If anyone is looking for a successful long time bandster in the dfw area to talk to or get together with and share, im there for ya!

I am from Louisiana originally and was banded in New Orleans almost 7 years ago, but I relocated to Plano in Jan. 2007. I started at 225lbs. and am 5'2", and have gotten down to 160lbs. I received my first fill in almost 7 years last Monday in Dallas, and have already lost another 3 lbs! Feel free to ask any questions or share and I will do my best to answer from my experience!

Banded april 07. Rather discourged right now.

I've been stuck at the same weight for 8 months. 5lbs up 5 lbs back.

I need some motivation and some insight into the long haul.

I'm needing some insight from those that have been doing this longer than I have.

Does the weight loss usually just stop for a while? Do you just slowly loose weight from that point on as your body adjusts?

I live about 3 hours from my doctor and anyone that has been on this journey. The INTERNET is my only help with questions.

The Doctors office isn't helpful..just come in but that costs money..I really just need some advice that isn't read from a brochure.

My Dr. dismissed me at the 1 year mark and set up my next appt. for 6 months later. My 18 mo.. mark will be next Tuesday.

Anyone check in at the 18 month mark and what was your outcome?

I have struggled with the same 5 pounds since April. No more loss. I feel wonderful but still not in wonderland.

I can't seem to break that yo yo with those pounds and get back into that wonderful loosing mode where it was just sooo easy.

I know I pick...can't eat a lot at a sitting unless I haven't eaten much during the day. But if I've pb'ed I'm hungry and just eat a little here and there. I've journaled but can't get a number since I do pb..soooo I don't know how many calories I really take in.

I haven't broken myself of the eating too fast and not chewing well enough.

Any advice or motivational encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

Great Success to all!

I understand your frustration and it does level off some after the initial big weight loss that happens in the first several months. I lost like 55 lbs. in the first 6 months and it took me another 3 years of fighting my band by eating too fast, too much, and still too much of the wrong things. Finally I stopped fighting it and took off another 30lbs but it took another 8 months or so because you will not lose as fast when you are closer to approaching your normal weight range. I just had my first fill in 7 years because I am finally ready to commit to taking off the last 20 lbs to hit my goal weight. I feel like I am almost newly banded again and noticed that some of my preband old habits had crept back in over the past few years. Just keep positive and know that it is definitely a long haul sometimes. Maybe doing lots of repetitions of light weights or cardio if you are not currently doing so will help jump start your metabolism again. Hope this helps!

Thank you Cameron!

You look fantastic!

Exercises is the only thing I've never done..other than learning to play tennis. Once a week.

Thank you for the pep talk...I'm starting a new today.