insubordination

I got a six year notification and somehow tracked down this thread. I hope someone else finds it and posts too. Until last week, I hadn't been to the doctor since 2008. I got sudden pain and finally went back. Luckily it wasn't a slip, but my stomach was so swollen, I had to get an unfill and am on liquids. I would say I'm not a success or a failure. I think I'm glad I got the band, but I kept it too tight for too long, and throwing up became the norm. I still weigh about 25kg/56pounds less than when I was banded. That's maybe only 40% of my goal weight. I sort of gave up and just ate junk food when I wanted (which was often) and I always have Hot drinks with meals so I can eat more. I just never seem to have the willpower to cut out bad food and exercise and follow band rules. I think those who reach their goal weight have really earned it. If I'm honest, I've only maintained this loss because I have an overactive thyroid too. Still, I guess I'm glad I got the band. If I hadn't, I'm sure I would have gained serious amounts of weight to which would prevent me from working and travelling. As it is, I can go on plane trips, buy clothes, work. I am due to get a total thyroidectomy very soon, and putting on weight is the norm apparently. So I will definitely get my band filled again - just not to such a high level. I really hope some more of you post back. I'm afraid the success rates for bands doesn't seem to be very high.

Hi Rhonda, How did your rebanding go? Well I hope. I would love to hear about it and its results. Ann

Hey, forgot the name of the forum there for a while. It was great to read that we're all chugging along. Some better than others. I hope you all have resolved your medical problems. I have a local lapband friend who is really successful and she works hard and gyms every day. I know what I have to do. Anyway, the good news is that I'm happier than I've been in years. I seem to be all positive all the time. I am back in Australia now after my year-long world trip. My job in Spain was great. Now I have my old job back in Australia and am planning to go to Italy next year. Haven't had a fill or even seen a doctor for 15 months. I have lost a little weight but nothing to get too excited about but I am not even at my lowest banded weight by a long shot (like some of you, I too put on a fair bit of weight with the band. I am still 62 pounds lighter than my banded weight. Of course, cutting out the sugar and dedicating myself to exercise would help because I really should have lost at least 100 by now. The funny thing is, I haven't given up. I still think I have it in me to lose a lot more. I'm still in the obese category but I finally thing I'm ready to start doing something about it again. As someone above said, I don't regret being banded. What's been incredible for me is the mental change. I don't think about weight and food every moment of the day. I don't feel awkward in social situations and I have completely stopped the harsh, negative self-talk. I even (literally) pat myself on the back all the time and solve problems instead of feeling defeated. Life really seems much easier this way. I used to walk down the street ashamed thinking everyone was staring at me and judging me. As captain Danbo said, my band is also a crazy thing. Some weeks I can eat a full bowl of restaurant portioned food and other weeks next-to-nothing. What on earth causes this? Also, I'm sure you've all figured this out, never, never eat dried fruit! Hope you guys suddenly remember the forum and post one of these days. Ann (ha, bet you didn't remember my real name).

Hey all. Nice to hear from you Janine. Scary process but I´m glad you have a new band. Hernia hmmm. Sometimes I wonder whether or not I have one. It´s our two year anniversary coming up. I roughly look the same as my one year anniversary. Hee. I am still in Spain and haven´t had an adjustment for a year. I haven´t lost a whole lot but I´m glad I maintained what I did lose intitially. I still think I have the potential to lost 50 more pounds or so. My band seems to be dormant for a while and then it´ll suddenly work. Overall I´m happy, shook off the depression and am far healthier and even more active so thumbs up for that side. Weight loss should be much better by now but I will take personal responsibility for that. I can´t deny that the band does its job. I just try to cheat it which is silly really. I´d love to hear from everyone else.

Hey Stef, welcome back. We missed you and your fire. Bcrazy- Please brag. You are amazing to have kept up your exercise. 100 pounds wooh! Of course, Lil baby, you are just as amazing and I love your positivity. Just got on the scales and I have lost 50% of the weight I gained so I guess it can come off again. Suzz, I´m so proud of your for going back to the doctor. I hope it works. You need some nutrients in you at any rate.

