I hate my band

Simply put I find it hard to visit the support forums since I hate my band.  I will be 2 yrs out Sept 4th and I still weigh 300 lbs.  I have dieted, I have exercised, I have counted calories, I have counted protein, I have done all liquids, I have hired trainers and I cannot get below 300 lbs!  I was a self pay.  Still paying for my piece-o-crap band and have paid to have a port replacement.  I am broke, actually bankrupt, I am still morbidly obese and I have lost faith and hope.

I am only sending up my prayers.  Are you eligible for a revision to a DS or an RNY?, the band is not for everyone in my most humble opinion it is is best for "light weights" and men.  I wish I were there to just give you hug I know it feels hopeless but, there is always a way.

My ins does not cover obesity related treatments of any type, so unless I win the lottery or somebody decides to bless me with a windfall I will continue to be 300 lbs I guess.

I was just wondering if your insurance will cover tests to be run by your primary care physician to find out if there is something else wrong?

My insurance does not cover any weight related treatment but they do cover different testing to be done.  A lady I work with sees a doctor that has run all types of tests on her and found out different chemicals in her body were elevated or low (sorry I don't know the technical terms-but these tests are outside of just a thyroid test etc..)  anyway it has helped her to lose weight just getting herself (chemicals) more in balance.  She said our insurance has covered everything but the co-pay and like I said, our insurance has excluded all weight loss from the policy.

Just a suggestion.  I am sorry you hate your band.  I was considering getting a band; I would also be a self pay but I think I have since decided against it.  I am going to all the RECOMMENDED (from friends) plastic surgeons locally and begging for a tummy tuck since it is my biggest issue.  I think without it I can lose the rest of the weight myself.

I wish you the best of luck - 
Kendra 

Thank you.

Hey Michelle,
I am right there with you. I was banded on 4/4/08 weighing in at 219 (5'6).  Today I weigh 212. I went down to 189 for 1 day, but that was because my bad was so tight all I could drink was liquids.  I have done Atkins, added protein to my meals, counted calories, you name I've done it. I'm up to 6.8cc's in my 10cc band and that is to tight. I can barely get all my protein in for the day. I have an appointment to go in for a slight unfill next week. My PCP is amazed that I'm weighing more this month than I did last year at the same time.  I'm tring to get a revision. I switched doctors hoping the new doctors would walk me through the process of getting a revision but no such luck. I go see them every single month for them to tell me the same thing.......
You are not alone......
The band definitely isn't for everyone................

Tia

I remember you from the band board.  I weigh 2 lbs less this week than I did last year this time, and thats after having a port replacement.   I have been too tight and I don't want to return there, but since my port flipped approx 6 months postop I seem incapable of keeping restriction.  I'd love to have a revision, but I'm still paying for my band at least for the next 6 months and my ins won't cover surgery of anytype, let alone a revision.

You know, prices are going down in Mexico and there are some pretty darn good surgeons there.  What if is six months you go to Mexico?

I can't remember the price for revisions, I think from band to sleeve it is $11,500.  Or do you want bypass or DS?

I think Ungson charges around $16K for band to DS.

I do not know prices for band to bypass.

I'm sorry about the band problems.  We all got bands hoping things would be much different than they are.

Heck I could use a vacation in about 6 months.  Its amazing a DS revision is cheaper than my band was here in the states.  We'll have to see what I'll be able to afford, but if and when I do something Mexico will most likely be the way I go.

For many if they don't go to Mexico they can't have surgery at all.  I would have hated paying US prices for surgery x2 along with all the band complications and diagnostics.  I've probably spent a total of $25K from start to finish.  That would be at least $50K USD. :o/

What procedure type do you think you'll go with?