I sure don't feel like a banded sucess story...

[DrewsLou]

For those that don't know me, I was banded May 2006. In that time I have lost about 75-80 pounds depending on the day. My current weight goes from 204-210. I have not lost any weight in months other than the 5 or 6 pounds that bounce around on the scale.

Monday night I had a horrible PB and woke up that night with horrible acid reflux in my throat, it felt like my throat was burning from the inside out. I propped myself up on pillows and went back to sleep eventually. My morning coffee gave me heart burn as did the packey of oatmeal I had for breakfast. By dinner time I was better and ate dinner with no problems. Fast forward to this morning... frickin' heartburn again!

Bottom line I am miserable. While I appreciate the weight I have lost I feel like a failure since I am still about 40 pounds from goal. I don't want to diet.. that's why I was banded for crying out loud! I don't eat ice cream or crap like that.... I just don't get it.

Help!

[LindaV]

Drews - I can hear the frustration in you post! I'm so sorry you are going through this!

Let me start by saying that are NOT a failure. It has been an inspiration to see how you have handled the situations you have found yourself in since being banded!

Even with a leaky port you continued to pursue a healthy lifestyle and lose weight. You have continued to go after your dream of being a "roller babe" even though you have had to overcome injuries and surgery.

My dietitian tells me that going up and down the same five pounds or so is evidence that you can maintain your weight. Now that you know that you can do that, you just need to figure out what to do to get the weight loss started again.

I would suggest seeing a good dietitian and see what they have to say. If you have labs drawn they can be helpful as well.

You might also want to check out Kathy's thread "The Skinny Young Dietitian Was Right." She has been maintaining or gaining despite working out and eating right and has found some interesting information about what can cause this.

No matter what, no that you are a successful bandster and an inspiration to others!

[NikkiPants]

Know what? I'm in the same position as you. I was banded May 2006 as well and lost 50 lbs since then. I haven't lost weight in a while and I've lost motivation. AND I have acid reflux. Prilosec is awesome, by the way. Plateaus suck. Hopefully you'll come out of it soon...me too!

Take care and don't lose hope!!!

[Alicia521]

You are SO NOT a failure. You still managed to get off the majority of your weight despite a leaky port! You are a derby babe kicking butt on skates! I do not sense failure in any of that. You've come a long way and it may take most of us 2 years to get to the end of our journey and that is okay!

I would definitely call your doctor about the reflux because you shouldn't have to deal with it. I agree with Linda about seeing a good nutritionist or dietician who may be able to help you with different food choices. I think I may go that same route after having the baby because I'm still 15-20 lbs from where I want to be and had been hovering at the same weight for many many months and don't know what else to do. May 2006 Bandsters ROCK!

[Neal R.]

Drews - I don't have a lot to add that what has already been said. You are not a failure for sure. And the encouragement and insiration you have given the rest of us May bandsters has been invaluable. Hope we can do the same for you. Hang in there. I look at your pics from the halloween parties and roller derby and there is no way you are a failure. :)

[JDru]

Don't say that Amy!! Please know that you have been an inspiration to so many people here, including me! You have done so well in the past year and I know you can get back into losing mode.

You've already gotten a lot of good advice already. It sounds like you're just stuck on a plateau and need to re-evaluate. I would definitely talk to your doctor about the acid reflux too. Good luck and keep us updated! :)

[AnnDe]

Amy, I feel for you! I am in the exact same place as you. Banded May 2006. Even down to the port replacement. It is very hard to feel good, when you know you are doing your best and nothing is happening. I agree with others on the dietitian. I even went to Boise to see the one there. I think I am going to follow Kathy's foot steps and see if maybe there is not something else stopping me from losing. You have done wonderful in your journey so far. And to be a derby babe is great! Just think two years ago, it is something you never would of done. I wish you the best of luck in your continuous journey.
Lets keep our chin up and figure this thing out!!!!!!

