Hi all, have read some of your chats and thanks for the info, but I can't seem to find anyone in my position...I'm 42, have been working out hard for just over 3 years - I am the fittest fat person I know. In order to get my lap band I had to do the South Beach Diet for around 6mo. I did it and was really happy with the results; I went from 220 down to 200. And I thought that if I just continued I could reach my goal without surgery. Ha!

Then we had some financial problems and I couldn't be as strict with the diet -( I call this period my food bank diet). I did, however keep going to the gym. This is the hard part, because I work out really hard - I can do an under 8 min. mile, and take all the aerobics and step classes the gym has - I still gained 36 lbs. When I went back to see my doctor, I had to start all over again because he considered me noncompliant.

When I finally had the surgery I was back to 220 - this was on July 16th. Since then, I have had one fill, which did nothing, and one more, which was too tight so they had to take it out. My band is a 4cc band and I have 1.6ccs total.

I now weigh 200lb. 20 lbs. in 3 mos. for all that I do does not seem enough.

I can eat anything, I have no restriction. Sometimes things stick and I have to throw up. I can't eat all my good foods - I went to eat cabbage the other day and that was a total disaster. I feel like I'm actually eating worse now that I have the band. I don't have a comfortable feeling of fullness ever - its either discomfort or waiting for the food to go down. I had this idea that I would be eating good food but just a lot less of it.

I also have had a tingling in my left hand, pins and needles like, with constant shoulder pain since the surgery. Any suggestions are welcome, thanks!

I get that stuck feeling when i eat bread so i just do without just eat lots of veggies i.ve lost 46lbs since september

When you do not have good restriction ( and until you get it) you must (unfortunately) continue to count calories like an old fashioned diet.

Tracking your Protein helps too. This is something we all learn quickly, when our bands are not tight and we find out we can eat too much.

At the same time, our bands are still there so some food does not agree with us. We must chew very well, eat slowly and follow the band rules.

Also because your last fill was too tight, does not mean you're not ready again for a SMALL fill to help the hunger. Make an appt and discuss this with the Dr or staff.

My doc told me that even a 10th of a cc can make a big difference. I think that I would go in for a slight fill or at least a consult with your doc to see what he recommends. Also, change up your workouts. I was also into working out and stalled. It was because I was doing the same thing over and over. Even pilates or yoga was enough to mix it up.

I was banded in December and trying to get back into the habit of working out. But it is -7 this morning, I just can't do it. I know I am horrible!

Good luck to you!

Brandy