OldMomOf3

Uh!! So frustrating! Kind of the same thing happened to me. Pre-op shakes, bars and veggies only. I lost weight really slowly (still have 2 days left), and it is so frustrating. LIke you, I was eating a good 1000 calories less than I was before. It does not make sense to me at all. I still don't understand it, and all I can say is, I share your frustration with this. I came to the conclusion that at some point my body would start letting go of the pounds, and it has, just not as quickly as it has for others, and not as quickly as I'd like it to. Gaining weight is more confusing! So strange. Maybe you can ask your doctor what he/she thinks....Good luck. Even if you don't drop pounds, you are doing something good for your body and I'm guessing you will start to feel the benefits soon.

I would suggest that you see your doctor about this and ask for a chest x-ray. It may or may not be related to the band. Here is why I'm suggesting it...
My family doctor cautioned me about this type of thing. He said that he has had 2 patients who had an unexplained cough, mainly at night, and who were both banded. The cough was caused by the reflux, which somehow caused the stuff you reflux up to get into the lungs. The result was Fluid in their lungs and an abscess that was causing the cough. One of the patients developed pneumonia also.
So, just to be on the safe side, I'd check into it. Hopefully you will find out you are fine, but best to check on it.

I'm thankful for the courage you have shown just for telling your challenging stories here. I'm also glad you didn't get too many of the lectures and condescension that some people like to spew all over anyone who does not "work" the band like they do or who is willing to be honest about the choices they are making, or the fears they have. It's awful! I'm not banded yet, but with the vitriol I've seen toward "unsuccessful" bandsters, there's no way I'd admit it around here! YOU are courageous and soooooo appreciated!
I also think it is important for people to hear stories like yours. It seems that most of the people who are active here are either pre-band or successful on the band. Of course, NOT everyone fits into one of those categories, but it seems like that's most people here. That is wonderful and I'm so happy and encouraged by their stories. However, one can get an overly rosy picture of life after band. I am sure there are many people who are banded and not losing weight and they feel embarrassed or unwelcome here. Worse yet, they probably get criticized by other banded people. I mean really, if one more person says, "you still have to work at it!!!!" So, your story brings some perspective and balance to that picture. Your story helps us remember that we have more to overcome than the scale and that we all have many reasons why we fail or succeed.
I don't know what the future holds for you, but I sure hope you are able to live in a body you can love, and be healthy, mentally and physically, regardless of what the scale says.

I'm thankful for the courage you have shown just for telling your challenging stories here. I'm also glad you didn't get too many of the lectures and condescension that some people like to spew all over anyone who does not "work" the band like they do or who is willing to be honest about the choices they are making, or the fears they have. It's awful! I'm not banded yet, but with the vitriol I've seen toward "unsuccessful" bandsters, there's no way I'd admit it around here! YOU are courageous and soooooo appreciated!
I also think it is important for people to hear stories like yours. It seems that most of the people who are active here are either pre-band or successful on the band. Of course, NOT everyone fits into one of those categories, but it seems like that's most people here. That is wonderful and I'm so happy and encouraged by their stories. However, one can get an overly rosy picture of life after band. I am sure there are many people who are banded and not losing weight and they feel embarrassed or unwelcome here. Worse yet, they probably get criticized by other banded people. I mean really, if one more person says, "you still have to work at it!!!!" So, your story brings some perspective and balance to that picture. Your story helps us remember that we have more to overcome than the scale and that we all have many reasons why we fail or succeed.
I don't know what the future holds for you, but I sure hope you are able to live in a body you can love, and be healthy, mentally and physically, regardless of what the scale says.

I know that for most of us we're doing the band to help us lose substantial weight, but I am surprised almost daily at how obsessed so many are with the scale. I've only read one bander who said they don't even own a scale. I have one and I have it up on a high shelf and I literally only let myself weigh myself once a month, always on the first. The reason for this is that we are SO much more than our weight. I know we all want to lose weight, I certainly do. But that stupid scale just seems to have so much power over our happiness and I want to punch it in the face.
I once did weight watchers for 9 months - my sister lost 70 pounds and I lost 4. FOUR! I didn't give up, I didn't stop going, I didn't even cheat but I did go through serious depression. A month after quitting I took a boot camp class and lost only 1 pound but 12 inches in just a month... And that's when I stopped letting my weight rule my life. I'm getting the band to get healthy but it won't matter (too much) what I weigh - if I am healthy, I can wear cute clothes, I can live long, enjoy my family, etc. then I won't let myself obsess about what a scale says.
My advice? Throw that thing out. Take your measurements if you must track something. Track your food, your calories, your dress size, whatever but don't weigh yourself every day. You'll be so much happier. And I believe the band WILL work for both of us so don't give up, please just don't. Hang in there. I wish I could give you hope. At the very least here's a virtual ((hug)).

