terrydumont46

I'm a slow loser. I've "only" lost 47 pounds since I was sleeved on Sept.1 (6 months ago yesterday). Past the first month, I've only lost an average of 6 pounds per month. But I still just keep doing what I'm doing, because the scale IS moving... down, down, down. I work out 5 days a week doing both cardio and strength training. I get my 100 grams of Protein in and well over 64 ounces of Water. I take all my Vitamins religiously. I don't track calories regularly, but do "spot checks" from time to time where I track my calories for a day and I am right around 1050 per day now.
I came to terms with my slow loss a few months ago when I realized that there really is no rush to get to goal. If it takes 6 months or 16 months, I will still get there eventually. And 10 years from now, it won't matter how FAST I got there. I will just be enjoying my happy, healthy life.
It is hard to get past the diet mentality where you think of your goal weight as the finish line and after that you'll be "done" with the diet. I will never be "done" with my sleeve, so what's the rush?

Thanks everyone. I took the test today and hopefully it is negative. This surgery is much more important to me than a cigarette so that is making this way easier than any other time I tried to quit. Motivation is everything

Hi there, glad you're here -- if it were me I would make an appointment ASAP with your medical professionals. They want you to succeed. You are showing up for yourself and your health -- whatever you do, don't beat yourself up. We've all done enough of that. The links in my signature below might help -- they helped me understand better about how the band works by dimming the appetite. For this the fill has to be right, and to get the right fill you have to go to your appointments. For me this process provided accountability -- I would weigh-in, etc. and discuss any issues that were coming up. Plus the stages getting there gave me time to address behavior modification issues. Good luck -- you know you can do this!

want to get back to the program.
@@bacon
sorry this is so long
once i start thinking i can't shut up!!!LOL
hey dude
welcome, welcome, welcome
130 lbs down from initial lapband
you did great, and you can again
you've gained 72 lb back
but you kept 68 lbs off!!!
look at it that way!!!!
can you possibly make an appointment with a NUT to get you back on track???
can't give into "bad stuff"
"its" always gonna be around
if each time a problem occurs, we give into our old habits.....
OH NO
many of us have problems with life
we "can't" let those issues disturb our weight loss
divorce, death in the family
(kindof same thing )
problems with work
kids
finances
NOT minimizing problems
just that we must deal with things for the rest of our life
the good and BAD
easier said than done
the below are just a few basic rules to follow
you might have forgotten since its been awhile
if you remembered, sorry for the repeat
maybe go back to basics
drink Protein shakes to give you a push with losing a little weight quickly
drink 64 oz Water a day
don't drink with your meals/food
don't drink for 1/2 hour before you eat
wait to drink for 45-60 minutes after you eat
measure/weigh your foods
use a baby spoon so you can't eat too fast
small plate also helps psychologically
small portions
chew thoroughly
eat your Protein first
watch your carb intake
keep track of your food (maybe use MFP) or another program
keep coming back to the boards with your questions
and you'll see many subjects you were thinking about too
work hard
follow all the rules
before you know it you will be losing weight again!!!
i have faith in you!!!
good luck
kathy

If you’re a weight loss surgery patient or patient-to-be, you’d better grow a thick skin if you haven’t already. Your thick skin will help shield you from negative reactions to bariatric surgery. People are not afraid to make personal and hurtful comments about this surgery, even they often have no idea about the facts.


