Lauren87

Sue, NO, you're definitely not a failure! You've already lost almost half of your goal--that's something to be proud of! Yeah, the scale seems to be something that we rely on for happiness or gratification. Some people will only weigh once a week because they don't become so obsessed--so it looks like you've already made a step towards that by throwing out the scale. :cursing: Just try not to focus on the numbers--if all of the rules are being followed, the weight will eventually come off. Plus, if you're doing any kind of strength training, it's very possible you're gaining muscle mass. So, try not to beat yourself up over it. I'll mention one other thing about the weight, and then I'm done, I promise. :confused: The closer you get to target (which is less than 30lbs for you), the more difficult it becomes for your body to lose the weight. The way it was explained to me is this: you're calories spent and consumed are getting very close together, so you're body is trying to fill in that gap. Don't obsess or worry about it, just realize what's happening and be aware of it. As for Big Medicine--that can definitely be discouraging for Lap Band patients. However, as I've said before, we knew how weight loss would be when we selected the band. We knew that numbers like that would not show up for us. Sure, I too am envious of those people dropping such large numbers, but I have to tell myself that I did not sign up for numbers like that and I need to be realistic about what to expect. Just be patient, as your body is healing and closing the gap, you'll have a slow weight loss (just like the rest of us)--and the weight will eventually come off. Anytime you need support, look to the forum--there's always someone out there who can give you what you need.

Hi Robin! I highly doubt he will do a fill at three weeks post-op. From what I can see, most doctors do them 5,6,7 weeks after surgery. Sometimes patients will think they're ready for a fill, but there's still a lot of healing your body needs to do. I started eating soft food on day 8 post op and have been on that since then. However, Sunday (23 days post-op) I can move onto actual (as opposed to deli) chicken and turkey, lentils and Beans, and egg salad (which doesn't make much sense to me because I can have eggs now and tuna with mayo--so I think it'd be the same thing). No, don't feel bad about asking questions here, that's what the forum is for. Plus, we were all banded around the same time, so we're experiencing the same things. :scared2: If you have any more questions, feel free to throw them out! Lauren

Hey ladies, welcome to the thread! BChambers, I know what you mean about thinking you'd be farther along based on the changes you've made. I think most of us have changed our lives so much that we don't always understand why things aren't working the way we think they should. I've certainly cut out a TON of calories and stopped drinking anything but Water and milk, and something I think that should be enough to make me lose quite a bit of weight. However that's not how our bodies work :scared2: (it would be nice though!) It's all about the body going into shock--and then compensating for the lack of calories. With all of that said, you're attitude is great, and there's something to be said for that! Mind over matter is definitely a good thing! Just hang on and you'll be losing before you know it. SkyPrincess: I'm glad you take comfort in reading the previous posts--it is nice. That's one thing I love about the forum, without even knowing someone, strangers reach out to help (pay it forward, if you will) and that is invaluable. 6 pounds in two weeks post-op is great! 3 pounds a week is more than the average and you're right where you need to be. :wink2: Don't be discouraged, we're all told what to expect from the band and the pace at which we'll lose weight; remeber, we didn't choose a surgery where weight loss is all that rapid--so try not to look at it as one that should. If we could, I think we'd all choose to loose the weight over night, but in doing that, we wouldn't be forced to change our habits and adopt a new lifestyle--and in the end, we'd probably end up right back where we started. So, just take things one day at a time and know you're right where you need to be. I'm sure it was really nice starting soft foods--I remember how great it was! Who knew cottage cheese and baked fish could be so exciting? haha Hopefully adding some variety will boost your moral. Keep up the good work!

You won't believe how great mushy/soft food tastes! I was so happy to move forward and add some variety to my diet. Just remember, 1-2lbs per week is normal. So, when you start losing weight again, remember that you won't be loosing that quickly (especially if your BMI was lower to begin with). However, that's how the band works and I think it's easy to want to loose weight quickly (I'm guilty of it too!), but as many have said, we didn't gain the weight over night and we won't loose it that way either. Besides walking, I'm not really exercising yet--but ask me on Monday, and I will say yes. I was waiting for my incisions to fully close so I could start Water aerobics. Then, once I move back to my university, I'll get a membership at a gym (it's just not economical to get a membership for a month while I'm living with my parents). If you do start to exercise, just remember to take it easy and not to do any heavy lifting (usually the recommendation is to wait 4-6 weeks). However, jogging or using an elliptical would be fine, I suppose. You're probably right that contributing to a slower weight loss because our bodies learn to run more efficiently on lower calories, thus, we stop losing weight. It looks like you're beginning to feel a little better, keep the moral up! All of this is normal, just give it time.

Don't mention it! Seriously, what is this forum for? We all have those times where we're down, or doubt ourselves, or have questions, but usually there's someone out there that can offer some words of wisdom.

No, don't be discouraged! We were banded the same day and I've lost 10 since surgery--plus a 17 before surgery. You're doing fine--breathe. The first month is about healing, letting your body adjust, learning to eat with the band, etc--not about loosing weight. That time comes once you start getting fills. I've even heard of surgeons that don't care if their patients don't lose after surgery (and before the first fill) just as long as they don't gain. C'mon now, hold your head up! You deserve to feel good about yourself and the progress you've made thus far. We're all here for you and the most important thing right now is healing.

Congratulations! I know how exciting that moment it is--relief, excitement, hope, they're all great. In just a few weeks, you'll be in banderland with the rest of us!