knoebelcamper

I am losing but I am losing very, very slowly! I was banded Nov. 4th of 2010 and I have lost only 27 lbs. When I go on this site I just get more depressed because I see everyone losing so much more weight in less the time I am. I feel very down and want to give up. My surgeon actually told me not to exercise. He said, "Exercise doesn't constitute weight loss". However, everyone on this site is exercising in one way or another. People have said that my surgeon does not like to do the band surgery, he likes doing the gastric bypass instead and he wants the lapbanders to fail. He won't be honest when he tells me how much he puts in. I think he takes out more than he puts back in. I am depressed and I have no one to go to. I went to my medical doctor and she got upset with me because she said she would never send me to someone who wasn't qualified, and won't believe anything I say about him or what I have heard from many. I feel like I should just give up because my surgeon really isn't doing anything but charging me every time I go. My insurance doesn't pick up all of the cost and I have to pay $109 every time I go. He told me I have 5 cc's, but I can't trust him. I am at my wits end and just feel like crying all of the time. I wish for you to start losing. My surgeon also told me that I am only to eat Breakfast, lunch and dinner and NOTHING in between. I guess that is one good thing. Even though it is so hard to do,, he is right.. I read one bandster lost 90 lbs. in 9 months. That is 10 lbs. per month. I am lucky if I lose 3 lbs. per month.

Sounds like you are very busy! I lost my job and am having trouble finding another one. On April 4, I turned 57 and even though I don't think that is old, the employers do. I have lost 27 pounds since October when I started the liquid diet and then Nov. 4 when I was banded. I feel like I could have lost more if my surgeon would listen to me. He did give me 1 full cc on Monday and I was very thankful for that. I am torn about him telling me not to exercise. I feel like I should be. Everyone else is. He said that exercising doesn't constitute weight loss. I am confused. I am losing but only 2 to 3 pounds per month. Isn't it supposed to be 2 to 3 pounds per week? I am feeling blue over not having a job. I do get unemployment, but it runs out in June. I am worried. I am trying to just enjoy my grandchildren. I spend time with them and consider myself very fortunate that I have this oportunity to do so. They make my life so worthwhile. I am praying that something good will happen job wise. Anyway, you sound so busy. Don't forget to take time to smell the roses! Best wishes!

WoW!!! What a story! I am sure it all hit you at once. It sounds though that you have a lot to look forward to. Take it slowly and enjoy every minute. It sounds like you deserve some happiness and lots of good stuff to look forward to. I too lost my job and can't find another one. I am so afraid we will lose our house when my unemployment runs out. I have applied for jobs, but to no avail. I really am going to keep praying. Reading your story, helps me to have hope. I was banded Nov. 5th of 2010, only about 4 months in. Anyway, take care and I really enjoyed reading your story!

Congratulations on your success! Sounds like you are starting out really well! Best wishes to you.

Fantastic!!!!!! I can feel your excitement! I wish you the very best! I was banded on Nov. 5th of 2010. I am only in 4 months. Good luck!

The surgeon that did my banding told me not to exercise. His exact words: "Exercise doesn't constitute weight loss." He said that he guarantee's that I won't be using the treadmill I told him I just bought for long. He said to pick up another hobby and that all I need to do is eat only breakfast, lunch, and dinner and no snacks and I will lose the weight. Interesting, especially when I see everyone exercising.

My surgeon told me not to exercise. His exact words: "Exercise doesn't constitute weight loss." He said to pick up another hobby because the treadmill I told him I bought, he said he guarentee's I won't be using it for long. Some support! Good luck on your exercise.

I too hate the protein shakes. I actually have gagged on them. I have tried some and am still trying new ones I find in hopes of finding a kind that I like. My hair is falling out by the handfuls. I eat a lot of meat. Veal has mega amounts of protein. I guess I am not getting enough protein.

Hi lesliecu, I was banded Nov. 5th of 2010. I am going in for my 4th fill today and hoping to feel more restricted. I am not losing weight quickly at all and I get very depressed. Compared to many people on this site, a lot of people are losing 10 and 12 pounds per month. I am lucky if I lose 3 pounds per month. I am going to think positive though and keep truckin! We bought a heavy duty treadmill and I was using it, until I got sick. I have been sick for the past 3 days running a low grade temp. I feel like a truck hit me with aches and pains all over. Therefore, I cannot walk on my new treadmill until I get my energy back. I am drinking lots of liquids and sleeping a lot lately in hopes to rid myself of this illness. Anyway, enough about me, how are you doing? Has it been a successful surgery for you? Let me know. Talk later.

The weight loss has been very slow for me too. I have only lost 22 lbs. since I was banded Nov. 5th. Most of it was before surgery when i was on the liquid diet. I get a 4th fill today so I am hoping that will restrict me even more. I have been careful what I eat and eat only 3 meals per day. If I do have a snack, I try to eat something high in protein. Weight Watchers cheese sticks are 6 gr. protein per stick. I sure do get depressed too, especially when I see people losing 10 and 12 pounds per month. I am luck if I lose 3 pounds per month. Oh well, I keep reading everyone is different and everyone's surgeon is different as to how they fill you, so I must take that into consideration and try, try and try to think positive. I have been sick for the past 3 days now running a low grade temp, so I am not working out and my body can feel it. I am so tired, so all I have been doing now is drinking lots of liquids and sleeping a lot. Take care and best wishes to you. I do feel your pain.

