So I'm a male, now 29 years old. I was banded on June 4, 2008. When I started my journey I was 343lbs I got down to 269lbs and then started making bad decisions and gained most of the weight back. I am now 320lbs again and know it's because I have given up on myself. I have had roadblocks along the way but instead of busting through them I let them knock me down. I want to loose the weight again and get back to good emotional/physical health. I would love to hear stories of challenges overcome/success to help motivate me and any encouragement you could share. Just looking for friends who have been down in this hole and know the way out. Thanks!

i havent been through what you have persay. but i was banded in 2012 pretty much had given up on life all together. i was 467 lbs, unable to walk without a cane and eventually rollator and wheelchair. once i got better i got back into some bad habits and now trying to break those again. i started drinking and going to the bar all the time, started smoking cigarettes again. mostly just to be around people because i was bed bound for 2 years mind you im 25. After my birthday i realized I needed to make some changes and am now starting on those. My goal is get small enough to not get back surgery and be able to move around and standup without having to lay in the bed or take pain pills. ive lost over 157 lbs and refuse to go back to where i started. if you have any advice for me it would be much appreciated.

So I'm a male, now 29 years old. I was banded on June 4, 2008. When I started my journey I was 343lbs I got down to 269lbs and then started making bad decisions and gained most of the weight back. I am now 320lbs again and know it's because I have given up on myself. I have had roadblocks along the way but instead of busting through them I let them knock me down. I want to loose the weight again and get back to good emotional/physical health. I would love to hear stories of challenges overcome/success to help motivate me and any encouragement you could share. Just looking for friends who have been down in this hole and know the way out. Thanks!

How did you lose the weight before? Did you exercise? Watch calories? Did you ever reach the green zone?

Maybe a good place to start would be a visit to the surgeon. Could you get a fill?

I think that just coming on here and showing interest is a great start. Make small changes every day. And go see your doc.

I'm not a veteran, but this is what I would do: call your surgeon & make an appt, you probably need to begin having fills so that you are not hungry. Once you can get the hunger under control, that will be a big step. I understand your frustration, but you are ready to begin getting back on track, you have the tool to do it - now you have to use it! I am rooting for you!

I was banded in 2008. I have truly struggle. I lost close to 60 pounds, before gaining 50 back. I started getting refilled recently, and my plan is to start back on full liquids. I know that will also assist in tightening my band. I had a small fill to assist as well. We can do this. I am here if you need support.

Admitting you need to restart is a huge step on getting back on track, like the others said I would suggest if able getting in touch with your fill doctor and getting set up for a fill; and if thats not an option going back doing 6 weeks on the liquid high protein diet will give you a bug jump start back. I have been banded for 11 years and blessed to have lost 140 pounds and trust me we all get off track now and then, need to get back lined up. Best thing is stay here and accountable and for support keep posting here. You can do it with your lapband as your guide!

I have truly struggled with the all liquid plan. I tried doing liquids for breakfast and dinner with a salad in between or something without a starch. I was doing good with it at the beginning of last week, then I fell off. Im gonna get back on track with this plan for tomorrow. I know I have to do better to get this weight down. Cause where I am now is not where I am suppose to be.

I havent had your problem of regaining weight, but my thoughts are with you as you struggle on this journey. That being said, im asking you , what part of the healthy eating was hard for you ? Are you always hungery, or is it the types of food ? When was the last time you saw your Dr. And/ or had a fill ? I find that if I eat my Dr ordered " protein first, fruits and veggies 2nd, carbs last " , I really dont have room for much else. A little chocolate or ww ice cream daily , and thats it. Maybe see a Nut. too ?

Oh if there were only a real magic cure for loosing the weight and keeping it off. It's so darn hard no matter what. Im banded now since Nov 09, the band is my TOOL I lost a lot before my band, some after my band and still have some to go. To be very honest with you all I dont think I will ever reach "goal" but for the most part, 10 pound up ... 10 pounds down. Im still happier, it keeps me in check. The key is being tight enough, I say a big fill and go on liquids. Get super tight so its just hard to even get a shake down. Get off a bunch quick that way then slowly unfill so you can eat protein again, then another unfill so you can get some greens in. Im also a big fan of juicing, I have a blend tech so I keep all my fiber. My breakfast is ALWAYS veggies now. Kale, swiss chard, spinach, zucchini, a whole lemon (skin and all). Still must get your veggies in and when you are tight the green drink helps keep you nutritionally correct... try it!

I havent had your problem of regaining weight, but my thoughts are with you as you struggle on this journey. That being said, im asking you , what part of the healthy eating was hard for you ? Are you always hungery, or is it the types of food ? When was the last time you saw your Dr. And/ or had a fill ? I find that if I eat my Dr ordered " protein first, fruits and veggies 2nd, carbs last " , I really dont have room for much else. A little chocolate or ww ice cream daily , and thats it. Maybe see a Nut. too ?

I went downhill after I had to have fluid removed. Then I started having problems keeping food down. I was always frustrated, cause I couldn't even tolerate my favorite healthy foods. I decided that I was done with the band. When I mad that decision, and had fluid taken out I really began to gain. After I lost my mom, relocated, got married. ..... it was hard to grt back on track. I didn't have health insurance, and couldn't afford the fills. I have insurance now. But because I'm starting a new job I don't have the time to take right now. But as soon as I can I'm getting filled. I had a .5ccs the last time I went end. I hope to get another real soon.

I havent had your problem of regaining weight, but my thoughts are with you as you struggle on this journey. That being said, im asking you , what part of the healthy eating was hard for you ? Are you always hungery, or is it the types of food ? When was the last time you saw your Dr. And/ or had a fill ? I find that if I eat my Dr ordered " protein first, fruits and veggies 2nd, carbs last " , I really dont have room for much else. A little chocolate or ww ice cream daily , and thats it. Maybe see a Nut. too ?

I went downhill after I had to have fluid removed. Then I started having problems keeping food down. I was always frustrated, cause I couldn't even tolerate my favorite healthy foods. I decided that I was done with the band. When I mad that decision, and had fluid taken out I really began to gain. After I lost my mom, relocated, got married. ..... it was hard to grt back on track. I didn't have health insurance, and couldn't afford the fills. I have insurance now. But because I'm starting a new job I don't have the time to take right now. But as soon as I can I'm getting filled. I had a .5ccs the last time I went end. I hope to get another real soon.

The small adjustment has helped, and I try to eat protein first. I struggle when I am emotional. I am trying to do my best.

Oh if there were only a real magic cure for loosing the weight and keeping it off. It's so darn hard no matter what. Im banded now since Nov 09, the band is my TOOL I lost a lot before my band, some after my band and still have some to go. To be very honest with you all I dont think I will ever reach "goal" but for the most part, 10 pound up ... 10 pounds down. Im still happier, it keeps me in check. The key is being tight enough, I say a big fill and go on liquids. Get super tight so its just hard to even get a shake down. Get off a bunch quick that way then slowly unfill so you can eat Protein again, then another unfill so you can get some greens in. Im also a big fan of juicing, I have a blend tech so I keep all my Fiber. My Breakfast is ALWAYS veggies now. Kale, swiss chard, spinach, zucchini, a whole lemon (skin and all). Still must get your veggies in and when you are tight the green drink helps keep you nutritionally correct... try it!

I like how you are talking. I want to try a big fill. Honestly I do need something to get me back on track. These baby one's aren't really cutting it. Oh and I am with you on drinking my veggies. I was juicing, but now I do the green smoothies and I add protein to them. I just purchased some good veggies protein as well (Warrior), and its really good. I wonder could I just smooth the veggies for a long time to make it more of a juice, could that work.