Hi Jennifer, I can so relate to what you are thinking. I kicked started my weight loss because I was dx with diabetes type II and it scared me straight....for a while. I lost 100 pounds in about nine months. I thought I found the path. However, over the past 6 months I've been fighting it. I got real discouraged when I realized I have to do this the rest of my life. All my friends eat what they want with no problem. It was very discouraging and I've gained 20 pounds back. All while watching my blood sugar rise. I am now, just to the point where I feel like I can, once again, diet and exercise and eat treats in moderation. It is hard, horrible, depressing and time consuming. Sometimes I wonder what I could accomplished if my mind wasn't constantly thinking about what to eat or what not to eat. Hang in there you are not alone. Ann

Hi...I did the research also. I had my band placed in 1/06. I was doing fine, not losing a bunch, but 11 lbs in 4 months, no gain, and I had only 1 fill,never felt restricted, just got full faster. I had my 2nd fill on 5/6/06, was able to drink water at the fill office and all the way home. Got home, tried some clear soup, and I had the worst pain in my life. I couldn't even swallow my own spit. The vomiting started about an hour later, for some reason, my band completely closed off. Of course by now it is friday nite, I went to the ER when I started vomiting blood. I was treated with IV for vomiting and was given 3 shots of morphine, sent home with pills for vomiting and pain[terrible pain and terrible nausea]. The ER couldn't access the port to remove the fluid, but they did try. First thing monday morn, I had the fill taken out[an absolutely horrible weekend]. I still could not swallow saliva, forget anything else. By 2 that afternoon, I was back in the ER, Bright red blood was now gushing out of me. I had upper GI, and cat scan, and some other test done with a gas, I was %100 blocked. I was admitted to the hospital, not having eaten or drank for 4 days, was dehydrated, had an ng tube placed into my pouch to drain the acid and blood, and was given IV decadron[a steroid] for 4 days, along with a pain pump[which was a life saver]. Day 5 my doctor felt that trying to save this band was not worth the price of my life and TOLD ME it was coming out. I had to pay for all of this out of pocket, am still paying. I was unable to eat for another week due to the esophagitis from the acid coming up and burning my throat, and was very weak for another week due to the blood loss. I don't know what happened. Inamed has my removed band, I don't know if I will ever hear from them or not. I am doing well, I'm back to work, the esophagitis is %90 better, Whatever you decide to do, at least know the downside. log onto 0ssg-gone-wrong at yahoo groups. THis is a site that has people that have had major complications with all different wls. If you decide to get it done, at least you know what you are getting into...

Hi Brandy! I had the lap band and Had to have it removed so I had the RNY done when they removed it. The problem for me was that I had to diet with the band. I even started doing WW after about six months with it. I also have a problem with junk food and they went down really easy with the band. I think the band has helped many people but doesn't work for others. That happens with all wls though. All I can suggest is to tell you doctor your problems and if he doesn't want to listen change doctors! Some doctors just don't get it! So I wish you the best of luck! Tonia

First thing is DO NOT STOP TAKING YOUR MEDICATIONS! Bad things happen very bad things. If your meds are working for you and you just can't stand the taste this might help. First of all make sure your meds aren't extended release type meds. These can't be crushed and typicaly don't work well for people with this type of surgery. Next, you need to find what is called a compounding pharmacy. These pharmacy's can take the prescription you got from the doctor, do a little math and mix up an elixir with your prescription. This still won't have a gormet taste but I think you'll find it much more palatable than just the crushed pills. If your meds aren't working for you, then you need to get to your doctor to discuss this issue. It may be that your meds need to be adjusted or changed all together. As far as your eating goes my understandiong is ( I have not had surgery yet) that over the course of 6 months to a year your diet will start to return to normal. There are going to be things that you simply can't tolerate ie. sugar but most things will come back. At that point you need to remember that this surgery cured nothing. It only provided you with a valuable tool to control your weight. If you do not use it properly it can be defeated. I hope these things help you and you get to feeling better. Mark

The thing about statistics is, that they can kind of show what anyone wants them to show. 50% of people succeed is better sounding than 50% of people fail, right? (That's in relation to nothing, I made it up). As far as 50% access weight lost in the first year or whatever, I've spoken to many people who've gotten to goal, which in a study would bring up the average, but I've also spoken to people who've had their bands removed for whatever reason, or one person I know who was diagnosed with cushings and has a pituitary tumor and hasn't lost anything (and she's compliant! 1000 daily and exersize!)... and that of course brings down the the average... (and I think that statistic is from the FDA trials way back when anyway). I do agree that people get VERY defensive about the procedure they chose. I think that it has to do with making a very important life changing decision and wanting to feel like you made the right one, lol. There are a number of procedures out there, and I think that it is important for EVERYONE to remember, that not all procedures are right for all people... and not all people are right for all procedures. I love my band, lots of people love their RNY, or their DS, or whatever else I've missed, lol.