dalex

I was banded September 2011 at NYU. The result was better than I could expect - 135 lbs off . Never followed rules strictly, but was still loosing. Not any more. Last month with no change in my eating habits I started gaining back, and it goes fast - like 10 lbs a month!! Anyone having similar problems? My restriction nis still pretty good. Do not see any difference. SOS

How full is your band? I started experiencing something when I eat too fast - old fashioned way, or have bubbled drinks. For a short period of time - until it gets through, or out)). Now exactly shoulder, but somewhat close.

Have heard that approximately year and a half it starts coming back. Is it so? Or that is me ..

I have lost almost 135 lbs in those 16 months but laterly, started gaining back. And by today I already gained back around 10 lbs. I am not following any strict diet, but I had never followed that before either. And it worked. Not any more. Anyone having similar problems?

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Hello, Bandsisters! Checking in at July call. I did 100 lbs off, but every few pounds it stops, then half of it comes back, then I get upset - you all probably know the feeling, then I go and get another fill, loose again, and so on.. Almost the same yo-yo as it was before. I am wondering what will I do when my band will be full ? I was and I still am a bad girl, as can't miss the cake, or sweets, or...caviar toast with butter. Can't do anything with it. I am so bored with protein shakes and chick. broth(((

It is absolutely OK. I did not feel any serious restriction until the 4-th fill !! It is more like restriction in your mind- you have done it, and you just CAN'T eat same much as before. Though- I am the bad example- was cheating, eating all I saw... But never same amounts as before the band. Even with me being so undisciplined, even though I need to loose another 60 lbs - I have 90 lbs off by now - 8 months after surgery, and it feels sooooo good.

I didn't feel much of restriction until I got 9 cc in my 14 cc band

Did anyone feel like this: all over suddenthe band tightens ( without the fill), and then after few days becomes loose again ? And it is not what you eat, how fast you eat. Same food, same time of the day, same tempr. of food, same " speed".

need2lose2_ We were banded the same day. How much do you have in your band ? Probably it's not tight enough, otherwise you would loose more than 5 lbs. You used the most exact word - jealousy. I feel the same way - nosy questions, "friendly"( not really- just a mask) comments,now more than ever they are enthusiastic in bringing me the cake, or pizza))) and then watching if I am eating it..and much do I eat. It's like a circus show- "feed the tiger" Now I am under 8-hour surveilance and monitoring by my collegues.

I prefer not to give "interviews" about the band. Only - my family, my doctor and one extremely overweight friend, who recently did sleeve gastrectomy, because she just can't stand any competition know. Now she is melting, as a snowman in April, and I am the one who is jealous. Sometimes think: I should have done something more radical than the band. On other hand - I am 90 lbs down and hope for more. Unfortunatelly I work in a clinic , not where I was operated at, but still. They have probably looked in my chart not once already, all pre-op things were there. And medical records department is the most nosy one, so my basic patient's right for confidentiality is ruined.... It sucks, everyone plays the game- I do not tell them anything, they look in my eyes, and pretend they don't know. May be this is the reason why I am now so irritated when someone at work says that I look different, younger or have lost a lot of weight etc.. Just drives me crazy. As for the weight loss- slow-slow-slow. Like going down the stairs with the long rest at each step. But I am not good girl. Completely lost interest in healthy foods, fruits and veggies and compensate it with hummus, cheese, chocolate, pine nuts, etc. All that is loaded with calories. BY THE WAY= I have just discovered very good Snacks. Bariatric Advantage makes crisps and bars that are good- different flavors like sun-dried tomato, white cheddar, BBq, etc, that I hope they will replace all garbage that I eat. Just got some. I could not find any bariatric food that will not have vanilla, or chocolate, of chicken flavor, and will not be sweet. I hate advertising of any kind, just wanted to share

I have also recently discovered a new tofu product -Egg tofu- in 4 oz tubes. You cut the tube accross and squeeze perfect rounds of very tender tofu, tastes more like very light egg. I fry ( very little oil,like spray) them with little garlic and ginger. They slide down with no problem. But isn't tofu kind of fatty ? And what kind of fat does it have ?

Dear TKW May be it's by bad math, but I added all cc's in your band and it came up to 18 cc in 10 cc band. Am I wrong, or they can do it ? I am concerned because I have only 4,5 cc empty and another 60 lbs to go..

To all : One more question - how big are the portions you usually eat? Please give an example of your daily ration with and without cheating

As for progress, how are you all, peers, doing ? I feel terrible, if I loose 5-6 pounds on liquids after the fill, then as soon as start eating- 2-3 pounds come back. Never matter what I eat- healthy, or not... Never matter I exercise, or not. Then- plateua, actually- "flat line". 80 pounds off and frozen dead. Plus- "my bowel starts sabotaging")) And though had fill recently I have less restriction than before. May be the band slipped, or is leaking ? Anyone had similar things ?

Hi, girls ( and boys, if any here) I thought it might be interesting recipe if you eat tofu: Tofu-Salad Sandwiches Ingredients One 12-ounce package firm silken tofu, drained 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons snipped chives 1 celery rib, finely chopped 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon turmeric (optional) Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 8 slices of whole wheat or multi-grain sandwich bread, toasted 3/4 cup alfalfa sprouts Wrap the drained tofu in paper towels and very gently press out some of the excess water. In a medium bowl, using a pastry blender or a fork, finely chop the tofu. Add the mayonnaise, snipped chives, chopped celery, Dijon mustard and turmeric and mix gently. Season the tofu salad with salt and pepper. Spoon the tofu salad onto 4 slices of whole wheat toast, top with the sprouts, close the sandwiches and serve. Make Ahead The tofu salad can be refrigerated overnight. All over sudden I have discovered this food- it goes in very easily, and I think- a lot of protein, though some fat too.

