Help Im A Failure At Lap Band

[Wendy Peters 1]

I was banded in November 2011 and I am having such issues I dont know what to do. i originally lost 25 lbs felt pretty good about my self then it was like I became possessed and have lost all control over my diet. Im eating stuff I shouldnt eating to much(Im beginning to think Ive stretched my pouch) I just dont know what my problem is. :angry: Im soo disquisted with myself I feel like such a failure! I want nothing more then to loose 100lbs and weigh 160-175 which still puts me overweight but I dont mind that weight I was healthy at that weight. i want to be healthy, get "rid" of the diabetes, high blood pressue, sleep apnea.. But its like I have an alien in my mind over riding all that I try to accomplish.

Help me I dont know what to do. I actually have made an appointment with a shrink to see if they can help me figure out why I want to stay unhealthy and obese!!! Has anyone else done this????

[Lori.byrd 0]

I'm having the trouble focusing too. I was banded in Nov 2009 and lost 103 lbs. I stepped I'm the scales today and have now gained back 55 lbs. I know how you feel. I'm frustrated. I had my Fluid removed and when I finally had some put back in it wasn't even half what was removed so do not feel restriction at all.

[YngGram 73]

Oh boy, I am right there with you! I got my band in March 09 and I was able to drop about 63 lbs. I was thrilled to be a size 12 and not have the pain in my knees and joints. I am not very happy with me right now, I have put on about 10 lbs. in the last couple of months. Off to see the doc tomorrow and a fill on Fri., it's been almost a year since a fill which put me at 5.5cc and I hope it will get me going in the right direction.

[♕ajtexas♕ 3,771]

Time to regroup. You have made the first step by reaching out for help. You can do this, we all support you. It sounds like you need to see your doctor to make sure the band is working correctly, then talk with a nutrition to get you refocused on the right foods to eat. Soon you will be back on your way. And we will be behind you the whole way.

[SageTracey 608]

Seeing a shrink, as you called it, is a great first step to identifying and dealing with your underlying issues that are blocking you from success. Good luck.

[pink dahlia 2,513]

Honey,............. if youre eating "too much " and have "no control " could it be because you need a fill ? Make an appt with your Dr. , NOW........... Once you have the proper amt of restriction you wont be thinking of or eating the wrong foods, because you literaly wont be able to ! Im getting my 7th fill tomorrow (im singing), tommorrow !!!!!!!!!!!! Get back on track so you can talk about being a success story ! Good luck, you can SO do this !!

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

*Im eating stuff I shouldnt eating to much*

i am a newbie bander so the only thing i can say is, just because you can eat (alot) doesnt mean you should. also, if you know you shouldnt be eating something (that is high fat/high calorie) then stop doing that. go back to the basics. Protein first. veggies and fruit and in small amounts. And drink alot of Fluid (water). i cant speak to the fills per pinks post but that could also help. I think right now, ok so you gained and you are in a rut..ok...ok....lets not beat ourselves to a pulp.

you cant changed yesterday, but you can change today. make those small changes and make yourself well.

YOU can do this.

[Kate rules 43]

I had trouble too. I used the "shotgun" approach so I cannot be sure what worked for me. I started seeing a shrink, went on Prozac, started using my fitness pal, reduced stress and got a band buddy to keep me accountable. I also saw my doctor and continued to get fills.

I was eating too much. I was continuing to use food as a bandaid for my stress and anxiety. So I hope something in this post helps you.

[jeani81 93]

To be honest so many are relying on the band, the band is only a tool you need to become accountable for your food choices and amounts you are eating. Go back to the basics. Eat Protein first and stick to the 1/2 - 1 cup portion sizes, if needed drink protein between meals. Get yourself on some sort of exercise schedule. Seeing a therapist may help also but you've got to start somewhere and begin again

[vlp1968 83]

I am struggling too. I lost 107 pounds and gained back 45. Never thought that would happen. I have had a good few days and was ok with the scale this morning. I have been scared to get on it. I hope I am back on track once and for all. If I loose 30 or so of the weight I gained I think I'll be happy, but not sure. I've been told by people close to me that I got too thin, not so sure about that and I have a beautiful wardrobe I'd like to fit into again. Well, that's where I'm at, thanks for listening.

[downhomechik 41]

Congrats on making the first step by calling a doctor and/or psychologist. Also, do you have local support groups you can attend? We have them in our local area and talking face to face with people is so helpful and they live close by...so maybe a buddy system can help? And posting on here and coming back often will help as so much good advice and support people here!

[Justme9786 50]

Have you been to any local lapband support group meetings? Seems like you need a boost in confidence and a boost of some support. Yes, this site is great for support, but sometimes actually GOING to a support group meeting will do wonders. Check with your surgeon to see where they are hosted. You'll be surrounded by people who understand the struggles and will give you advice. Also, speak with your surgeon. You may need a tighter fill. Sometimes it takes going back multiple times before you find your sweet spot or "green zone" as this site calls it I guess. The band is just a tool, it really is more up to you to make the committment to stay focused and remember what the end result is. We all have slip ups where we eat what we shouldnt or more than we should, but it's not about focusing on those moments, it's about picking yourself back up and going forward. Best of luck to you!

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

Everyone else has given you good advice. I'll just add a few comments.

Getting some psychotherapy (especially if the therapist is experienced with eating disorder and WLS patients) is a great first step. While obesity is caused by a combination of factors, not all of them within our conscious control, it's important to take a multi-disciplinarian approach to treating it, so be sure to talk with your surgeon and dietitian as well. I guarantee you, you will not be the first self-sabotaging patient they've ever had, and they might just have some good suggestions for you.

In the meantime, stop calling yourself a failure. Weight loss and management is lifetime project, and it's going to be extremely hard for you to accomplish that at the same time as you're piling shame and disgust on top of yourself. That kind of self-talk has a tendency to become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[dramastarr 9]

To all of the comments here, I am glad we are able to pour our issues to each other. I agree you just may need a fill. Plus you may need to some shallow motivation. My shallow motivation is clothes and looking at old pictures I keep that large picture on my phone at all times. I have also found and it may just be me, but I found that the food that they say for us to avoid like bread, chicken, fries, burgers help me during my craving spells. I know you may think its weird, but with those food I get restriction and a since of fullness with as little as 3 bites. So when I really need a fat girl snack I get one, it is a whole lot better than eating sliders which could be part of your eating habbits. I hope this helps.

[Lori.byrd 0]

I called my DR today and was told I definately need a fill. It's been 7 months since they put some Fluid in mine. 4 months prior to that it had all been removed. Even the reserve fluid. I developed acid reflux so severe my stomach around the band swelled closed. I have no insurance now that my husband is out of the military and no DR in Arkansas to help me so I have to save up money and drive to Indianapolis to do my fills. It is comforting to hear others struggle too.