Yep - I was very afraid too. But here I am. I know it is difficult, but consentrate on the good that will come of this after surgery and keep a smile in your heart because you are making your life a better one, for not only you, but your family as well. Good Luck!!!

With all of this news and calorie counting, carb counting, portion control, fat counting, etc. what is right and what is not, it is overwhelming and people need to do what is best for them because everyone is different.

I know EXACTLY what you mean because I am the same way. I have become very depressed because when I get on this site, everyone, but me is losing mega pounds. I don't know what to do. I've given up so much, but I haven't reaped any rewards yet and it is getting very discouraging. I am not giving up, but I am losing hope. I do exercises to my WII Fit and WII Dance 2. Today we are having a treadmill delivered and I can't wait. I will do 30 minutes on the WII and 30 minutes on the treadmill. I really hope this is my way out. Some people aren't even exercising and they are losing weight. Well, to both of us "Prayers to us that we will soon start losing mega pounds and reap the rewards that everyone else has"!!!!! Best Wishes my friend!!! I can relate!!!!

I started at 208. I have chronic back pain from back surgery I had 13 years ago. I have high blood pressure, an underactive thyroid, depression, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea for which I have to use a CPAP machine to breath at night, spinal stenosis and I am 55 years old. I have no metabolism what-so-ever. My doctor suggested band surgery because she wants me to lose weight so I can eliviate all of what is wrong with me. We don't have to be 400 lbs. This is for all of us tha tare overweight. At 5'1" at 208 lbs. I am considered obese. Therefore, something has to be done to help my over-all health and I am sure you need it as well. Don't be concerned what other people think. You are doing this for you and that is all that counts. Good Luck with your surgery. You should be excited. Do not let others make you feel bad about your surgery. People told me right to my face, "you are not over weight and you are doing this because this is the easy way out". Well, they dont go through what I have been through and I really don't care anyway. I am doing this for me and I pray that I can lose the weight I need to so I will be healthier and can play and enjoy my grandchildren.

It is difficult to stick to 3/4 cup per meal unless you have restriction. I do stick to that and I am not losing any weight. I am not gaining, but I am not losing either. I have only had 3 fills totalling 3.5 which is not much. I really can't wait until I don't feel like I have to keep eating. I want to be comfortably restricted. We all have to have some control over what we eat. I am learning to eat protein first and if I have room a little of everything else, which isn't much. I don't always like eating protein first, but I do get full and then I don't have room to eat other bad stuff. I have read so many people and so many, many different stories, good and bad. I truly believe that everyone is different and they have to find the right way to use this "tool" "lapband" to their liking. It isn't easy. I get very depressed quick and want to give up. BUT, I don't. I even cry myself to sleep sometimes because this is going so slow. I just feel that I went through the pain of having the surgery that I need to keep going. My husband and I just ordered a treadmill and I can't wait to use it. I do exercise on my WII right now. I do WII Fit and WII Dance 2. That breaks up the bordom some. I must admit I have to push myself to do the exercise, but every time I do, I feel great and have energy. The days I slump around I feel terrible. I wish you the best of luck and know that others are struggling too. I am struggling. I was banded Nov. 4th of 2010 and have only lost 20 lb.s and 15 of that was BEFORE surgery on the liquid diet. So, I have been so upset and depressed that I am not losing more quicker, considering that many have lost a lot of weight in less time than I did. However, I keep reminding myself that everyone is different, I have thyroid problems that make my journey much more difficult and I just have to keep trying. Good Luck!

My port isn't painful, but it is tender. My little puppy used to walk on my stomach and sleep on it or on my side and I can't let her anymore because it is too tender. I was banded 3 months ago. I have a feeling that this is something I will have to put up with all my life. I can't stand any pushing on my stomach at all. My pants don't bother it though.

Me too! I just had my 3rd fill Monday and I still feel hungry all of the time. I was to be on clear liquids for 24 hrs and the next 24 mushy foods. Today I was so hungry, I ate scrambled eggs and was still hungry. I am depressed and getting so tired of this happening so slow. I thought this would be a little quicker than not having surgery at all and doing this myself, but it is not. I do eat the right things. I am not a junk food junkie and that's what makes me so damn angry. I eat the right stuff and still no weight loss.

Thanks for the info. It really is discouraging when I read what others are losing and I'm not. I am naturally a depressed person anyway, trying to fight that as well and this doesn't make me feel any better. However, I really am not going to give up. I have come to far to give up this early. It really is a fight though. I am hoping that this fill works a little better. I have myself scheduled for another fill in 4 weeks. I am afraid that if I dont get good fills that before I go to the next fill, my band will stretch out. I am hoping for the best and trying to stay positive. Thanks so much for the encouraging words. I really, really appreciate it.

