Hey guys....I am back. I was a member of this support group a long long time ago. I have since lost my password and stuff so I have re registered. I have decided to come back here as I am facing a very difficult situation... I have been banded now since 5/5/05......I have made some progress but because of some stress in my life for the last two years I have regressed. I have stopped going to my band doctor. I don't know when the last time was that I got weighed....and I know I have been screwing up with this band for a while now. I have gained a few pounds back....when I say a few thats just an estimate because I don't know what reality is. I have regained a love for M and M's and potato chips.... I don't know when I last drank a Protein shake...... Ive become addicted to Starbucks Caramel Frappachinos... I have way way over indulged in my fair share of liquor... I have developed a lot of acid reflux and for some reason, I am able to eat almost a whole stromboli! These things are not suppose to be happening. I came into this Lapband with great expectations and over the last two years didn't realize I was failing.

I have my first appointment with my Lapband doctor tomorrow. It will be about a year and a half since I walked into his office. I am not looking forward to getting on the scale. Its going to scream at me...BIG FAT LOSER.....I know I'm prolly being very hard on myself right now....but I am very very very disappointed in myself. I am doing the right thing, I think by trying to get back on tract. Getting myself back into support and going back to the doctor... I guess I really can't kick myself in the ass too much...whats done is done......but I feel so bad about myself right now...

Can anyone relate?

Mamma Bellino, don't beat yourself up. So, you had a setback! It happens to the best of us. Walk into the doctor's office with your head high ready to face whatever that scale says. My biggest concern for you is that you don't have any problems with the band. But, at least if you go, you will know. In the past, if you were like me, you probably went on diet after diet. As soon as you blew it on a diet, you probably got off of it (I can't count the number of times I did that). What's important now is that you don't continue to regress. You have caught yourself, and now you can make a change.

Good luck at the doctor, and let us know how it goes!

I'm proud of you for going tomorrow! Remember, hold your head up high because you are taking control back. That's something to be proud of!

Mamma Bellino,

Welcome back, and good for you for coming back! We all know how hard this journey can be, and no one here is going to fault you for a set-back.

As Auntlucy says, you walk into that office tomorrow with your head held high, because you are taking steps in the right direction! You are going to do well, because you know what needs to be done, and that first step is the doctor's office tomorrow.

Then, come tell us what we can do to help!

This may not be the way everyone else looks at the Band, but I have never treated this as a diet. I eat what I want, when I want it. I just don't eat alot of it. My fills have been on my terms to the point that I feel like the band can help me in my lifestyle change.

Don't beat yourself up! Instead re-committ to changing your life forever. I have a mantra that helps me, it's JFDI - Just Focus and Do It! Of course I change it to Just Freaking Do It when I need extra mo.

You can do this!!!! You are much stronger than you give yourself credit for. You know what you need to do - NOW DO IT!!!!!

Good luck!!!

You're not a loser if you can step up to the plate and start again!

Seeing your doc regularly is so important, I feel silly going when I have nothing to ask, nothing to tell and dont need a fill, but to go at least every 6 months keeps everything on track and would enable me to get on top of any problems before they become big ones.

So you're doing the right thing. Best of luck.