I've been banded for 1 1/2 years now. I've lost about 50 pounds so far. I am not using the band properly - I drink when I eat, don't chew food well enough etc... In the past few months it seems as though food has been getting caught and I need to vomit. Now it seems as though I can't really even eat soft things like mashed potatoes. I think I'm going to go in to get the band deflatted a second time. Has anyone else gone through this? Has anyone else given up the will to use the band properly?

If you can't even eat soft foods without vomiting, you might be slipped. Better go in and have it checked out.

It also sounds like you need to make some appts with a counselor/psychiatrist to determine why you are sabotaging yourself this way. If you get completely unfilled or have the band removed, you are going to gain your weight back. Is that what you want? You may even continue to gain past the point where you used to be.

I think it's normal to go through ups and downs -- being really gung ho abut losing, and then losing motivation and not caring. Write down a list of reasons why you want to be slim and healthy. Write down a list of the cons of being grossly overweight (50 lbs more than you are now and higher). Which do you want for yourself?

kirsten,

what you have written is brave... I think there are a lot of people who get banded or who have other forms of WLS and are not mentally prepared to give things up or commit to the life changes they need to make.

Only you can determine if the band is for you or not for you. I would suggest strongly you think through whether or not you are ready, maybe you take all your fill out and have a band break for however long it takes you to decide. Talk to your surgeon he should have staff at the clinic to help you talk through this decision. I don't want you to regret this once you are done with it.

The work it takes to lose and maintain weight loss is considerable, I think people underestimate the commitment and the drive to succeed at this.

I had many complications 4 slips, band removal, tubing disconnect a few port flips but I can honestly say I never questioned my decision to have the band and the work that I put into this and still put into my journey.

Good luck, I hope you can work this through, and make the right decsion for you

Heather

Hi Kirsten,

I have recently been where you are. I lost 40 lbs at first and then when things in my life became stressful, I had no other ways to cope and turned to that good old standby food. I have since learned that I would never succeed until I understood why I used food the way I did and was fully prepared to give it up in that way.

With the encouragement of my therapist, I called my clinic, got the proper fill and am very much back on track with a new understanding of what I have chosen to do and how to make it work for me.

Please don't give up until you have explored all your options i.e. seeing your surgeon, talking to a therapist etc. At first I felt like a failure - now I know that I had to go through what I did last year in order to be here now.

Let us know what is going on - we care.

Edited May 12, 200818 yr by susansilver
typo

Please get therapy to assist you in recognizing what is causing you to work against the band. Once you take it out, there is only one way your weight is going to go and that is up. You need help in your journey.

I would hazard a guess, that many of us harbor thoughts about our decision. Personally, I vomited every day for approx. 4 months before I realized I was the problem. I didn't want to give up my favorites. Then I started recording everything I ate (honestly), started an exercise program I could live with (3 times a week when I felt like it) and I keep a loose fill. I am 5.5 ccs of a 10 cc band. This allows me to eat everything I like but limited amounts. Even breads, rice, french fries, etc. I must weigh and measure everything as my eye and brain don't match when it comes to quantities. I know many don't do this as it reminds them of dieting. For me it is the only way I can keep on track. The band is the tool that helps me. I still vomit one or two times a month, but I have lost 1/2 lb steadly for over a year now.

Take baby steps as you start you journey. Go back to square one and set up a program you can follow. Don't worry about weight loss, concentrate on changing your desires and habits. It is tough work but it can be done. Good luck.