Pana'sNewStart

I am right there with you. Every. single. part. I was banded in Dec. 2012 and lost 50 pounds the first 6 months and that was it. I maintained my loss, but never lost any more. I eat all day. I graze constantly. I feel like a complete and total lapband failure. I thought it would be quick, like that first year I would lose 100 pounds. Only that didn't happen. So now I'm left with a band with 4cc's in it, a dietician and a doctor who want me to suceed, and here I am just eating whatever I way. Sure, I have restriction, but I find ways around it.

I'm here because I want to feel good about myself again. I want to succeed. I'm seeing a counselor who works with people who have had WLS so I'm hoping she can help me cope. Being on here helps too because I know I'm not alone.

I agree with what everyone else is saying! I have done the walk of shame to my drs office many times. I haven't lost any weight in a long time and have started gaining back. I made the commitment to myself and my dr. that I would go to the appointments and tell the truth. Believe me, they've heard it all and want to help. I've also started seeing a counselor who works with post-surgery patients to help deal with food addiction.

I feel so horrible. I got the lap band 2 years ago and yet I still continue to overeat. But, here I am. Today is a new day and together we CAN and WILL succeed.

This is why I love the band! We can always jump back on the bandwagon and restart. I had a similar situation and really ready to give up. But, I gave my doc's office another chance, had an unfill (I was way too tight), and found the motivation to get back on track.

2mls is a really agressive fill. The most I've had put in at once was .75. It's a good idea to get a little unfill and see if that helps.

My doc normally does fills under flouro because I fluctuate between too tight and too loose so much. Fills in the office are good if you're stable. If your doc is willing to do it under flouro, take advantage of it!

I don't know if others have this issue but my band can be fine for a week and then get irritated and not let much in. I have to ease up and let it reset. And stress seems to cause some irritation. I had an issue with a relative and I was irritated( in many ways) but my band acted up. I don't get many fills after so many years but this band has a mind of its own sometimes. Bottom line. I have to let go.. It is driving this boat sometimes. Not me. Hard for a strong headed ( ok bitchy) woman

Hi Julie,

My band is very reactive to stress. When my stress level goes up, my band with tighten, to the point of being too tight and throwing up at every meal. I went through a period when I wasn't following up with my dr. and when I did it was because I was so miserable. I now know the signs and will gladly pay the $40 copay to get my band where it needs to be.

Awesome job on your weight loss!

First of all... major CONGRATS on hitting your green zone! That's super awesome!

I was banded Dec. 2012 and I have not hit mine yet. I'm down 51 pounds, which is great, but I have so much more to go. I met with the nurse practitioner and finally feel like I have someone in my corner. I'm learning how much stress plays my band's tightness or looseness. It's amazing how stress affects it. I now go monthly to see her and the nutritionist. Over the past 2 years, I've either been too loose or too tight.

I've had 5 fills/unfills and now have 4.5cc in my band and I'm just about there!

I'm down 47 pounds since December. Its been a slow process but I've never been able to lose this much weight before. And I'm not really exercising. 10 more pounds and I'll be in onederland. Overall I'm really glad I have my band!

I'm down 39 pounds and it is really slowing down. I lost 2 pounds last month :/ I only have 2 ccs in my band so far. It seems to adjust itself.

Yep, it's normal and the Gas-X strips are really great. Try to get up and walk a few times a day and move your arms in a windmill motion, that could help get the gas moving. For the diarhea, try Immodium. My doctor said it was safe to take. It will subside and go away, I promise!!

My tummy was super noisy those first couple weeks, but now the growling isn't too bad and you have to be really close to me to hear it!!

Hey all! I was banded on December 12th. I've had two fills so far and I'm only at 3cc's but im hanging in there. Feel more hungry now more than I did with the other fill. Working out and watching what I'm eating' date=' I'm down 20 pounds! The journey is going to be long and sometimes rough, but I know it will be worth it in the end!! [/quote']

Yay for 20 pounds!! That's super exciting It is so worth it, even with all the bumps in the road.