One of the barriers to getting weight loss surgery is the fear of telling others about it. People are quick to make you feel ashamed about your choice. They accuse you of cheating or of making a dangerous decision.
But it’s not just uninformed people who can make you feel bad. What about the media, which you trust to get its facts straight, and which influences millions of Americans’ beliefs and opinions? Sadly, the media spreads its share of misinformation about weight loss surgery.
One striking example occurred on the final episode of this season of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.” For the record, this was not the first time this show publicly aired negative comments about weight loss surgery. On this occasion, Dr. Robert Huizenga clearly stated that weight loss surgery is an unhealthy choice. The implication was that it is a mistake in all cases, and far inferior to the weight loss methods used by “The Biggest Loser” contestants.
There was no mention of the fact that the weight loss methods used by the contestants are the exact same as the most effective weight loss methods used by weight loss surgery patients. That is, both use a low-calorie diet that dramatically reduces junk foods, and both encourage physical activity. The problem with weight loss surgery? Dr. Huizenga did not explain. Viewers can only guess at the horrors he was thinking of.
I’m certainly not the only one to notice such snubs on national television. The BariatricPal community had a thing or two to say about this particular episode of “The Biggest Loser,” and I invite you to check out the comments and add to the discussion if you haven’t already.
The Biggest Loser
Nobody’s dream in life is to get weight loss surgery. Unfortunately, nobody’s dream in life is to struggle with obesity, but many of us do. What options do we have? Those of us who have chosen weight loss surgery chose it because we exhausted our other options. Those options – regular diets – just didn’t work for us.
So, what would Dr. Huizenga have recommended in my case? A 16-week stay at the Biggest Loser Ranch, just like the contestants who made it to the season finale? Full dietary, medical, and physical activity support, just like the contestants? Sure, I would have been happy to try that option. Unfortunately, it costs about $3,000 per week to stay at the resort. That’s a value of $48,000, not including the longer-term support contestants receive.
Could I have lost the weight without surgery if I had had $48,000 to spend and the promise of lifetime support? I don’t know. What I do know is I did not have the chance to try. I did, however, have the chance to get weight loss surgery, and I made the most of it.
Don’t get me wrong. I really respect what I see on television of the Biggest Loser trainers and health staff that I see on television. Dr. Huizenga seems genuinely distressed about contestants’ poor health at the beginning of the show, and just as genuinely satisfied about their improved prognoses by the end. This season, trainer Jen’s tears were representative of the sincere stake the trainers have in the contestants’ lives. And, like many in America, I’d be on the first plane to Los Angeles if Bob or Dolvett offered to train me. But I do wish they did not feel the need to bash weight loss surgery without explanation.
The Truth of the Matter
Even if you have the choice between losing weight the Biggest Loser way or through weight loss surgery, which is better? There’s no question that you need to decide for yourself, but let’s take a look at each of these weight loss methods.
Losing weight Biggest Loser style means spending hours a day in the gym. The show doesn’t air nearly as much material on food as it does on exercise, although terrible eating habits got contestants to where they were, and good nutrition is clearly a part of their new lifestyles. It seems doubtful that Biggest Loser contestants can continue to exercise so many hours per day for the rest of their lives after the show, and I am certain that many other individuals just do not have this kind of time.
Weight loss surgery is…well…surgery. It involves going under the knife and changing something about your insides. There are inherent risks that are unavoidable when you undergo weight loss surgery. Aside from that, bariatric surgery requires a controlled, high-protein, nutritious diet, and exercise is recommended. Many patients can average about 100 pounds, or a respectable and reasonable 2 pounds per week, during their first year after surgery.
How do the results of losing weight Biggest Loser style versus with bariatric surgery? Initial weight loss seems comparable, according to a study discussed in US News and World Reports. But the study found Biggest Loser contestants ending up with a lower metabolic rate – making them potentially more likely to regain their weight. Granted, this study did not follow participants long-term, so we do not know what will happen in 10 or 20 years. What does seem clear, though, is that it is not yet justifiable for the “Biggest Loser” to state matter-of-factly that all weight loss surgery is bad.
Why Does It Matter?
Does it really matter what a reality television show says in passing about weight loss surgery? I believe it does. For one thing, the country already has a culture that largely views bariatric surgery negatively. We don’t need to increase the negative feelings with these vague statements proclaiming that the show helps contestants lose weight the “right” way, and other methods of weight loss are “wrong.”
Second, the show has millions of loyal viewers, including many who may be eligible for weight loss surgery. In my opinion, the show is doing them a disservice by stating unequivocally that bariatric surgery is a bad option. For some of these viewers, bariatric surgery may be the only option that would allow them to lose the weight that has plagued them their entire lives.
I don’t know what the solution is to this problem of negativity towards weight loss surgery and weight loss surgery patients. Education and patience come to mind – spread the word, when you can, about how weight loss surgery works and why some people get it. And, grow a thick skin. No matter where you are in your weight loss journey, you’re bound to get some negative comments about your decisions. Just know that you are doing the right thing for yourself.

