lab banding surgery a FAILURE??? Anyone else?

Hi, Im James, 35, and had my Lab Banding Surgery in 5/05. I got the Vanguard band which holds 10cc. Ive had several fills and the Dr actually over filled me a couple of months back, giving me 13cc. At that point I had alot of difficulties eating, sometimes i would even choke on a yogurt. I was making bad choices like eating rice and mashed potatoes base on texture. i went back to the drs in January 07 where I lost about 60lbs since surgery. Not enough since its almost 2 yrs. I weighed 300lbs and now im about 237. Im much healthier and my labs are perfect. Chol and triglycerides and liver enzymes are not normal. The dr removed some saline in 1/07, about 3cc. Im at a standstill. I feel i eat way less than before. I feel i make the best choices I can. I work three jobs so thats stressful since it gives me no time to work out. At times though I can so normal. Like a entire bagel or sub sandwich. Im slipping back in some bad ways. I know I dont have a leak or anything. I just feel depressed as if I have failed. Any others who feel the surgery failed? Should I have done GBS? Any comments/help would be welcomed. Thanks

James, You are not a failure, you are a human being. You had an operation on your gastro system not on your brain. Working three jobs it is a wonder that you can have the time to eat let alone make smart choices. Anyone who has subjected themselves to the GBS or the lapband have life style changes that they need to make. I had GBS in June and I am doing very well, BUT I see some old habits creeping back in. I have been fat my entire life so I have a life time of bad habits to correct and it is not going to happen over night. My advise (its free) is to put aside some time for you. Make a plan, make it a simple plan and go back to the basics. Fill yourself up with proteins, the veggies, fruits and then if you still feel the need the carbs. Try and drink more water. This is not an easy journey and you have done very well you are 60 lbs. less than you were before. If all else fails and you really feel as if the band is not for you look into a revision. ABOVE ALL YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE. Good luck. Jeanne

Why dont you talk to your doctor about gastric, Im sure it will be better for you and more permanant without the fills, I am pre op amd was given the choice and for how I want to stay and be, I choose gastric,Love,Jade

***correction: my labs are all normal, previous stated they are not normal. Opps.

James~ YOU are NOT a failure. Things are going as well as you hoped they would, but that's ok, it's not over! You have time, lots of time, you are healthy! Firstly, I would suggest finding a support group. You need friends that have traveled this road, and struggled and made it. You need to meet other WLS patients, we all struggle sometimes, and it's alright. (we have a great group that meets in Toms River tomorrow night if you are interested, we have banders AND gastric bypass people. We even have a man who had the band and then got gastric bypass.) Second, meet with your surgeon and talk the truth with him. Get options, just so you know in the back of your mind, there are options for you. Good luck! Michelle Brennan