penturn

I am interested in hearing what you eat if you try to eat six times a day. What, for example, made up the 700 c. you had today? I have not counted calories in several months. Maybe I should start again. 800 just seems to be so few. I love to count calories at LiveStrong.

To Mich: When I read your post, I felt like it was written by me. Your story sounds almost identical to mine. It took forever to even feel restriction, my band is practically full, and I have only lost 50 lbs. in the past year.(And that's on a good week!) I have 50-70 more to go. I don't eat much at all, but I must admit that I don't make healthy choices. It is just so easy to eat junk!!! I walk at least one mile every day--usually around three miles. I also must admit that I just started doing that this summer. The weight is just not coming off. What I have noticed lately is this: For a while, I really had saggy skin under my chin and on my neck. Now it is gone. I don't know if it has filled with fat again or if the slow weight loss has allowed my skin to adjust and tighten some. I am hoping it is the latter. So, I am trying to be optimistic. I am told by everyone everywhere that slow weight loss is best. It is just frustrating!!!! I have worked all summer to be back at the weight I was in May. Three pounds to go. Anyone who thinks banding is an easy fix is very mistaken. I work hard!

Boos02, I feel like you do. I had quit even coming to this site. I love being inspired by everyone, but I also get discouraged when I see how much weight others have lost. I never even felt one bit of restriction until I had 7cc's. 8 cc's worked well for a while. Now with 8, I can eat way too much. I need a fill, but I hate to fill the band up completely when I've only lost 42 lbs. I feel like once it is full then I have nothing left to work with. Does that make sense?

My six month anniversary was also this week. It's funny. . . Going into this thing, I had envisioned that by the six month mark I would have lost like 50 or 60 lbs. The fact that I have lost only 31 is a little depressing. It took me five fills, however, for the band to start working. I take a little pride in the fact that I basically did 27 lbs. with absolutely no restriction. I hope I lose more than 30 lbs. in the next 6 months, but the next 30 will probably actually be even slower. Oh, well, I'm trying to let this 6 month mark inspire me to do better and work harder and not to let it get me down. My main concern is that I have 7.5 cc's in a Realize Band. I am afraid that I am going to have the darn thing completely full before it really starts working for me. My good friend is only 2 months post surgery and she has lost the same amount as me---and she's confined to a wheelchair. Darn!

But I can't see how something like tomato Soup could be harmful. Amen.

I hate to disagree with the doctors and the others on here, but I think a protein shake would do you lots of good. When I had surgery in July, I was allowed to begin full liquids on day 4. That was the turning point for me. Once I had protein shakes and creamy soups and yogurt, I felt great, had plenty of energy, etc. I say go for it. I only had to do one day of clear liquids before surgery. I imagine you're starving.

My whole experience has been very slow. I lost about 15-17 pounds during the first two weeks post op. I am now almost 5 months out and have only lost a total of 27. It is very frustrating. I will just continue to press on. Hang in there.

I have had a Realize band since July. I have never had a problem eating anything--of course I haven't felt restriction yet either. I think I could eat this computer if I wanted to. . .

I have had two fills since being banded in July. I supposedly have 6ccs in a 9cc band. I have never felt one bit of restriction. I stay full for a long time, but I am able to eat basically like before surgery. I DO try to make healthier choices. I have lost only 24 lbs., and it is very frustrating. I get my third fill tomorrow. I am hoping it will be the "magic potion" I have needed.

think the process to get the surgery is slow? just wait until you see how slow the weight loss process is after the band! this whole process requires lots of patience. i have to remind myself that i didn't get this way overnight!

Their doctor probably just has a different theory. They are more aggressive. My doctor is not aggressive at all. I can only get a fill every four weeks, etc. I get so impatient. I waited almost a year to get to have this surgery, and now I feel like I've gotta' wait four or five months for it to start working. I haven't worked so hard at dieting in years. It will be worth it, though.

I'm slow too. My surgery was the day before yours, and I have only lost 23 lbs. I had my second fill last week, and can maybe feel a little restriction. (cautiously optimistic anyway.) Up until now, I haven't had any restriction at all. We'll get there. Slow and steady wins the race.

If your band is like mine, it isn't working yet. From what I understand, it could take months. At least you are allowed to get another fill. I have to wait four weeks between each one. In the meantime, I lose nothing. Don't beat yourself up.