Question:
Has anyone else failed with the lap band surgery?

I had the lap band 12/21/05 and have had several fills to 5.7 in the VG band. I have not lost one pound and do not have any restriction. Has anyone else had this problem? I am so discouraged!!!!    — ettaj1959 (posted on April 5, 2006)

April 5, 2006
Hey Etta. I don't know much about the Vanguard band, but please don't consider yourself a failure at this early stage. one thing I *do* know about the VG is that it is extremely tricky to find the "sweet spot" fill, much more so than with the 4 cc band I've got. Please, if you don't already, post on the Band support forum. There are several people there with the VG who can give you real support and advice on getting through this frustrating stage. (((Etta)))
   — Jeanie

April 5, 2006
Etta, Number one you have NOT failed, you have only began your journey you are only 4 months out..gee. I am six months out and just got to my sweet spot restriction level. Remember the DEAL with bariactric surgery is moderate excercise. Getting daily excercise with the Lap Band is even GREATER than with RNY OR DS procedures because we don't have any malaborptive components in our procedure. All it takes is 30 minutes per day of some movement that invovles a good sweet and getting the heart at a good race. That said NO WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY IS MAGICAL EVEN RNY, OR DS AT SOME POINT THEY WILL ALSO HAVE TO DUST OFF THEIR EXCERCISE EQUIPMENT AND GET MOVING ALSO.. That said, you have the larger VG and from what I hear it takes them at least to get to 7 to 9ccs before they start feeling restriction. Remember the Lap Band works minimizes hunger levels which REDUCES PORTION SIZES. It DOES NOT MAKE CHOICES FOR US, IT DOES NOT MAKE US ILL OR VOMIT DAILY TO LOSE WEIGHT, IT IS JUST A TOOL TO HELP REDUCE HUNGER AND PORTION SIZES...IT IS A GREAT GREAT TOOL IF USED WISELY. IT 100 PERCENT GREATER THAN THE TYPICAL TRADITIONAL DIET, JUST IMAGE, WHEN DIETING MOST DIETS FAIL DUE TO CONSTANT HUNGER AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STICK WITH IT LONG TERM...REMEMBER THE BAND IS THE BEST THING SINCE SLICE BREAD TO ELIMATE HUNGER...ONCE YOU ARE PROPERLY RESTRICTED YOU WILL NO LONGER EXPERIENCE HUNGER ANYMORE...IT IS AMAZING..YOU ARE IN MISERY NOW BECAUSE YOUR BAND IS NOT BEING HELPFUL TO YOU NOW,ONCE IT IS TIGHTEN UP TO ADEQUATE RESTRICTION...YOU WILL NO LONGER EXPERIENCE HUNGER AND GET FULL QUICK...I NEVER KNEW MY BAND COULD WORK THIS GOOD UNTIL I GO MY THIRD FILL WHICH TOOK ME TO MY SWEET SPOT..I EAT LIKE A 5 YEAR OLD KID...IMAGE BEING ABLE TO EAT ANYTHING YOU WANT AND GET FULL ON SMALL AMOUNTS AND STILL LOSE WEIGHT...I EAT OUT AT RESTAURANTS...SALADS EVEN DESERTS SOMETIMES...BUT...REMEMBER I GET FULL REALLY QUICK...I CAN ONLY EAT A TINY CUP OF SALAD IT FEELS LIKE I ATE SECOND SERVINGS OF THANKSGIVING DINNER...I CAN NOT ASK FOR MORE OF MY BAND.... REMEMBER YOU HAVE TO KEEP UP ON YOUR FILLS TO GET THE BEST RESULTS WITH YOUR BAND...YOU JUST STARTED YOUR JOURNEY AND REMEMBER YOUR PART OF THE DEAL TO EXCERCISE...WHICH IS NOT TOO MUCH TO ASK.... P.S. I HAVE LOST 82 POUNDS IN SIX MONTHS AND STILL EAT CHEESE CAKE AT MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT, I CAN ONLY HOLD ABOUT A COUPLE OF BITES AFTER MY SALAD AND I GET THE SAME SENSATION AS IF I HAVE A FULL MEAL... TAKE CARE NAOMI
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 5, 2006
Etta, You're new at this -- relax, or try to. I'm 9 mo. out and going for my 7th fill today. Yes I have the VG and it's finicky, but also very forgiving. My guess is that you haven't even approached restriction. Are you trying to follow the band eating rules even without restriction, are you tracking your calories, protein, and fluids, and are you movin' your butt? I was a late bloomer, but exercise does help in calories burned, upped metabolism, and stress relief. Just remember that when you get to the approximate correct restriction, .2 or .3 will make all the difference. Please don't consider this a butt kicking, but more like a reality check. Is your doc and staff supportive and understanding, or are they expecting you to follow RNY rules for portion? After receiving support on the lapband board from many VGers with lots of experience, I am feeling much better about the process. Wishing you patience and peace, Rex PS Feel free to email me privately. (I've been working with newbies and wannabes thru my dr.'s office.) You need all the support you can get to get you thru this period of bandster he** (no restriction).
   — Rexann M

April 6, 2006
Etta, You are not a failure. I understand feeling discouraged, we all do at some point. We can't help it. We are, after all human. The key is to keep working with your band. You never know, your "sweet spot" may be one fill away. I've heard people who have gone from no restriction to great restriction in just a couple of tenths of one cc. Make sure you click on the "Forums" link at the top and go to the Lap-Band message board for more band-specific support. Warmest regards, Carole
   — Carole K.

May 24, 2006
I often wonder have I failed??? And then I analazie what I put in my mouth... every drop, every morsel, every little crumb. I add it up... and then I can say... I am not failing, but I am not working iwth my tool. I have little restriction at this point. I am 2 years out almost. Getting adequate restriction is really hard for me. I know I have to work harder with my band. My big failing, and yes it is a failing on my part: Calorie containing drinks. The other, eating more then 3 or 4 times a day. Don't eat more then 1/2 a cup. And don't eat more then 3 or 4 times a day: honestly. And write down every time you put something in your mouth, caloire or non calorie containing -- do this for a week. If you are about 1200 - 1500 calories, you won't lose much weight, if any. I don't want to sound harsh. I just know from my experience. I have to get right to the nitty gritty with myself if I want to get anyware, because I don't get really good restriction.
   — winniepooh2