Hey all. Thought I might introduce myself and tell a bit about my situation. I was banded back in March 2008. Starting weight at 340 pounds. I got all the way down to 210 pounds. I went through a divorce about the time I hit my lowest and then figured how to cheat and went back to binge eating. I have been on a steady gain ever since then. I quit going to the doctor after 3 bad fills where I could not get Water through. I went to the ER and they took Fluid out then. I never went back. So fast forward to the current. I am at 282 pounds. I really want to get back to the program. I need support in a bad way. Hope to make some friends and maybe be an encouragement to some one on what NOT to do.. Hope to hear from you!

want to get back to the program.

@@bacon

sorry this is so long

once i start thinking i can't shut up!!!LOL

hey dude

welcome, welcome, welcome

130 lbs down from initial lapband

you did great, and you can again

you've gained 72 lb back

but you kept 68 lbs off!!!

look at it that way!!!!

can you possibly make an appointment with a NUT to get you back on track???

can't give into "bad stuff"

"its" always gonna be around

if each time a problem occurs, we give into our old habits.....

OH NO

many of us have problems with life

we "can't" let those issues disturb our weight loss

divorce, death in the family

(kindof same thing )

problems with work

kids

finances

NOT minimizing problems

just that we must deal with things for the rest of our life

the good and BAD

easier said than done

the below are just a few basic rules to follow

you might have forgotten since its been awhile

if you remembered, sorry for the repeat

maybe go back to basics

drink Protein shakes to give you a push with losing a little weight quickly

drink 64 oz Water a day

don't drink with your meals/food

don't drink for 1/2 hour before you eat

wait to drink for 45-60 minutes after you eat

measure/weigh your foods

use a baby spoon so you can't eat too fast

small plate also helps psychologically

small portions

chew thoroughly

eat your protein first

watch your carb intake

keep track of your food (maybe use MFP) or another program

keep coming back to the boards with your questions

and you'll see many subjects you were thinking about too

work hard

follow all the rules

before you know it you will be losing weight again!!!

i have faith in you!!!

good luck

kathy

Edited February 8, 201511 yr by proudgrammy

^{Thanks for the kind words. I have been considering a revision. I was just a giant failure that I guess I don't know what the insurance company will do. I have not been to the bariatric doc for 4 years or so.}

Hi @bacon. I was banded in 2008 too. Lost about 40 lbs, half of which was from the pre op diet. Also could never get the right fill. Never learned to work with the band. From May 2008 didn't go back until May of 2014. Was sleeved on Jan 19.

Am having a poopy day today but overall MUCH better already than with the band. But part of what's better is that I approached this differently, prepared better, got some counseling, using support groups.

Are you starting again to work the band? It can definitely be done. I've seen some real band successes. I just wasn't one of them.

Hi there, glad you're here -- if it were me I would make an appointment ASAP with your medical professionals. They want you to succeed. You are showing up for yourself and your health -- whatever you do, don't beat yourself up. We've all done enough of that. The links in my signature below might help -- they helped me understand better about how the band works by dimming the appetite. For this the fill has to be right, and to get the right fill you have to go to your appointments. For me this process provided accountability -- I would weigh-in, etc. and discuss any issues that were coming up. Plus the stages getting there gave me time to address behavior modification issues. Good luck -- you know you can do this!

I am interested in getting back on track @Bandista. I think the fear of being overfilled again is there. And to be honest the embarrassment of failing is there. But I was thinking of talking to my fam doc at my next check up in a month or so. But should I just call the original surgeons office or try a different one?

Welcome…you will find lots of support here!

Perhaps you would want to try a new bariactric doctor since you weren't successful with the last one as far as fills go. Perhaps a fresh start with someone new and explaining the bad experience you had they can help you with a different approach to help you succeed again. Don't let the embarrassment of life get in your way…yes you gained weight back back there was a big change in your life and sometimes those things are just difficult to deal with. See if your PCP has a recommendation for a new bariatric doctor.

You posted here so you are looking for help…we can give you moral support…but you must make that call to help get yourself back on track…you CAN do it.

Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life…make it a GOOD one!

Good luck and keep us posted!

HI @@bacon and welcome to the group. I agree with all the advice you've read above. Don't let that fear of overfilling keep you in your place. Get a new doc, get some fills - small ones, and start over!

We're here for you and want to hear your update. No seriously.....let us know!

-dt

@@bacon Lots of great suggestions on this thread. I want to applaud you for putting the breaks on your eating now and not at 50 or 100 pounds more. You can do this! Research the doctors in your area and make an appointment. It makes sense to be concerned after your bad experiences. However, this sounds like something that can be managed with a supportive doctor. Good Luck!

Thanks everyone for the support. I plan to call when I get done with this large supreme pizza. Lol JK...

Try calling while you're chewing....I'm talking a mouthful! I bet they'll get you in real quick!

I know you're joking...so am I. It helps to have a sense of humor and a positive attitude. We're here for both.

-d

My computer is on crack.

Edited February 9, 201511 yr by Dolores33778

Or while you are ording in the drive thru...

^{giant failure}

@@bacon

egggggads

you were/are not a failure

you had some "issues" going on before

it happens to many of us at times

you can't use that as an excuse forever

you can't let bad stuff drag you downn

not being mean.......just saying

easier said than done

Knowing you have/had a problem is half the battle

in other words you are 1/2 way to "regaining" your success

you will do great

we all have your back

good luck

kathy

Edited February 9, 201511 yr by proudgrammy

It is nearly impossible for me to comprehend what it's like to have NO desire for a pizza. And not to miss it, either. Call. Having the appetite monster off of my back is the best thing ever. You will get there.

My plan :

Until I can get to the doctor, I am eating slower. I know it is still a lot of food for a bariatric patient, but I have not binged or PB since last friday. That is huge for me.

I came up with a way to get some exercise while at work. I deliver gasoline for a living, so the time spent loading and unloading will be spent walking feom one end of the truck to the other. Or there is a step in the loading bay I have been using to do step ups. Hey, it's something.

I already feel better than I have in months.