I am going to start out by saying that I am very happy for everyone who lost the weight, and got the expected results.
But what about Us? Where are the people who didn't lose the weight? What about those of us who followed the plan to the letter, and never lost anything? I lost most of my weight during pre-op and very little during the liquids phase. I lost a few pounds over the next few months, was told to just take my time and not rush this, and that I should remember sometimes it takes more time for some people.
I stopped losing after 45lbs. No amount of eating all the right things, and all the right portions could help. Exercise was a 3x a week thing, but still barely a budge on the scale. After a year and a few months I was so disappointed that I stopped caring. Apparently, this just wasn't meant to be. Where are all the people who felt like the surgery did not provide the aid that it should have?
I stopped coming to the forum because it hurt to read all of these posts about hitting the 50/75/100 lbs mark... What about me? I want that too, but no matter what I did... it just wasn't happening.
In July of 2010, I was put on steroids and muscle relaxers for a severe case of Sciatica. All the doctors told me it was muscular, and I ended up on muscle relaxers and pain killers as a 3x a day regiment with no relief of pain. Between July and December I had 5(2 week) treatments of oral steroids, in January I had emergency surgery because a doctor FINALLY did a CT Scan and found a disc so badly herniated that 24 hours before surgery, I lost all function of my left leg. The next 3 months... more steroids and more pain killers. My neurosurgeon told me (very politely) that I needed to lose some weight. Between July and January I had gained 50lbs. The surgeon was appalled at the length of time I was on muscle relaxers, and broke down why the weight gain was so extreme. Basically, as he put it, When you are on muscle relaxers at the strength I was on, for as long as I was, the lean muscle in your body stops metabolizing properly and weight gain is inevitable. That combined with the steroids, he said he is surprised I didnt gain more. I have no idea how to give this band a second chance. I NEED this now more then ever. I do not have the money to go to the OCC for help, and its $350 for me to just get an adjustment here in AZ. With the back surgery I ended up on state funded insurance and they aren't helping. It is $500 to join a support group because I wasn't banded in the states.
What now?
Where are the people who are in need of help?