Hello every one! I am banded may 5th and the most I lost was 32 lbs. but recently I been cheating and eating everything and basically i can eat ANYTHING. I might have gained most of what i lost , I don't weigh lately for the fear of disappointment. I hope to find a buddy to work with me through this process. i am open to anybody. Pls Help.

Sibom

Sibom,

I am sorry to hear that you are struggling. I was banded on May 5th 2010 as well, and have lost 28lbs so far. I have been having a hard time staying full. I had my first fill June 14th, and did not get much restriction with it. I go for my second today. Hang in there, keep at it. It can only get better with each fill! Good luck to all!

Heidi

Been having trouble myself lately. About 10 days ago I overate, and found that I could actually eat if I wanted to - not a good discovery. I just expected I would PB or vomit or something, but like everyone says, you can eat around the band. Old habits - food as comfort. It's been a rough week. I think I felt like I'd screwed up, and then I felt bad, then I screwed up again to dull the pain, and so on and so forth.

It's humbling. I dropped a ton of weight in my first month, and then I hit a plateau for a week or so, then life intruded a bit and then I was back to old habits. I'm sure I've gained but I too have been avoiding the scale (and the gym) lately. I should know better, and I take full credit for falling off the wagon.

But I'll write this to you, and to myself, and everyone who is struggling: what happened yesterday does not have to dictate what happens today. Thinking about it will only continue the cycle, so don't beat yourself up. You can always start fresh, so I'm gonna concentrate on that.

I go in for my first fill tomorrow. I don't expect it will be a lot, so I will have to remember that I need to do the work on my end in order to really make this thing work. It's not going to happen overnight, but it will happen if I keep working it. Best of luck to all of you and thank you for starting this thread, it helped me out today.

ACP1974...

I want to thank you for your post. It was a real eye opener, and made me realize that I, too, was "eating around the band." I had my second fill today, and am really feeling what it is like to have restriction. It is re-assuring! Good luck!:thumbup:

I was banded May 25th and so far I've lost 24 lbs. Unfortunately I've hit a plateau and the monster (my stomache) is starving. My cravings and appetite are coming back with force. Fortunately, I'm getting my second fill in a little more than another week.

The fills definately help... Also I can work myself out of a craving. I can make myself full-heartedly believe that I will die if I each chocolate/bread/cake/donutes/chips etc. Believe it or not, it helps me.

I just think to myself that if I eat those foods then I will have severe pain and I will have to have my band taken out. I will then gain all my weight back, plus even more!

I like the idea of "working yourself out of a craving" - so much of this is mental, and anything we can do to get past that state of craving ("head hungry" as they say, or emotional hunger as opposed to physical hunger) is a good thing. As you get a month or more out of surgery, your swelling is down, and you don't have restriction, that sense of urgency you felt after surgery can wane a bit. I know it has with me, so I need to reignite that sense of urgency within myself.

That doesn't mean I don't want to find my sweet spot, or don't expect to get some assistance when I do, but I do need to address the mental aspects that led me to overeat in the first place. It's too easy to think the band will do the work for you, or that surgery will scare you straight. I was really starting to believe that, but that's where you have to be vigilant. food addiction, overeating, emotional eating, whatever you want to call it, is always lurking there. We can't rest on our laurels - I should know because I was feeling pretty darn proud of myself two weeks ago and I fell back into old habits.....

Will report back on my first fill - thanks again for starting this thread and keeping it going, we need each other's support!

Well that sounds great I had my 1st and I still feel like I can eat more than I should. But I am fuller longer well I have only lost like 13lbs since surgery and I don't know what to do to make the weight come off Help? What are good Protein meals? or any good Protein bars or shake that you guys like?

Hello all, I was banded on May 7. I had one fill, then when I went for the 2nd fill my port had flipped, I had surgery on July 2nd to resecure the port and my 3rd is scheduled for July 28th. I have lost 38 pounds and it is wonderful. Currently I swim to get in my exercise. My biggest challenge is not drinking with a meal and for an hour afterwards. I struggle with that everyday. Before I know it I am grabbing for a drink. LOL Its like a subconsious thing. Anyway. Proud of us all. We can do it and we are worth it! :-)