I have failed misrably not sure the band has (banded 15 months)

I was banded in october 2006. lost 35 pounds and did great for first 6 months then boom hit it again was to tight started eating wrong drinking pop. Had 8ccs in my band and had a really huge problem stuck had serious pain ahd my fluid removed in Novemeber. Have not went back to start refilling i have gained back everythingor close to it im sure.  I eat like mad drink pop ( big NONO)  i sabotaged myself in to failure.. I begegd back in August for a revision to the RNY or something more drastic and my surgeon refused saying it was my fault and until i really tried and it still didint work he would nto do anything else.  So here i am misrable and over doing it every day all day long.  I can nto seem to control it. 

My husband was in a serious car accident In novemeber and was flown to a major hospital in rochester Mn soent 8 days there is out of work for 6 months ( relying on my income alone) i have 2 kids one of which ahs sever ADHD. I work a full time job. i just dropped out of nursing school with one year left because i couldnt handle it all.

Please someoen tell me im not the only one who has failed at this? sabotaged msyelf? I dont even have the entuasiam to start over. 

Kathy M

Kathy, I don't think you have completely failed.  You just need to get back to the basics and do something for yourself (your fills).  The good thing about the Lap band is you can go in and get a fill if you need it.  You have been going through a lot of stuff in the past year and that would affect anyone.  Please try to give yourself a break and get "back to the beginning." And start over to help yourself! Hugs!

I was banded November 2005, lost about 20 pounds, then gained 10 of it back and that was it. I too drank a lot of pop and ate like crazy. What got me was that I couldn't eat any good foods because they would get uncomfortably stuck all the time, so I resorted to soft foods that slide through easily. This left me unable to eat meats, veggies, fruit, and able to eat junk, hot dishes, etc. I have been beating myself up over it for a long time now feeling like once again I have failed! Until I read another woman's story about her band. It sounded as if I had written the story myself and I was amazed to see her point of view...that the band failed her and not that she failed the band.

Anyways, I was just revised to the Gastric Sleeve 4 days ago. I was self-pay and had it done south of the border. I'm going to go try to find the link to this woman's story so you can read it. She really has a way with words and maybe it will make you feel better.

By the way...has your doc done any tests to see if your band is still located properly. When I had my revision, my surgeon informed me that my stomach had prolapsed through the band leaving a very floppy, large pouch which wasn't doing me any good. It was also very inflammed. I can't say I had any symtoms to make me think something was wrong, but it does explain why the band wasn't working for me. Maybe you should have it checked out in case.

I will come back and post the link to this other woman's story if I can find it. Hang in there. Maybe you need to look for a new surgeon. You aren't the only one who hasn't succeeded with the band. There are actually a lot of us out there.

Here's the link...just read her story.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/pelorojo/

Don't be so quick to give up! I'm sure you were determined before getting the band to make it work, you just have to find that determination again. Don't just jump from surgery after surgery when something doesn't work the way you expected it to in the beginning because soon, you'd be all out of options. Then what will you do? The band isn't easy, but neither is RNY or the DS. All of them have their own problems, its just the way you deal with them that determines your sucess. You just have to figure out why you keep sabotaging yourself and stop, work with the band and not against it. You've lost 35 pounds before, so the band is working, you experienced a bad stuck episode and you learned your lesson. Have your fills, make right choices. All I can say is you haven't failed yet and I'm hoping you'll stay strong for a little while longer. Keep going and good luck.

Kathy, What a terrible time you've been having!  I certainly understand why you have been unable to give the process the attention it needed.  Even if you manage to get a revision, please come to the band board to get support so that we can help you get on track with the band in the interim.   My very best wishes to you, Shari

(((Kathy)))

So sorry to hear of your recent troubles. I personally do not think that you are a failure. But yes you may have sabotaged yourself, as it is very easy to do. I only say it cuz I did it. Is drinking pop your only downfall? What are your eating habits like? Not too sure about band procedures - but is a fill an option? Whatever you may choose I really wish you the best. Take care.

Dear Kathy, You have not failed......... There are so many people that can't "work the tool". I was one of them.  I lost 60kgs and then gained back 30kgs. I felt so lost and discouraged. Find another surgeon and get the surgery you need, research both RNY and the DS. You can tell by my profile which I chose, but it is your decision. After having gastric stapling and lap band, I wanted the surgery that I felt would work best for me. I chose a very poor surgeon and had a very rocky start but at nearly four years out for a total loss of over 80kgs, I am so very happy, my weight loss is easy to maintain, if I gain a little I cut back on carbs and sugars for a few days and I'm back to where I want to be. Once again, you have NOT failed. Very best wishes Lesley