sandyray

I am 5 years off the band (had all fluid removed due to health issues) and have gained every pound back and then some. I have just had my 2nd fill in 2 weeks to get back into the program. I haven't lost any yet, however I have firm memories of what it too me to lose the 100 lbs back in the day after my surgery. Sure the liquid diet helped, but it has everything to do with calories. It has everything to do with the quality of the proteins you are putting in your mouth. I remember the first time being so careful to limit the calories and fats I put into my system. High quality proteins and shakes only. I have to get back to that. Sweets are off limits. The band is only a tool to help but you ultimately are in control. I remind myself of that ever day.:tongue_smilie:

Thank you everyone for your encouragement. I feel like I have hit rock bottom. I have 80lbs to lose right now to get to goal of 145. That seems so monumental and impossible. Thank goodness I host the holidays at my home and there's never time to eat. Fills in my area are almost impossible. $800.00 per fill which is ridiculous since I was getting them for free in GA. My cousin is a nurse and did my fill yesterday. No problem and no cost. I have a port above my left breast so it's very easy to find and zero pain. I hope she will continue to help me out. I am about busting out of my clothes and hate the way it feels. My sister is very heavy. She weighs about 320 lbs. Her husband refuses to let her get the band. I know that I am not only doing this to prove to him that it can be done but also to myself. My husband hasn't said a peep since I've gained but he knows better. I can tell by how to treats me. (His affair happened a year ago and I decided to stay with him). I know I can do this, I just need some help and support. I appreciate everything and will keep checking back.

No flouroscopy. I can tell I have some restriction. it's very easy to eat around it. After a while, it's so easy to tell when to take a drink. At first, it will hurt if you eat too much. You have to be very careful. After you've lived with it for a year or two, you learn all the tricks which I am not willing to share with you and jeopardize your success. I wish you much luck with your surgery. Do what they tell you and keep getting your weigh ins. That was one of my biggest mistakes by losing sight of the scale.

I had my surgery in 2002. I was living in GA at the time and lost 80 lbs. I got down to 165lbs. My lowest weight. Shortly thereafter, I moved back to MI. I could not find a fill dr. and there were no weekly weigh ins and no support groups. As soon as I was back around my family I started gaining. I was in a size 10-12 at my lowest. It's now 2007 and I just creeped into an 18. I am so digusted with myself. I look horrible and feel horrible. I just got a fill, but little restriction. My family is no help. We are Polish eaters and family means food. My husband is a big eater and athelete and is no help and very little support. i think he likes me fat. I need help. I need to get back into the lifestyle and get my head out of my butt. I am now at 225lb. I have gained back 60 lbs. of my 80 lbs loss. I don't know what to do. Any help, encouragement is greatly appreciated. I just threw away all my "skinny" clothes in an act of rage.:angry