[Goannabanda]

Hey Drews - I can understand and sense your frustration - but you nmust know that you are NOT a failure. You've got great advice here so I'll jsut echo what the others have already said about seeing your doc about the reflux and talking with a dietician. Your roller baldin' body has been through a lot of changes this year, maybe it just needs a bit of a "service adjustment" for your band and diet to get you moving again. Hugs for you girlfriend.

[DrewsLou]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and support.

Still deciding to call my doc or not... will let you know what I decide.

[diana j.]

Drews.......you obviously don't see what ALL the rest of us see....you are a beautiful young woman.........and there's no limit as to what you'll accomplish..........my gosh!!!! look what you've already done.
I work with a girl who skates with the Knoxville School of Hard Knocks (Lovita Locas) and she's always trying to get me to come out and skate for exercise......just thinking of putting my 53 year old ass out in the rink, makes me laugh.
Hang in there.......you may not feel like a success right at this particular moment....but that doesn't mean that you're not a success. It just means you're having a moment where you feel a little insecure.....just like the rest of us have at one time or another. That or you forgot to wear your helmet at your last bout!!!!! :rollerskater: (kidding!!!)

[kebsa]

Drew

I can't add to much more without repeating whats has already been said so well! If you are failing you are failing so badly you need to give up!! Crimmeny! you have achieved so much and thats even when you factor the knee inury into to things- the knee injury would have been enough to lead to major weight gain in the past for many and i know it caused you frustration and delay but you are still aover 85 pounds lighter than you were a year ago- if thats failure, its good! I may noe be expressing myself well here Drew as i have been unwell and inhospital, my concentration levels are not great at the moment but i really needed like i had to do some one legged tail kicking at you failure thoughts- someone who goes from being severly Obese to losing over 85 pounds, playing and intense sport, weathering a leaking port, and dicky knee sounds like someone winning in every way that counts at the moment! things may not be perfect but perfection is to strive towards rather than to achieve! we need a short fall between what we succeed and what we want just to keep us on the straight and narrow and to make the fight worthwhile- the fight is worth more when the fight has beeen harder- does that make sense??!!!???

big cyber hug Drew, now big kick!

[503-250]

Drew, don't make me drive there and smack you....

You are so not a failure, that's just crap. You are frustrated and that I can relate to. But I would venture a few guesses, but I would first say that you should log all your food intake and make sure you are taking in enough protein and calories, if your body thinks your are starving it will store fat. That will make it impossible to lose any of the weight you want to.

I would also check into the band being a little too tight. Heartburn can be a side effect of tight bands....talk to HeatherGurl and see what she thinks since she is going through this right now.

[DrewsLou]

Thanks everyone. I am done feeling sorry for myself and am re-commiting myself to my band.

My heartburn issues are all but gone and I am able to eat most things just fine again. Weird... maybe the dinner I had and PB'd a few weeks ago just caused a sh*t ton of irritation in my esophogus and that's where the heartburn came from?

I have been dealing with a lot of stress in my life in the past month and I'm sure that has been a contributing factor as well. I started a new job and there has been some serious drama in my derby league, I have been sick a few times in the past month... I haven't been sick like that in over a year! Guess I'm just getting worn down. I only skated 3 practices last month and certainly felt it last night at practice!

Our 2008 Denver Roller Dolls calendar is now for sale... I will post the pic that I am in. Let me know if you want one... they are $15 and I would be happy to send you the link to buy one... or I *might* even autograph it for ya and send it myself! :eek:

[DrewsLou]

Here I am... on the far left hand side.

[JDru]

That's so cool Amy!! You're famous! :)

[deannakauders]

:)You have to call your doctor! Hear me?:confused:I am in the same place and called today. He is seeing me next week. You will never figure out what is happening unless you talk to him. I think I need another adjustment and it has only been a month for me.:eyerub:Please call and keep up the fight, and your chin.:)

[deannakauders]

loved the picture, glad you are feeling better