Done with this - back to WW!

Quick Summary: 
I got my band in April 2010. I lost about 40 lbs due to my own restriction and living mostly on protien shakes. I hit a platue in December 2010 and stayed at that weight for a couple months. Then due to a variety of things I got off track, I started to gain, then felt bad about myself and continued to gain until all the weight was back.

I have spent the better part of 5 months filling and unfilling my band. I'm done with it! 8ccs = no restriction at all...8.5ccs = I can't even drink water without vomitting.  I wish I never got the damn thing. If I could have it taken out I would, but I will have to wait for a reason (aka something to go wrong) to have it taken out. This has been one of the biggest disappointments of my life.

I am starting Weigh****chers and trying to replace my disappointment with a positive outlook for the future. Looks like I'm not alone since there are a number of bandsters forums on WWonline.

To those of you who have had success, I am sincerely happy for you. And yes maybe a little jealous.

Lisa,
I am so sorry that you are struggling.

I attend WW and love it --- so much that I get up at 6am on Saturday's to go to a 7am meeting!!

I hope that you can find a balance between healthy food, and the reduced appetite that the band should give you, so that you can reach your goals.

Please do keep track of the number of times you have eating/drinking issues -- perhaps with that documentation, you can present it to your doctor (PCP or Bariatric) and build a case to have your band removed for medical reasons.

Sorry you are having the problems but you aren't alone, there are sooooo many of us with issues. We were all scammed!

 Let me play Devil's Advocate for a second. . .  why the "leap" from 8 to 8.5 ccs? Is there some reason the doc can't do 8.1 or 8.2? Sometimes, that tiny an increment can make ALL the difference.

We've tried 8.2 (not 8.1 though) and barf central.

May I second Bette...I got a tenth of a cc fill and wow...perfect.  Half a cc, for some, can be a big fill.  Maybe don't give up with the band...just add WW to it????

I don't know how not to give up. It's not doing what it's supposed to unless it's so tight that I barf.

Hi Lisa, Hi gang!   Lisa I understand your pain...After I got 8.5 ccs, it was hard to enjoy eating..I had an unfill of .5 ccs and I felt way better.  I had NOOO restriction and I started to gain a little weight.  I went back to get the fill and got 8.5 ccs.  Weirdest thing..I am just fine with the 8.5 ccs now..  I have restriction now.  I have to chew my food very thoroughly in order to enjoy my food and not feel pain as it tries to go down.  I have learned a few things about myself.. I didn't have faith in myself and I took comfort in food... I wouldn't track what I ate.  For me I need to track my foods in order to be successful.  This way I know where I went wrong and then I would make better choices.   I joined weigh****chers 20 days ago and I received my 10 pound star last Friday.  Weigh****chers helps me track my foods and shows me how to take advantage of high fiber foods and 0 point foods..  I love the meetings and I love speaking with other people there because we all have the same issues.  We can encourage one another.  I think you should join Weigh****chers and get the calculator or download it free if you have an android phone  ..when I shop I have my handy points calculator with me..That thing has saved me many times from putting the wrong things in my shopping cart.... 

I understand the frustration but I want to share something with you...my mother had the RNY surgery 5 years ago and has since gained alot back.. My sister had the RNY last year and lost alot..over 100 pounds...buuuuuut I see that she can eat more than she could after having her surgery and some things she eats are not good at all..I really feel she will be gaining some weight back after time.  I say that because you have to change the way you eat and not rely on the dumping.   This is just an observation of my family members.. What I like about the band is its adjustable.  
 
I say speak to your doc and see if you can get another fill by just a hair, I think someone suggested the .01 cc AND join weigh****chers. If we don't figure out how to eat better, any surgery will be unsuccessful...  I am a work in progress myself, I challenge myself every meal, trust me, its a struggle.  I'd like to add you as a friend Lisa and we can keep in touch.  If anyone else would like to add me as a friend that is fine with me. 

Take heart, all is not lost! Have you discussed this with your team? You likely have.  I have had my band for 3 years and all has not been as advertised. I had my band  replaced a year ago because of a hiatus hernia.  My hernia did not show up on a scope but it was there. My doctor has been very cautious about filling my band & I have just recently reached good restriction (I have 12cc in a 10 cc band).   I am finally losing weight again. Yes I gained back a lot of what I lost the first year & a half, but  looking back won't help me go forward.
When I first read your post, the bit of advise that went through my mind was to chew your food to a liquid. When I first had my band I knew that I had to chew & chew my food, but it was not until I read somewhere to chew food until it is a liquid, did I understand just how much to chew. That made a big difference to me & my band. I seldom have a problem with PBing, no matter what the food.  I can even eat bread....carefully. Chewing food to a liquid may not help you, but I wanted to pass it along. Good luck

 
I feel for you, I honestly do.  BTDT.

If you are sure you want your band out, reflux.  They really can't prove you don't have it and reflux causes esophageal damage.  Ins will pay under those cir****tances.

Just make sure this is what you want to do.