I see mine as a long term sucess; I can tell you that I've working out in the gym doing one hour classes 4-5 days a week, some times I stay for 2 clasees= 2 hrs workout for almost a year now and I have only lost 22 pounds so sar and I am so happy about it. It is like my trainer always says, it took more than a month-more two months -more three months to put the weight on, so don't expect to lose it in a month or two, its going to take time for your body to use all accumulated fat. Thats whats keeping me motivated. My goal is to lose an extra 75-80 punds and I dont care if that takes me two to three years to acomplish.

I posted a similar topic last night because I'm day 18 of a three week liquid diet and I've only lost 9 pounds. 8 the first week, which is mainly Water weight I'm sure, 1 pound the next week, and so far this week i've been up and down one pound. So I feel your frustration! I personally have never at any regular food since 7 PM the day before my liquid diet! I've been determinded to stick with it and not let myself cheat even a little bit, I've even tried to get back into a daily exercise routine that I've let myself slip out of the past couple of weeks. So to me, it's super frustrating to be working so hard and suffering through this miserable liquid diet, with little results. Everyone keeps reasurring me that it will happen and to not let myself be discouraged. I'm going to start tracking my measurements too, because a lot of people say there will be success from loosing inches even when you're not losing pounds.

The thing that the band does for you that the pre op diet wont, is that you wont be hungry, even at social engagements or other testing moments. You are able to make better choices b/c the thoughts and obssession about food is removed. I was very frustrated with the pre opt. I then lost 10 lbs. The first week after surgery I lost 10. Then nothing for almost three weeks when I started eating food. I started to think it was a big joke. Then I got my first fill and second fill and started dropping 2.5 lbs or more a week very easily. It all was that eating very little was very satisfying. Also, I only thought about food when I was having physical signs of hunger. Also, having 25 + lbs off and people noticing has been a great motivator to continue the daily journey. It me, the band is a partner now. But it took a month for me to start feeling that way. My Dr is fast will fills. I am at 6 weeks and already at 5cc. They want to reach green zone faster. So I am happy for that. But the pre op and the month or so after is banster hell, and I am just now the other side of it.
Hope that helps.

The preop diet is the worst part. People lose weight at different rates. I happen to be an oddball who can go weeks without losing anything and then, all at once, 5 lbs will disappear. It is so strange that I often wonder if my scale is broken but I have purchased several and its always the same. I agree with the previous poster who said that lapband helps with obsessing over food. This is the number one reason why I would get a lapband again, even if I never lose another ounce. The preop diet offers this benefit as well. I felt like it reset my body. It was hard...the hardest part... but you can get through it.

Good Soup for pre-op diet…
I'm on 2 weeks of 3 shakes/day and 2 bars/day. But I can also eat broth and veggies. Today I made this and liked it.
This is all broth and veggies (approx 30 cal/cup, 0.5 grams of fat/cup)
Spray large pot with ff cooking spray
Sauté 1 chopped onion
1 table spoon of garlic
4 Adele’s habanera sausages (which you will remove later and not eat, but they’re for flavor – give to your family to enjoy)
Add a little low sodium beef broth to keep things from sticking to the pot (4 tbs)
Once that is soft and juicy
Add 1 cup cut carrots
1 head of chopped cabbage
Simmer for 10 minutes
Add 1 cup cut green Beans
1 cut squash
Simmer 5 minutes
Eat

I'm starting my pre-op diet tomorrow (6/7), band 2 weeks later (6/21). Anyone in a similar place? Want to form a team for support?
A few weeks post band we can join in with the current June Bandsters, but I thought it would be helpful to gather up a few of us who are later in June, and more in the same stage at this point.
What are your dates: Pre-o diet? Surgery?
What is your pre-op diet like and how is it going?
Are you telling anyone about your surgery?
Any thing else you'd like to share?

I'm starting my pre-op diet tomorrow (6/7), band 2 weeks later (6/21). Anyone in a similar place? Want to form a team for support?
A few weeks post band we can join in with the current June Bandsters, but I thought it would be helpful to gather up a few of us who are later in June, and more in the same stage at this point.
What are your dates: Pre-o diet? Surgery?
What is your pre-op diet like and how is it going?
Are you telling anyone about your surgery?
Any thing else you'd like to share?

