Motivation beyond the first year

I think as a newbie to Lapband there is so much motivation and drive to work your rules and stick to the portions your Dr advises. Plus with proper restriction the ability and desire to eat too much is pretty much gone. However after a year or so, that space opens up a little and the cravings can begin to creep back in. This is when the losses have slowed way down or completely stopped for many. I think the lapband gets a bad rap because of this. Where with other procedures if you allow yourself to slip back to old habits it may not start to really affect you for much longer, with the band you start risking issues such as slips, erosion, irritations, and maybe more when you allow yourself to bend those rules. These are things we know, and yet we tend to risk it...or rather, to take ownership of myself, I risked it.

However I am now completely unfilled and have been doing Weigh****chers for nearly two weeks and remembering why I got my lapband to begin with and why I appreciate it. It takes work, but it forces you to eat healthy if you want to lose and thats a good thing. In my case I am also forced to exercise if I want to see a loss and as much as I want to be lazy, its still a good thing. I am finally back in the world of the "losers" after a full year of nothing but tiny gains and I am so excited. Not just excited that I am doing it without my band for the time being, but excited to know I will eventually have my tool back and have been reminded how important it is to stick to the basics. Sure if I'd had gotten ds, or vsg as we are regularly reminded I might lose faster, longer, and with less complications, but most of us signed on for lapband knowing all of this so why spend time on should'a could'a would'a talk when this is what we've got. I do not fault anyone for buyers remorse, and am very simpathetic to those who have had complications beyond their control (or even within their control) but if you are still trying to make it work with the band try to remember what drove you when you started. Remind yourself that your original goals still apply and that you have to stay focused.

Ok, pep talk is over, lol. Have a great day!!

Yup that happened to me too!! The second year has been the hardest for me to stay on track. Your right the first year is amazing with soooo much motivation and then some where along it gets lost. In January after I had not lost anything for 6 months, I had get real with myself and take responsibility for what I was doing. Since being back on the rules I have lost 8lbs which is a huge deal for me since not losing anything for 6 months.

I got my head out of my ass now.....the air is better out here!! I am ready to finish what I started. Thanks Sarah for saying what I was feeling!

Jen

I'm right there with both of you on this! Going into my 2nd anniversary & trying to keep on track has been difficult. Got a fill at the end of December & it was learning rules all over again. Was thinking I needed an unfill but found out I have strep throat & that can be why nothing was going down for me. Still having my band checked out becausec I'm concerned!

Give you props for doing it after a complete unfill Sarah! Keep up the good work!

Thanks! I hope your throat feels better fast, I just started coming down with something today, blah.. I hate being sick :(

I have had no problem for five years maintaining my weight and size.  Last year I gained about 12 lbs.  I had my band adjusted and lost the weight and maintained it.  I follow the rules 90% of the time.  I did not get this band to still be on a diet.  I got it to eat normally and occasionally have a great dessert.  It has worked beautifully for me.  I just don't understand your reasoning that after a year "space opens."  That is when you should get a very small fill (it will close the "space").  Maybe I am not understanding you.  In the other surgeries the people gain weight because the stoma enlarges.  That is what is so great about the band.  You have control over that.  Good luck.

The pouch does increase over time even if you are extremely commited to portioning your foods. When in the beginning it is designed to only hold a few ounces of food, after a year it stretches to hold 1/2-3/4 cup. When the rules are not followed however it can stretch even beyond that which puts a lapbander at a higher risk for slips, erosion, irritations, etc. Just because a fill will make the opening smaller, it does not shrink the pouch size which is why its so important that we keep to those original rules we were given at the time of our surgeries. Thank you for the encouragement of your success :) Its definitely motivating!

I figured you meant pouch, but I wasn't sure.  I  can eat more than I did at first, but not that much.  I self paid for my band, so the money aspect keeps me in line.  I do have to say it really has been easy for me.  Probably more than most.  I don't think I struggle as much as some of the other bandsters.  Good luck on your journey.