Okay, it has been awhile since I have posted. I have had a really tough 2010 when it comes to the band. I was tight in May and it has taken me until this month to get to a point of feeling restriction again. I consider myself very conservative when it comes to fills because I am afraid to vomit, I am actually VERY afraid of that! But I am more fustrated that I haven't lost like most people that have had the their band as long as I have had it. I really need 2011 to be the year for me. I am thinking of going back to the post banding diet protocol to get myself back in the right mind set. Anyone else have any good suggestions that got you back on track after a lull?

I really am not an expert and haven't even had my first fill yet so haven't experienced the feeling of restriction, but am actually looking forward to it as I feel like I probably ate too much over the holidays. As far as getting back on track maybe you can try going back to the liquid protein diet for about 3 days and then mushy foods for 3 days and then shift to the measured foods -- making sure you get your protein first and sticking to veges and fruits - cut out the potatoes and breads and just basically start over and train yourself back to the good habits. Just a thought, hope it helps.

Deb

Since Christmas was over, I've done nothing but worry about how much weight I've gained over the holidays...

My journey, up until the holidays, was sooo successful... not bragging but I lost 72 pounds from May till mid November. Well, when I walked out of my doctor's office in November feeling on cloud 9, I thought, "I got this!!"

Uh...... no, I don't!!! I have gained back 7 pounds... which, any other year during the holidays would have been a conservative number... but to gain 7 pounds with the band is just so disappointing to me... my problem was the sugar.. I began to gradually allow myself to have some - I guess as a reward for losing weight AND because of the holidays AND because I was baking non-stop due to the holidays...

So today I find myself down and blue... and I decided I'm going back on my Protein shake diet atleast for a week or so.. i feel like I need to detox from all the sugar (Cookies, pies, ice cream, ugh...)!!!

I clearly cannot allow myself a 'band' holiday.... and I hope I don't have to write something similar to this next year.. I hope I've learned my lesson and will be more mature and responsible!!!

Good luck to you... and just know you're not the only one who has fallen off the wagon.. if people are honest, I'm sure there are LOTS of us out there....

Signed... confessions of a serial eater!

I feel the exact same way but for a few months now. My weight loss started off excellent. But now I can't seem to loose more than 5 lbs a month if that much. I find myself eating a lot of fruits because meats don't go down well. I'm considering trying this "5 day Pouch Test" to start over from the beginning. Hope this helps, and let me know what happens!!!

I have fallen off of the "bandwagon" and fallen HARD! I missed my three year check-up (banded 09/07) and possibly my two year appt. now that I think about it. I don't know how much I weight as I have refused to get on a scale for at least 6 or more months. I have had several port revision surgeries due to it flipping over. I've only had 4 fills in 3 years (two of them during the revision surgeries) and I am certain that my port has flipped again.I can feel it flopping around like a fish out of water especially when I bend over too far. Neither the doctor nor I have any idea why it keeps happening but it's getting very discouraging! I have needed a fill for so so long and I am always hungry and have NO restriction whatsoever. My fear of going back to the drs' and having him confirm my work nightmare is keeping me from getting the help I need. I am going to go back on the post-op diet for a little while and see if I can start to "hear" my body telling me it's full before I bust up into the dr's office probably weighing more than I did on the day of my surgery. Am I alone in this sad situation? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have become so disgusted with the whole process that I've given up and that makes me sad. I didn't work so hard to be banded to just quit. I am praying that 2011 is my year!