My Band Hates Me? I'm at my wits end!!!!!!!! Please help!

I was banded June 2010. Within 6 months I started experiencing severe acid reflux. I found out that my band was too tight. Some time later the band slipped so I was unfilled for a time and slowly over time refilled but never to the previous amount. For a while I was good but then it all came back. Same symptoms, same pains, rapid weight loss.

I'm experiencing the same acid reflux issues once again. Honestly I don't know what to do. I love my band but it gives me so much trouble. I want it to work for me, I follow the rules, yet I'm having so many issues.

Has anyone else had problems like this? I'm kind of at my wits end! I've successfully lost 117 pounds and still have a ways to go. To be honest, it wasn't the band that did, it was a strict workout regimine.

As of right now I'm able to handle some liquids for a short time and then it all comes up. I have a doctor's appointment scheduled Wednesday next week. I'm going to ask the surgeon to unfill the band and have talks regarding removal. I fee like such a failure. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately this happens to a lot of us with bands. Please do not internalize the band's failure. It is not your fault. Please do not pay any mind to any one on here who will try and tell you differently. You've lost 117 lbs mostly from exercise. Anyone who thinks you aren't committed to doing the best you can is out of his/her mind.

Come visit us on the failed bands group and see that you are not alone:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/failed_lap_bands/discussion/

I had random tightening despite numerous unfills. I had several days where I could not tolerate any kind of solid food and sometimes even liquids wouldn't stay down.

If you are not keeping liquids down, please contact your surgeon to see if you can get in any earlier. Dehydration is nothing to play with and you may even need to go to the ER if this continues.

I was so depressed when I finally gave up on my band. I felt like a failure because my band failed. I had wanted it to work so badly. I was so excited about it and committed to doing my part and working out. Now I know how many people the band doesn't work for...and I LOVE my sleeve and am only sad that I wasted so much time trying to get my band to work.

Be sad things didn't work out like you planned, but do not blame yourself. Let that go. The sooner the better.

A removal is not the end of the world. Its so fantastic that you can't even imagine right now. There is life after the band! lol Are you able to consider a revision? How much more weight are you hoping to lose? Like I said, the sleeve is the best thing I've ever done. You can go to the sleeve forum and find a ton of band revisions over there too (although I think that is probably true for any of the other surgery forums as well).

Hang in there and be good to you!!
Lindsey

You are certainly not a failure! Anyone can see that you have done your best, (congrats on that, by the way. Awesome job) If you feel that a revision would be an option then investigate it. If you feel that you need to get your band out then that is your perogative. Don't feel guilty. We are not supposed to be in pain or suffering. If we are then it is time to do something else.

My band loves to tighten up on it's own and I had to have half of the fluid removed last winter. I kept it that way until May, got a little more, then mid summer a bit out. I think I only have about 2.25 cc. now. I am finally comfortable and that is where I will stay. If something like that sounds possible to you fine, if not then fine too. It is your body, your health. You get to make the decisions. You decided to take control of your health by going into battle with the disease of obesity. If the initial plan fails it does not mean you fail.

Good luck, and please keep us posted, Sue

You're certainly not a "failure" in any way. You believed that the band would do what was promised. And we all believed that. But it doesn't always work that way.

So you've successfully lost 117 pounds by exercising. GOOD FOR YOU!!! That is dedication and determination and you should be so proud of yourself!

I gotta be honest, Diva, I'm not seeing what there is to love about your band. I get that you've lost the weight through exercise mostly and the band is causing you physical pain. It seems to me that to avoid further physical damage, you should seriously consider removal or revision. I know it is a pain in the patoot and it's scary to boot. But, so is having permanent esophageal damage (raises hand. Got it. Not fun.)

There are no "rules," honestly. You work with what you have... and when it stops working, you have to make a painful decision. Been there. I know it stinks. I wish you the best.