Thanks Beth for your reply.  I was also self pay (don't I wish I had that money now that I spent!!)  WOW 47lbs in a matter of a few months! That's awesome!! I know it must feel good...I want to get to that point - of being so excited about losing!

My biggest fear is not getting rid of the "being hungry all the time" feeling.  Sometimes I feel like I can eat all day and others nothing at all.  The band has never worked! (Well...it either overworks or under works).

Thanks again Beth!
Karen

It's been a long time since my lap band was placed - I think it was in 2002. And since then I had only lost 20lbs and that was right after the surgery. I had done everything I was told to do post op, etc. But never lost any weight since and gained the only 20lbs I lost back. I had fills, everthing... Unfortunately I chose to have the surgery in Mexico - since then my surgeon died! I did go back to see him a couple of years after the surgery to find out if something was wrong with my band since I wasn't losing, but the test they ran came out fine and they didn't understand why I wasn't losing. My sister had the same surgery - same day as me and also experienced the same - no weight loss. I also know of 3 other women (2 are friends and one is an acquaintance) who never lost weight with the band either. So now, I'm trying to decide what to do next. I have approximately 80-90lbs to lose - I'm 5'3 (BMI 36.3). I'm so overwhelmed and confused as to what surgery I should consider: DS, RNY, there's so many now. I'm also concerned that a doctor in the states will not want to take out my band (which by the way has been hurting - or at least the area it's in hurts - I STILL vomit if I eat dry foods - especially chicken and bread, so there is still fluid in my band. Some mornings I can't eat b/c it will come up... but not losing weight! At any rate, that's my story about the lap band. God, I wish I didn't get it done - so much money wasted (self-pay)... and my sister feels the same way. Maybe they're better now (made???).... I dunno.
Karen