Not sure where to begin

[Karen72 1]

I had my surgery 4 years ago. I have seen success and failure over this time. I went to my appointment today and I weigh the same as I did before my surgery. I've very discouraged. I have trouble sticking with the program. I eat larger portions then I should and I don't exercise. I know what I need to do but don't follow through. I have difficulty with both being hungry and with throwing up. It seems like the fill is never quite right. I have had all the Fluid removed and put back over several visits. I have done Atkins more times then I can count to try to get me to loose weight without a fill. I just need someone who has had similar problems. I never thought it would be easy but I didn't think it would be this hard.

[MelissaKSea 2]

Karen, I'm new to this site and am struggling too! I had surgery nearly four years ago and the weight is coming back on. I developed GERDS, which my physician indicated is a result of me eating around my band. He emptied by band which then allowed me to eat more. I know what I need to do, but having trouble doing it. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that you aren't alone in your struggle.

Is it possible to join a support group in your area? I keep thinking that would help me, but they set the meetings when I've barely gotten off work. As a commuter, I can't make it in the time allowed.

I'm here to offer any motivation I can. Maybe if we could create our own support system our chances of succeeding would improve.

[lisacaron 5,075]

Hi ladies, let me be the first to say that you are not alone. I work on this every single day.

WLS no matter what type you have take a really big commitment from the individual as well as a total life style change.

I know when we are on a weigh loss program or diet we hear this all the time, when you have WLS it becomes reality. If you are not willing to change your life then you are not going to be successful with your weight loss surgery tool any more than you would be with a diet.

The Lapband can be a fickle partner that is true, and it takes that extra time and care to find that "right" level of fill that you can live with. If you are going to eat around your band then you are going to cause complications that in the long run can hurt you and cause your band to fail.

My motto with the band is slow and steady wins the race.

So try taking a step back from where you are today.

Go back to the early days of pre- and post op. Reset and start again. That is the beauty of the band. You can "reset"!!

Get back on that liquid diet you may have had pre-op or post op. When getting fills, go slowly. Try .05-1 cc at a time. Give it at least 2 weeks to a month to settle in before you go back for additional fills. See how your feeling and how food is passing.

The point with the band is not to be so tight that you can't eat but to be just right so you are not "hungry" between meals and are satisfied with the small band portion of food.

Start measuring out your food. Use Ziplock containers that have volume measurements on the side. Start tracking your in take with my fitness pal or one such app or just write it down or take a picture of all the food you are consuming and then take a look at that and determine if you are eating band size portions or over eating. Are you choosing nutrition whole food or fast food, greasy food, sugary slider type food?

Are you eating too fast? Taking too large a bite? Did you drink enough Water? All these things factor into finding our balance with our bands and our weight loss journey.

Feel free to come back and share your insights with us...and we can share with you as well. We are all on the path to finding what works and what doesn't and what we need. We are a "virtual" support group. I know I can't always make the "live" meetings, and I host them!!

[B-52 7,113]

As you get the band adjusted with fills, you get more restriction...you then MUST...you are FORCED to change the way you eat, what you eat, and how much you eat....failure to do so will result in unpleasant things....

After a couple of times, you begin to learn your lesson...it's behavior modification....

OR

As I read here all the time, complain you can't keep anything thing down...I am too tight.....go to the Dr. and get Fluid taken out...Ahhh, NOW I can eat anything I want as much as I want...just like before surgery....and I will join a diet group just like I did before surgery.

It's like touching a hot stove and getting burned....eventually - hopefully, you learn not to touch a hot stove....or you can say "Bad Stove" and never use it again....

There was a reason I had surgery....it was to do what I was incapable of doing it myself....(I wish I did not have to)

People say it's hard work...not exactly sure what they found hard, but for me the hard part was the first few months changing, modifying, my behavior - habits in order to be in "Sync" with the band....(along with exercise).....once I learned that lesson(s)...then it all fell into place......it became easier and easier and the weight just came off.

That has been my story, and now, I am 100% successful and living a a new life...so I am speaking from my first hand experience and success....

Other people will voice their opinions based upon their experience and success....and you will find different people have different experiences...it's perfectly normal.

[Karen72 1]

I'm very happy that you have found this journey easy and have lost weight with little effort. Not all of us are that lucky. I don't just go back and have Fluid taken out when things get tough. I go when I throw up once or twice a day for several days in a row. I'm not over eating those times I throw up. I have three or four bites and run for the bathroom. I have found changing my eating habits a challenge. I have two children's ages 7 and 12. I have to be very careful that I explain that when mommy gets sick it's because of her surgery. I don't want my 7 year old to thing throwing up after meals is normal. I know I need to try harder and with going back to Atkins for two weeks I hope I can loose some weight and feel better about myself.

[lisacaron 5,075]

@@Karen72 as B-25 said everyone has a different journey. I don't get sick often...but there are days...today is an example of one. I had an early morning training..then a meeting and rush rush and stress stress with work deadlines and people e-mailing and calling at the same time. Now it's time for lunch. Chinese food, so I order shrimp and Chinese vegetables usually a very good choice for me. Of course it's the "lunch" special so it comes with some kind of rice and a side dish either Soup or egg roll.

I usually opt for the egg roll so I can have them wrap it to go and no one questions why I am not eating the Soup and then my meal. I usually do not touch the rice at all...maybe a small fork and mix it around the plate a bit. 3 bites into my shrimp..and being all knotted up and people talking to me at lunch and wouldn't you know it?! I am stuck!!! Now I have the slimes and I can't be sick at the table with all these co-workers so I have to discreetly excuse myself and remove the blockage and then of course I am not going to eat anymore.

It's not because my band is too tight,it's because I am so wound up I lost my good eating habits. I was not focused on chewing and making sure I was not overloading my fork...it's many variables and it happens. Most of the time I try to mindful of it so it doesn't happen. Now I will be on liquids for the rest of the day into tomorrow to allow my stomach to heal and not put further stress on it with solid foods.

You can do this even with 2 little ones. I have 5 children, and work a crazy busy full time job. I didn't get obese overnight and I didn't learn to work with my band overnight either and sometimes my band and I can be at odds with each other like today

The good thing is that I feel better, got my Protein in..and I can't wait for the end of the day to go home and put my feet up and just RELAX

[Julie norton 2,850]

You are not alone in your restaurant "challenges". Even after many years, I got hungry and ate the beginning of my lunch too fast 2 days ago. Had to excuse myself twice. How embarrassing , but was w/ a friend.... I try to just have Soup or fish if I am in a group.

Like 52 said ... It is truly retraining our eating habits .....still making errors... Just few and far between

Good luck and keep posting

[Hilja Tina 0]

I too gained my weight back Had surgery in 2007 I felt and still feel ashamed however I also felt alone in my failure I am going to reboot my band as suggested by Lisa and comeback and read these stories for inspiration and support Thank you all