I lost 76.5 lbs since my surgery in 9/06. Doc tells me I'm at goal, I figure another 10-15 lbs. Eating well, exercising semi-regularly with a buddy, getting nice compliments, shopping at decent clothing stores. All the perks of being a normal weight.

Then, the week before Christmas my kitchen and 3 other rooms in the house flood from a faulty dishwasher connection. Rooms are gutted and most meals are prepared/microwaved or restaurant/diner.

Fast forward to this past weekend (152 days later). scale is returned to kitchen and I am 14 lbs heavier!!!! I just went on a 152 day LSD food trip.

It's back to square one for me--shakes all meals for a week and I'll gradually build up. I'm astounded at myself for so easily slipping into such awful eating behaviors and food choices.

Any advice, encouragement?

I think you have advised yourself rather well. You now know that you have to be vigilent ALL the time! I figure for me...I had 20+ years of bad eating habits, and have only had 9 months of good eating habits. I can't stop doing what I have been doing until it is so much a part of me that I can't slip back. I takes a while for habits to set in...that is why dieting never worked. We couldn't do it for periods of time LONG enough for the habits to sink in. I am hoping within 5 years to not have to step on the scale every week, or measure my food, or count calories, but if I have to everyday for the rest of my life...then so be it...cause I ain't ever goin' back.

So I think you took an amazing approach. You are going back to bandster rules (are you going to get a fill?), you have retaken control of your life. Be proud that you CAN and are WILLING to do that. Not everyone would be able to. Your courage to share what has happened to you, might be the one thing that will save someone else. I applaud you!

Salsa, thanks for your words of encouragement. I really do hope others see how easily this can happen. I was joking with a newly banded friend yesterday about the gain. I said, "Do you know how much effort is involved in gaining weight with a lapband? Apparently not as much as you would think!"

I guess pulling myself up by the bootstraps beats throwing my hands up in disgust and taking up residence at Baskin-Robins.

On a positive note, I got on the scale this morning and am down 5 lbs. I know it's just the inital Water loss, but it's motivating. Today I'll give my surgeon's office a call and schedule a check-up. I'll consider a fill if I find continued losing becomes a challenge.