I'm back for Round 2 or whichever Round this is

I was prepared to say "I failed my LapBand", but before I decided to post, I lurked through many of the other threads and I see that I am not the only only one who didn't see success as we would have liked!  I read a study years ago that said African American women did not do well with the Lap Band surgery and I think that was a part of my failure...I let it become a self fulfilling prophecy for me....However, after 6 years, I decided to have a revision, but when I went to see my new doctor, he asked if I thought the LapBand failed me, and honestly I don't think it did, I think I failed it, but thats neither here nor there, so he suggested that I give it another try, and if I can't find the success I need then maybe we'll look into a revision.  Honestly, I haven't had any complications, just haven't had my Band filled in over 3 years....I just read a transcribed speech by a Dr who said "having a LapBand is like dieting with a seatbelt on", I believe that to be true...I have never been a successful dieter....anyway, I'll see how it goes...

Thanks for reading if you made it this far, sorry about the ramblings, and I'm sure, grammar errors...
Missy

I think it is good to give it another chance, work with what you have, if you can't do it then it sounds like your doc will consider a revision.
I tried for several years, I did have esophagus pain and burning every day , never GERD tho.
YOU are having band band problems if it is not working for you,
I say give it another try , in the mean time find out what needsto be done for your insurance , like 6 mo diet classes, etc. if you end up not needing it ..great
Why is your band empty?  were you having issues with the band ?

Thanks Donna for the encouragement!  My band is empty for a variety of reasons, but to sum it all up: LIFE happened! Lol....My aftercare facility was about 45 minutes away from and to be honest I didnt have the time or patience to continue to travel that far for something I didnt think was working.  I was working full time, full time single mother, working on a Masters degree, and managing rental properties.  It was all too time consuming, so what did I choose to let go: MYSELF.  I called all the surgeons in my area (there's only 2) and they would not fill another patient.  Ironically, when I went to a consultation appt for revision, the surgeon was like, "You called here?" , but he stated he didnt have a problemm taking me on.  So, here I stand ready to start over.

Question for you: About the insurance, I called my insurance, they said they may or may not cover a revision, its done on a case by case basis, so what should I do/try?

Well, you would have to work with your new doc , so it still may take longer unless you can get records from your old doc stating you were having problems with fills?
Ask what their requirements are for surgery not revision  because if they are like mine they will require EVERYTHING the second time , weight history , psych eval, the whole nine yards , then your new doc has requirements.Your new doc will determine if the band needs to come out and he/she will deal with the insurance
Do you have a time period that you are willing to work with the band? if not it is something for you and your doc to talk about get his advice , seriously some bands just don't work , for a variety of reasons most of are NOT non compliant patients
I let go also but it was after YEARS of trying and my doc was 4 hours away and I was thrilled to have my new doc 45 mins away although I find myself not going to support group meetings because it IS 45 mins away. Giving up on something that isn't working ISN'T ALL your fault , the band plays a big part in that and the after care, you almost have to be best friends with your doc I tried for 3 year with my new doc and HE finally said enough is enough.
With the insurance it sounds like it is going to have to come from your new doc , he may have to fight with them and it may be after you work with the band for a year or whatever you both decide, If he has a surgery co ordinator she/he would be the one dealing with the insurance co. so make sure that she is your new best friend the one in my docs office was the best ever !!!.
I sure wish you well , I know how hard it is !!!!

Oh Thanks again Donna, it sure is great to talk to someone whos been there and done that!! My doc and i decided to give it 6 or 7 months, remove the band (if its not working), then wait another few months, then the revison...I really don't want another surgery so I'm hoping/praying that this will work for me...I lost close to 50 lbs the first time around but have since gained it all back and then some...Its very depressing to have this band inside me and still be considered morbidly obese...oh well, back to the drawing board.
Missy

I would really beg my doc to convert at the time the band is coming out !!! It may not be possible but it would save you from having an additional surgery.
I had my band out and was converted to bypass in 1-1/2 hours , whatever revision you go for I would want it done at the time the band was taken out.

Hi Missy.
I really needed to read your post.  I see myself as a failure too. But the truth is, I let my emotional eating get to me.  I failed my band. I have not had a fill in over a year and I do not measure my food anymore.  I really want to start again and I decided to start reading these boards again. That is how I started the first time. So on Tuesday, I send my baby boy off to college and I am starting anew.  I will take it day by day. 

Thanks, for saying what I have not been able to say. Good Luck,
Leslie

Hiya Leslie, I'm happy I could be of assistance....Since I failed my band, I have been trying other weight loss strategies, ie, Adipex, HCG, Weigh****chers...I have just had failed  attempt after another..But you know what? Failure is not an option for me, I fall down, but I get back up! I'm going to keep trying until I get it right....You are welcomed to join me. 

Good luck to you as well.

Missy

I hope things get better for you. I think alot of docs fail to tell the patients that the band is just a big ole diet along with exercise.  I like that saying the lap band is like a diet with a seat belt and that is so true !!!

Yes the band does help curb the hunger but after you have it in you for awhile you will find ways to eat around it . All of us have done that and its easy to do .  We start to get comfortable and then we start going back to our old ways. Granted we might not be able to eat like we use to but you can still pound away a bag of chips or ice cream if you really wanted to.

It still comes back down to eating right and exercise and that is still hard even though we have the band .

There is a fine line between eating to much with the band and then there is a fine line of starving yourself with the band also (keeping your band to the point that you are eating 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food per meal ) My doc  t hinks that is keeping the band way to tight and that is when band problems start and he said that is not healthy at all anyways to be eating that little.

I wish you the best of luck its hard and I think all of us has been where you have been especially when you get further out .  

Hi I went in for a consult for removal too.  They talked me into another try. 
18 months later I was back for a consult for removal and got the same talk. 
I'm like what the heck.  Really don't you even know we went thru this a year and a half ago? 
Any way after 2.5 years of second chances, I'm getting the band out on 9/4.

Good luck with yours' and I wish you the best!  Are you going FROM Farham or TO him.
I had my surgery at that center