BackInTheSaddle

With an attitude like that you're going to do awesome!!!! I'm totally steeling that "thinspiration" I love it!!

You're NOT failing, you're still TRYING!!! Just because you haven't got it all figured out yet doesn't mean you're failing... You're here & trying to get it all figured out, that's positive & a great step towards success!

Way to go taking a HUGE step! I have the same issue as you it sounds like... I'm an emotional eater, and it's all mental for me it has nothing to do with hunger... With that said, I've had a very hard time keeping my weight down despite having the band. You hear people say all the time the band is a tool... It's true because a year after surgery I stopped using my tool ehen done family drama happened & went right back to eating my blues away (or should I say making myself more blue when I looked in the mirror). 8 years later I'm still struggling to lose but please don't get me wrong I love my band & am glad to have the tool there to use. I guess what I'm trying to say is please don't rely on just your band.... You HAVE to change your attitude about food to have real success & counseling is probably a great way to do that. Just don't be like me & think "I had WLS, I'm going to be skinny now" because weight loss is very hard, even with the band it takes 100% dedication, tons of support & a whole lot of exercise. Feel free to email me if you would like a support buddy that understands the constant struggle. Cowgirlspurz@gmail.com Best of luck to you!!!!

Have you tried Water aerobics? It's a ton of fun & no stress to the joints... I enjoyed it because it didn't effect the severe arthritis in my ankle. Just a thought way to go getting back in track though... I think that's the first step, accepting the fact it's time for change. You can do it!!!

I liked reading this thread let me realize my journey is no different than anyone else. It will be 2 yrs in December since I was banded. I lost 40 lbs initially then had foot surgery due to severe foot pain. It laid me up for 4 months and used that excuse not to exercise. Life has continued to be complicated and using slider foods to cope. I started back getting on track and now have severe pain in my other foot. I know I can't continue to let my feet to be an excuse for not exercising. I need a plan and get myself together.

I know this is an old Thread but THANK YOU! You're so right! Relating the band &this journey to my toddler made a so much sense to me & really put things in perspective! I've been afraid to get a fill (sadly because I didn't want to not be able to eat this or that) but that's why I have the band to help me control my portions! Boy oh boy this whole thing really is a mental struggle for me more than anything!!!

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Absolutely: don't despair or give up! This has been an amazing and very interesting journey....I may have 15-20 lbs to "re-lose" [and still 25 or so more to get to goal] but I still consider my weight loss a huge success overall.

For me, the first year was the quickest and most weight loss, then more gradual after that. Before the surgery, I read and researched a LOT, and so I felt pretty prepared. One of the "downers" [at least I thought so at the time, but it so was not a downer, in the long run] of what I read was that one book talked about "success" with a lap band being a loss of 50% of the excess weight. Well, phooey, I thought, when I figured that out, being then at 280 lbs with a goal of 150, or a hopeful loss of 130 lbs. [which seemed insurmountable at the time....I was convinced that I would be the one person in the world for whom this surgery wouldn't work].

So, 50% of 130 would be a loss of 65 lbs, and this particular bariatric center writing the book would think I was a success, and anything else would be gravy [always with the food images, of course.] Big Whoop.

But when I actually HAD lost that 65 lbs I was amazed that it was such a huge difference, physically, mentally, in all ways. While I certainly wanted to lose more, some part of me also knew that yes, this WAS a success, and that if for some reason that was it for the weight loss, I could live with it, and feel good about it. [And then I gradually just kept losing weight, which was of course very satisfying, regardless of what I just said!]