Most of you know me. you know that I had bad medical care when I complained to both my surgeon and pcp. they used medications to correct reflux and pain instead of upper gi with barium. so I ended up with a messed up esophagus. I cannot or lets say the doctor will no longer do fills. I have 5 cc in a 14 cc band. I need to diet. as you all know diet doesn't work when your tool isn't helping in the lest. but I can do a bit more to start the wt. loss again. my only option is a revision. if I go that route I will do a ds. it is easy on the esophagus and that's what I need. I got down to 215 when I couldn't eat due to the reflux and pb'ing. I have gained 15lbs when the band was completely empty and have maintained that for months.
I just want ppl to listen to their bodies. It isn't normal to have reflux. It isn't normal to have pain. It isn't normal to have your chest pulse so you can see it. doubleing up on medications will not solve the problem. Please when you are having problems insist on a barium swallow. don't fret if you have your band unfilled. at least my band is still there and I have managed to have a slip corrected and most of my esophagus problems corrected. I am going to have next month a full upper gi and lower gi to get a good picture of everything. I would rather keep my band than do a revision.
PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOUR BAND IS TELLING YOU. That is my message.

Most of you know me. you know that I had bad medical care when I complained to both my surgeon and pcp. they used medications to correct reflux and pain instead of upper gi with barium. so I ended up with a messed up esophagus. I cannot or lets say the doctor will no longer do fills. I have 5 cc in a 14 cc band. I need to diet. as you all know diet doesn't work when your tool isn't helping in the lest. but I can do a bit more to start the wt. loss again. my only option is a revision. if I go that route I will do a ds. it is easy on the esophagus and that's what I need. I got down to 215 when I couldn't eat due to the reflux and pb'ing. I have gained 15lbs when the band was completely empty and have maintained that for months.
I just want ppl to listen to their bodies. It isn't normal to have reflux. It isn't normal to have pain. It isn't normal to have your chest pulse so you can see it. doubleing up on medications will not solve the problem. Please when you are having problems insist on a barium swallow. don't fret if you have your band unfilled. at least my band is still there and I have managed to have a slip corrected and most of my esophagus problems corrected. I am going to have next month a full upper gi and lower gi to get a good picture of everything. I would rather keep my band than do a revision.
PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOUR BAND IS TELLING YOU. That is my message.

i think just after surgery we all went through this. where they sew your band in place and your port are swollen from the surgery. it almost feels like you have had fills but you have not. also medications can make you feel less hungry. almost all have had their hunger returned. just keep pushing liquids.. you can become very ill if you get dehydrated. try sugar free popsicles they might hit the spot.

I understand your frustration but lossing 10lbs is still good!! Focus on the good!! I'm 1yr post op and not where I wanted to be!! I was 198 on the day of surgery so I started off with less to lose but had a reasonable goal of 145 after 1 yr!! I have struggle the last 5 months with little weight loss!! Due to life changes moving and stressors it's been hard to do right!! I have also STILL not reached the "green zone" and I currently at 7cc in a 11cc band. Just got to 7cc today!! The doctor is my new one since the move but he said not to lose hope!! Just keep with it!! I'm also taking meds that increase my appetite which makes my journey even harder!! I have to remind myself daily that I can do this!! That I'm strong!! And after 1 yr I have to remind myself where I was!! I was a sz 16-18 pants at the beginning and now I'm a sz 8 so although the scale isn't where I want the inches are going!! That's another good thing to do!! Measure yourself!! That way you can see the changes there sometimes there is no weight change but the are inches going!! Don't lose hope!! I remind myself still and we must continue reminding ourself a daily forever!! It's a life journey and you just started!! I recently got a tattoo..I'm a tattoo girl...lol but it was my way to help me remember to believe in myself!! And it's on my wrist so when I exercise and eat I see it!! It's my way of remember I can do it!! We all have our things that's mine...find something to help you keep the faith in yourself!! It helps!!! Good luck!! We all support each other!

