OK - I'm going to say it I HATE MY LAPBAND!!!!!!! (LONG)

I don't have any magic words...I wish I did. I just know that when I read your post my heart sank. I just want to make it all better! I don't know if your surgeon believes in you or not, but the most important thing is to believe in yourself! I believe in you. I believe in all the people that post here and share their stories. Whether or not we ever meet face to face we are all struggling with the same feelings of fear, joy, failure, success and on and on...and its a roller coaster ride. I agree with the other posts that you need to talk to your Dr, find out what options you have. And maybe a 2nd opinion from a different bariatric surgeon is in order. I will be looking for updates from you in the next few days. Whether they are good or bad we just want to hear from you!!!

Thanks Sue_Ann,

I'll try and get on the boards more often!!

It feels very strange for me to read posts like this, because I lost 20 lbs in my 6 month pre-op diet, and up until mid-January (~16 months post op) I had lost another 29 lbs. In the past 2 months I've lost an additional 9 lbs.

I am totally happy with my band and my progress, and the fact that I'm still losing.

Reading this thread (plus the one about not posting things that might disappoint pre-ops) frankly perplexes me, because I suppose the appropriate reaction to hearing people who have had similar losses in this thread refer to themselves as failures and being sad about their bands would be to also be sad, and I'm not.

I am so proud of what I've accomplished, and what everyone here has accomplished. I feel better than I ever have. I've lost almost 60 lbs! Maybe it's just because I have always been unbelievably optimistic.

I wish I could be so optimistic!!!  That is a great quality and I just tend to be a glass half empty kind of person.  I do work daily on changing that mindset.  Some days I'm very good at it and other days (like today) I suck at it.  I have alot of stress today not only with my band but with work and home so I'm grumpy today. 

Aw, sweetie, I'm so sorry.  I remember how psyched you were about your band surgery beforehand, and how committed you were, and clearly you have given it your best shot.  The band is not for everyone.  I would also be looking into a revision at this point, and if your current surgeon won't consider that yet, I would find another bariatric surgeon.

Good luck, let us know how it goes, and remember we love you here on the lap-band forum no matter what happens.

Jean

Jewel's get a hold of   JaninaP she is doing great and will share her way of eating.  Basically she does a form a atkins and is kicking ass!!!  She is a long term bander too!!!

I'll shoot her a message - she is awesome!

Jewel:  I read everyone's comments and think there are some very good suggestions.  Another surgery may work well for you but I think you have to resolve your depression issues first.  If that is not right you will find a way to defeat yourself no matter how well adjusted your band is or what ever surgery revision you have.

There are people on the RNY forum that have eaten right through that surgery as well and that is supposed to be the gold standard of WLS (although the DS folks would dispute that).  It sounds like you have tried everything like counting calories, low carbs, drinking water, etc; but my question is "how consistent have you been with these strategies?  If you journal everything you put in your mouth, consistently, the relationship between calorie intake and weight is undeniable.  I truly hope you can find an answer to your problems, something that feels right to you and will be permanent.  Good luck with your difficult struggle. Greg

You are so right about getting my head on straight.  That is another one of those things I ignore about myself.  I have some DEEP DEEP seated issues steming back to my childhood and early adult hood.  That is one thing that I haven't worked on much either. 

As far as how long I stick things out - I would say usually between doc appts - so my Nut or surgeon will say do "blah blah blah" and I do "blah blah blah"  and then at my next appointment they will say to do something else, then I do that.  Like for me - I have not had a soda since June 7th 2007, I haven't had a piece of bread since late January 08.  So, I can and do stick to things - but if they are proving not to be helpful, I stop doing them when my nut or surgeon suggests something else.

Hi Julie,

First of all, I'm sorry you're so frustrated.  I cannot imagine being a year out and only losing 27 lbs. 

As I've been reading this thread a few things have come to my mind:

1. Have you had a calorimetry done?  This test measures how many calories you need to eat to maintain your weight.  Then, from there you can tailor a food plan for reduction.  My surgeon has one in his office and it took like 10 minutes to do. 
2.  At the weight you are now, did you ever maintain that weight for a long time in your past?  If so, you might be hitting a set point and sometimes it'll take up to six months to break through.  If so, you're doing the right thing by eating right and exercising.
3. If you have head issues and if those head issues were part of the reason you gained all this weight, your brain might be causing a pause in your weight loss.  Most of us didn't gain this much weight by chance, we are usually using this weight as insulation against something we fear will happen again once we're thin.  I went into my surgery knowing what my insulation was for and I could never have thrown myself 100% into losing 100 lbs in six months because I would have gained back every ounce and more even with a band.  However, losing it slowly has allowed myself to adjust. 
4. Finally, this weight loss you've had is most likely permanent weight loss.  Give yourself a big pat on the back for losing what you have lost.  Tell all those other rude people that you're on the 5 year plan to permanent weight loss.  I tell everyone about my band and I also tell them that I choose to lose very slowly because I'm looking for permanence. 

Hang in there!  I know that is easier said than done but I really think that you'll be singing a different tune this time next year, probably this time next month.