Sometimes, especially in that first year, I felt as though learning to live with my LapBand was like learning to live with an infant, who quickly became a cranky toddler, who could be sweet as could be at times and an unpredictable demon at other times. I had to learn to figure out the subtle signals [to avoid the temper tantrums], couldn't imagine how this could POSSIBLY make me throw up, when yesterday I ate that just fine, and so on. And just like with a child, might love him/her dearly, but some days leaving that wee beastie on someone else's doorstep seemed like a good idea. :wub:

Portions: ha! It took forever to figure out, and BELIEVE, that that itty bitty thing on my plate would be ENOUGH, certainly I needed to fix TWO hamburgers, plus fries, that's what my mind told me, even if yesterday I could only eat less than a half of one, and had felt full and satisfied. Talk about a learning curve: sometimes it was a steep one, and sometimes it was flat, and sometimes I didn't seem to be learning a darned thing. <img src='http://cdn.lapbandtalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/colorful/mad2.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':mad3:' />

It took a while to realize that this wasn't going to be a finite project, with surgery done, lose weight, then forget about it and on with life. It continues to be a day to day process, just like living with a child. A pain at times, but so worth it in the long run. [And it is soooooo nice to be able to buy clothes without any X's in the size!].......Diane

Hi there guys! I'm right there with you both! Marriage, life changes & then a baby happened & now I find myself 60lbs heavier than I'd like to be! I haven't had a fill in years so I think that's first on the list! My email is cowgirlspurz@gmail.com if anyone wants to be support buddies I'd be happy to email or txt! Lets help share healthy meal ideas, fun exercise ideas etc!

Hi there! I'm in the exact same position, banded in 2005 lost 89lbs, had a baby gained back 50. I started back 3 days ago really trying to be serious & in life change mode not just drop a few lbs... I want to make long term commitment and change to my lifestyle. Wish this was easier lol

You and I sound like we are kindered spirits! Right now' date=' I am in Bandster Hell! Banded in 2009, lost 125, and over the last year or so have regained almost 40! I know, I know! Anyway, had a slight unfill on Friday because I was too tight and basically eating nothing but slider foods. I am on my first day of the 5 day pouch test trying to get back on track….I am starving! LOL!

Thanks for letting me bend your ear, just trying to get back to the rules and let my band do what it is meant to do.

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What is the 5 day pouch test? I've never done that. Dont get too down on yourself- we can do this!!! I figure if we lost it before we can do it again, right?!?

Hello, I was banded in 2005 in MX by Dr Ortiz. I lost 89lbs in the first two years after surgery but then some life events happened, I had a baby and now I find myself back up 45lbs & very unhappy. I'm depressed and feel like a failure. My husband is the type that has a very high metabolism and is constantly trying to gain weight so he isn't the best support person (as he eats a lb of chocolate covered Gummy bears lol). I never did make it to my goal weight of 160 & as I sit here at nearly 230 it seems almost impossible. I have 3.2ccs in my 4cc band so not much room for adjustment. Anyone else in the same boat? I have basically get in a self sabotage habit of eating just"sliders" (foods that break down & the bad doesn't restrict or chewing until my food is liquid so there's no restriction. Yesterday I decided enough is enough I'd like to live long enough to see my daughter grow up & it's time to get healthy- NO EXCUSES!!!! So here's my plan, one step at a time.... Walk 1/2hour a day M-F, serve myself on a tea plate (I don't need more than that), eat my Protein first & check in to LBT daily for support & to keep focused. I'm also using Lose It! App to track my cAlories/ protein intake and just to be accountable. Anyone out there gained it back & lost again??? Looking for a little hope

When I get to this point I remind myself that the band is just a tool... And if used correctly its very helpful. Self sabotage is soooo easy, I'm definitely to blame there too... Why can't fudge, ice cream & Cookies get stuck? Lol

Anyone out there in Yakima county WA looking for some support & maybe a new friend???

Hello Everyone,

I was banded December 2005, initially lost about 89lbs but somehow after having my baby ended up just about 30lbs less than my weight on surgery day. I realize I'm killing myself by letting my weight get so out of control & I want to get back in the saddle & get this weight back off & get healthy again! I cAn feel a huge difference in my physical capabilities when I was lighter & am determined to get back under 180lbs! I just need some encouragement and a good support network so here I am! anyone else out there struggling to restart their journey? I'd love to partner up with someone to set goals & help hold each other accountable so if anyone out there is interested let me know. Anyone in Yakima County WA??? An exercise buddy would be awesome. Looking forward to being able to get up on my horse a bit easier