I feel like a failure...

[atlasmaia 3]

I got my band back on June 21st last year and since then I've barely made any progress, I think I lost about 20lbs in the beginning and then gained some back. Then recently I needed to remove my fill because I got blocked up, and between the time it was removed and my dr refilled with 5cc I gained 14lbs. Since the fill I lost 5 but I'm sitting here thinking about how I've has the band for almost a year and have NOTHING to show for it.

I feel like it's mostly my fault because I lost track of the way I'm supposed to do things. I don't know, has anyone overcome anything like this?

[hopefulinNY 14]

I feel exactly the same way . Thought by now I'd be almost to goal and have only lost 40 pounds. I'm trying to go back to basics and follow rules . We can do this and you are not alone .

[gowalking 10,790]

Hi gals. As hard as it is, you must follow the rules in order to be successful. There are a million ways to cheat the band and unfortunately when you do, you only cheat yourself. Go back to your surgeon or nutritionist and explain your difficulties. They should be able to give you the tools you need to follow the weight loss protocol.

I know it sounds simple but I also know it's not if you are by nature a rule breaker. There are lots of folks like that and they are often not able to find the success they so badly want. For me, I follow a weight watchers type of program. I don't do points or any of that other nonsense. I eat 3 oz. Protein, 1/2 cup veggies, 1/4 cup carbs. I track all my food on myfitnesspal and try to stay under 1,100 calories. I do some exercise, but I'm certainly no gym rat. In a nutshell, I haven't done anything magical. I just eat alot less, I eat mostly chicken and fish. I hardly ever eat fast food and I stay away from crappy food as much as possible.

Good luck, please let us know how you are doing.

[Bandista 7,466]

Hi there, don't despair but seize this day! We all have our ups and downs and there may be more progress than you think. The surgery is done and the band is placed so that's a big hurdle. You have a doctor to work with to get on track. And think how much heavier you might be now if you hadn't done something. I wonder about that sometimes, especially as this was such a tough winter. Without my band I surely would have slapped on another ten or fifteen.

Sometimes I look back over goals I wrote up at the beginning of my process to remind myself what I want to achieve. Maybe crafting a list like this would help? Also I try to note the time when I'm having something to eat and I count off on my fingers one, two, three, four hours and plug that time into my head -- i.e. I'm having this yogurt and almonds now and it's 11 so I shouldn't be hungry again until 3. This helps me train myself to not be such a grazer.

Just know you are showing up for yourself. You've made this big decision and you want a healthy happy future. We can do this thing!

[Mikee57 699]

Gowalking your advice is very sound thank you...Atlasmaia and hopefilinNY...I am not really out that far since my surgery but got to see the nutritionist. maybe you do need to go back to basics. although I have lost weight since surgery...I have had bad habits when it comes to eating already!!! so I am back on the road to weight lose with my band!!! Hang in there ladies you are going to do just fine...lets all get back on the wagon today!!!

[SandyM 1,956]

I too would advise, set small goals. A lot of folks set out with the end goal in their heads and get overwhelmed and discouraged. If you set small goals the big ones will take care of themselves

[hopefulinNY 14]

Thanks . You are all right.i just got got all my info and I'm going to re read all my rules . Even though I know what I should be doing . I'm tracking on fitness pal too .

[Shazam 517]

Many here are correct. They are the wise ones. The band is a tool. It's not easy. Everyone has there ups and downs, and nobody is perfect. But try to hold your head high, and move forward.

[nomorejellybelly 77]

Hang in there. Definitely work on getting back on track, but you can do it. I'm getting back on track now. Just had my last feel a little over a week ago and it's working again. I've had fills, but have not been able to get past my plateau, that has gone on for three years now. I've just been up and down the same 5lbs for three years. I'd change up exercise, diet and fills, but still stuck. Anyhow, I did really good at first right at 60lbs, but I'm still at that now. I just told myself that I got the band for a reason and it might not be real comfortable/fun right now, but it will be worth it, when the weight comes off. Most everyone will tell you we're all different, so just do your best on diet and exercise. Hang in there.

[Mikee57 699]

Atlasmaia and hopefilinNY was wondering how things are going for you? Any new news on making changes for the good? hope to hear from you soon!!!

