marshab64

I made the mistake of being cocky and thinking "I've got this!" since I hit the green zone after my third fill. If an appointment was made for me in August, I missed it and they didn't give me a reminder call. So I scheduled an appointment for September 30th, got busy at work and didn't go because I was still going for 4 hours on a small amount of food. Well this week it hit me that I'm eating much more than I should and that I'm making poor food choices. I'm afraid I can't tell if I'm in the green zone anymore and I'm falling back into bad habits (the tops of 3 slices of pizza for dinner last night, a McDonald's filet of fish AND medium fries for lunch today - YIKES!!!!!). I was supposed to start doing better today, but that's shot now. However, I did call to schedule an appointment, unfortunately they can't see me for another week and it's not the center that I'm use to going to, which isn't very comforting. I'm almost on the verge of calling my surgeon and asking him to give me a fill because I just don't want to wait that long.
I said all of that to say this: even if you think you're fill level is okay, go to your monthly follow up visits. Your band might not need tweeking, but there is something about going to the visit that keeps you on track and well aware that YOU are accountable for your actions and that YOU are ultimately responsible for the success or failure of your procedure. I'm happy to say that I haven't gained any weight YET, but if I don't visit a counselor soon I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I do. The band is a tool and like all tools, you have to give it a certain amount of attention and maintenance. Along with that, your counselors serve a valuable purpose in the psychological aspect of having this procedure done. Because owning up to your bad behaviors and celebrating the good you have done all have it's place in this journey; it all works together and in your first year, you have to do EVERYTHING that is required of you: eating right, drinking right, physical activity, follow up visits and maybe support groups. Otherwise you could end up feeling guilty and disappointed in yourself...much like I do right now.

I read posts like these, and pay close attention and try to learn something...
I have only been banded for 2 1/2 years, and so far everything has been great....so when people say they gain the weight back, or they loose restriction, my ears perk up because it is something I must be aware of...especially the reasons why it happens....
I still cannot understand how one can loose restriction...as long as the band remains a constant...I do understand and experience it for myself the pouch dilating stretching, allowing larger than normal portions because there is more room for food to accumulate above the band....for this I do the 5 day pouch test, actually will go all liquids for 2-3 days, to give my pouch a rest and return to normal size...hopefully avoiding more serious issues in the future....also why Dr.'s suggest un-fills...
But I am still naive how one can "Fall off the wagon" so to speak....so when people do post these type of stories, it is something that interests me very much...like I said. I try to understand the WHY so others like me, can be warned....and educated..
Thanks for being honest and posting......that is why this forum CAN be productive...for people to hear other people's experiences, good and bad....and learn from them.....NOT to have know it alls tell us what we should and should not do when they themselves have a way to go and much to learn........as if their way is the only way

2B, I am in the same boat! I am looking at my 5 year anniversary and I am so disappointed in myself. I have gained back almost all I have lost. I too just lost motivation and all those bad habits came back. What finally lit a fire under me was a recent back x-ray I had taken because I hurt my back. The x-ray techs were all staring at the screen and I was getting a little nervous and wondering what they were seeing. The nurse came back, asked me if I had on any jewelry and I said no. She described what she was seeing and I knew immediately that my band showed up on the x-ray! They let me see it. It was amazing. I had never seen it before but there it is, plain as can be. Evidently not too many medical people in my area see a banded person. They didn't know what it was. Wish I had a copy of that x-ray; that would be real motivation.
But it got me thinking again and I made an appt to go see my bariatric nurse to check out my band and fill level. I am ready to start again. I have had no support of others, I live alone and no one sees how much I eat. I am going to make frequent visits to this web site to find support here. I also advertised on Craigslist for anyone interested in a support group in my area but so far no takers.
It's hard to do this alone. Hope you find support here and are able to get back on track. You deserve this!