@@gail10 there is a thread under trending topics that is titled what does your green zone feels like. There have been several posts. It may be good to read through those so u can get a variety of responses nut basically the green zone for me is eating my alloted amount 4oz Protein 1/2 cup veggies and 1carb serving if you have room which I don't. This should keep u satisfied for 4-5 hours. I have no desire for foods that I once craved, I eat what I eat and I'm satisfied. My craving have changed, i now crave yogurt vs junk etc. Its not a full feeling but a feeling of no longer hungry satisfied. I hope this helps a little. Goid luck with your first fill. Youll do great just stick with it!!

I know you feel frustrated right now, it's completely normal. Just remember this is just temporary!!! Until you can find that "sweet" spot which for some comes quicker than for others. Until then just focus on making the healthiest choices possible, be sure you're getting 60-80g of Protein per day, 80 oz of Water, some sort of movement and eventually the scale has no choice but to start moving. Until then focus on your Non-scale victories (NSV's) no matter how small you think they may be they all matter. Right now you're probably losing some inches so try to gauge your loss by more than just the # on the scale. How are your clothes fitting, have you noticed an increase in energy etc. Don't give up, you just started and trust me the rewards that are waiting for you up ahead and far greater than you can imagine right now!!!!
Can you give us an example of what you're eating and how much on a daily basis so maybe we can help further?

no slip in band. for the first 6 mos. you are on a diet. we call this bandster hell. losing 10 lbs since surgery isn't bad. hunger is a terrible thing to fight, but fight you must. the band eventually will restrict how much you eat. but there is a lot of food we can eat that slides right through, so you must train yourself to eat a 1/2 cup of food 3 times a day. whether you are hungry or not. don't get discouraged, if you follow and get yourself used to the 1/2 cup of food per meal you will succeed in band life. measure your food until you get the feel for the amount. once you do this you will see the wt. start coming off. eat Protein first, vegetable second and lastly if you are able to eat carbs. but still only in small amounts. when you finally get to the green zone you will have trained yourself how much to eat and that amount will satisfy you for hours. I wish you luck. its hard work but worth it. it's harder to fail and than get back on track.

no slip in band. for the first 6 mos. you are on a diet. we call this bandster hell. losing 10 lbs since surgery isn't bad. hunger is a terrible thing to fight, but fight you must. the band eventually will restrict how much you eat. but there is a lot of food we can eat that slides right through, so you must train yourself to eat a 1/2 cup of food 3 times a day. whether you are hungry or not. don't get discouraged, if you follow and get yourself used to the 1/2 cup of food per meal you will succeed in band life. measure your food until you get the feel for the amount. once you do this you will see the wt. start coming off. eat Protein first, vegetable second and lastly if you are able to eat carbs. but still only in small amounts. when you finally get to the green zone you will have trained yourself how much to eat and that amount will satisfy you for hours. I wish you luck. its hard work but worth it. it's harder to fail and than get back on track.

no slip in band. for the first 6 mos. you are on a diet. we call this bandster hell. losing 10 lbs since surgery isn't bad. hunger is a terrible thing to fight, but fight you must. the band eventually will restrict how much you eat. but there is a lot of food we can eat that slides right through, so you must train yourself to eat a 1/2 cup of food 3 times a day. whether you are hungry or not. don't get discouraged, if you follow and get yourself used to the 1/2 cup of food per meal you will succeed in band life. measure your food until you get the feel for the amount. once you do this you will see the wt. start coming off. eat Protein first, vegetable second and lastly if you are able to eat carbs. but still only in small amounts. when you finally get to the green zone you will have trained yourself how much to eat and that amount will satisfy you for hours. I wish you luck. its hard work but worth it. it's harder to fail and than get back on track.

no slip in band. for the first 6 mos. you are on a diet. we call this bandster hell. losing 10 lbs since surgery isn't bad. hunger is a terrible thing to fight, but fight you must. the band eventually will restrict how much you eat. but there is a lot of food we can eat that slides right through, so you must train yourself to eat a 1/2 cup of food 3 times a day. whether you are hungry or not. don't get discouraged, if you follow and get yourself used to the 1/2 cup of food per meal you will succeed in band life. measure your food until you get the feel for the amount. once you do this you will see the wt. start coming off. eat Protein first, vegetable second and lastly if you are able to eat carbs. but still only in small amounts. when you finally get to the green zone you will have trained yourself how much to eat and that amount will satisfy you for hours. I wish you luck. its hard work but worth it. it's harder to fail and than get back on track.