[B-52 7,113]

Whenever I read posts like this, where people beat themselves up for being a failure, I have to ask myself "What about the Band" Is it working or is not doing what it should...and then I ask myself, why not?

If I buy a car to get to work, to pay the bills,....and then the car will not start in the mornings, and I'm constantly late for work and loose my job, ....am I a failure?

Only if I don't get the car fixed and tuned properly and get back to work.....

I know a lot of people here have a lot of different approaches to Lap band surgery, but my feeling is/was, this is surgery...I have certain expectations and expect certain results....things I could not do myself prior to surgery....and if it did not perform, I asked my Dr, why....and there was always a good reason and solution.....

Edited May 5, 2014 by B-52

[Sharpie 3,306]

I think over time, we get complacent. I have found myself falling back into bad habits. We become less vigilent about what and how much we are eating. I have lost enough weight to feel good and I think sometimes we get comfortable with that. I want to get to my goal this year for sure so I can start maintaining but I have to get back to the reality that I have a band for a reason and stop fooling myself into thinking I can eat badly and still lose weight. I try to come on here and read some post especially the success stories to get myself motivated and I have promised myself that I would get back to my support group meetings. Getting back on track is difficult but having surgery and doing all of the liquids, etc. was not easy either. Hang in there and keep talking to yourself about why you had your surgery.

[Shazam 517]

I think over time, we get complacent. I have found myself falling back into bad habits. We become less vigilent about what and how much we are eating. I have lost enough weight to feel good and I think sometimes we get comfortable with that. I want to get to my goal this year for sure so I can start maintaining but I have to get back to the reality that I have a band for a reason and stop fooling myself into thinking I can eat badly and still lose weight. I try to come on here and read some post especially the success stories to get myself motivated and I have promised myself that I would get back to my support group meetings. Getting back on track is difficult but having surgery and doing all of the liquids, etc. was not easy either. Hang in there and keep talking to yourself about why you had your surgery.

This is so true. Currently, I've been struggling. Old habits are creeping up. Along with missing some foods. I too, want to reach my goal. I'm going to shake it off, stand up, and get back on track. Thanks!!

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

I think over time, we get complacent. I have found myself falling back into bad habits. We become less vigilent about what and how much we are eating. I have lost enough weight to feel good and I think sometimes we get comfortable with that. I want to get to my goal this year for sure so I can start maintaining but I have to get back to the reality that I have a band for a reason and stop fooling myself into thinking I can eat badly and still lose weight. I try to come on here and read some post especially the success stories to get myself motivated and I have promised myself that I would get back to my support group meetings. Getting back on track is difficult but having surgery and doing all of the liquids, etc. was not easy either. Hang in there and keep talking to yourself about why you had your surgery.

This is so true. Currently, I've been struggling. Old habits are creeping up. Along with missing some foods. I too, want to reach my goal. I'm going to shake it off, stand up, and get back on track. Thanks!!

that is right.....do better today.....all we can do...

whats done is done......you got this

you know what to do and how

so lets do it

hang in there OK

[oreo4972 20]

I think over time, we get complacent. I have found myself falling back into bad habits. We become less vigilent about what and how much we are eating. I have lost enough weight to feel good and I think sometimes we get comfortable with that. I want to get to my goal this year for sure so I can start maintaining but I have to get back to the reality that I have a band for a reason and stop fooling myself into thinking I can eat badly and still lose weight. I try to come on here and read some post especially the success stories to get myself motivated and I have promised myself that I would get back to my support group meetings. Getting back on track is difficult but having surgery and doing all of the liquids, etc. was not easy either. Hang in there and keep talking to yourself about why you had your surgery.

I agree with you completely! I have definitely become too comfortable with my band. And now that I've recently had a partial unfill, I now realize how much I took my band for granted in preventing me from overeating and keeping me in check with certain foods. Now that I have way less restriction, I've quickly lapsed back into my old habits of overeating and making poor food choices. Four weeks of this has shamefully and regretfully resulted in me gaining 8 lbs! Now I have to work that much harder reach my goal, but I'm determined to do it!