Not Happy

I was banded about 7 mos ago in Aug of 2010 and have lost 37lbs so far but I am far from happy about it...

Sure the 37 lbs lost is wonderful and I would never have lost it with out the band but at what cost. I can no longer eat solid foods and if I try I get stuck and vomit at least 2-4 times a day if I even attempt to eat.

I am hungry almost every 1-2 hours because all I can eat is soup or very mushy foods.

I'm sure I need a slight unfill but at this point cant take the time off of work to go to Mexico to get the unfill and dont have the extra money to pay for it so I must suffer through this.

If I had known that I would be living like this I dont know if I would have gotten the band I mean I'm either too tight or have ZERO restriction, I can either eat like a pig or eat next to nothing.

I have fallen into a depression about this and am only trying to find an outlet to vent and get positive feed back, so if your gonna bash me for my feelings please refrain from doing so I need positive comments at this point in my journey since I feel I cant talk to my husband about this because all I'll hear from him is what a waste of money this has been and still is because all I do is vomit food and that in it's self is a waste.

Thanks for the time and all the help

Hugs! I know how u feel. NO happy medium. In 17 mos. I have had 16 fills and 4 partial unfills. I NEVER would have done this had I known what a complete waste of money it would be!!!

My husband is much more supportive though. He paid cash for it. I kept waiting to reach restriction and never did. I have tried very had to diet and lose on my own b/c I didn't want him thinking that he had just thrown $15,000 away (which when u look at it...........he actually did! :-( ). So I didn't tell him that the band was not working till about a yr. later. He has never made me feel bad about throwing all that money away though.

I really wish I could tell you something to make you feel better.............but I'm not feeling better about anything band related after all this time. :-( Just know that I know how u feel.

I'm so sorry that you are having this problem; it sounds horrible.  Have you looked into a doctor in your area that might be able to do an unfill?  For self-pay patients there may be a discount, some doctors do that. 

If you are vomiting a lot, your stomach may be swollen from the trauma. If you haven't already, try to eat liquids for a few days to let it rest then try to eat something light.  There are high protein soft foods that may help you feel fuller longer, such as tofu, refried beans and the like. 

I feel tighter if I haven't drank enough water and there are so many things that effect the restriction that I have, i.e. stress, hydration, time of day, month, lunar cycle...   It can be bipolar at times.

I hope that you are able to find relief soon.  I have been too tight a few times and I know that it is not pleasant.
Good luck,
Christina

You shouldn't be living like that. I also am sure you need an unfill. This is the classic example - can't eat, life is unpleasant, resort to soft foods.

Life must be horrid for you - and being too tight not only does not necessarily mean loss as you are finding) it also threatens the band; it is one of them most common causes of slips.

I am not in the US don't know your system, but my suggestion would be that you find someone to do an unfill. Your risk long term damage if you don't. This needs to be sorted a..s.a.p.. In the long run it is going to cost  more and take you more time if you don't!

My very best wishes!

Sorry you are having a rough time BUT you signed up for this ! The band does not work if you do not work it. Aftercare and maintenence are SUCH a big part of this whole deal . Your band can only work if you work it ! You could look into fill centers in the US to see what they cost and look for a surgeon who woul take you on as a patient.I know this is tough as most do not want to treat a patient they did not operate on. There are those out there who will though. Sounds like you need to get back in to a Dr and make a plan and start over.A slight unfill would make a huge difference for you !

I'm new at this so I don't really have any words of wisdom.  I just wanted to say that I'm so sorry you're suffering.  I hope you can find a way to get relief soon. 

I have not had my band yet, but my sister has had hers a year now.  And I know that her doctor feels hers may have slipped.  So they unfilled her and are letting her stomach rest and she is going to get an upper GI series.  She has vomited a lot, which may be why it slipped. 

Like I said, I can not speak from my own experience, I know this is going to be difficult at times... but I am willing to work it.  I am hoping for you that there is a  doctor in your area that could help.  I do agee about aftercare being a huge part of this.  Through my preop education and seeing my sisters course, you have to follow up.  My understanding is through the follow up and trail and error with eating, you will find what workd for you.  My best to you!

Barb

I'm sorry...it sounds like you are too tight and that is a danger to you.  It is imperative that you see a lap-band surgeon to evaluate your situation and remove some fluid, no matter what the cost.  Being too tight can lead to erosion and that is dangerous.  I am sorry if this scares you, but this is an urgent situation.  There are many on this website in SoCal who can point you in the direction of a reputable lap-band doctor and make you comfortable, so you can eat properly and be safe.

As far as your feelings...you have every right to be upset.  Lap-band requires you to be able to have frequent follow-up and fills/unfills as needed.  It seems that your surgeon's office didn't disclose this too you or you weren't aware of resources that could provide that information.  I would be furious!

Hang in there, stay on the soft/liquids to protect your stomach for now and try to find someone to remove some of your fluid asap.
Let us know what happens...

Steph

I'm sorry you are going through this.. is there a fill center usa in your area I think they will give fills and unfills to anyone.

I hate to point this out but 1. this is why I wouldn't consider having surgery in Mexico though it's cheaper I paid $13,000 out of pocket in the US

2. A band needs regular maintence to be successful... there is times were I get a fill of .5 ccs and then go back in 6 weeks for just .2 and it's just enough.

If you don't have access to getting fills and unfils if you get too tight then the band won't be successful for you bottom line.

I hope you can maybe find a doctor in your area that can help you .. your causing damage to your insides being too tight... you really need to find someone who is willing to take you on as a patient.

(((((((((((((Zeniada)))))))))))))

I'm really sorry you're going through this.  I was banded just the day before you.  You already know what you need to do..and that's get an unfill.  You can't afford it but you can't afford NOT to.
I can relate because we're having a tough time paying off my DH's medical bills from last year and I skipped my last appointment with my doc because I didn't want to add to our pile of medical expenses. However, I was already in a good place,(satisfied for 3-4 hours and losing weight).    If I were suffering in the same way, I would've gone anyway because I don't want to risk losing this tool...or worse, cause irreparable esophageal damage.   THAT would be way more expensive than getting an unfill.

I hope you find a way and feel better soon!