Hi…

I am in need of some major help. I have not lost any weight in over a year. I am no where near my goal weight. Now I’ll be the first to admit that I suck at making good food choices and I hate to excise. I mean why else would I lean towards the band. If I had control I wouldn’t have needed the help to begin with. I was a self paid and up to a month ago I was unemployed for over a year so I had no means to pay to see my doctor. I went 2 weeks ago and I was told I am completed full and that my band has expanded a tiny bit. I was given a strict diet (which I have not kept) or they are going to have to remove some fill. I know I need to control myself, but I just don’t. I need someone pushing me day and night. Can anyone help me?

I guess my first question would be what size is your band. I have one of the 8cc ones and I can't eat much tighter than 6.5. I have stalled in losing weight several times in the last 2.5 years. I luckly have a great doctor that like to incorpurated all aspects of medicine in the weight loss process. However he is located in Los Angeles, so that may not help you. His site is www.mcrcenter.com if anyone in LA need a good doctor.

So, I have major trouble being "good" too. So basicly if I am not miserable then I just keep eating. If I could control myself I would not have the band. So the first step he took was Metformin, lots of studies have indicated it in weight loss. It basicly filters carbs out, so you go to the bathroom alot (which I need help with). When that stopped working after like 6 months, then I did a round of Phentramine (which I like). This helped cravings and up my metabolism. One thing I do need to say is I do workout. I did when I was big and I do now. So that also helps.

One thing I did on my own with Dr. Khan's blessing was The Standard Process Cleanse. It was not easy, but no diet is. This a cleanse you still eat with and have protien shakes and take some pills. It gets pricey when you first start, but you can just get past the first day on the second day you will "know"why you are doing, you will feel like a million bucks. And really fruits, veggies, and rice and Protein shakes is not that hard after liquids for a week. The main goal of the cleanse is to reset your system. You 1 clean out all the bad crap that makes our bodies have ups and down, your brain clears and you feel energy by the second day. Then 2 it is for 21 days (after 11 you eat meat too) so after you have broken a bunch of bad habits and sweets taste two sweet and fats takes grose. It is wonderful. Then the 3rd great thing is it pushes you over that stuck weight loss hump and get you moving the right directions. I have done this cleanse 3 times in 2.5 years and have never gained back the 14lbs or so I lost on it. So I hope my experience will help you.

If you are not prepared to do your part then the truth is that no, we cannot help you.

The band is not a magic wand that makes the weight disappear all by itself, it is a tool that helps you by controlling your hunger so that you can do what you need to do to lose weight. It cannot make good food choices for you, it cannot force you to exercise.If you are not willing to do these things then the band will not help you and neither will any other kind of WLS.

The info that you have given us about the fill in your band is a bit confusing. It sounds as though you may be too tight and as a result have been choosing easy to eat sliders such as Cookies,icecream , shakes instead of the recommended types of food that will enable your band to help satisfy your hunger solid Protein, veg, healthy carbs. You may find that having a small amount of fill out actually helps you to make better food choices which control your hunger more.

But it also sounds as though you had your band a year ago and only went for your first aftercare visit 2 weeks ago which if it is true means you are unlikely to have that much fill in.

So I am confused, I think you need to provide us with clearer info.

You also need to focus on why you got the band, what your goals were and why you spent so much money on it. That would help to refocus me, I hope it does the same for you. You should look at why you are eating as well. Is it because you are bored, stressed, nervous, .................. Figuring out the reasons for non hungry eating and finding ways of addressing them are important. Maybe a visit to a psychologist would help.

As to exercise find something you enjoy as then you are likely to stick to it. No one says that you have to sweat it out in a gym you simply need to be more active. Go swimming,cycling, walking, take a dance class, go roller skating, horse riding the list of options is endless.

But the bottom line is that in order to achieve success YOU have to do something. The band is not going to do it for you.

The band in only a tool to use in your efforts to loose weight; the majority of the success depends on your level of motivation to be compliant with the diet with regular exercise and good food choices.

​If you lack the motivation, and inner determination to make weight loss and health priorities in your life, there is really nothing others can do for you. This forum has many knowledgeable members who provide a support system to others on the same journey.

I hope you will reassess your reasons for having the surgery in the first place, and get in touch with what your priorities are. One phrase I live my life by is the former slogan for Weight Watchers - "If it is to be, then it is up to me!"