jsea

I'm 6 months out and have only lost 30lbs. It is a bit depressing seeing so many people at 60+ lbs lost but I try to stay positive throughout this journey and not compare myself to others and stay positive. I have hypothyroidism as well as type 1 diabetes and the fact of the matter is that it will take me much longer to lose weight. I will kep striving though to get these lbs off even if it takes me years. If nothing else, I weigh less than I did 6 months ago.

Erikam - No I was not cheating prior to hitting the green zone. It's just things were more difficult because I was hungry an hour or so after eating, now I easily can go 4 to 5 hours without even thinking of food. I would pull myself away from the table after a particular amount of food but I really wasn't "satisfied" yet. Now I am. Also, my doctor told me that "typically" after the fourth fill I will not be able to eat any more carbs. Boy was she right, It is difficult to eat bread so I don't even try to anymore. I've given it up and I am very happy about this aspect of the band. @ LeLe64 there is a post by Adam called "Hitting your Green Zone" or something similar to that on this Forum board. Go there and read about what "Zone" you are currently in. It is very very helpful!!!

Well I had my fourth fill last Friday and after a week I feel I have FINALLY hit the green zone. I looked at the chart that Adam posted on here and I fall right in line with the Green Zone. I have been banded for almost 5 months and those 5 months were really a struggle for me. This week I have started Cardio workouts and I'm hoping my weight really starts coming off now. I never in a million years thought there would be a time in my life where I didn't think about food 24/7 until now. I find myself not even thinking about it until I am "physically" hungry. I love my band!!! Patience is not a vitue of mine, but I'm thankful for the support this site has given me and the information you have all provided to me to remind me to have patience. Much love to you all!!!!!

I was self pay. You can see below on my signature that it was only a couple weeks from my first consult to surgery!

You are not alone. I was banded 8/22/11 and I was a mess the first two weeks following my surgery. I remember feeling upset because everyone around me was eating normal foods and all I could have was liquids. There were many nights I spent in my bedroom just crying. I was sad that I was fat and had to have this band and I didn't feel "normal" at all. Thankfully that all went away after "bandster hell". Keep your head up, it will get better!!

OMG Jean I can't believe you're on here. I read your books nightly and they ALWAYS help me get through my "tough times" when it comes to eating. Thank you so much for sharing your journey!! As it relates to this "negative nelly". I have blocked her because I'm not one to keep my mouth shut and she has spread so much garbage all over this site (specifically to the newbies) that it's best I don't even see what she has written. Best of luck to you all and much love!!!

It could take many fills for you to notice a difference. Unfortunately it takes time for some people, it doesn't always happen with the first, second or third fill.

I too was so worried about going to my doctors this morning for my fill worried that she would scold me because I knew I had gained weight over the holidays, well needless to say I gained 4 POUNDS!! UGH, but she did not scold me. We identified the reasons for the weight gain and decided on a path forward. I recieved a fill and I'm back on track and ready to lose!! Don't be so hard on yourself, it happens.

Yes, I will work at it harder. I have used myfitnesspal from day 1. I track every single piece of food that enters into my mouth including protein, fat and carbs. I do not eat more than 1200 calories a day. The only thing I am not doing is working out. Obviously that must be the problem.

I am getting another fill this Friday so I am going to discuss this with my doctor. Although I am getting plenty of protein (even above my requirements some days) maybe my carb intake is too high. It's just mind boggling to me because I don't eat even 1/2 of what I use too, I would think the weight would just be falling off, but it's simply not. I'm not going to give up, that's for sure, I'm just a little frustrated right now.

Thanks for the info Oldie but no, I'm not too tight. I don't have a problem getting anything down except bread if I don't chew really well but I can even get that down as long as I chew.

Thank you all for your comments and you are all right. I shouldn't be comparing myself to others, I should just be thankful that I have lost and will continue losing. I am a diabetic and have a thyroid issue as well and although both issues are controlled, I'm sure it has something to do with my slower loss. It is just good to hear that I'm not the only one out there not losing 10lbs per month. Thank you all for your support. This forum is so very helpful!!!

I see that a lot of people seem to lose weight quickly. On average it looks like people are losing 50-60lbs the first 4-6 months. I was banded on 8/22/11 (so almost 4 months ago) and I haven't lost nearly that much weight. I wonder if I'm doing something wrong? I haven't lost one single pound in the past month (since my last fill). I wonder if I am going to be stuck here and not able to lose any more weight. Yes, I'm counting calories and protein and drinking water. I am not exercising, that's my fault and I plan to start doing that. Has anyone else had slow weight loss? I just really need some advise and a good old fashion pep talk that this will work.

I was a tiny baby, only 5lbs 3 oz at birth and was skinny until I hit about 6 years old. Then I balooned up. When I hit 6th grade I was 130lbs so I went on my first diet, WW's and lost 20 lbs and got down to 110. That was short lived and I spend the rest of middle school through 11th grade overweight. The summer prior to my senior year I had enough of being fat, I was 220 lbs. I went back to WW and lost 40 lbs. I got down to 180lbs (my lowest weight ever as an adult) and kept it off for 2 years but then gained it back. I stayed at 212lbs for several years then got pregnant with my daughter and balooned to 272 (my highest weight ever). After I had her I dropped almost immediately to 230 and have went back and forth between 230 and 242 ever since. I had enough this past summer, I was so miserable i couldn't stand it and that's when I decided to get the band (I am a self pay). Let me tell you, it was the best $16,500 I've ever spent. I know I will get to my goal of 155. We can all do this, we do not have to live like this anymore

I am so excited I wanted to share this with everyone, especially the new bandsters. I was banded on Aug 22nd and the first month or so I lost very slowly. I kept pushing through, afterall, I am a self pay and wouldn't have spent the kind of money I did to fail AGAIN. I would read posts on this board about how so many of you didn't have the weight start really falling off until your 2nd or 3rd month (or fill). Well I am happy that I didn't give up, because the weight started really coming off (2-3 lbs per week) a few weeks ago. I weigh myself once a week and I can't tell you the joy I have everytime I get on the scale and see a loss. My clothes that I started this journey with are already put away and a few new pairs of pants had to be bought over the weekend. Believe it or not I can already feel my size 16's getting baggy (I started this only 3 months ago in a size 20). To all you out there who are just beginning, give it time, it will happen for you!!! Much love to you all!!!