to
the shoulder pain is something we all go through. A heating pad works great and of course moving around helps. the gas will dissipate soon. there is a nerve that runs in the area you are describing, it is the vagal nerve.

the only way to know exactly where you stand is a upper gi. call your doctor office and get a appointment. it might not be as you think it is.

when you are a little further from your surgery date you (with your doctors permission) could try soda. I used to be a big soda drinker prior to surgery but gave it all up until recently. once in awhile I enjoy a diet soda like ginger ale or cola but I now noticed I get real bloated after drinking one. it's just not worth the discomfort. but you might do just fine. but plz always discuss with your doctor, he or she maybe really against any carbonated drinks.

I was lap-banded in 2003. Start weight was 370, I got down to 270 in 2005, but it has been a yo-yo since. So much so, that my PCP recommended that I have the gastric sleeve procedure to improve my chances of reaching my goal of 160 lbs. Today, Feb. 4th, 2015, I took the first step - removal of the band in preparation for the second step - gastric sleeve procedure - scheduled for April 1st 2015. I grappled with this decision for a long time. But finally realized that my PCP was right, that I should have the gastric sleeve procedure if I was serious about losing the excess for good.
The removal of the band was done with very little discomfort by my excellent surgeon -Ragui Sadek of Advance Surgical Procedures. He will also perform my gastric sleeve procedure, on April 1, 2015. It is April Fools Day, but, the only fool would be me, if I decided to stop after the band removal.

Sorry you are experiencing some issues of unknown origin. I wonder what is causing the pain? Could scar tissue have built up already in the short time you've been banded?
I agree with you about the lack of longterm data on the sleeve. It seems to be the most popular surgery for bandsters going for a revision but it probably wouldn't be the one I'd opt for 'next'. I've had complications with my band that also started a year after being banded, and I haven't lost any weight in a year. I'm pondering what my next step will be since I can't get any more fills (anything above 5.0 provokes esophegal spasms and now I've developed a heart arrythmia as well) and I'm relegated to doing traditional dieting just to keep off the weight I lost during the first year.
I'll be curious to see what you end up deciding, so please keep us informed. I hope you will soon have your band-related issues resolved.

I am at the point where my doctor said he will not do anymore fills that I would need a revision. so I began to re read all the info on the different surgeries. I really liked what I read about the duodenal switch. your stomach is removed but the bottom part where the hunger hormone is. the rest of the surgery can be reversed. but the part I liked the most was that the complications were less and ppl didn't have problems with regaining their wt. check it out.

your anatomy is yours alone. I have a 14cc band and have only 5.5 cc in it. and I have restriction. you don't want to create a problem with your band slipping or hurting your esophagus. go to the smaller fill amount and wait a bit. remember we eat as if we have restriction all the time. whether we have it or not.

Met with my new Dr today, what a difference!!! Met Dr. Sharma, and he is brilliant, as well as very personable. With surgeons, you normally don't get both. I start my final diet tomorrow - gotta shrink that liver, then I will be switched. Yea!?

Have you had blood work completed to make sure you are getting all the right nutrients? The lethargic feeling could be the result of nutrient deficiencies as well. This could be a combination of your mourning food to cope and maybe not getting proper nutrition.
I would certainly talk to your physician as to next steps.
Good luck, I hope you can get the right help and start feeling better soon.

Sounds to me like you may want to talk to a professional about your feelings as related to the food. I'm suggesting this as I see a therapist for my food issues. I've lost a ton of weight and I want to make sure it stays off and the best way I cn think of achieving this is to figure out the root causes of my obesity in order to have coping mechanisms in place when I need them.
Just because I have been successful losing the weight, doesn't mean I can't sabotage myself. I'm pretty sure that the therapy will help me to not do this.
If you are depressed over your situation, ask you surgeon if he/she can recommend someone.