Cynthia E.C.

I had a problem with being "detached" the doctor called it. I was driving down the road 70 mph with my daughter and two friends when all of a sudden I just started to lose myself. I felt like I went to sleep or something. It was weird. It only lasted a few seconds but very scary. My friend grabbed the steering wheel and she drove the rest of the way home. Nothing was ever determined other than a vasal vagal (sp) episode. I have had times when I felt like I was going to pass out but I didn't. My trainer at the gym told me to make sure I was eating enough, keeping it down and it was the right kinds of food. Try using Myfitnesspal.com and see how you are doing with your eating plan. Make sure to set it up to tell you your protein, fats, calories..... You may be surprised. Whatever you do GIVING UP ISN'T AN OPTIION. Take care and God Bless.

I totally understand what you are talking about. I too am addicted to food. I have always been overweight. I was a fat baby, fat kid, fat teen and now a fat adult. I know my relationship with food isn't healthy and I am presently seeking counseling with regards to this. However, I see little to no change. I lost about 100 pounds but have put back on 20. I have had to have my band emptied out several times due to illness. I still throw up often, usually because I eat too much, too fast. I don't know what full means but I totally understand "feeling like you are starved too death". I want soooo much to get it back off. My self-esteem is suffering terribly. I don't feel like dressing up because my clothes are tight again. I HATE IT AND I HATE MYSELF BECAUSE I CAN'T GET IT TOGETHER AGAIN. What can people like us do to work through this problem and overcome this obstacle? We deserve to be happy, content and at peace with ourselves - even if that means we aren't 120 pound beauty queen. Do you have ideas???

Dear Lapband friends, Thank you so much for your responses. Only a person that has been there really understands the food battles that some of us fight. I have had my band for 3 years. It took me about 6-7 months to find my way. Things were great after that. The a year ago it went amuck. I have had a few problems with my band and had to have it corrected a about 2 years ago. PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AND STAY IN TOUCH. I need some accountability.

I have a lapband and had lost 100 pounds. I have put 20 back on. I have lost my focus. I am not eating right, suffering from low blood sugar and trying to decide between adding more fluid to my band (I already throw up more than I should) and joining Wt. Watchers or Myfitnesspal. I exercise alot and often. Has anyone ever fallen off the wagon and managed to crawl back on, find their seat and start enjoying the ride again?????

Thank you so much for your concern and taking the time to shoot me an email. It means a lot to know that there are some people who really know, understand and care. I am in counseling now. The doctor that I see is wonderful!! She sees other band and gastric patients. She has offers me encouragement and support but once I am out of her office I have a terrible time implementing the changes. Please continue to be successful on your journey. I applaud your accountability and commitment to change. I have considered joining Wt. Watchers just to hold me accountable. My MD said it may help with my low blood sugar too as the Wt. Watchers diet is very healthy. Yesterday, I threw up several times. The only thing I ate was ice cream and soft cookies!!! Oh did I mention for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack. I eat - throw up and eat again. What a vicious cycle. In all honesty yesterday was a terrible day and I can't really remember eating like that ever before. However, I do have a real fetish for ice cream and sweets. My blood sugar issue plays a huge part in my cravings but sweets are the WORST things to eat. I believe I have become so depressed about my current situation that I am using sweets as an "antidepressant" of sorts. Ice cream is truly a comfort food for me. This AM I fixed a double protein smoothie. Maybe today will be better. I just started taking some medication as well. Prayerfully, something will kick in soon. Nevertheless, may there be joy in your journey and may success find you! God Bless.

I had my lap band surgery 4 years ago. It hasn't been a walk in the park. I don't regret having it done and despite my friends and some family members wanting me to have it removed I never want to be without my band. However, I will say I have had my band flip (not sure of the correct medical term) and had to have it repaired. I had lost 80 plus pounds but have since gained 20 pounds back. I use food as my drug of choice, I abuse myself with it, pleasure myself with it and never really know when I am hungry or full. It is horrible!!! I still throw up often. This seems to come in cycles - I will do well for a while and can eat anything and then I start throwing up and have a difficult time getting anything down. I work out hard and often (3-4 times a week for 90 minutes) and I now am struggling with low blood sugar. This makes me have severe weak spells, break out into a sweat, my hands start shaking and I feel like I could pass out. I am suppose to eat more often but I still struggle with putting this change into practice. I WANT TO BE THIN AND HEALTHY BUT I AM ALMOST KILLING MYSELF TO GET THAT WAY AND THEN I REWARD MYSELF WITH FOOD FOR ALL MY HARDWORK. I am like a hamster on a wheel. I also have had a problem with the vegas nerve. The first time it happened I was driving down an interstate 75 mph. Thank the Lord my friend grabbed the wheel. I was drinking a slurpee type drink. It was very cold and I was very hot. I became "detached" the doctor said. It only lasted a few seconds but for that moment I was mentally out of it. When I came back around I thought I had passed out but couldn't understand how I was still driving. My friend demanded I immediately pull over and she took over. It was scary!!!! I also have a problem with low blood pressure. I have never had high blood pressure but now it will bottom out - 91 over 63. It makes you feel miserably weak and tired. Does anyone have any words of encouragement.

I totally understand- more than you know I understand and more than I wish I did I UNDERSTAND!!! I am to food, what a drug addict is to food and what an alcohol is to an alcoholic. I too have been going to see a counselor. I have used food as a drug of choice, a means of celebration, a way to grieve and a way to express myself, abuse myself and love myself. I have been overweight all my life. At 53 I know to well the hell that comes from obesity from infancy through midlife. I am so thankful for the lap band but it is not the end all, be all and do all. I have suffered from a twisted band because I threw up so much and had to have it redone. I still throw up often, usually from eating too fast, too often and too much. I have managed to lose 60 pounds. I had lost 80 but I have gained 20 back. I am now struggling with blood sugar problems. I have severe weak spells. This fat girl works out hard and often. I spin, do weight lifting, yoga, body pump, use various cardio machines and walk. I think I actually work out too much. I use to work out 4-5 days a week for 90 minutes. Now I am down to 3-4 days a week for 90 minutes. I would love to know if anyone works out a lot and has a problem. I am wondering if I should cut my workouts down, add fluid to my band and try to get the added weight off. I am lost, depressed, and overwhelmed. PLEASE HELP!!!!!

I have had my lapband for almost 4 years. It has not only been life changing but also life altering. I don't know how to think thin and I am still struggling with the desire to eat more than I should or even want. I mean to be honest I don't recognize full anymore than I recognize true hunger. For the most part I have been successful but the battle isn't over - I don't think the war ever really is. I had lost almost 100 pounds but recently have put 20 pounds back on. I am really having a hard time physically and emotionally with this set back. Nevertheless, after this recent fill (I previously had to have all the fluid taken out of my band because I got a really bad stomach flu and I was also facing sinus surgery; hence, no fluid for several months!) I have been struggling with throwing up and a lot of air in my band. The air is so uncomfortable that I find myself throwing up in an attempt to relieve some of the pressure. Any ideas - has anyone ever had this problem before? I don't have a lot of fluid in my band but I am concerned.