Hi I was also banded in June of 2009, I have also had many life changes and many upsetting family issues to deal with this past year. Here is the thing, Did you get the band to lose weight or to lose 20 pounds? I am not sure I can help but I know YOU can help yourself. Use the tool eat properly, and exercise. Get a fill if you need one.

First be proud that you have lost 20 pounds. Secondly, I hear yourself saying you want to get back on the losing track. I know you know what it is you have to do. We have all lost weight a million times. Eat small amounts of food. Not too much, mostly plants with Proteins first. No liquids with meals. If soda is in your life get it out along with all those other foods that go down easy and sugar craves sugar. Get rid of it. We as banders need to eat REAL food.

May I suggest getting into see your Dr. or have a nutrition consultation and get back on the losing track. This band is a tool and if used well it will make you very HAPPY. I believe you can do this. Best wishes imaluckydog

natalia i am right there with you! i was banded in nov 09 and have lost 40. i have been the same weight and size since april. the band has helped me not gain. im not eating right or working out. i thought the same thing when i went for my final fill the other day. "what will they think of my loss and im at my max fill" they didnt get mad or critisize me at all. it was nerve racking though.

we can do this!!!!

First of all, don't ever think you have failed. I believe that is probably the biggest pitfall of losing weight - beating ourselves up. You're on a journey and the journey isn't a failure just because you take a rest stop. You can continue on at any time, this isnt a diet where you "fail." You have already changed your life by getting the band, it's a done deal - you will have good times and bad times but you are always still "on the journey." It takes us some time to change all the habits we have accumulated over the years. Don't be so hard on yourself and hang in there.

Oh, one more thing I forgot. Feeling full - not really what we can expect. I believe we should replace that expectation with one that says "feeling satisfied" If we are "full" we have probably eaten too much. Eat slowly and you will probably just plain get tired of eating, sounds silly but I do sometimes feel I'm just plain tired of chewing, chewing, chewing and stop. If you do that and are still "hungry" after l/2 hour or an hour - you probably need a fill. Good luck!