I won't lie... when I first got my lap band, like most people I was so excited to start my new life. I've lost and kept off 30 pounds... the problem is... I had the band 3 years ago. I never stopped drinking while eating and I KNOW not losing weight is MY OWN FAULT and NOT the bands.

​My problem is I'm so worried that I've done irrevocable damage. I last saw my surgeon a few months ago and all looked good on the baritric swallow.. I guess my worries are unwarranted but I've been eating like I would have before the band for so long I'm worried I can't start over..

Has anyone stopped and started again with good results? I've started working out this week and making better eating choices, but I still find myself in my old habits. I'm soooo hoping someone else has had this problem and can help me get back on track.

PLEASE respond!

Hi there, so many people here are starting over along with those just starting -- it doesn't matter where you are we are each beginning this new day. Forget the "over" part, you have started. You've seen your surgeon, you're exercising, you're here on the forum. Pat yourself on the back. This is your time -- doesn't matter why it wasn't right before because it's right now. You have got this -- you're on it. I can hear how much you want this to work. So, are you hungry? If so, maybe you need another fill. What did the barium swallow show (besides the fact your band is fine, which is great -- you can let go of that worry)? Maybe you need a small fill to take you to the green zone -- otherwise as we all know it's just another diet and we all know how well we've done with our dieting over the years. Some people do a five-day pouch test or all liquids for a few days or more to re-boot. I am pretty new -- just three months out -- but I have that in the back of my mind as a maintenance plan. These are random thoughts but just know you're in good company. You're thirty down not thirty up and you're going to be another chunk down this spring. Best wishes!

Thank you so much for the support and kind words. I'm actually pretty tight, my problem has been drinking while eating.. I'm ALWAYS so thirsty. I know I just have to STOP. There's no other answer.

The last time I saw him I did get a fill... I feel tight, and it's not like I can get down a WICKED LOT even with the drinking...

Time to stop being a lil b*tch about it and just drop the Water with food. LOL...

Changing bad habits is hard work!~

Impossible to comment without knowing how many/much fills...were you ever in green zone, did you need to count calories and measure portions?

Also, speaking for myself...it's not that I should not drink with meals...it is because my band is adjusted to the point it is IMPOSSIBLE to drink with meals....the band forces me to break bad habits...not the other way around....

The fact that you drink excessively with your meals gives me an idea as to where in the ballpark you are with your band....

You are not alone!!! I was banded in April 2010. Lost 50 pounds by October 2010. Then I started cheating on my band.......Reese's Peanut Butter cups, a little ice cream, got a fill, too tight. That gave me the "excuse" to eat more ice cream because I couldn't keep down real food.

Now it is Feb 2014 and I am still down 40 (not bad for almost 4 years of maintenance). I, too, am trying to re-commit to my band and drop my bad, bad, bad habits. I found a resource with great Protein shake ideas and found some I could actually enjoy! I stopped buying ice cream. I took a look at my Vitamins and made sure I was taking what my body needs. I think that has helped me more with my cravings than anything else.

I am also guilty of drinking with dinner on occasion. I combat it by not even serving myself a drink with dinner. I finish a bottle of Water about 15 minutes before I serve dinner. That way the bottle is empty and there is nothing I think I "have" to finish. By the time I'm done with my dinner, I'm too full to contemplate drinking because I know it will cause all my food to come right back up.

I don't often post on this board, but I do read a lot of the posts and comments. The support and knowledge of having a community helps.

Keep coming here! You can do it! We can make 2014 the best year ever!!!!

You CAN DO IT!! Yesterday is done....living with "The Band" like everything in life...is 90% attitude...so you made mistakes, and didn't do what you should have done. you can't change that. What you can change is what you do TODAY. I have found that living in the present is the ONLY way for me to be successful....If I think I can NEVER have that piece of Choclate cake, or those chips...then I want them that much more....but if I tell myself I can't have that cake or chips with this meal, then I can hadle that.

I wish you all the best!! You cand do this!!!

I'm so glad i found this website!!! You guys are awesome! Thank you SO much for the kind words. The support is more then I've gotten in the last 3 years, and it's been less then a day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

B-52, I've had problems in the past with the band being too tight, so I'd rather go slow with the fills. Like I said, if I don't drink I fill up VERY quickly... the problem is I'll keep drinking until it forces the food to go down. I cheat, I admit it.

I'd rather be a little loose but still restricted then too tight and freak out because Water is hard to get down.

B-52, I've had problems in the past with the band being too tight, so I'd rather go slow with the fills. Like I said, if I don't drink I fill up VERY quickly... the problem is I'll keep drinking until it forces the food to go down. I cheat, I admit it.

I'd rather be a little loose but still restricted then too tight and freak out because Water is hard to get down.

I have no problem with water going down, just not at the same time as food...

With me, food is passing through the band slowly...adding water only increases the volume of whats there in the band, causing it to all come up and out....I never experienced it washing food down as many here have expressed...

I can drink right up to when I start to eat...then I have to wait anywhere from 20-45 minutes afterwards to be able to drink...I can take small sips and tell when it is Ok....

When I used to get stuck, sipping warm water was a sure way for me to get un-stuck....not pleasant, but it was a sure fire way to get it over with quickly.

I have heard many people say drinking washes food down quickly....

Edited February 14, 201412 yr by B-52

One day at a time but you can do it!!

If you don't get anything to drink before you eat then there will be nothing there to drink while you are eating. That is one of the biggest problems people have with eating and drinking. Just don't get the drink until 30 minutes after you eat. Starting over is not impossible you can do it but break the eating and drinking cycle now.