Hi guys. I was banded on the 15th June 2013, after a year of saving and planning I was really excited to finally be able to live like a 22year old should. 18 months ago I worked part time for a well known adult store in England, whilst also working for my dad doing accounts, I left the adult store to set up business on my own doing the same thing (so as you can imagine I wasn't the shy type) just before my pre op diet I stopped going out, now I feel like I have lost all my friends.( Non of them know about my op) also I have lost all confidence in even leaving the house so much that I tried to go out a few weeks ago and ended up scratching my arm so bad that it drew blood and I didn't realise until someone pointed out the blood. I have now been put onto aunti-depressants and havent really left the house.

On Monday I had my second fill and I'm now up to 6cc in my 10cc band. I do feel the restriction after my second fill, and iv found tonight how it feels to get something "stuck" ouch!!!

My boyfriend keeps arranging for us to go out for a meal with his friends (he knows, his friends don't) so iv been able to get out of going but now it's Destroying our relationship. We have also been invited to a wedding at the end of the month and iv tried to explain why I can't go but feel like people have had enough of me letting them down.

Sorry to have a moan, just feel like I needed to talk to someone that knows what the whole thing is like rather than having to try and explain but without telling people what's wrong!

Any advise or anyone just want to chat :-(

Are you afraid of eating in front of people?

I am very sorry you're dealing with this.

Before I had the band, I had pretty bad anxiety. I refused to go to social events, wouldn't go in stores that were too crowded, and would try to do everything I could via drive thru windows so I'd not have to get out of my car and deal with people. In fact, I was put on different anti-anxiety meds on and off for years.

Is it possible you need an anti-anxiety med rather than an anti-depressant? Or possibly both? Anti-depressants don't calm or relieve anxiety. Anxiety is a completely different beast to deal with.

I'm no doctor, but it sounds like anxiety is causing big problems for you.

I'm so sorry you're having a rough time! I didn't tell anyone about my surgery other than a handful of people, so I was a bit anxious the first time i went out to dinner with a friend that didn't know. I finally made myself go, and It wasn't bad at all! She didn't even realize, or comment on what I ordered or how much I ate, or anything. We were too busy talking and catching up! Now, it's like normal....only difference is that I always take home leftovers now!

yes...I'm trying to understand why you are isolating yourself. Are you losing weight and finding this is difficult somehow for you to comprehend? I would really suggest that along with taking anti-depressants, you should also be talking to a therapist about your issues and how to overcome them. Good luck and please keep us posted.

I don't mind eating in front of certain people like my boyfriend and a few family members but I feel sick at the thought of simply talking to people. I'm currently on a waiting list to see a therapist, I go back to my doctor on Monday so I will maybe ask about the anxiety medications. Thank you for all your responses x

Good luck and great job on seeking help. I had a bit of anxiety first time going out with people who don't know I was banded . Alot of people don't know and you know what no one cared about what I ate and when people comment on my weight loss I give them half the tricks 1000-1200 calories a day n working out .

Hi there from Australia . I was banded on the 6th August 2013 and doing well. I just wanted to say hi to you and you will be in my thoughts. Don't give up on yourself.