Hello, this is my first time posting on BP. I am 48 years old and had my lapband in 2008. I lost almost 100 lbs over the span of a year. I kept it off for 4 years. In April of 2012 my 8 month old grandson was killed (homocide) and it really sent me into a downward spiral. I was so busy with court and keeping my family from falling to pieces that I got lost somewhere in the shuffle. I really have gotten off track and don't know how to find my way back. I pray, take my antidepressants and have finally gotten to a fairly good place emotionally. However I look in the mirror and am disgusted by all of my hard work and lifestyle change being wasted. I have an appointment for April 4th with my lapband surgeon but am terrified of going back to him. I have failed miserably by gaining most of my weight back. I really need advice from you all. I need ideas for jump-starting my weightloss so I can feel good physically and mentally. It seems like a mountain I don't know if I can climb again. Help please.

Hugs to you. Never ever ever give up on yourself. My advice is immerse yourself in the weight loss community. Post here often. Read here often. Go to WLS support meetings at various hospitals. They are usually open to everyone. Make appointments with your surgical team and keep them including the nutritionist. I also go to OA.

Best wishes and again, hugs to you!

Great advice!

Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Very good advice. ????

Sent from my QMV7B using the BariatricPal App

I have to ask, during all this time . did your band change at all?

Did you get any Fluid taken out during that stressful period?

I ask only because, in my case, whatever the situation....vacation, parties, high periods and low periods, my band does not change. It is what it is.

Now if I was dieting, as I have done countless times over the years...it would not take much to throw me off the tracks...just give me a reason to backslide.

That's why I needed surgery...

Perhaps you are relying upon yourself to loose weight as opposed to the surgery...seeing you Dr. and getting the band adjusted is key IMO.

5 day pouch test...people do it for different reasons...I do a variation of it every 6 weeks or so, whenever I feel I am losing restriction (a misnomer) staying off solid foods returns things to where they were....it can't give me something I never had.

When you do the pouch test, exactly what do you eat? How do you do it?

Hey guys. Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. Youngest child home from college, with friends, and work. Just now getting some time to myself. My band was empty when this happened because I had a stomach virus and the band wouldn't let anything come up. I was heaving for a day and a half, so I met my surgeon at the ER and he took all the fluid out. It was very swollen by then and awful. Lol Then my husband got laid off and we lost our insurance. Then he the baby died about a month after that. I think you all are right. I just have to get back into focus. I had been really excited and determined to succeed and really changed the way my family ate and got out into the woods on trails hiking etc. My daughter tends to be a little heavy as well so I tried to lead by example.

To me the band is just part of the big picture. I wanted it to be part of a lifestyle change. On the bright side, my blood sugars have not been up since 2008. That was one of the main reasons I wanted to change my life. I'm so glad you are all here. No one understands how it feels or the challenges.

Sent from my QMV7B using the BariatricPal App

What is the 5BDR or something like that that I have been reading about? It sounds like it may be something that I could use to begin again.

Sent from my QMV7B using the BariatricPal App

This is the 5DPT (5 day pouch test) you go on full liquids for 2 days, soft Protein then work up to ground meat and chicken. I did it and found it very helpful. While it's not always easy, it did cure my cravings for carbs and sweets. If you google it, the whole plan will come up.

I am so sorry for you loss. Wanting to change is the 1st step. Good luck! ????

Ah that answered my question. I will begin this on Friday when I do the grocery shopping. Thank yous so much.

Sent from my QMV7B using the BariatricPal App

I'm very sorry for your sorrow. I do not know how you go on... And yet life does...

Glad to see you here . I hope the posters here can help. And call your Dr. They see it all, so please go see yours if you think it will help.

Also I feel the same about the fact that others don't understand what us bandsters go thru. That is what I adore on these boards . Lots of support no matter what stage you are in.

Hope you get some care and comfort here and at home... You have a lot to deal with. Sometimes it feels like life can be not so kind.

People here can be so helpful.

Please know that many of us feel like we reset our eating a few times over the years. Sigh. Good months and not so good months...

And another year goes by.

Good luck