Hey everyone- explanation

Its been such a long time since I've been on here. I've missed everyone and everyone's posts.
Sooooo to explain my absence.
In a simple explanation. I've been struggling with my weight loss. I haven't been losing steady at all. I've been around 277lbs since November and they weight does not want to come off. Right now I have about 1 cc fluid in my band and for me that doesn't do much. Before I had 2cc's and that was a good spot for me but I wanted my band to be tighter so around  October i went to my doc and he put in 1.5 cc I believe and it was way to tight so I wasn't able to keep anything down  liquids included. So i went back and they took out what they put in. I was fine for a few weeks then I slowly i was taking in lower and lower food portions then I wasn't able to eat at all then the same with liquids I was getting less and less in till I couldn't keep anything in. Dumb me didn't want to go to the doc because I was losing weight. I know, I know it was really stupid and dangerous. I finally told my mom and we went to the doc for an emergency appointment. I was badly dehydrated and they wanted to send me to the er. I'm not partial to needles so I promised once they took out all my fluids i would drink, drink, drink. And I did but that rapid weight loss I had came right back very quickly. So from mid November until the end of December I had no fluid in my band and my weight got up to 282. Now I've lost about 5lbs since the end of December but I'm not happy about it. I slowly stopped coming on the boards. I'm embarrassed to say that I'm jealous of every ones success and I couldn't read how well everyone was doing. That's not to say I'm not happy for everyone because I am. But I want that. My 1year surgery anniversary was 2 weeks ago. I've lost 59lbs since I had surgery. I know its better than some have done. I met a girl at the last OH conference who had the lap band and was over a year out (in September) and she had only lost 20lbs. But I was hoping I could do better than 59lbs. I wouldn't give back those 59lbs for anything and I could never regret having the surgery but sometimes I just get sad when I think about how much I've lost. It makes me feel like a disappointment especially to the people who got me here. Like RYD and Monica. My mom because she spent a lot of money on this for me and when she asks me if I've lost any weight and I cant tell her I have it kind of makes me want to cry. I hate going around my moms friends who know I've had surgery and have been my cheerleaders for years and I cant accept their compliments.

OK OK so my supposed to be explanation turned its diarrhea of the mouth. Sorry about that.

Corina {{{hugz}}},
You are not a disappointment to anyone on this board! 59 pounds in a year is a success story. Maybe more successful than some and not as successful as others, so what...you are unique. You cannot judge your  weight-loss  according to what others have or haven't lost!

You need support from the sounds of things! Come here and ask for support if you need it! You are not in this alone! There are others struggling just like you. I am 4 1/2 years out from RNY, I am struggling! Not real knowledgeable on LapBand stuff, but I am here if you need a shoulder!

Good Luck and don't be a stranger!

hugz,
Gina L

Thank you Gina.

Since your entire fill was removed, it's gonna be like starting over. Your doc might need to adjust your band in smaller increments.  Sometimes 0.1cc will make a difference.  The hardest thing is to come here when you need it the most.  We UNDERSTAND and will be there for you.  Weight loss with bands are slower and until you reach the "sweet spot" you're going to struggle.  My suggestion would be to set up an appt with your doc and come up with a plan for fills.  Hang in there and keep checking in and letting us know how you're doing.

 Corina.....we have MISSED YOU !!!!  Listen...you are a teenager !!!   That alone is hard much less trying to deal with fills and all.    I know lots of adults who have lap band who aren't successful either so please don't beat  yourself up.   Have you thought about going to Weigh****chers???  I know lots of banders who do WW to keep them on track and give them the much needed support that they have to have.   Maybe you could look into that or Overeaters Annomious.   Both are good programs and you are not unsuccessful !!!   The band is much slower as Stephanie said with the weight coming off.   Just hang in there and work the program.    It is suspose to take 3 or more years to loose the weight with the band.     Do you go to the band forume???   There are probaly others there that can give you some suggestions.    Keep up the good work.   We love you and are cheering for your much wanted success !!!


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

First off the you have done the one thing that we needed most before we even had the surgery. SUPPORT. If we did not need support, most of us would not have needed the surgery. (that's just me)
Second, you need to talk to successful people like Tracey and the Meyers Chris and & Kris. OMG.. Talk about successful. It does not get better than that. I did not have the same procedure as you did so I can tell you what to do with that. So, find those people and tell them the WHOLE story and they will help you... we love you we have a forever bond.. Come to us now rather than  later.

Corina...don't be shy or embarrassed to come on here and ask for help.  I've put on 20 lbs. in the last 1.5 years and work all the time at getting it back off.  Keep on trying...don't ever give up.  It is hard work and you can do it.

Karla

Oh sweetie... I wish I could just give you a hug right now.   I am so sorry that this has been such a struggle for you, but you have come to the right place.  

I would not be where I am today without support!!!   I know your family and friends are supportive but there is something to be said about having the support of others who know what you are going through.  It makes all the difference!!!! 

Secondly you need to make another appt. with your doctor to discuss where you are and decide if it's time to get a fill.  My doctor is a big stickler for small fills!!!!!  It's so easy to want that quick fix and take a bigger fill then you can handle.... it almost always backfires!!  Take it slow!  I use to hate it when people would tell me well you didn't gain it over night so why would you expect to lose it that way... but they were right.

My last piece of advice is to exercise... I don't know what your activity level is but I really believe that I would not have gotten to goal without it!!!!   Just walking will do wonders to boost your weight loss!

I wish you all the best and I hope you don't disappear on us again!  Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Corina, don't EVER feel like a disappointment to anyone here.  We are the most hardest on ourselves, give yourself a little break.  Finding that sweet spot with the band is not always easy.  I agree with Steph sometimes from my experience (family members) a .1 cc is all that is needed to tweak the spot.

Keep working on your goals honey, you'll get there.

Hey Sweetie!! 
First.... you are NOT a failure!! 59lbs is a wonderful accomplishment!!! Don't ever disclaim it by saying "JUST 59". 59 is 59!!! 

Next.... talk to your surgeon. It is probably time for another fill. Go slowly! It took 17 fills to get to where I am today. I had to have a few partially removed. Once I couldn't get the saliva down from brushing my teeth. When you get to that point there is no use fighting it...the BAND will win. Have a small amount taken out and let your body adjust and try again in a few weeks or months.

I had a leak at my port site and had to have it replaced. I, too, had to start over. It is devastating! Emotionally I was a mess. I had undergone surgery, declared to the WORLD that I was going to beat obesity and yet there I was the same weight that I started at with a band that wasn't worth a darn. Today I am 140 lighter than I was 5 long years ago. I have control over how much weight I have lost and want to continue to lose. Was it tough? Yep!! The best control I've had was when I was training for the marathon last year. Get your body moving- even if its just walking a few feet.

Remember- you have a BAND!! You are STILL in CONTROL!!! That's the beauty of your tool!
Good luck!!!