lea3277

I've been banded for only 9 months and I was doing great, until last month and I gained 10 of my 70 pounds back. I know it's stress, but I have to find a way to get back on track. On one month my life went crazy....mom rediagnosed with cancer for the 8th time, brother going through a horrible divorce, and I got a new job! I'm thinking about going back on liquids for a week, but that's going to be a challenge. We all need motivate each other. I sure need some help and encouragement.

I've been worried that something is wrong with my band because I don't have much restriction, but I think I just need more fill. I'm so down on myself the last couple of months because I was doing great since having surgery in June, but after experiencing extremely high amounts of stress the last couple of months I have gained 6 pounds. It makes me want to cry. I am scared my pouch stretched out becuase I have been eating quite a bit, but I never had much restriction to begin with. I feel like I have been on a very strict diet since June. It all went south in February when my life went crazy. If the pouch is stretched, are there any other signs that I would need to look for? I think I should try to 5 day pouch test. I was just doing sooooo good and then screwed it up.

I have been pleased with my band. I was 232, age 28, and 5'4". I was very active, but ate too much. I had tried numerous diets, but none that lasted long term. I have not had any regrets since being banded 6/16. I'm 40 pounds lighter and feel great. The diet part has become a permanent lifestyle change for me and not a "chore" like it was always in the past. I now try to walk 2-4 miles per day and I actually look forward to exercising. The last couple of days I haven't been able to walk and I feel so guilty. It's amazing how losing weight can change your outlook and up your motivation. I'm always here if you have questions. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

I am about 3 months post op and have lost around 36 pounds or so. I am pleased with my progress, but today I was thinking and figured out that I haven't lost hardly anything the last 3 weeks.....not one measely pound. As with any diet, I know people hit plateaus, but do banded people hit them this quickly? I am very strict with what I eat, try to drink water, and walk 2-4 miles per day. Are there any suggestions on how to get over the "hump" so to speak? How long did your plateaus last?? I am really not a fan of this sudden change in loss!

I have been banded going on 3 months and feel like this from time to time. As a matter of fact, I have been in a rut for a week where I feel like I am not making good choices. I get really angry at myself and dwell on it. I eat fairly well, but I have a morning snack and an afternoon snack. I know we aren't supposed to, but it has always worked for me, until now. I have hit a plateau and I am pretty sure that I need to cut Snacks out to get out of "stuck" mode. We just need to snap out of it and remember nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. I keep repeating that to myself. GOOD LUCK!

Vitamin E Oil and Cocoa Butter Lotion are the two things that I keep reading about. I haven't been using anything, but I need to start.. My scars are really dark.

You're doing good too, MLR! It's cool that we are on the same track basically. I think we are both suffering from "head hunger" like someone mentioned. I have been super strict until the last few weeks and I have fallen of the wagon so to speak. Let's get back on it together! We've got this!! Also, eating off of a 6 inch plate has helped me. Doc said to fil 1/2 with meat/protein, 1/4 with green veggies, and the other 1/4 with starches. Eat Protein first, then green veggies, then the starches (only if hungry though). It's a good idea to try.

I'm a June 16th bandster also and I have just started noticing that I am turning back to some "old" habits again. The only way I am staying on track is by writing everything I eat down. I actually use myfitnesspal.com and I think this is what has helped me more than anything. I can tell when I don't use it that I overeat. The first 2 months I was so motivated and I thought it would last forever, but unfortunately it hasn't to that extent. I am still doing okay, but not great. I have noticed the weeks that I walk religiously that I lose more weight. The problem is that I haven't walked in the last week. It seems like everything is falling apart. I only have 2 cc's in my fill and go back the 27th of this month, but my doctor is really slow with fils. She likes her patients to lose it slow because she thinks that is healthier. I will say that it has helped my skin and the flabbiness.....it's not as bad as I expected. I have been wanting to ask the same question you just did,so I would enjoy reading the feedback, as well.

i was banded 6/16 and have lost about 36 pounds and I can't stand how my legs are looking. I just look like I have been beat with a bag of quarters or something! I have also went from a DD cup to a C. I feel weird without my boobs.....I have been a D since 9th grade! I guess we're all going to have skin, but I'm not ready for it!

i like the Myoplex brand shakes. I drank Myoplex Original during my preop diet, but now I drink those and the lite shakes. I really like the chocolate flavors they offer. You might give them a try. My doctor suggested I drink this brand and they are as affordable as any of the other I have seen.

