I have had the lap band for 6 mths and I lost weight pretty slow and steady. I kept track of everything I ate and weight dropped slowly but, I was happy. I lost a total of 40 lbs....I had a second fill in Sept. and since then only lost 10 lbs. But, with the holidays and family visiting and alot of yummy food around, I stopped keeping track of my food intake and protein and have not lost anything since Oct. I did have a lot of stress going on and I realize what I need to do. I have also noticed lately that I have been feeling a pain in my left shoulder when I eat. I have two questions for you, are you struggling with your sticking to your lapband lifestyle during the holidays? and do any of you have a pain in the left side chest area when you eat? (i am not sure if it is due to my bites being to big, but it is bothersome. I got my 2nd fill in Sept and did not feel this restriction until now. Does your band get tighter months after you get a fill? (or) I am probably eating too big of bites and too much.)

Also, what are your new year resolutions? I really need to get back on the wagon and need some encouragement. The good thing is I have not gained weight, but, I still need to lose another 33 lbs.

i feel your pain, i was horrible this holiday season, ate way more than i should have, it was so hard to not eat all the foods that i love. i made a smaller plate and took small bites of everything. i did overindulge and boy did i feel it the day after xmas. i was soooo tight and swollen after eating way too much xmas eve and xmas day. so yesterday and today, i have been taking it easy, drinking warm liquids, drinking my protein shakes and eating creamy soups. you are not the only one that is having troubles, we have been overindulging for years now and it was every day, not just holidays. i notice that when i am stressed or that time of the month, my band gets tight. you are doing fine, just jump back on the band wagon, get to exercising, up your proteins, watch what you eat. start over and move on! you have not gained so that is good, might need another fill or just go back to the beginning. good luck

I feel your pain, literally! I have fallen way off the wagon and its hard getting back on. Banded for almost 3 months, lost 20 lbs, and now up by 2. Eating the wrong things and eating too fast, argh. Learning the hard way, the pain when something gets stuck is BAD. Live and learn to LIVE with my band. For me, the mental part of losing weight is the hardest thing to deal with.

I have also overindulged myself the past 2 weeks between holiday parties at work, the actual holiday and friends wanting to go to lunch/dinner since they are visiting. However, I look at it this way. I know how to get back on track. Luckily, I have not gained because I have increased my exercise just a little to deal with this holiday fiasco. I have one more dinner to attend tonight and then it will be back at it.

im right there with all of you =) i have ben naughty, not ti bad, but went from 198 to 201 so im notto worried, and im getting y period so maybe justsome waterweight !!! i ate sweets a lot !! but today is a new day and back on track !!!

I feel your pain! I have fallen off the wagon in a major way. Needed a fill badly before Christmas, but I wanted to be able to enjoy the holidays. Major mistake! I stepped on the scales this morning and have gone from 214 at the beginning of December to 227! This is terrible!!! I have a fill scheduled for Friday and plan to go back to my pre-op diet just to get my mind right again. In my opinion, this becomes a mind over matter thing! Got to get my head back in the game.

I did alright on Christmas Eve but ate some cookies on Christmas Day. It seemed to restart the sugar addiction! Lot's of cravings, for anything and everything.

Over this weekend I only drank protein drinks and yogurt. I drank lots of water.

Yesterday I ate a very light breakfast and early light dinner.

I feel back on track again. I do not want to mess up all the good work I have done. I was terrified to weigh myself at the club this am but it was good! Whew, hopefully a lesson learned for me.

Get back on the wagon, keep posting, don't give up. We have to live each day - one at a time.

I want to add, I have never done so well before - never. I have tried many many times to lose weight and was never this successful. My brain seems to be in the right place now. I thank the Lord Jesus, my band and this forum. I really appreciate the feedback!