Aussie40

Hi Bel I would really love you to be my mentor. You were kind enough to reply to my 30 May 08 post 'have any aussies had a band for 2+ years'. Quick recap: I was banded Sept 05, lost 35 kgs in 10 months but have regained 13 kg since October 07. You might also be interested to know that my son (age 17) also has a band. He is doing quite well lately after a very rocky period. Anyway, you made the very sensible suggestion of getting regular fills. I havent quite got the courage up to go back yet but I have lost 3.9 kgs over the past couple of weeks by cutting right down on carbs. I'm very encouraged by your story and impressed by your generosity in offering to help others. I think being able to email you would really help me get back on track.

Wow Nigel, you have done so well - congratulations!

Hi TaraJane I have also cancelled several appointments recently. Its just so humiliating having to get on those scales and have the nurse record the weight gain. I actually gathered up my courage and went back for a fill in April. Unfortunately, I got too much put in and I basically couldnt eat any solids. I lost 4 kilos in two weeks but it was so horrible, I had to get the band loosened again. Of course, I've regained the 4 kilos and now I'm nervous about getting a refill as well as embarrased about the weight gain. Do you want to support each other in making a commitment to go back for a fill within the next month (no matter what the scales say)? I'm game, if you are.

Thanks for your replies Bel and Fee. It is really encouraging to hear that you have both managed to keep your weight off for so long. I must admit I have been pretty erratic with the fills over the past year, so the advice about regular appointments makes a lot of sense.

I got my band done in September 2005 by Miss Wendy Brown at the Avenue Hospital in Melbourne. I lost 35kg (two thirds of my excess weight) fairly easily within 10 months. I stayed at that weight without much trouble until October 2007, when I copped some serious stress at both work and home. True to form, I turned to comfort food to get me through. Unfortunately, icecream, chocolate and cheesecake go through the band just fine. To my horror, I've regained almost 13kg. I'm keen to know if it is common to backslide after living with the band for a couple of years and how other people manage to get back on track afterwards.

Hi Molly Molly I got my band in September 2005 in Melbourne, Australia. I lost 35kg (the targetted 66% of my excess weight) fairly easily within 10 months. I remained stable at that weight without much trouble and thought that the band had 'cured' my overeating until.... In October 2007, I got stuck in a really stressful work situation, my teenage son was going off the rails and I was about to turn 40. True to form, I turned to food as an emotional crutch. Unfortunately, icecream, chocolate and cheesecake go through the band just fine. To my horror, I regained almost 13kg over the past 6 months. I've now come to accept that even with the band, I'm just a 'recovering' overeater. 10 days ago, I made a real committment to myself to get back on the wagon, so I found this website, cleared out my fridge/pantry and had my band tightened. Much to my relief, I've lost 3 kg since then and am feeling more confident that I can get back to my target weight. I would be interested to know if it is common for people to backslide after a living with the band for a couple of years and how they deal with it.