NOT WORKING!

Sorry to shout, but I'm frustrated that I'm turning into one of those unsuccessful band patients.  I was banded with Realize 3 years ago and lost about 35 lbs. Now I've plateau'ed, lost my motivation, eat junk, and have wasted $20K on this surgery only to find out my problem is in my head. My band is filled to capacity and I occassionally get stuck and throw up food. I eat the same types of food as before, just not as much.  But I still eat a hell of a lot!  I haven't gained the 35 back, but I need to lose another 35!  Any advise would be welcome.  Thanks.

I think you already know the answer...you said it in your message. You need to take a step back and examine what you are eating and make some changes. Go back to basics, clean out the kitchen of all those bad foods and fill your cupboards/frig with some good healthy foods so you won't be tempted. You didn't mention if you are exercising or journaling your food intake. The fact that you haven't gained the weight back that you did lose is a great thing...just pull yourself up and start over. We all fall, it is just whether or not you decide to get up and getting going that counts. Best of luck to you!

I wholeheartedly agree with Mama_M. You need to take responsibility for your actions, and change them. I know we’ve all gotten this operation in order to help us lose weight. I hope your Doctor was a thorough as mine in explaining that any of the bariatric operations is just a ‘tool’, and unless WE do what is needed to be done, the operation alone will not make us succeed. ONLY WE CAN.

 

Think of a hammer and nail. To drive in the nail, it’s almost impossible to do it without a tool.  And when you have one, the hammer doesn’t do all the work by itself. YOU need to SWING THE HAMMER. The hammer makes it a whole lot easier, but it’s STILL YOU WHO IS DOING THE WORK.  

 

Personally, all last year I yo-yoed with the same 5 pounds. I resolved to myself the reason was because this is where my body was supposed to be. It wasn’t until I did a true personal inventory of myself (after a large weight gain I may add) that I realized, I WAS NOT doing what is expected of me, and I need to refocus. I went back to the basics, upped my exercise (yes folks, after a year [or so] you will need to exercise to help you lose); and journal my foods. I gave myself a self-imposed calorie intake of 1300 daily. I am not saying everyone needs to be this extreme, but we DO need to decide on a specific number. Sorry to be the pin in the bubble, but we need to be conscience of what we put in our mouths. At the end of the day, it’s still calories in – calories out. Since Jauary 3, I have lost over 20+ pounds (probably closer to 30+ pounds).

Now some positive KUDOS for you, and again echoing MaMa_M: How many times were you NOT able to lose that amount of weight???? Or when you did, you gained it back?? If you lost weight, and haven’t gained it back, then aren’t you really winning?!?!? Be proud of this accomplishement. 

Also know you have a vast amount of inner strength to call upon!! You need to realize you are stronger than any craving or any food. It took strength to admit you have a problem you can’t control. It took strength to decide to have an operation. It took strength to do what was needed before and after the operation. It took strength to say “I need help” .. So you have the strength, now you need to call on it. 

Final (standard) advice: Here is the toughest love you will get .. Yesterday is over and done with. There is nothing we can do about it. Tomorrow is NOW, and it’s time to get yourself back on track. 

Remember this isn’t a diet plan; it’s a way of life. So slips, stumbles and falls will occur. What we do when this happens is truly important. You need to get yourself up, dust yourself off, and get yourself to continue down the road to success. 

What you first need to do is ask yourself “Where did I come from” .. then ask yourself “Why did I do this operation” – basically the answer is because it’s a last resort. You need to realize you are stronger than any craving or any food. It took strength to admit you have a problem you can’t control. It took strength to decide to have an operation. It took strength to do what was needed before and after the operation. It took strength to say “I need help” .. So you have the strength, now you need to call on it. 

GET BACK TO THE BASICS !! I tell everyone that. Pretend today was day one of the operation and go back to a strict liquid diet. Do this for a few days (maybe a week), then go onto the next stage of soft food then finally regular food. What you are doing it is detoxing your body of the sugars and bad carbs. When you find yourself hungry – eat .. but SENSIBLE foods.

Make sure you also follow all the rules. You need to go back and follow the rules that made you successful.

You need to have the 64 ounces of NON-CARBONATE/DECAFFEINATED liquid.

You need to have your 60 to 80 grams of protein.

You need to make sure you don’t drink 30 minutes before/after or during your meal.   

What you need to remember is they put the band around your stomach, and not around your brain.

You will need to use some self control when it comes to food. If you are hungry stop and ask yourself is this real hunger or head hunger. Asking that alone will probably be an indication it’s head hunger, so you know what to do. Get busy doing something else. If that doesn’t work, EAT – but SOMETHING HEALTHY. Have some salad; vegetables, PROTEIN, etc.  

You need to get to support groups. Look on line to find ones around you.

You need to discuss this with your Doctor. That’s why he’s there. If you feel you’re not getting the support from him, then you need to go to another Doctor. Remember you are the client/consumer. If you’re paying for a service, you want the best service for that money. If not, move on. You are worth THE BEST because YOU ARE THE BEST !!  

You also need to speak to a Nutritionist. Many insurance companies allow you to see one X amount of times per year. Contact your insurance company.

Go and speak to the person who did your psych exam, or see someone new. Again, insurance should be able to cover it. Maybe not the person you originally saw, but someone in your plan.  

REMEMBER what it took to make you successful. YOU CAN DO IT !!

And know I am here if you need me.

Tom,
Thanks for your thorough and motivational post.  I'm going to print it out and carry it  with me for motivation! Best wishes to you!

Jep

Thank YOU Jep. Always know we're here for you.