I have only lost 70 ilbs in 5 years.

I had lap band surgery in 2006, I thought by now I would have reached my goal.  I had no idea it would take me so long to lose 100 pounds.  I am feeling frustrated and thinking about joining weigh****chers.  Has anyone had surgery several years ago and reached their goal weight?  I don't have a problem with excess skin because the weight loss has been so slow.  I am soon to be 50 years old and losing weight is only getting harder.   

I was banded in September 2007 and lost 100% of my excess weight (90 lbs) in a year.

A lot of things (diet, exercise, medications, medical conditions, etc.) can affect weight loss. Have you discussed this with your bariatric surgeon?

I know it's been slower than you had hoped, but losing 70 pounds is a tremendous accomplishment.

Jean

ETA: In your post you didn't mention something important that I read in your OH profile - that you've only had one fill because you can't convince your insurance company to pay for more fills. Did you not know their position on that before you had your surgery? How much would a fill cost if you had to pay cash for it? If it were me, knowing how important fills are, I'd be saving my pennies up for another fill!

I was banded in May 2006 and had lost all my excess weight (109lbs) by August 2007. I am now 60 yrs old.

Do you have a good level of restriction? Are you eating correctly? 70lbs is a good amount to lose so you should not be too unhappy! But perhaps over time, you have started to relax and more calories are creeping in?? And that is where fills can often help.

Quite a few bandsters do join WW, it can help ensure you are taking in the appropriate level of calories.

Kate

I am coming out of lurk mode long enough to answer your post.....copied from your blog> 


" I had lap band surgery in 2006.  I have lost 70 pounds since surgery and find myself struggling to lose the 100 pounds my doctor wanted me to lose.  My insurance company only paid for me to have one fill after my surgery.  I have only received the one fill and has been unable to convince my insurance company that sucess of the band depends on the fills."

For only a few lucky, the band works without getting fills, so I believe there is where your problem lies.  Is there no way you can get a fill??

70 lbs is good...but I understand where you're coming from you wanted to lose more. 

I have seen a lot of Bandsters on here go to Weigh****chers.  It helps that stay accountable.  And that extra help is always good.  Also come on here and let us know how you are doing, what your are eating and what exercise you have done...that will help with accountability.  It might motivate you to keep on trying.

Most importantly I saw that Jean said your insurance won't pay for fills.  So they paid for the surgery but not the fills.  I think that is sooo stupid of the insurance company.  They are throwing their money right out the window.  Aftercare is so important to this surgery.  How much does you surgeon charge for fills...make sure they know you are self pay because some times they charge a lower rate.  If it's too much I would look for one I can afford and is willing to take me on as a patient.  I have heard of people paying as low as $100-$150...but I have a friend that had to pay $900!!!  I couldn't afford that.  I know if my insurance didn't pay for my fills my surgery would have been a waste.  I needed the fills.

If the segment from your blog that Babyland posted is true, your issue is that you have not done the necessary maintenance required for the band.  If you've only had one fill, then 70 lbs in 5 years is truly awesome! 

It's tough when it's out of pocket because if you can't see your surgeon regularly, (especially the first year), I don't think the band has a chance of working to it's fullest potential. 

If you want to finish your WL journey, see your surgeon, get a fill and design a plan to help you acheive your goals.  Even if you have to pay out of pocket it's worth it!

As far as WW goes, I joined recently for accountability at the scale and the weekly pep talk and it's helping me lose the weight I gained over the holidays.  But, if your band isn't providing restriction and helping you control your portions then it will be just another diet.  I didn't join it for the points program, (eventhough it's a great diet), I joined it for motivation to lose the last 25 lbs I want to lose.

Good luck!  I hope you can see your surgeon and get back on track soon.

Lisa O.

I was banded in May of 2007 so my fourth anniversary is coming up.  I have lost and kept off 75 pounds, but was creeping up and never made it to goal.  My band works fine, I just got lazy and started skipping exercise and eating around my band-ice cream, nuts and other snack foods.

At first I thought I would never have to diet again, and resisted any sort of formal program.  I now realize that I am still that same fat-brained person, and I need the structure and discipline from outside to keep me from sabotaging myself.  For me it's Weigh****chers, for others it's an online tracker, or a therapist, or a personal trainer. I joined Weigh****chers nearly three weeks ago and I am loving it. 

Weigh****chers with a well-adjusted band is working wonders for me, as the new emphasis on protein and fiber is exactly what we bandsters need.  Weigh****chers with a loose band-which it sounds like you have-would be just like WW in the pre-WLS days, where my success was limited by that constant craving.

I say do both-get a fill and get to Weigh****chers.  But if money is an issue, then definitely get the fill.  WW is not cheap and without the fill I fear you will struggle.

Let us know how you are, we are here for you!  

Normally I would say that if the band hasn't worked in 5 yrs................it's not gonna work!

But if you have in fact had just one fill then it was kind of pointless getting the band. You do have to do your part to work with the band. If insurance has said they will only pay for one fill then you have to self-pay if you want there to be any chance of the band working for you!

That being said..............the band may NEVER work. For some ppl it doesn't. Just the way it is.

I would suggest getting a few fills though to see if it might work. Then if it doesn't after a few mos................REVISE!

((((( Maria)))))

Kate

I was banded in January of 06 and have lost & maintained my weight. I owe all of my success to the aftercare of my surgeon and his office. I have said this before and will say it again, aftercare to me is the most important part of WLS. Go get a fill girl!!!!