Hi all,

Some of you may remember me from last year. I was banded in May 2007, did really well for a while and then....:thumbup:

Truthfully, I was having a very difficult time in my life and realize that I was unable to let food go as my comfort/stress reliever, so I learned to eat around the band.

It has been about 6 weeks since I started to get my life back on track and realized that I am worth all the attention and money spent on myself. I started therapy and finally went to TLBC last night for a fill. I will email them to start going to support groups, boot camp, whatever I can make use of.

My challenge now is that I had MAJOR dental surgery 3 weeks ago and am unable to chew food properly - it's like being on the full fluids diet again! Except without this fill, I could eat lots of unhealty foods like ice cream and mashed potatoes. By July, I should be able to chew again.

I also realized that one of the major obstacles I had to tackle was coming back on here. I have been feeling so defeated and ashamed of myself that I did not want to show my "face" on here. But here I am, facing another of my fears so that I can accomplish what I know I can do.

So it's baby steps for now.

You are always welcome here Susan. You never have to feel alone. There are many of us who are and or were slow losers and down on ourselves. If being here can help you then we are here for you.

Your friend Donna

Susan, thank you for this honest post. I'm getting banded tomorrow and I needed to read this post. I have to set my expectations for this to be successful and I don't think I'd fully convinced myself that this surgery is not "magic" until I read your posting.

My fiance had a full gastric surgery before I met him and has somewhat inspired me to get banded based on his experience (he lost over 150lbs...). BUT, he has about 50lbs. left to go (which he's held on to for two years) and keeps telling me the surgery is not the answer, he's got to work at it, it's just a tool in the process. I didn't fully believe him until I read your post.

I needed to hear it from someone who admittedly fell off the wagon, "cheated" the system and is starting over. Because you're describing EXACTLY what someone who hasn't been banded would write, indicating to me that the feelings will remain, if I don't take this seriously and do it as a full lifestyle change.

I read this just in the nick of time - Thank you Susan.

Hi all,

Some of you may remember me from last year. I was banded in May 2007, did really well for a while and then....

Truthfully, I was having a very difficult time in my life and realize that I was unable to let food go as my comfort/stress reliever, so I learned to eat around the band.

It has been about 6 weeks since I started to get my life back on track and realized that I am worth all the attention and money spent on myself. I started therapy and finally went to TLBC last night for a fill. I will email them to start going to support groups, boot camp, whatever I can make use of.

My challenge now is that I had MAJOR dental surgery 3 weeks ago and am unable to chew food properly - it's like being on the full fluids diet again! Except without this fill, I could eat lots of unhealty foods like ice cream and mashed potatoes. By July, I should be able to chew again.

I also realized that one of the major obstacles I had to tackle was coming back on here. I have been feeling so defeated and ashamed of myself that I did not want to show my "face" on here. But here I am, facing another of my fears so that I can accomplish what I know I can do.

So it's baby steps for now.

Susan,

If you are having issues with solids a good kick start is the full Fluid diet or clear fluid.. hard but a great kick starter. You are taking the right steps, take them the in direction you need to take them. Sometimes we all need breaks and we all fall down it is just time to dust yourself off and start doing what is right for you and it sounds like you are partway there. Remember everyone struggles and as important as victories are to read about, challenges teach people more and people want to help.

Keep going

Heather

Susan,

I will join you in re-starting. I was banded in Feb 07 and I just had a baby, so I am back to square one in the weight loss game. I have to remind myself of all the band rules again. We can do this though. The band is there for us. I have a fill scheduled soon. Take care and lets keep in touch.

Thanks for your words of welcome and wisdom. I am pretty much on a full Fluid diet with my chewing problems, but mostly because my band is so tight right now! I am dealing with it, because it is temporary and I know it is the kick start that Susieq was talking about.

Bettyb - I am glad if my story can help you and anyone else realise the truth of the band - we are all told - it is only a tool, but I think I secretly thought it was a magic cure. Not so, but I also know that I would have regained all my weight and more during this stressful time if I did not have the band. Tool = works.

becca77 - congrats on the baby! I know what you mean about the rules. I had even started drinking right after meals again! I was really sabotaging myself.

I continue to put one foot in front of the other...

Susan

Welcome back Susansilver. You have done extremely well in not gaining back your lost weight. But your second success was coming back to the support site. Sometimes posting when we are successfull is great but it takes courage to say you are in difficulties. The need for support is more major when you are having problems. Sure hope we can give you the support to move forward.

Hey! It is great to see you back, grrl. Lisa in TO and I have been wondering how you are doing. We were thinking of giving you a shout out.

For what it is worth, here are my 2 cents' worth: undertaking weight loss is a big deal even with the assistance of the Lap Band. This is because the act of eating itself is not neutral and one's perception of oneself is an altogether loaded issue psychologically speaking. You must, therefore, work at this project at your own chosen speed and you must not beat yourself up over any perceived failures. Just know that the band and your friends at LBT are available for you whenever you want 'em.

-=winks=-

Welcome back Susan!! It is so nice to have heard from you again.

LeslieLee

Welcome back Susan!! We missed you! :rolleyes2:

Welcome back Susan, :blushing: sometimes it is hard to come back when you have been away for awhile, but here you are now so lots of success on your journey.

Maria :scared2:

Oh, Susan. I am so proud of you for having the courage to come back, to admit you are human and have flaws, like everyone else. I know, and you know, that in the end you can do this, you can decide what you put in your mouth. And I know that I am very lucky , that my weight came off quickly at the beginning, when I had the most commitment to the "programme". Now I am struggling with the last 15 lbs. (I've gained weight, but didn't have the heart to change my ticker tape). Point being, we all have to do some soul-searching at times to get on track with where we know we need to go. In the end, food is just food. It's not sex or love or comfort; we have to find those things elsewhere.

So, welcome back, dear Susan, shayna punim. We have missed you, and your wisdom and advice.

I have missed you too! We have to have that get together with Green that we talked about. I Will pm you and her about it later.