Also sorry to hear some of you are having rough patches. I have lost faith that I´m ever getting out of the obese category but still, I wouldn´t get rid of my band for anything. If I have to be honest, I know how to eat around it and, like Suzzie, find it hard to deny myself. I haven´t weighed myself in many months and have been quite active and having a good time (am in Germany now) so at least I´m enjoying life. Still, I can´t help but be disappointed in myself and the band. I thought I´d be a lot more successful because I started out so well. Then again, I used to follow the rules! I really admire the people who have got to a normal weight and solved their issues. They are an inspiration.

Eeek! What's happened to this thread. Post people! I am in the Caribbean as I enter month 3 of my round-the-world trip (Dios Mio, did I just type that?). I did a SCUBA course and got my open water license just a couple of days ago. I had always wanted to do it but was too scared because of my size. I am still really big but I just realised it shouldn't stop me from enjoying life. Also, for those gaining or staying the same, my band suddenly kicked into gear after 6 or 8 months of nada. I haven't had any fills. It just started working. I hope it keeps up but my initial reaction was annoyance because I am mostly eating out while away and I hate paying for good food and chucking it. However, I have taught myself not to over-order again. I have no idea how much I've lost but my face and clothes look different. Such a relief as I had really gained quite a lot. I'd love to hear some news from someone, anyone?

PS That puppy is so cute. Mewants. Danbo, Thailand is on my itinerary but it´s my last stop before going back to Australia. At least 8 months away methinks. Who knows, maybe you´ll be there.

Hey guys, checkin´in from Guatemala. I find I am not obsessing over food at all but enjoying the day instead. I have no idea whether I have lost weight or not. I think not. I tell ya, this lapband thing isn´t quite what I hoped. My fatal mistake was starting to drink hot drinks with meals to get more down. Still, it was the catalyst for a lot of changes in my life. I might not lose faith yet! I am going to catch up on the posts now. I hope all you guys are well. Even the lurkers.

Hi, Thought I,d check in and tell you guys that I have started my round the world trip. Today I climbed a snow capped active volcano in Pucon,Chile. Pretty cool. Hope you guys are well. Will catch up on the thread.

Yes, I'm afraid I know what you mean.

Thanks for your advice. I did what you said and got a little fill. I had put on a disturbing amount of weight and need to nip it in the bud. I thought I would never put on weight with a band but that's just not true. It's great to hear from you Janine. The band of mystery lives up to its name. Rhonda, how frightening! I wish they had done a barium swallow instead of scaring you with the 's' word (slip). Heed my advice - stay away from sugar in this time. It's an evil poison! I am so happy you're OK. For those who asked, my first stop is Chile and some of south (Peru, Argentina maybe Brazil) , central (Southern Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras) and a little of north America (New York/Boston/New England and Nova Scotia mainly) then off to Europe and finishing in South East Asia. I am missing the continent of Africa and even China and India. I guess I'll have to save something for next time because my $$$ can't stretch that far. I have been saving ever since banding for this trip (I'm single) so I'm quite proud of myself as I worked really hard and changed all my spending habits. I'm going to teach English in Spain for a while as well. I will check into this thread now and then and check how everyone is doing. I think we all go through major ups and downs but we have to believe that this is going to work - just not without our help grrrrrrrrr. Why can't I keep all my old habits and vices and still be thin and healthy? *pouts like a child*

PS Stef, if you read this we love you. Hope everything is OK and that your post again when you're ready.

I know I should ask my doctor but I'd love to hear your opinions. I am going on my round the world trip (for a year!) in 17 days! Lately, after and overfill and partial unfill, I have put on a lot of weight (20 pounds also, you're not alone Suzzie). This is due to 'eating around the band' as well as the unfill. The thing is, I don't know whether or not to get another fill. It could be my last chance for a year. I don't want to undo all my weight loss on this holiday. On the other hand, a band slippage or any other issue is not covered by my travel insurance. I am happy with the level of fill I have now but I am gaining weight which scares the heck out of me. Then again, I'm comfort eating and not exercising. I tend to lose weight on holidays. I was in so much pain last time I had an overfill and would hate for it to happen in another country. I know a year-long holiday won't generate much sympathy but what should I do?

