I haven't been online in a while. In fact, there is a little message at the top of my screen saying I haven't posted in several weeks, asking me if I am getting shy. I guess I just haven't wanted to see everyone else's success stories.

I was banded 8-15. I have a 14cc AP band. I still dont have restriction, even after 2 fills. My 3rd fill is next Tuesday. Sometimes I will have a PB if I dont chew enough, but other than that, nothing. No food amount restrictions, no food type restrictions.

I try hard to make good food choices. Not always successful at that.

I sometimes forget not to eat and drink at the same time. Old habits are harder to break than I thought.

I go to the gym every week day. I hired a personal trainer once a week.

I am trying. And yet my scale hasn't moved in over a month.

I get so upset. It hurts when people ask how much weight I've lost. I feel like a failure. I feel like I did all this for nothing. I feel like I am the only one who isn't succeeding.

WTF else can I do? I want to lose this weight!

PS. most of my weight loss was pre-op diet on the ticker.

Edited October 16, 200817 yr by Andrea20405

Hi Andrea!

I said well I need a fill. He said how much weight did you lose pre-op. I said I lost the whole 10 lbs you told me to lose. He said EXACTLY and you did that without having a band at all, its all about the choices you make.

Wow. If it is always all about the choices you make and not about the band being filled, why does he do band surgery? I think I would have kicked him in the head! LOL.

I KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL! I have been banded 1 1/2 years, have 3 cc's in a 4 cc band, and have lost about 15 pounds - and that was all before surgery. I make the wrong food choices and don't exercise any more than I hafta - cleaning house, walking back and forth to parking lots. Although I am NOT proud of my lack of success - it's a healing tool for me to share it with the world. I know what my problems are - I just have a really hard time fixing them. I didn't figure out until my 1 year bandiversary that what they said at my consultation is absolutely true - the band is only a tool! And all that time I was hoping they were wrong and it would do the work for me. I have FINALLY realized that I have to work at this. The band does its job - it controls my portions; however, what I choose to make my portions out of, is all up to me. I'm proud to say that I haven't had pop in 5 days, and ice cream in over a week. These were my 2 biggest downfalls. Although I'm still waiting for the scale to move DOWN, I am sure that I am going in the right direction. I don't keep track of calories, though I probably should. And, I don't get in my share of protein. I have a lot to work on. What I keep telling myself is, I haven't GAINED any weight to speak of in the last 1 1/2 years, and I am sure I would've without the band. And, although, I haven't been as successful as I would have liked to be - I have made an accomplishment. I have a long way to go, too. Please don't feel alone. I have found many people on this site to be very helpful and uplifting. You ARE NOT alone! I am not considering having my band removed at this point - because I don't feel I've given it a fair chance to show me what it can do. Log on anytime for some "cheerleading". That's what has helped me come to my realizations - I AM AT FAULT. Good Luck to you. I take my days 1 hour at a time, rather than taking my life 1 day at a time - because a whole day is very overwhelming for me!

There has been so much wonderful advice given in all the responses that I won't repeat all that good and true advice, however, I just want to say something that I kept telling my son when he was going through kicking an addiction of another kind, "It is NOT failure if you keep trying. You only fail if you give up." My best to you Andrea, you will do this!!

P.S. My son got control of his life back and he is very successful. I am on my way to being in control of mine. Had to live by my own advice!!!

WOW! Andrea & RestlessMonkey!

I came on here this morning cause I was feeling sooo guilty, and I read what you guys had written and nearly cried. Now I feel hopeful again, I haven't lost weight in a while, only fluctuating between 97.5 and 98.5.

Thankyou guys so much for posting that :scared2:

Andrea, I would never have admitted I was failing, I'd be too scared to say anything incase people had a go at me, you are sooo brave!

Has anything changed for you? Are you feeling better about it now?

XO

Hi Folks,

Boy, I came in here to get my mind off me for a few minutes. My surgery was last Thursday, the 12th. I'm battling the gas and a slight temp...but, feeling much better this afternoon. I've just discovered that I need to put me on a 30 minute feeding schedule, I guess. I want to be sure to get as much of my protein shake down as possible today. Before surgery, that shake was done in the blink of an eye...now, it looks like a tonnnnn of shake. I'd appreciate any advice you might share regarding this. I applaud all of you and love reading your thougts. It does the heart good to see a 'doctor' sharing thoughts here as well. I hope everyone begins to experience great success...I'll be back...I want the support and the experiences...it helps to know I'm not the only one going through this today!!!