Brynne, Dawn Maybe 40-46 lbs is not as bad for you...All depends on your BMI, motivation and goal. I don't think we are all "alike, as Perdue chicken". Probably your BMI was less than mine, therefore your pace would be slower. If you ever saw "Biggest looser" on TV, you probably have noticed- heavier participants lost bigger numbers than those less heavy. 75 lbs is too bad for me. I need another 70 at least, and I am stuck. I know it's wrong, but I am cheating day and night. I am just tied and bored . Also all depends on motivation. If I would be dating my dear husband again, I, probably would be doing much better ))) . I could drop from 179 to 140 in just few weeks without any surgery. Though I eat dramatically small amounts compared to previous time, it is high in calorie. I am not watching proteins , neither am I having shakes or vitamines. I just feel bored of right eating. I also was loosing mostly after the fill, when you have to stay on liquids. I do not know why I can't eat salads, probably eating too fast. I have noticed wierd thing- when I go out, and know I can not run to the bathroom to get rid of what my body did not like, somehow I can eat without a problem actually any type of food, even pizza. At home, however, I stay on pine nuts, cheeses, and chocolates. I looked at the lovery Rsalinas who have lost 104, and maybe I will feel jealous, and will do strick after the Holidays...

How is everybody doing ? I was banded Sept. 19, have lost only 75 lbs so far, and last few weeks - "flat line", one pound in- one pound out. Even after the fill-only 3 lbs in a month. Looks like my body got used to small amounts and few miles brisk walk every day. Though my food choices are wierd and wrong - I can't eat healthier things like salads, chicken, even moist and soft, have problems with veggy soups ( !!), but nuts, hard crackers, cheese, chocolate, cake, etc go through with no problem. I know it is not right, but after trying to be good all day, end up with this staff. Thanks G-d I don't like ice-cream )). Can't even tell I am very hungry. Anyone else is stuck like that ?

September team is coming back. So I am checking in as well. Can't boast too much- not loosing as expected, neither am I eating as planned. But somehow I am still optimistic. After the second fill December 22, I am back and forth from 60 to 55 of total weight loss. First week or two after the fill- lost rapidly, then -restriction and post-fill diet over, and I started eating as before. The weight started coming back immediately. I probably should have done another fill on the pick of the weight loss, but how could I know? Next fiil is tomorrow and I keep my fingers crossed. My concern is that restriction gradually goes away and portions instead- come back.. What will we do when there is no more room for the fill? And- I am not sure that once I reach the green zone, will it stay there , or get loose again?

Only restriction I feel is shortly after the fill - it backs up and I feel like a toothpaste tube being squeezed . But then in couple of weeks it goes away, no restriction whatsoever. I am afraid that it will continue stretching more and more. If I am loosing anything only due to old-fashioned way- just close the mouth.

I think if I have more understanding of the ''mechanics" of how and what stretches and moves, I will avoid a lot of mistakes. So far all loss is only few days after the fill, then looks like the pouch stretches more, and I can hardly keep the plateue, as I am eating not those 1/2 a cup, but almost full size portions. I have lost only 40 in 4 months after surgery. Had 2 fills so far. Anyone can prompt me ?

Hello everyone I thought I am the only one who is cheating again and is not loosing weight as a snowman in April. Banded 9/19/11, from highest lost 50 lbs, from surgery - 30. First fill 10/22/11, 5 cc in 14 cc band. Actually did not feel restriction at all neither after the surgery, not after the 1-st fill. Just couple of mild episodes right after the fill. I am a big girl,and 50 lbs is only 30% of the weight I have to loose. Meanwhile- all has stopped, I am plus-minus 2-3 lbs for almost a month. Though I eat 1/3 of what I used to eat, I started cheating- sweets, bread, meat. I have feel like band related motivation is over. I thought I should have the second fill somewhat in November, but the doctor could not accomodate me until 12/22/11, so I am on my own. Is anyone experiencing something similar ? NYC Girl, thank you for the idea with psychologist. I have forgotten about this option, but for me may be very expensive thing- I have HIP, and psycologists on the panel are good but not quite experienced with weight loss. Any advice ?

Browsed all posts and- pugsx3 need2loose2 Ladies, you both say exactly what I feel. Same story- banded 9/19, can eat anything, everything and anyone. The only restriction - I feel ashamed, so portions are small, and total calorie count is less than advised by nut. As I did not feel any restriction or pain, I freaked out and didn't follow any of the diets strictly. Every now and then I would eat food from the step ahead. Feel like a sinner. First sin- 3 days after surgery ate spoon of peanut butter, then tuna salad, then 9 days after surgery instead of the shakes, I ate 16 oz cup of soup with soft veggies, and nothing happened, except guilty complex. Funniest thing is that I have lost 29,5 lbs ( since Sept.6). And I noticed loosing more when I eat for e.g. broth, or creamy soup and 6-7 oz of soft-soft chicken and cup of soft veggies. On some occasions it would be 2 lbs a day vs miserable 0,5 lbs with starvation and suffering. Though last 2 days I am not loosing an ounce. It is not right, but it has already happened. I was thinking of starting pre-op-like diet again, as if I am only planning to do through the surgery. And at least once in my life make it clearly to the end. Or wait till the first fill ( another 2 weeks) and make it more severe after the fill, like 3-4 days on liquid and 3-4 on mushy instead of 2 days.

I love hummus, and all Mediterranian staff, I actually started licking on it much earlier than was supposed to after surgery. I am putting it on the thin round slice of nice ripe tomato.