Faith, you are still an awesome daughter whether you are big or small and I'm sure your mother is proud. Look after yourself and I'm not talking at all about your weight. Your value is not tied to it and we all understand that.

So happy to hear of all your successes. Just 'overweight' is quite and achievement for us. As it halving your size Missy. People probably aren't posting because they're no longer as dependent on lapbandtalk (we know the score now) or maybe because their weight loss hasn't been stellar (we don't mind. I haven't lost in months). Hope all you Americans had a great 4th July.

Congrats Wombat. Happy Band. I know you look hot already. It's so great to hear the things people can now do that they couldn't/didn't dare do before. I too am worried about Stef and I assume the real world is getting in the way of her internet stuff. Still Stef, if you read this post an 'I'm OK' or send someone a text.

Haven't been on this week but happy Juneiversary to everyone. It's great to here from you TT. You are so important to us. I have actually put on weight in the last few weeks due to an unfill but I'm not going to beat myself up for not reaching my goal (or for quitting the gym or still depending on junk food to make me feel better) So darn it HAPPY BANDIVERSARY TO ME! Loss: 80 pounds (I'm half-way there!) Non-scale victories Saw a shrink and worked out some issues Quit a horrible job because I didn't want to be used anymore Saved bucketloads of money Booked a round-the-world trip. I'm leaving in August for a year. I'm going to work overseas too. I never had the confidence before and my twenties passed me by. Now I'm going to create the life I want. Did the seatbelt up on the plane. Socialised more Got honest and worked out some family issues. Made some bandster friends both offline and in real-life Can fit into women's clothes again for the first time since I was in high school. Bye bye men's clothes. Feel more normal and acceptable in society (I'm still big but don't get the same amount of gaping stares and comments that I used to) Blood sugar back to normal Joined a gym!?!! Blood pressure back to normal It hasn't all been smooth sailing but I really don't know how I could have done it with all of you. You mean so much to me. Sniff!

Good advice Missy. I am blown away by your weight loss. I was banded the same month and although I've lost a lot of weight (80 pounds), I have refused to give up high calorie foods. Science is catching up with me methinks. It's time I took another look at things.

Stef, I am gaining with my unfill too. I swear my face looks a bit fatter. I feel really huge. Of course I haven't helped the situation and have been inhaling cals so I only have myself to blame. I am going for a fill on Tues PHEW!

Stef am in a panic about you as I've only just read this! I had a similar problem but the band was still in place, fortunately. I have put on a little weight since my unfill, which I'm finding hard to deal with. Why is it when I can eat more, I do? However, that is not even an issue compared to the pain of band problems. I honestly believe that too tight a fill is a slippery slope. I know you got an unfill not too long ago. Lucky you did or it might have been worse.

I'm sorry too big baby. My grandmother is 85 (she's sitting opposite me right now) and it would be really terrible to lose her. I hope your family help each other to get through this.

I've seen a fair few females who have weighed more than you so don't worry. It's good you're turning it around instead of going towards 500. I too get envious of people's fabulous weight loss. Mine is good but not outstanding. That's why NSVs (non-scale victories) are so important. It's a mistake to measure out success only in weight. For example, yesterday I went to a beach I wasn't familiar with and went snorkeling. I never would have done that this time last year. I never would have dared.

jojo7, haven't heard from you in a while. Your weight loss looks amazing but it's terrible that you're having a mystery problem. I think there is a yahoo group for bandits in Melbourne which is quite active. You should also start a thread on this board (if you haven't already). I bet someone has experienced the same thing. Hopefully, they'll have some insight for you.

PS Karla, I know you probablydidn't mean it to be but your post about your DH was hilarious about the whorin', the couch, the elephant and size 9. Hopefully, he's learnt his lesson.