and your level of restriction will change with it.  I've had numerous fills over the 2 years I've had my band and a couple of slight unfills when things change.  This is not a tool that you set and forget about.  It takes attention over time. 

I have a partnership with my Surgeon and his staff but I've created it.  When I need help, I ask for it.  When I have questions I ask.  I have blood work and an upper GI done every year around my surgery anniversary.  They don't call me, I call them becuase that's how a Dr. /patient relationship works.

If there is a nutritionist in your surgeon's practice.  Call and set up an appointment after you have been assesssed by the surgeon.  After so long I would ask to have your band placement checked, (upper GI or Laproscopy) and your blood work done to check for vitamin deficiencies, etc.  The time I spent with the nutritionist before my surgery was invaluable!  I learned so much about how to live with my new tool as well as how to eat for optimal weight loss and overall health.  I can't imagine what I would have done without that 3 month supervised WL period that was required by my surgeon.

If you band is where it is supposed to be and there are no other issues, work with your Dr. to design a plan that will allow you to recommit to your band and WL goals.

Best~
Lisa O.

You need to see your doctor.  It is each of our jobs to be our own advocate.  If you think something is wrong than you get pushy.  It is our job to seek aftercare.  I don't know of any surgeons that call their patients to remind them of what tests they need to have done and what appointments they need to make.  That is why we get psych evals to make sure we are compitent to take of ourselves and understand that are decsion is a big undertaking. 

But definitely call your doctor and insist on endoscopy to make sure all is well.  Don't let a doctor tell you , you are fine if you think something is wrong.  Are you still in pain?   

 

Lisa and Bette have given you great advice. 

The band needs regular maintenance and finding the right level for restriction can take some time.  Most folks don't get there with one fill and one unfill. 

You need to get back to the surgeon and get into a pattern of regular visits until you know what works for you.  Part of the beauty of the band is that when it is working well, that constant craving should be gone. But we still have to make the right food choices.

Let us know how you make out and what we can do to help.

Judy.... I LOVE "progress not perfection" that is a great little saying.:)

To the original poster....
  Everyone is giving you great advice . . It is not an instant fix for most ppl. It can take some tweaking which can take some time to get the right restriction. The band is fickle too that is why some things go down good and others do not and why some things go down fine one day and not the next. You do really have to WORK your band and be vigilant with after care and maintenance or it will do you no good. The advice to be your own best advocate is the best advice. Get back into that Dr and lay it all out and start new! That is the beauty of the band it is there just waiting for you to use it .:) 

And I love your screen name, Psychomom.  I was a big fan of Married With Children and can still see Al Bundy watching "Psychodad" on TV and singing the jingle.  I hope you have your own jingle to sing along to. 

Use today to start over. Call the Dr and make appt, go in with your list of questions and have them give you advice and help with each issue.  I am sure they can help you figure out what will work best for you.. Keep me posted :) I want to know how you are doing :)

just keep swimming,
Swoosh :)

~i dont know if my band is working or not~

You said you are hungry all the time. Since that is the case............NO..............it is NOT working!

You do however have to do your part and follow up with the Dr. and not leave it up to him to seek you out to take care of the problem. If your Dr. is really that unconcerned though..............u might try a different bariatric surgeon?

Anyway.............also consider the point that the band may never work for you. I got mine just a few mos. after you. I have now had 16 fills and 4 partial unfills and never have appropriate restricion. THE BAND JUST DOES NOT WORK FOR SOME PEOPLE!!!

If you have insurance I would strongly suggest you look into a revision.