Complete Failure

Hi.. My name is Kelly and I was banded in December of 2009 - here is my story of failure.    I initially lost 45 lbs in the first year, it was slow going because I never embrassed working out so I was really at 1-2 lbs a week (if that).  About 9 months after my surgery I developed chronic daily headaches that really took my focus off my weight and onto my head.   I still have daily headaches, although they are not as severe as they were in the beginning.   My Dr. is not able to find the cause of my headaches so I basically just deal with them.  I do take some pain medication daily and that helps.   Anyways, I am now oly 15lbs away from where I started and I'm so frustrated with myself.    I eat what I want, I don't exercise so I'm not sure what results I'm expecting.   AT this point I forgot all rules and serving sizes because I keep eating even though I'm full.   I'm not having any band complications (thank god), but I'm not a good band patient.   I don't need a fill as I think I'm pretty tight, but it doesn't stop me from eating.  I just take a break and start back up.   I was never a grazer before surgery but I have become one so I can eat.   I'm not a big drinker so at least I don't have those calories, but I've developed a sweet tooth which I never had before.  At this point I'm pretty sure I've stretched my pouch because even though I'm tight, I'm able to eat.. is that possbile to stretch your pouch?

Anyways, my point of today is to hopefully push myself into the right direction and learn how to be a band patient all over again.   Any tools, menus or anything else any can provide me would be greatly apprecaited.. I guess I'm brand new to this again.

Okay, take a deeeeeeeeeeep breath.

Think back to the day you found OH.  Think about the day you created a profile on OH and uploaded your avatar.  You were probably filled with hope, and dreamed of living in a healthier and slimmer body. 

All of that is still possible.  My best advice is to make an appointment with your doc to get an Upper GI done.  This will help determine if your pouch has indeed stretched or not.  Also, maybe your surgeon can let you sit through a seminar or go through a new patient orientation type thing.  That way you can get "educated" on the rules and probably get motivated all over again. 

You can do this......the future is still yours!!

Chronic pain can be so all encompassing that it's hard to deal with anything else! My best advise is to start fresh by logging your food intake, practice eating slowly and chewing well. Try slowly incorporating a new habit each week. Say week one practice chewing till mushy. Week 2 learn your signal to stop and then stop eating. I'm sure you'll get other good advice but just remember one day at a time you can get back on track. Best of luck to you!

Not only is it possible to stretch your pouch but you can also stretch it to such a degree that it will cause it to blow up like a balloon, then deflate, and suddenly you become obstructed. OUCH.

Imagine an overly inflated balloon like the ones at a carnival where you shoot the water into the clowns mouth until someone wins by popping it. Now look at how stretched out all the other balloons look. They deflate and fall over the top of the clowns head ( your band ) obstructing the opening that allows food to travel through your band.

I really suggest you go on Youtube and look up a gal called BandedWendy.  She's a lap band patient that's extremely inspirational.  She might help you.

Best of luck!

Janine!!  Love your picture!!    Always beautiful and tiny!!!!  You are rocking your weightloss!!  Congrats to you!!!

Thank you sweetheart!!

You look fantastic! 

I LOVE wendy! She will even talk to you on facebook if you need some motivation! She is amazing! Don't give up!

You are not a failure!!! The only way to fail is to quit trying.  Just take a minute, refocus yourself and start back over.  I've had to do it, lots of people have.....and its okay.  Take one thing (like eating better), get that back into your routine.  Then add exercise and get that down.  Don't try to be perfect with everything at once, its too overwhelming.  You can do this!!! Hang in there!