Well Cookie, You have inspired me (you and someone else a few weeks ago asking if the band only works for the first 12 months and if you didnt lose weight in 12 months is it still possible). I had my lap band surgery with Dr Martinez last December (day after Christmas). I lost 30 pounds in 2-3 weeks prior to surgery AND YES DURING THE HOLIDAYS!!! After surgery I lost another 10 lbs...for a total of 40 lbs! Yes that is it..10 lbs post band. I need to lose 120 lbs total. I admit that I thought the weight would fall off. That I would not be hungry. That it would at least be easier than anything I have tried before. But it was NOT. I am desperate to start new and I am hoping that the band will still work as a tool for me. So in order to do this I am confessing all the things I think I did wrong and just want support or comments on from y'all if you are willing.
1. I have never embraced the dont drink with meals.
2. I dont eat often enough..I am lazy and dont pack a lunch and for dinner...
3. I EAT ICE CREAM a lot. (other bads are choc milk and right now egg nog)
4. I have not exercised ONCE in a whole year!
5. I've been smoking off and on... more on this yr than usual.
6. I have been ashamed...of even having the surgery so I havent told more than 3 people...and so I have not asked for support or sought it...I need to be connected to this site to stay honest with myself.
7. This one is not necessarily something I did wrong but it was a big part and always will be a factor...I had my first fill exactly 8 weeks after surg...so excited and ready to start dropping weight like crazy...4 months later I "woke up" in a depressed haze, crying, staying away from everyone and sleeping ALL DAY except for the 4 days a week that I work...went to my psychiatrist who is treating me for depression and had to drag myself there due to shame and dissapointment. Thought I was just depressed because my band wasnt working...found out however that the medication I was taking "stopped working" at the same time I had my fill which was about the same time my HMO changed my med from capsule to tablet...I was so sure this didnt matter..you always hear that generic is the same...HOWEVER and thank God for my Dr....he asked me if lap band might prevent the tablet from going through quick enough...which I find YES! and explained to him that capsules go through much easier...He said that the med I'm on...Effexor (which by the way was prescribed after many other failed and was working great for 2 yrs before surgery) is absorbed mostly in the intestines and so IF the band was holding the TABLET form in the stomach too long and most of the absorbtion was happening there OF COURSE IT WOULDNT WORK...so he precribved the CAPSULE form again...and what do you know in 1 month I was "normal" again. However that put me at almost 6 months post surgery and I was ANGRY...ANGry at the band and angry at my HMO for switching my med...and angry at me for not going to the psychiatrist earlier...angry at myself for blaming myself and and angry at myself for not taking responsibility. JUST IN A REALLY BAD PLACE.
So I also have a high stress/responsibility job BUT also have 3 days off a week. So what did I do for the next 6 months...I ATE OF COURSE. I feel like I have closed my eyes and drifted through the last year. Can I still do this???? IS IT POSSIBLE? Help and thanks for listening.