I was so diligent the first year of the band, and did so well. Lost 102 lbs. As soon as the anniversary date hit, it seemed as if I hit a major plateau. I kept telling myself this would pass, but now I'm 6 weeks away from my 2 year bandiversary and I'm up 18 lbs. My reason for getting the band originally was to try to get pregnant again. We met with infertility specialists and decided we'd have to go through an egg-donor and ivf in order to get pregant so we decided just to get healthy for the daughter we already have and for ourselves. In March, I found out I was pregnant. We were so happy, couldn't believe it happened on it's own. A week later, I miscarried. It was devastating but I'm getting through it with great support from my friends and husband and even my daughter. What I can't seem to do is get back on track. I can be so strong willed during the day and then at night, It's like a spiral downfall. I seem to pick on everything at night. I just want to do my what screen name says, take my life back. I'm hoping some of you have some great tips or advice as a way to break the plateau. My doctor suggested Optifast but that doesn't sound like something I could stick to or afford at this point.

Thanks for listening!

I wish you the best of luck... I too am in a spiral and am trying to claw my way back. It just feels so impossible at times. I have made an appt later this month with a completely different bariatric doctor just so I can have a chat and listen to any suggestions or options. I feel if I can't succeed with a band then it's really no point looking at a sleeve etc because the same problems will still surface eventually. I just love food. It is a great passion in my life and when I don't indulge I do miss it but I also love losing weight... arghhhhh lol. I don't want to be slim, I have no interest in being slim, I love curves, but being morbidly obese is curves overload. I KNOW I have to take control back again... it's very difficult. I don't have enough in my band to make a great difference in restriction... I have gone through the choking at night and extreme reflux... and so I only have enough in to prevent that happening... and so it isn't very effective.

I'm sorry I haven't got any tips for you at this point but if and when I do find some I will come back and let you know.

GOOD LUCK.

If your biggest problem is grazing at night, are you HUNGRY then or just eating to eat? What about chewing gum in the evenings so your mouth is occupied? Or going to bed earlier...

I know its very frustrating. I've been through the same thing. The first year I lost like crazy. 110lbs. The second year I lost 15 more and 10 of that was the skin removed during my tummy tuck. It'll be 3 years the end of this week and I've lost another 18. I'm not complaining. I've lost a total of 143lbs and I couldn't be happier about it but the last 2 years I've had to fight for every single one of them. I have the same problem as you. I'm great during the day but at night all I want to do is pick! Unfortunately,what works for one person won't necessarily work for someone else. But I will share some of the things I've tried.

I quit my incredibly high stress job. (I worked in a mental health facility and had 40 patients that ranged from mild mental retardation to full blown paranoid schizophrenia. Most of them had violent tendencies.) I loved my work but was so burned out. I've actually lost about 8lbs since I left 2 months ago. So you might try to eliminate anything that's causing you stress.

I made copies of my before picture and put them on the fridge and inside the cupboards. Seeing that makes me think twice before I reach in and put something in my mouth. Someone here said recently "Nothing tastes as good as skinny!" It's soooo very true!

Now that it's baseball season (I just LOVE my Detroit Tigers!) I go to the ballpark a couple times a month. I always park about 6 blocks away and walk over. I get there 1 1/2 hrs before game time and walk laps around Comerica until the game starts. I try to do some kind of physical activity every day whether I go to the gym or do yard work or just exercise in my living room.

I think that staying on a consistent diet causes the body to go into survival mode. It will hold on to every calorie. Mix it up. Every once in a while give yourself a "pig out" day. If you normally eat 1000 calories, kick it up to 1500. You don't want to go to crazy. Just want to confuse your metabolism. And drink lots of Water. The more you drink the less you retain.

Do you log your food and exercise? This is a great place to do it: https://www.lapband.com/en/mylapband/dashboard/

I'm so sorry about your infertility problems. I understand how difficult that can be. I wish you nothing but the best. Be strong. You'll get through this. You said you had a great support system. That's good. Don't be afraid to use it.

Everyone, thank you all for your replies. I love the idea of posting pics as a reminder. I did start to pick up better habits in the past few weeks and an doing better. I also found out that I'm pregnant again. I'm scared though because I just had a miscarriage back in March. Trying to take it one day at a time and praying for the best. The band feels a bit tighter right now but I'm ok the way it is. I've only had one bad restriction in the past few weeks and that was from over cooked beef. Too tough. So please, if you have a few extra prayers to give, I'd really appreciate them. Hugs!

Good Luck. We're all pulling for you!!

Oh congratulations!! I've had 2 miscarriages and both times, my next pregnancy went full term and I have two beautiful girls to show for it. This pregnancy is already out of your hands, so try not to stress (HA!!!) and just try to think positively. I wish you a boring, uneventful pregnancy!

Oh congratulations!! I've had 2 miscarriages and both times, my next pregnancy went full term and I have two beautiful girls to show for it. This pregnancy is already out of your hands, so try not to stress (HA!!!) and just try to think positively. I wish you a boring, uneventful pregnancy!

Thank you all. Rachel, your post made me feel more relaxed about everything.