It's been ages since I posted here because I am so far off base it's scary. It's almost as if I am pretending I am not banded! I havebenn going through a great deal of turmoil and work and some with my daughter, since August and it is since then that I have not done anything to lose weight. In fact I have gained about 8 lbs because I eat tons of junk food and whatever goes down easy. I am also afraid I have streetched my pouch. For you newbies - this is what is meant by eating around the band!

I am so ashamed of myself. Here I spent a fortune to purchase this device to help me lose weight and I have done nothing about it. I feel like I have lost all motivation and do not even exercise 10 minutes a day!

I have stayed away from here because I am terrible showing how weak I am and asking for help. I finally called Nancy at TLBC and scheduled a fill for next week, but I know from experience a fill a lone will not do anything.

Any suggestions?

First off, dont beat yourself up. We all go through things that can take us off the path to our goals.

Look at it this way, if you were not banded, how much would you have gained back. I would be willing to bet it would have been more than 8#s.

Pick yourself up, and dust yourself off and if nothing else go get your fill.

Andrew

I can tell it wasn't easy for you to write this post. So that was a big step in the right direction. Making the appointment for the fill was another step in the right direction. Just keep taking those steps and before you know it you'll be back on the path to losing weight and the scale will be going in the right direction. Good Luck. You can do it!

Is there a time limit! NO..... exactly pick yourself up and dust off. Your life is far from being over so you alway have tomorrow. But make sure it is tomorrow! Good luck and stay on this site it helps me get right back on track and gives me such confidence. Don't think your money was wasted it was not.

nancy

Yes susansilver this is your first step .Shake it off and start over.This is a life long journey,few bumps in the road.Stay on this site to get support too.We are all here to listen and give positive support.Nice to hear from you again.

Just yesterday I spoke to a dietician about these very issues. We discussed the fact that people who eat in a healthy way are not the people getting bands. We are people who have (and continue) to use food for a variety of reasons (most of them emotional). It stands to reason that when life gets stressful, we eat...it's how we cope. Learning new strategies for stress relief and emotions is something that we also have to learn - along with the learning of how to use the band effectively.

Sadly, most of us have invested all of our life savings into what feels like a last resort. When that last resort seems to go awry, we again blame ourselves and old patterns of behaviour and negative self talk starts again.

I too have not done particularly well since having the band put on. I have had times where the guilt and frustration have almost lead me to despair. I have a good friend (and coincidently, my sister) who tells me the truth. She reminds me that I am wonderful (because I am), she tells me that I am going to succeed with my weight loss goals (because she is going to encourage me without criticism), she reminds me that the weight did not come on overnight and it would be best if it didn't come off that way. She tells me that I have already done well and that I am strong and have accomplished so much - in spite of my weight. This is a journey not just a destination.

What we all need is someone to encourage us and remind us of these things.

In my case, because I don't feel any restriction (and have an appointment to remedy that), I have now taken to eating my meals where possible on a bread and butter plate. Sometimes the foods that make it to that plate aren't the healthiest, but I am eating less of what I would have several months ago - this is all good.

I have been discouraged because many of you have rightfully shared your wonderful progress. It just hasn't been as great a story for me. I have been discouraged reading about the success stories only - I thought I was the only one that couldn't get their act together. I'm glad that susan has shared her pain, what a wonderful step forward in allowing others to support and encourage her (and me too).

Susan, I wish you well. I hope in the coming days, you are able to recognize that you are able to do this. You will lose the weight that you want. In the process you will learn some great things about yourself too.

Soonsunny

YAAAAA She is back! I have missed you so much Susan! You are a wonderful person and I enjoy your posts very much. As the others have said... pick yourself up, dust yourself off and grab a hand as we all walk down this road together!

Hey, Susan. It is so good to hear from you again. We have all missed your clever and compassionate posts. Give a little of that compassion to yourself-- we go off track for awhile, recognize our folly, and get back on the road.

You can and will do this. We are all behind you, and with you on the journey.

Dear Susan;

Reading your post it was like YOU were reading my mind (& Heart ) too!

I have been eating no so good stuff and not feeling much restriction(2fills) and was beating myself up for stopping at Timmies and getting Cookies.

argh!

I had my 3rd fill today, but stayed for the support group afterwards. What a great motivator that was for me.

You stick it out GF, our motivation waxes and wanes but it will come again...

We are all here for you!!

HUGS

Susan, welcome back... and stay this time! I can't say any more or better than everyone else, so listen to them! Don't beat yourself up. EXACTLY, there's no time limit.

And I'm sure you're not stretched. I think we do our selves more harm than good by reading the 'complications'... I swear I think WAY more often than I should that my band has slipped. Get heartburn? I must have slipped. Weird cramp? Slipped! It drives me nuts. I really need to schedule fluroscopes or Xrays just to set my mind at ease!

Just do your best to get back on track. I do it almost every day!

Just put it behind you and move on, it wont be the last time.

Iv'e done that about a zillion times in the last 2 years. I've just had a great day so far today after six entire weeks of eating very poorly. I've hurt my foot and probably wont be able to run for a while and the thought of that has scared me into action, lol.

You CAN do it!

Argon 9.2 lbs left AWESOME .You have been doing so good.Keep up the good work.

Susan I am so happy to hear from you. I too have been at a stand still. I went to see Dr. Yau and he told me that I am eating around the band. He gave me a small .5 fill and boy do I feel the difference. We are all in this together and boy can you feel the support and hugs or what. What a great bunch you all are. I am proud to be a part of you!

So Donna D do you feel a difference in your fill.?

Just a quick check in today...

I had my 3rd fill yesterday at TLBC I got nancy to put in 1 cc... but it was too much

So she defilled me 1/4 of a cc... PERFECT!!

I could drink my Water and this morning i was TIGHT, but a good tight!

I ate solid chicken for lunch with some celery sticks and carrot sticks.. I ate really slowly but it all stayed in an NO p.b.'s Yeah!

I am back on my TRACK....

We've just all got to keep giving each other a 'nudge' of motivation now and again. We will all go thru it - when we beat ourselves up...

This board ROCKS>:clap2:

Hi Loriely

Yes, the Yau man himself gave me the fill, and he is good at it. He gave me .5 ccs but he also gave me a lecture telling me that I am probably eating around the band, soft foods and too much of them. I told him that I agreed. Well, I can really feel the difference now. I can't chug my Water anymore and I really really need to chew, chew and chew some more or else, you know what. So, needless to say I am trying very hard to make good choices and get moving from this plateau of mine. Maybe you will see the difference the next time we meet.

xoD

Peaches good going girl!! You are so right about the little push in the right direction that we all need every now and again and I can't thank you bunch of wonderful bandsters for your kind and non-judgemental support.

D