HELP at wits end

I'm at my wits end I just don't know where to turn anymore.. I had my lap band in for two years now and feel like a complete failure..I started off great and the pounds just seemed to fall off I was at a good 340+ pounds when I started my journey and I'm currently at 270 and have been there for the past year now. At one point I realized my band was too tight and I wasn't getting a whole lot of food into my system and Dr Wagner opened it up some. I able to get food in now and I have still not started losing again. I have been able to maintain though which is good (at least I didn't put any back on) . BUt I just don't understand why I haven't been able to lose anything else now for about 8 mths..  Please has anyone else out there been through anything like this and if so how do I jump start my system again?  I also can't ever seem to make it to the support group meetings on the St Louis side of the river and have heard of rumors of a support group on the illinois side does anyone know where it is I can really use some support and friends that understand what I'm going through.  Thank You Dawn Skidmore Caseyville/Belleville Illinois area

Dawn so glad that you decided to write here on the board , Welcome, Sorry i cant really help you any since i had the RNY but im sure there are a lot out there with the band that can help you or at least know what and how you feel. Know that we are here for you to vent as much as you want to.,  Hopefully there will be someone that can help you about a support meeting in your area too.  Have you written down what you are eating in a days time, maybe you need to up the protein , maybe there is some filler foods that you are eating that arent helping you to lose. I would say to journal daily what you are eating and see what it is, maybe not enough water too. what about exercise? Hope to see you on the board again. Jan

I too had RNY, so don't have personal experience with the band.  I would second Jan's suggestion to log your food.   If it looks like you're able to eat more than you think you should, perhaps he let out too much and you need a small fill.  How often are you exercising?   Exercise is one of the best ways to jump-start your system to losing weight.  As for support groups:  have you checked the Support Groups tab at the top of the ObesityHelp page to search for support groups in Illinois?  Also, have you checked the lapband board here at OH?  I'm sure those folks could offer much more specific support for your situation (not that we don't welcome you here! )

Hi, Dawn.  I can tell how frustrated you must be.  I had my lap band put in last February.  I have to echo what the others have said - keep a food diary for a week and see if maybe you're eating too much of the wrong kinds of food.  I know there are times I stall out and it's because of what I'm eating.  Sometimes, it's more than what we think.  How long has it been since you've seen Dr. Wagner?  When you went for your unfill did you explain what was going on to him?  Also, how about your water - are you getting that in?  Hang in there and don't give up.  You're still doing great by maintaining. Debbie

There is a meeting at Union Methodist on east main. I think they only meet everyother month. I am not suer on the details, and it may be more of a rny thing. I just heard someone at the newstart group say they went to it. Sorry so vague.

Thanks Everyone, I'll try and contact union methodist for more info.  and I began keeping a food diary again so hopefully I can see what might be the problem.