I was banded Nov. 5th of 2010, just 3 months ago. I have lost only 21 lbs. since Oct. of last year when I started this journey with the liquid diet. I have lost only a few pounds since my surgery. Today I was filled for the 3rd time. I now have 3.5 ccs. and I really hope it gives me a lot more restriction than before. I lost only 3 lbs in one month and have read so many of you losing so much weight much quicker. I am careful of what I eat and exercise and have even learned to cook better. I am not going to give up, but it is discouraging not losing weight like I have heard many of you have. I pray that I soon get restricted where I start losing a lot of weight soon. Best wishes to all of you for a successful journey.

I wish you the best. I just haven't been losing the weight like I feel I should. I have lost a total of 21 lbs., most of which was lost on the liquid diet before surgery. I went for my 3rd fill today and got 1 full cc added, totallying 3.5cc. I really hope this restricts me more. I was hungry way too much; however, lost 3 lbs. in one month. Although I am happy of the 3 lb. weight loss, it needs to me more. I have been seeing on these blogs that people are losing so much weight so quickly and I have been doing all of the right things and I am hardly losing anything at all. It really is discouraging and I dont want to give up. I have to keep going. It truly sounds like you have been put through the ringer though. However, it also sounds like you are going to be taken care of "finally" the proper way. Which means you are on the road to recovery and a better life. I wish you the best!

Good story. It gives me hope. I was banded Nov. 5th of 2010 - only 3 months. I have lost a total of 21 lbs, most of which was before surgery on the liquid diet. The going has been tough for me and very, very slow. I got my 3rd fill today with a total of 3.5 cc.s. I really hope I soon get the restriction I need to lose some weight a little quicker. I have even been doing exercises and cooking better. I've noticed a lot of people have been losing so much weight so quickly and I am not. It is so discouraging for me to see that, but I guess I have to keep in mind that everyone is different and I can't give up. I have come too far to do that. Well, it is great that everyone responded like they did. I certainly understand why you want to lose 77 more pounds. They don't understand, but that is ok. You need to do what you have to do no matter what others think. Good Luck! I enjoyed your successful story!

I get at least .5 cc every time I go. Today was my third fill and I got 1 full cc. I was happy because I am hungry too much. I did manage to lose 3 lbs. in 4 weeks which I think is way too little. I was under the impression I would lose a little quicker. I know this is a slow process, but didn't realize it was that slow. I see other people losing mega weight in a short period of time. I guess it's different for everyone and I am the slow one of the bunch. I just hope I get to a restriction where I am not hungry all of the time. I am never worried about an overfill. I am always worried about an underfill and can't wait to go back in 4 weeks. I am to stay on a clear liquid diet for 24 hrs. and a mushy diet the next 24 and then back to normal. I start getting much hungrier and find myself eating mushy things before the 24 hours is up. I really wish I could start losing faster. I have been exercising and learning to cook better, but to no avail. Oh well, I am not giving up. I came too far. Good Luck to you!

I am having problems getting the proper amount of protein in. I don't like the protein powder, nor the drinks that I can buy at the grocery stores. However, I got fat free yogart, 1% milk and strawberries and I will mix some of each together along with some ice and protein powder and see if that helps. I hope it does. I just got my third fill today. I am not losing much weight at all and have been trying so hard to do what I have been told. I hope I soon get to a fill that restricts me and I start losing some weight. It really is a challenge, count the protein, count the calories, count the carbs. One can go crazy trying to get the proper amount of each in a days time. I am going to concentrate however on the protein. My hair has been falling out and I know it is from not getting the proper amount of protein. You came a long way. I hope you buy yourself something really special. Good Luck!

Isn't it odd that everyones doctor prescribes different things for the same surgery that everyone has had. My doctor said I stay on clear liquids for 24 hours after my fills and the next 24 hours mushy foods and then back to normal. Today I had my 3rd fill and I total 3.5 cc. I certainly hope this stops me from being so darn hungry. I lost 3 pounds in 1 month and that is NOT what I thought this would be. I thought it would be more a little faster. At least that 's what is happening to me. Some are losing mega pounds and I dont understand how. I eat good food, not so much, I don't like junk foods, and have even learned to cook better. BUT......I have not lost the weight like I want to. I must admit that I was only to have clear liquids today, but had some noodles slip down while I was eating my chicken broth. It was good and filled me quickly. I hate being on these liquid diets. It just makes me crazy and makes me hungrier. I will try my best to follow the rules though. Best wishes to you and I hope I soon get to a fill that restricts me so I start losing weight better.

Me too! I dont have a lot of support either. Actually, I guess when it comes down to it, I don't have any support. No one calls and asks me how I am doing. No one understands and has the time for me. All my husband does is says, you are not aloud to eat that anymore. Oh, but yes I can, just not so much. He has no idea. I feel alone. I haven't lost much weight yet and had 2 fills totalling 2.5 cc. All the weight I lost so far was before surgery on the nasty liquid diet. I've lost nothing since, but I have not gained either. I've even started doing exercises, still nothing. No drop in dress size even a tiny bit. I guess I will have to get more fills. I was banded Nov. 5th. I don't want to be so down, but I just need someone to stick by me. I know I can't do it myself.