I have been banded for a little over a year and fear that I've fell back into some bad habits. I initially was loosing weight pretty quickly because of the liquid diet and minimal eating but since I've been back on real food it's still a constant struggle. I have had two injections and still I find myself eating way too much. Any words of encouragement or advice. I also know that I'm not exercising as I should. I had lost 52 lbs back in November but nice the holidays an my lack of exercising and eating lightly I'm back to having lost about 37 lbs and I feel defeated. This surgery was a huge financial undertaking for me since insurance didn't pay anything towards it and I am very disappointed in myself. I think perhaps I need another injection since I'm still able to eat too much. Suggestions? Thank you in advance.

I apologize for my typos. My iPad has auto correct and changed a few words I didn't catch.

Just put the past behind you and start again. That is the beauty of the band. It is always there, waiting for you, even when you mess up. So you can pick right up and continue onward.

Like you, I lost a lot of weight on the pre and post op diets. Things have slowed down considerably since then. I go in for my second fill tomorrow and I am hoping I get lucky and get some restriction.

I say yes you need another fill it helps so much to regain your footing!! Some people quit before they get the right restriction. Call your Doc and get the ball rolling!!

I apologize for my typos. My iPad has auto correct and changed a few words I didn't catch.

I hate when that happens!

One thing that keeps me motivated is this.

I have gone through new clothes, a few times now. I am now wearing "Normal" size clothes. I have a few pairs of pants, although "Skinny" pants, they fit a little too tight at the waist and it's "DejaVu" that I'm fat and need to loose weight because my clothes don't fit! I'm a mess!

Don't give up!. I felt the same way only after my 2nd fill after being banded 11/7/11. I tell myself, "Self, I know you didn't go through all of this for nothing!" I feel bad after eating enough for 2 people (no restriction yet) then I start all over again with the Protein drinks, remembering the positive feedback on the weight loss, my new clothes, and exercising with a vengeance (at least for me). The band and me are a team, when the band isn't doing its job I pick up the slack. Everybody is different I found out as I joined this site. Do you Boo and make it work.

Good luck

Thank you all so much. It's so nice to be able to hear from people who have ben thru th same hurdles. I have just finished exercising with my wii fit and just dance. That made me feel a bit better. I've also made plans to go to a water aerobics class tomorrow after work with a coworker. Another issue I need to tackle is water intake. I don't think I'm drinking near enough water. How much do you guys drink? I did finally cut out soft drinks. That was my new years resolution and I am 9 days "sober" lol. I'm doing mainly OJ, skim milk, water and some sweet tea. I will definitely be calling to schedule a fill. My only issue there is since I'm a "self-pay" patient and they normally have to take me into fluoroscopy to "find" the port for injection it costs me about $680 each time and that's a big amount on a school teachers budget.

I find it quite sad that you have to pay so much for a fill, it must make the decision to get one done so difficult, in the uk the equivalent of a self pay fill at the hospital i am is £80 maybe $150 equivalent, any chance u can find a new fill doctor ?

I think getting a partner to work out with will help the motivation too, so good luck with that.

I would be wary of OJ it has a lot of fructose in it and ofc calories, maybe water it down some or actually eat an orange so u get some bulk and therefore fill u up a little ..

Just dont give up on yourself, you thought u were worth investing money in to pay for the band, so dont make it that u paid all that money out for it not to work. Find food that will fill u up without adding empty calories or that passes through too quick. As u are a teacher set yourself some homework to do call it 'Project me' and become your own expert at what u can and cant eat to lose weight and what exercise u need to do to create a defecit in calories each day.

Good luck to you and i hope u can get to do the next fill u need !

I find it quite sad that you have to pay so much for a fill, it must make the decision to get one done so difficult, in the uk the equivalent of a self pay fill at the hospital i am is £80 maybe $150 equivalent, any chance u can find a new fill doctor ?

I think getting a partner to work out with will help the motivation too, so good luck with that.

I would be wary of OJ it has a lot of fructose in it and ofc calories, maybe Water it down some or actually eat an orange so u get some bulk and therefore fill u up a little ..

Just dont give up on yourself, you thought u were worth investing money in to pay for the band, so dont make it that u paid all that money out for it not to work. Find food that will fill u up without adding empty calories or that passes through too quick. As u are a teacher set yourself some homework to do call it 'Project me' and become your own expert at what u can and cant eat to lose weight and what exercise u need to do to create a defecit in calories each day.

Good luck to you and i hope u can get to do the next fill u need !

I pay for my own fills also, and it cost me $125 amaerican. $80 for the Dr.s visit if I don't get a fill.

I have read here about some paying outlandish amounts.

It reminds me when I was a diabetic....everyone wants to give you their FREE meter, only to get you to have to buy their test strips for rediculous prices.

same here