Hi all, My name is Cathy, I am 44 years old and had my banding done 09/23/04. I initially lost about 50# but have gained at least half of that back. It feels like I am all alone out here, I live an hour and a half drive from the closest support group. I am praying that I have found some help with you all. I went in for a fill (3rd) last Friday and Cameron the surgical asst to my Doc told be about this site. Both Cameron and Dr Smith are very supportive but, again, they are an hour & 1/2 drive away from me. I am hoping this fill will help to keep me from over eating and start the loss again. I am able to eat about 1/2 a sandwich with this fill before I start to feel full, or get the hiccups, whatever comes first. I have been reading the introductions and they have got me feeling excited about this again. I hope to get to know you'all a lot better. Cathy

Hi Cathy and welcome to LBT! One good thing about the band, it is there when we need it. Try to follow the banding rules about protein first, veggies, next..... We will try to help you any way we can. Do you get your water in every day? Just reading all the posts helps me a lot to stay on track. Good Luck and looking forward to your posts!

Hi Cathy, Welcome to LBT. Your doctor gave you a great site for support. I have not had a fill yet because I am only out 2 weeks from my surgery date. I think now that you have made a commitment to get back on track...you will begin to see the scale going back in the right direction. Good luck with this next phase of your weight loss experience.

Thanks for the feedback. I have been terribly non-compliant, of course that's what got me into this mess to begin with. Before surgery I use to drink lots and lots of water but I just don't get thirsty too much anymore. I find it hard to make myself drink at times. Also, the time when I am the most thirsty, when and after I eat, I am not allowed to drink. I hope to get this all figured out. I am just so discouraged because the first emotional crisis at home and I am back to where I started, eating everything in sight ( it just takes longer ). I have decided to take things one day at a time so I won't get anymore depressed. My biggest problem I think is that I did not follow up with my doc when I was able to eat more than my band should allow. Too many other things going on, yadda, yadda, yadda. I have to learn to put myself first and it is hard to change my way of thinking, that's for sure. Thanks for your kind words, I will need to hear them often I am sure. Cathy

Welcome Cathy, next time you want to eat and it's not your actual meal time drink the water instead I know that is what saves me the majority of the time. Other than that I would work on getting your Protien in. You know they go hand in hand.

Hi CathyRN, welcome!! I'm so glad you found your way here, you'll be amazed at the difference a little support-and-vent area can make. I hope you'll come here often and feel free to express whatever is on your mind.

It is indeed EXTREMELY hard to change your behavior, especially when the band isn't properly adjusted. That should be first on your list of things to address, that fill level. So get that scheduled. And in the meantime, if you change nothing else about your behavior try to do the protein-first thing as often as you can. It really does work to satisfy your hunger and keep you full longer, which is what it's ALL about.

Nice to meet you and hope to see you here at the virtual water cooler often! Drink, drink, drink!! :D

Welcome Cathy, sounds like it's time to take a deep breath and get down to some serious losing again. We all take a break from time to time, but the secret is to get back down to business. Sounds like a fill could help a lot. Good luck to ya.