Fallen off the "band" wagon

I have been banded for 2 yrs. I initially lost 50 pounds and have kept it off, but I have not lost anything in the last year. It is my fault. I accept that. My family has been through the most stressful year ever. My husband lost his job. Thank the Lord, he got another but at half his salary, my brother-in-law lost his battle with cancer, my son graduated from high school, and due to our financial /job situation we have had to put our house that we built up for sale. Plus another major change that I can't discuss. So...once again, it is my fault. I have snacked WAY too much. I just need some advice about getting back into the lifestyle again. I dread going to the dr cause the nurse practitioner that gives fills is sooo skinny and it like "just do what you are suppose to do". Any words of advice from someone who has been there?

 Your response to her should be "And YOU do what YOUR'E supposed to do: help me!"

 Team Bette

why are you afraid of someone that works for you?

take the shame out of it.  we all struggle from time to time.  

((hugs))

Hi...First give yourself a pat on the back for not regaining that first 50 pounds. I probably couldn't have done that. On Tuesday when the Dr.'s office opens call and get the first available appointment and stop putting it off. Bette is correct that she is there to help you and I am sure that you are not her first patient to fall off of the wagon. What matters is that you are now ready to continue with your weight loss and to start using the tool that you have inside of you. Pick yourself up and get going. We are all here to give you support along the way. Start off with getting the snack/junk food out of the house and start replacing it with protein. Keep us posted on your progress. You can do this.

 If you have a smart phone, there is an app called, "My Fitness Pal".  It has an incredible food log, will track weight, etc.  You are accountable only to yourself.  I hate logging, but when I do, I see exactly what I have done and then make the necessary changes to amend the poor choices.  Stress is a difficult thing.  You overproduce cortisol, and it makes it difficult to lose.  Be glad that you haven't been gaining.  You can get back on the horse and go for a ride.  Try the log.  If you don't have a smart phone, you can log your daily intake.  When you reach your total for the day, you are done.  If you have a rough day, the next will be better.
Joyce

Who has not made a miss step and fallen off the wagon.  But here we are, pulling up our boot straps and getting right back on.  That's the whole point.  We don't just stay down.  You are going in so that you can get going again.  Wishing you the best of success.  Jump back on and get going, we are with you.
Z

I too have fallen off the bandwagon for many similar reasons and need/want to get back on.  Like you I have been able to maintain my initial weightloss but know that I can do much better. 

Thank you for posting and thanks to those of you that have offered encouraging words.  I'll be making that call to the Drs. office tomorrow to get my start at losing again!

Sorry to hear about your difficult year.  You're doing the right things by reaching out to your community and seeking help from your Doc.  Hold your head up. 

No matter how frustrated that nurse is with wls patients not "doing their part", her remarks are discouraging and inappropriate.  Send your doctor an e-mail and follow up with a talk about it.

Keep on taking steps in the right direction.  It will pay off.

I am also two years out and have gotten stuck in my journey.  I had to have three unfills and am waiting to get a fill on July 12th.  Here's what I am trying to do:

I have an exercise plan 3 days a week.  It wasn't easy to get in this rhythm but over two years I have created space in my life for it (me) and I have a "no excuses" policy so I go and do it no matter what.

Every night when I get into bed I read for at least 5 min (sometimes a lot more) about the lapband journey.  I have read my doctor's booklet, Lap-Band Companion, Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band and am now reading Bandwagon.

I am working hard to improve my band eating skills and have come to the conclusion that my third unfill was not because I was still too tight but because of my eating habits.  I am working conciously every day (and boy is it HARD) to put my fork (or my hand) down for at least 15 seconds before I take the next bite.  That is for 15 seconds after I finish chewing 25-30 times.  The chewing is a habit for me now but the waiting is not.

I am trying to find a simple way to track my food (search of the ap store on my iPhone did not turn up My Fitness Pal :(). 

I have set a "soft" goal for myself.  It is "soft" because in the past setting weight loss goals has been a set up for me.  I want some pressure to support my success, just not very much.

I have enlisted my dh to help me with the eating skills although he is the most unconscious eater you can imagine so he's not a lot of help :)

So that is what I am working on to get back on track.  Hope this helps.

Katie

Thank you all for the encouraging words. I do plan to start back on the program in the morning. I will use today to plan meals, especially breakfast items. What have you all found filling but easy for breakfast. I did start a workout program this summer and have been going to the gym 3-5 days a week, now i just have to get the snacking under control. I know what to do, its just doing it. I guess I really thought that I would feel really full for 4-5 hours after eating and I have never really felt that full. I haven't had a fill in over 9 months so I imagine it is time for one. I will call the dr. Tuesday morning to schedule that. I have to drive 2hours to get to his office so maybe just making that committment will keep me on track. Thanks again. I welcome ANY advice.