Here is why I was fat:

Unhappy, stressed out, anger problems, anxiety problems, depression, miserable marriage, boredom, low self-esteem, drank too much diet soda, made poor food choices (late at night especially!).

I thought that the band would be the answer. I only lost 20 pounds because of the band. At my highest..my weight was about 328.

How did I lose more????

Well..and you might not like this answer.....

I stopped drinking diet soda, I stopped eating after 8 at night, I got more exercise, I changed my depression medication, I got therapy, I cheated on my spouse and eventually figured out we weren't meant to be together from the very start!, I stopped caring what everyone thought of me all the time, I took better care of my appearance, and .....

It has little to do with the band. It has everything to do with things I could have done without getting the band.

Now, I have to drink Water with every meal because if I don't the food gets stuck. Now, I have scars all over my tummy. Now, I realize that I put hope into something which was misdirected.

It's been 7 years since I had the surgery, and about that long since I've had a fill or seen the band doctor. I wish someone was on this board and told me that the answer wasn't in a surgery. That the answer had everything to do with me taking responsibility and owning my unhappiness and coping with it..(even if some of the ways were destructive) I began to cope. But this surgery--wasn't the answer. I wish it was. If it was the answer I would be at my goal weight now. I still have a ways to go. I lost only 20 pounds with the surgery in the first year and was at a standstill. Then, I began to deal with my issues. And, I lost about 60 more. I want to lose more..but I have a ways to go at dealing with all of the stuff I have.

I know that there will be some of you out there who don't agree with this post. But, I don't care. It's what I see as the truth for me. The band wasn't worth it. Look-if you are way fat like I was..here is what I say. Start with therapy. Get involved in groups. Meet people who will help you get outside of your comfort zone and will challenge you to be the best you can be. Get away from the people who want you to be fat forever. Do this before you get the surgery. Try that first.

If someone tells you you are fat and they want to help you...don't cry and think how mean they are. They probably really want to help you.

ok, I said what I needed to say.

I'm not using my tool the correct way. I mean..I still think that it has a lot to do with where I am at emotionally as compared to before..but my not losing even more weight could be because of not eating moist enough foods, and drinking Water with meals.

Has anyone else had that discomfort..I just hate running to vomit after one bite of food.

Can anyone help?

I drink with all my meals, and have from the time I got back on solids. If I don't, I have trouble swallowing. But I limit my meal to a fixed portion of food, and regardless of whether I drink during the meal, when the food is gone, I'm done eating till the next meal. I don't graze, I don't snack, and I don't eat junk food, unless I factor it into my daily eating plan. The drinking with the meal is a non-issue, because it makes no difference in the volume of food I'm eating each meal.

I have been stuck to the point of sliming three times, and I was responsible each time it happened. I ate too fast, or swallowed too large a bite without chewing properly. If I slow down, chew better, and give the food I've swallowed time enough to move through my band (it goes through within a minute or so), I have no trouble. I have never vomited since getting banded, and certainly not like you have described.

I attribute my success to managing my band daily. I control the kind and quantity of food I eat, I focus on Protein first, I don't allow myself to be an emotional eater, and I exercise daily, even if it's just a walk around the block. I track not only what I eat, but I keep a general idea of the calories. I try to get ten percent of daily calories as protein grams. (Meaning if I eat 1000 calories a day, I want 100g of it to be protein.) I try to eat fewer carbs than protein, and rduce fat wherever possible. It takes a bit of planning to make it all come together, but if you manage it right, weight loss WILL happen.

Good luck!

Dave

It sounds to me that you may be a bit too tight - you shouldn't be getting stuck that often unless you are taking bites that are too big or are not chewing enough. My suggestion would be to go on liquids for a day or two to reduce any swelling that may be present from the frequent stuck episodes and then go back to the bandster basics (small bites, chewing thoroughly, no drinks during or for 30 minutes after a meal). If you find you are still getting stuck, go in for a small unfill to see if that helps.

Like everyone else said, you have to use the tool correctly in order to get the best results. I'm glad you have worked through your other issues...I know from experience that doing that goes a long way towards putting you in the right mindset to be able to get the most out of this journey.

Good luck to you!

Thank you so much for your advice. I think I will try this and see if it helps. I am so glad I came back to this forum (initially to vent..and now..I've found out that it was for something different...) In fact, I came back to unsubscribe initially..but now I am thinking that I wanted some help.

Thank you so much for your advice. I think I will try this and see if it helps. I am so glad I came back to this forum (initially to vent..and now..I've found out that it was for something different...) In fact, I came back to unsubscribe initially..but now I am thinking that I wanted some help.

That's what we're here for!

Like Cindy said...we're here to help.

Good luck to you!

Thank you so much for your advice. I think I will try this and see if it helps. I am so glad I came back to this forum (initially to vent..and now..I've found out that it was for something different...) In fact, I came back to unsubscribe initially..but now I am thinking that I wanted some help.

You know Belle I agree with everything that you have said. I feel like the Lapband Has only helped get this weight off because it wont do all the work for you. Leaving soft drinks alone and getting all the other dietary issues in control is what we have to do to be successful. But also if you are having emotional issues and no support system, I can see how things would have made the band fail for you. It is hard work for me to lose the pounds that I have lost the past few months, I have been going to gym at least 3 times a week and talking with a fitness coach and a dietician has been difficult but necessary. Maybe making an appointment to see a bariatric specialist, and finding a local supprt group to attend may help you get back on track. Good luck to you.

Thank you so much for your advice. I think I will try this and see if it helps. I am so glad I came back to this forum (initially to vent..and now..I've found out that it was for something different...) In fact, I came back to unsubscribe initially..but now I am thinking that I wanted some help.

I believe we all need support from somewhere. I am lucky, I have a husband, family and friends that encourage me on a daily basis. So here we are anytime you need us.. We are your new friends.

Thank you so much for your advice. I think I will try this and see if it helps. I am so glad I came back to this forum (initially to vent..and now..I've found out that it was for something different...) In fact, I came back to unsubscribe initially..but now I am thinking that I wanted some help.

Best of luck to you. I don't think the band does the work for you - it just makes it a bit easier to manage. A slight unfill sounds like a good idea. It means it is more your responsibility to choose the correct foods to eat. My band is pretty loose, nothing gets stuck. But I do get satisfied and I eat every few hours a small meal or snack to keep myself from getting hungry. A Protein shake, yogurt with granola, dried banana chips, piece of fruit or mixed fruit, cottage cheese/crackers, and usually a meal with chicken or fish. I eat totally different than pre-band and a heck of alot more healthy. On the weekends, I eat basically whatever strikes me. Moderation is the key. And exercise - it's so important. I wouldn't have lost probably 1/2 my weight if it wasn't for that. I can tell when I don't - the scale doesn't budge except to go up.

Keep positive - and keep a realistic goal in mind. Mini-goals are wonderful things to keep you motivated. You have alot of people who will support you here. I wish you the best!