So my story is long and boring, but suffice to say that since April 2007 I have essentially not had a properly adjusted band. During the last two years I've allowed the old behaviors of speed eating and grazing to rear their ugly heads again.

I just got another fill yesterday and today I have another chance to make this work. It's not the band, it's me. It's ME who can't seem to take the small bites and stay away from nibbling. A properly adjusted band should help by providing negative effects to those behaviors, but you'd think that after four successful banded years I'd have learned them already. Amazing how these reflexive habits take hold and take over when you're not FORCED to think about them and consciously stop.

I don't harbor any false imaginings that this won't be a struggle for the rest of my life. But once again, I'm on board with a working band and hope it will help me gain control.

Good for you for taking control back! It gets so easy slipping back into our old habits.

Congrats on admitting what difficulties you are having. It takes a lot to do that, but your heading in the right direction. I'm sending you positive vibes and wishing you good luck!

Your honesty is heartbreaking. I know the majority of people who post on this forum either are now or have had the same issue with our powerlessness over food. We so want the band to be the thing that ends the struggle. Your ability to recognize the need to renew your commitment to a healthier life is what will make this fight, (make no mistake it is life long), one that can be won. Know you are not alone and totally supported. I am sending you strength and good wishes.!!

Congrats on getting back to the swing of eating the right way! I too am in the same situation and I am starting to realize that the band is not going to work without help! I wish you lots of luck!

Thanks, y'all!! I'm feeling really good these days and am REALLY enjoying the early satiation that a properly adjusted band gives me. Once again I can go several hours after a meal without wanting to eat. Yay!!

I really appreciate the words of support. Thank you!!

Hi Anexandra,

Congrats on your recent fill! I think we all have starts and stops I like to call them.

Not sure this makes sense, but every time we start up again we have less weight to lose and eventually we'll get there!

Once we plateau it really, really gets tough.

I'm in the same boat. You are not alone!

This board really helps to keep me accountable.

:smile2:

Hello, I am new to this site and joined today because A. I am so frustrated at the moment because I have some veggie/Thai noodles stuck and looking for answers on how to get unstuck and B. I have been banded for 21 months and have only lost 15 pounds. I went off of a previous site months ago because although I was happy for others that lost the weight I was so upset because I couldnt share the true feeling of weight loss. Its good to read how others are doing well, as it gives me hope.

Thanks for your honesty. It is really hard to read all these post all the time and wonder if they are not being accountable or if the band is really failing them. It causes me to doubt my decision but than I read your post and I know that I made the right decision. I feel the same way as you, I know that if I am not loosing it is because I am not making the right choices. I know that at some point I had unrealistic exspectations about what the band was going to do for me but now I know it is 50/50. If I do my part than I loose, feel good and look better. If I dont than at best I maintain, usually gain.

Again thank you for being open and honest :bored:

So good to hear from you. I think many times I would be full and not know it, then eat a few more bites and then get stuck, then get mad because I felt so terrible, soooo then I would have instant potatoes, potted meat, protein smoothes, applesauce, soup, and yes even frozen yougurt for a day or two.

I have felt like I am doing much better the last two weeks.

I'm wishing you lots and lots of strength! You can do this.

I don't think we ever really realize how deep our behavior is until we put it under a microscope like this.

I think your attitude and honesty will carry you so far. I wish you all the best and thank you for the inspiration.

I like the idea of looking at 10 pounds at a time. Thanks for the encouragement.

10 lbs. at a time. I like that too!

I think I'll sit down and plan a 10 lb. goal for myself.

This would make an interesting thread actually. :thumbdown:

Thanks Alexandra for starting this post. Nice to feel we are not alone in this!