Hello! My name is Debra and tomorrow, February 26th my band will be 5 years old. I started this journey at 349 pounds. At one point during my journey I had lost 114, right now I'm at 65 lost. Sadly I've gained almost 50 pounds back Some of the reason is I've had 3 surgeries since my lap-band was put in place. Therefore all Fluid is removed for recovery. I've also flown to Germany and back with most fluid removed since the middle of December. I am such a food-aholic that I simply go nuts when I know I have no restrictions from food!! I made it through the holidays without gaining but latey OH BOY....I'm like a shark - always searching for food. My next fill is in March. Now the gain has not all been since Christmas either. I've put a little on after each surgery. I acutally lost almost 30 pounds due to a hernia blocking all food (even ice) from passing through my band. The fluid loss alone I was told would be a major hurdle to overcome! I just can't seem to find the motivation I had when I first had my band!! I was so good to stay on track and mind my doctor...not drinking with meals, using my little pre-portioned plate even! I've had several friends that had the surgery due to the success I had had with my band and now I'm just a disappointment to them all! Please someone help me to get on track and find my motivation again!!!!

Thanks

Debra

sorry to hear about all the trouble you have had. surgery of any kind is never easy to over come and to have had 3 since your lapband - well i just hope the issues surrounding those have been resolved. as for motivation don't i just wish there was a button some where that i could just hit and wham i'd be up and ready to tackle everything.. unfortunately motivation i find is something truly personal and you are the only one that can determine what will motivate you in life.. Take a look back at where you where when you first got the bad.. something drove you then. .for me my motivation is purely the want and wish to be healthy and live a long healthy life.. looking back and seeing how many picture moments i have missed because i wouldn't have my picture taken - is something that really saddens me. - I hope you find what you need. and pray that you find it in yourself.. each and every one of us deserve to be happy and healthy.. best of luck - keep on posting there are many great folks on here that will provide you all sorts of wisdom..

Try doing something today that you don't usually do. Go to a local community centre for a swim. Go shop at a store you haven't been to. Walk at a park that you haven't been to. Go get a mani/pedi.

Start there. Change your perspective. Every tiny step you take will lead you back to feeling good about you.

I'm thinking about you and sending good wishes,

Very nice suggestions Nancy!

Try doing something today that you don't usually do. Go to a local community centre for a swim. Go shop at a store you haven't been to. Walk at a park that you haven't been to. Go get a mani/pedi.

Start there. Change your perspective. Every tiny step you take will lead you back to feeling good about you.

I'm thinking about you and sending good wishes,

I'm sorry to hear about your complications, but I'm glad you seem to be doing better. Getting back in the swing of things can be difficult and contrary to your belief, if your friends are truly friends they are not disappointed in you - they understand what you've had to endure and should be proud that you didn't gain all of the weight back. I know I am. Now...let's find motivation for you. Someone suggested going to your community pool (YMCA) and going for a swim. Not only is that the best stress reliever for me, but you seem to "leave it all in the water" and your body feels amazing when you're done. If you can't swim, simply do Water aerobics - nothing fancy or formal, just MOVE! Grab one of those cheap colorful noodle things and it provides excellent resistance, similar to weight lifting. It's not easy, we know - but we are a community that believes in helping each other and if we are the only support you think you have, then we're all you need.

I know that once you get off track it's have to get restarted. I suggest you figure out a way to kick start your weight loss. Of course you'll need to get your fills back in control, set some reasonable goals and hold yourself to them. You might start by going all the way back to the basics and start all over. The are suggestions only. My Main advice is "forgive yourself, but make no excuses". The band has and will help you, but ultimately, it's you and only you who will get the job done. My new motto is "focus on today. Today is a that matters. Tomorrow will take care of itself". If you do what you're supposed to do today, you will be successful tomorrow. Good luck.