I found a great deal today. I drink the Myoplex Nutrition shakes - chocolate Cream flavor and they are normally a little over $12 for a 4 Pack of 14 oz shakes. Today I went to CVS and they had them on clearance for $3.07 a pack! What a bargain. I bought them out! Just wanted to let you know in case anyone else drinks these type of shakes!

You seem to be doing really great! I am not quite 2 months and have lost nearly 30 pounds. My doctor told me that was quiick weight loss and to be proud of that. You're beating me girl! I too am impatient, but have to think about how long it took me to put this weight on in the first place. I was told to limit calories to under 1200 and everything should all into place. I don't eat tons of bread, but I eat it occasionally. I am not going to be deprived of anything, but just eat in moderation.

I'm very proud of you! What an accomplishment. Keep it up girl!

Looking good! Doesn't it feel good to be able to get into smaller sizes!??!?! Keep up the good work.

*big

Thanks for starting this thread because I have been wondering the exact same thing. I am 7 weeks post op today and I'm happy with what I have lost, which is about 28 pounds. The thing I am not happy with is the bi lump of fat that is not budging in my belly. Ab workouts are calling my name!

Jason Aldean concert - I'm jealous! Anyways, as far as exercising, I find myself needing motivation too. I have been trying to walk and I feel so much better afterwards, but it's just so hard to make myself do it. Basically, I am lazy when it comes to exercising and I am aware of this. I can be up all day long planting flowers, shopping, etc, but that's different! Glad to know I'm not the only one that feels this way! I have friends that have lost weight and not exercised a bit and they don't have loose, saggy skin. I'm afraid I won't be that fortunate though! Good luck on your last 20 pounds and your exercising journey!

I cook chicken breasts in a skillet and mix 1 can diet coke with 1 cup of ketchup, which makes BBQ Chicken. The chicken is so moist and tender, plus it's low fat! Just place in skillet and pour diet coke/ketchup mixture over it and simmer for 45 minutes or until the chicken is done. The sauce will thicken as it gets done. I learned this at weight watchers! You can also mix any type of cake mix with a diet soda. The cakes are still moist and taste great, but with less fat/calories. I always mixed lighter cake mixes with lighter sodas (sprite, gingerale, etc) and darker mixes with darker sodas (diet coke, dr. pepper, etc.).

I had this same experience and it was a constant nagging pain. I had cleaned house really good one night and lifted a table that I shouldn't have. It ended up being a pulled muscle, but the pain lasted probably a full 2 weeks before it subsided. It even hurt to sit down or stand up. It was bearable, but uncomfortable. I would still mention it to your doctor just to make sure, but it sounds exactly like what I went through. I was scared I had pulled something loose or that my port might have turned.

Like many others, my regret is not having it done when I was younger. I'm only 28, but I could have had so much fun being healthier in my early 20's! I love the band, but you have to remember it is just a tool and you have to work with it. Yes, you will still have to diet and exercise, but after you lose a little weight you will be motivated and these things won't feel like a "chore" anymore! I am always here if you have questions, as well as the others on this site. These forums have been my lifesaver through my journey. I was just banded over a month ago. Good luck!

My feet are usualy the first indication that I have lost weight......followed my my fingers and boobs!

My doctor told me between 1000-1200, but it really differs from person to person I think.

I have been really stressed this week and I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. I have always been a "stress" eater, but lately I have had a better handle on that. Even though I am more concious of it there will always be those "bad" days. I am not going to consider it cheating as long as I stay within my calorie range, which I have been doing. I think I just freak out and think, "I am the only one with a band trying to choke down a freakin sub sandwich?!?" I talk to so many people who are anti-bread and it had me worried!

Well, it looks like you have done good TKW!