UPDATE: I spoke to my surgeon and let him know my concern about the intern doing the procedure. He said that the most he would do is close me up after being banded. The rest of the procedure will be done by my surgeon. I made him promise! and he totally assured that he would be doing it. After all, this doctor is the reason I'm at this particular practice. I was very deliberate in my choice, I researched him and chose him for his research, experience and proven record. I figure, it's my body, my money and my choice. The intern, kind as he is, is welcome to get his practice on someone else's body. I'm not doubting his ability or denying the need to learn. I'm just saying...not on me, thanks. So, though I'm still afraid of surgery, I'm feeling MUCH better after having this conversation with my doctor. Thanks everyone for your encouragement.

I'm june 21. Is that too late to join the fun?

Thanks for the compassionate words! I am feeling better this morning, though still tender.
Yes, Kat, I was OUT! I remember starting to cry (because I was scared), then the doctor said, "don't worry, I learned it all on youtube," then the next thing you know I was in recovery laughing in my mind about his comment. I'm glad it went that way.

Me too!

I'm june 21. Is that too late to join the fun?

Wow, you guys! You are soooooo helpful. This is such good reading for me. I was very down, feeling defeated even before surgery and absolutely perplexed after I walked out of that appointment. Your posts have really encouraged and Enlightened me. I have done all the reading about the risks from medical websites, but hearing if from real patients and potential patients just means so much more. Thank you, and I welcome even more replies. I hope this is good reading for others facing the same choice.

No way momof3

Thanks for the compassionate words! I am feeling better this morning, though still tender.
Yes, Kat, I was OUT! I remember starting to cry (because I was scared), then the doctor said, "don't worry, I learned it all on youtube," then the next thing you know I was in recovery laughing in my mind about his comment. I'm glad it went that way.

Love that verse, Texas!
This might sound crazy, but I actually think that I will be able to serve God more effectively when I loose weight. I don't think my heart toward serving and bringing him glory will change, but I think it will change the way people respond to me. I think my weight gets in other people's way. I certainly don't think that's okay, on their part, but it is the way our culture is. Our culture sees heavy people differently, negatively, etc. I hope that losing weight will make people look at me more for who I am inside and for the words I speak about the Lord, and for the way he has changed me (new creation in him). I hope they will see God at work in me when they see me and not just a big overweight person, which is where their eyes stop right now.

Exactly what I've been going through!!! Thanks to all!
My husband and I started this together. Other than him, only my parents and 2 other know I'm considering it - both of whom have had WLS. All just encourage me to look at both sides, the good and the bad.
Last night, I made lists and lists of everything that COULD go wrong throughout the process. You all know them, so I won't put the list here. When I was finished and looked it all over. I realized that none of the POSSIBLE side effects and complications were as bad as the road I'm on with my obesity. Even the worst case scenarios I've heard about are worth the risk to have a better and healthier life long term.
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
I know that it was not God's plan for me to be obese. But it is His plan for me to get healthy so He can use me to glorify His kingdom. I've proven I can't do it on my own and am so thankful He showed me the tool to use to get finally get there =)

@momof31oc I loved everything you said, I laughed at this part, "trusting God and knowing he has control and will work all things out for good - even if they don't feel good. The part that says "even if they don't feel good"
You said it exactly right about God not bringing you/us this far, and closing doors if He isn't in it. I so love your wisdom and encouragement. Be Blessed and don't cry anymore. If you cry again let it be tears of Joy.

@momof31oc NEWS FLASH! We see spiritually and hear the God in you. Even Stevie Wonder can see that. We haven't been around you in person and your "Light" is shining through. You continue to be you.
If those people around you are judgeing you because of your weight when you are talking/serving the Lord. Then the problem is with the devil in them. So the hell with them. If their eyes are stopping at your outer appearance then again I say "the hell with them".

Love that verse, Texas!
This might sound crazy, but I actually think that I will be able to serve God more effectively when I loose weight. I don't think my heart toward serving and bringing him glory will change, but I think it will change the way people respond to me. I think my weight gets in other people's way. I certainly don't think that's okay, on their part, but it is the way our culture is. Our culture sees heavy people differently, negatively, etc. I hope that losing weight will make people look at me more for who I am inside and for the words I speak about the Lord, and for the way he has changed me (new creation in him). I hope they will see God at work in me when they see me and not just a big overweight person, which is where their eyes stop right now.