Give the lapband time to its thing! You are so not a failure! The weight will come off and like carolinagirl said, I bet your clothes are looser and bigger on you. I'm sure there are NSV's (non-scale victories) all around you! Look for them. In a few months time, when you're down all those pounds, it won't matter how slowly the weight came off, only that it did

Chin up, sunshine, you're doing great!!

I had surgery Dec '12 and I have noticed that my eyes have been drier. I just accounted it to the weather. I wear daily disposable and I used to be able to keep them in all day, now it seems by 6 pm, they're pulling my eyeballs out. I've been wearing my glasses a lot lately.

Hi Dawalsh,

I had my surgery 12/21. I try not to feel guilty about bad choices because this journey is a lifestyle change, not just a diet. I log everything in MyFitnessPal and that makes me see exactly how many calories I'm putting in my body. I've had a few bad days, but there's more good days than bad. I think you have to let yourself have those days and move on. It's hard, I know. I was doing so well when my husband was working evenings because I had the house to myself and eat healthier. Now that he's home in the evening, I don't eat as well. I always keep my portions small, though. And that's what the band's all about, right?

Never feel guilty. Life is too short for that!!

I only do one chewable Vitamin, that's my Multi-Vitamin, my others are all pills and I take them 1 or 2 at a time. I haven't had any issues with this so far. I may have to look for the meltaway Vitamins, though...

I was banded on 12/21/12 and I didn't start working out until week 4. I went back to work after 2 weeks and had to let my body adjust to the band, lower calories, and moving more during the day. Do only what your comfortable with. Don't rush it and wear yourself out more. After 2 weeks, my doctor said I could do whatever exercise I was comfortable with.

I know the headaches are bad, but they will pass and you will be free of your addiction forever! I drank 2 glasses of sweet tea a day and when I had to stop before surgery, the headaches were horrible, but after 3 days, they were gone. You can do this!! I'm sorry your headaches are so bad, I think we've all been there.

I had a bad day yesterday too. Im 2 months out and feel no restriction. I lost 25 lbs the first 6 weeks and didn't need a fill. Well, I go back next week and sure need one now! This is hard. Bandster Hell is very real. I know I have more self control than I've been showing. We can do this, we will do this and be successful!

Yes, I feel the same way. I was banded on 12/21/12 and I'm down about 27 pounds. When I get down on myself, I think of where I would be without the band. I would still be 256, wearing clothes that were tight on me, and eating the crappy way I did before. I lost sooo much weight those first few weeks and I've totally plateued. But, sigh... it's ok. I've lost almost 3 10lb sacks of potatoes. And, even though I'm not losing, I'm not gaining either, so that's something.

Just know that we all go through Bandster hell, but girl... you've lost 57 pounds!! That's huge! Give yourself a hug... go on... I'll wait. We have to look at the big picture and the bright side. Looking back doesn't do anything but hurt.

You go girl!!

My doctor's office says no straws as well, but it seems like it wouldn't really hurt you if you did. I used oned before by accident and the extra air intake didn't feel good, but maybe I'm more sensitive to gas. The rule of thumb is to listen to your dr, but you could always try it once and see how it goes.

I walk, walk, walk! Inside, outside, I work in a university, and with all the extensions they've done, it's a nice walk all the way around. I get up from my desk at 10 every morning and walk for 15 minutes, then at lunch, I walk for 20. At night, I'll walk the dog, do a yoga dvd, or my Leslie Sansone "Walk Away the Pounds" 2 mile dvd.

I would love to get a Treadclimber!!! So jealous

I'm 2 months out and down 25 lbs. Like many here, the scale isn't moving but, this week especially, I've been told how good I look and how much weight I've lost! I must be losing inches, rather than weight. That's ok with me, because I've been eating pizza LOL

Hang in there, you'll see all your hard work pay off soon enough!!

Add me everyone!! Im PBTango on mfp too

I feel the same as you I keep going up and down the same 2 pounds! It's so frustrating! My first fill is 2/8 I'm hoping that helps me lose...

Me too... Those dang 2 pounds. Everyday it goes back and forth. I just keep plugging away, hoping next time I step on the scale, they'll be gone!!