ElliottX9

So, this is my first entry, and planning to behave like a grown up and take control of my health and use this lapband tool properly. I read somewhere once that people who overeat are emotionally underdeveloped as they use food as a emotional escape - not true for everyone - but for someone like me, that rung a true and clear bell, and frankly, it really hurt. Can't remember how I responded, but I probably ate something.... I have read in a million different approaches to this type of task, that keeping a journal is ideal and helps in some way. I have no desire to keep a paper journal and run the risk of having it read upon my demise, or even before. This may be public, but it is only public to people who can relate to what is happening to and for me during this process. I don't expect anyone will read this, but as a journal this will serve nicely. My handwriting resembles ransom notes these days anyway! Next entry - after a trip to Paris - surely not the ideal place to commence healthy food choices, but this is a "for life" change so location should be irrelevant. I

Hi Hely, I started this group with great intentions, and have been watching your progress.. you have completely inspired me. Thanks

Wow, this band business is messy huh. How is the starting again approach working? I have been completely rubbish, but have made a decision, if I don't make some serious inroads into this health issue by end of year, I am going for the bypass. There are some amazing stories on this site.....

Guys, I have just set up a Starting Over group as I couldn't see any other groups that particularly applied to our experiences. Please join if you have struggled with the band for less than optimal results. As a group we can support each other to make this thing work for us for life.

So, I have completed a full week now on reapplying the principles of lapband eating. My word, life is soooo much better when not constantly regurgitating food! Sorry that is gross, but really, that is what I was doing. Have achieved some sort of zen at the moment. Lost a bit of weight, but not measuring, was aiming in the first week tosimply take control and if some of the food was a bit fatty (couldn't get hold of low fat yoghurt) then too bad. Have also heard about the 5 day pouch test. This doesn't seem so much a test as a resetting excercise and I plan to do that this week starting monday. I feel so much better seeing there are other people on the same path - honestly, I wasn't feeling great about having let down my lapband and my mum who paid for it (I am sure she looks at me with dismay that she will never see me healthy). I live in London and my mum lives in the southern hemisphere - I am going over for her birthday in June next year and her present will be my slim self! God speed us all!

I am starting over as well. How do we do it? We just decide I guess! I have gone back to basics and looked at what I should be doing, and applying it like I have just got the band. I too had depression that the band wasn't working that well for me, and then I read a comment about someone with the same issue and they said "I let my band down" which brings it back that it is only a tool and it is up to me to work with it.....

I think you are being too hard on yourself. You are still allowed to enjoy food, and every moment of your life can't be constrained. Just beware that getting an obstruction in a restaurant is stressful! You end up running to the loo 5 times to deal with it and it is seriously unpleasant!!! You are doing great. Remember, slim people don't analyse the food they ate and don't beat themselves up if they ate a bit of bread. Let it go, relax, and carry on.

I want to see a photo of myself and see the same person I feel like I am inside. I want to be able to see a chair with arms and not have a moment of anxiety if I am going to fit, and then be comfortable sitting in it. I want to stop feeling like the "third sex". I want to wear a bra that doesn't resemble scaffolding!

I am a little further along (but not much!) from you in years - I am 36 - and at 31 I was exactly the same, like THIS year X, by the time I am 32, Y will have happened. Letting that go was very very liberating, and once I did, things came towards me. I am reading your blog because I am struggling - I have been banded a year and am plateaued at less than a desirable weight and feel like a complete loser. BUT, I am not going to give up. Like you, I am finding that my crack substitue (sugar!) gets through the band quite easily and therefore, I have to work out if I will ever be worthy of a normal sized body. Academically, everyone on this site would say yes, yet we are all struggling with that concept. You are not alone. Stay on the site and keep us informed. Caroline xx