2muchfun

1 month for me.

This topic always amazes me on how many different strategies patients and doctors use? I believe what Dr. O'Brien has chronicled with his research. In a properly adjusted band, food remains in your pouch about 1 minute before it passes through the band to the lower stomach. Waiting one minute after you've swallowed and sipping Water or wine is perfectly acceptable to Dr. O'Brien, and other doctors are jumping on this bandwagon. Most do not and still adhere to the protocols that have been in place for a decade. I learned to eat with my band the old way so I seldom sip/drink while eating. And I also believe that many docs want to cling to the old ways for a good reason. Obese people have a very difficult time following the rules and having a glass of liquids nearby is too tempting to bite, chew, drink and swallow. This would wash the food through the band and would minimize peristalsis which is the muscular contractions that stimulate the vagus nerve which in turn gives us the feeling of satiety. Using less Fluid for newly banded patients seems like a reasonable request so that we can be more successful early on. jmo

I weigh myself every day, twice. That way, I know if what I'm eating is working for or against me. I can't imagine waiting a month or even a week just to find out I didn't lose any fat? If you know and understand how your body operates, there should be no reason to feel discouraged over a short plateau or a few lbs here or there. If I see the scale moving in the wrong direction, it's time to hit the gym or cut out something in my diet. tmf

So, I went back to about a year ago when I was about 3 months into this lapband thing and here's one of my posts: "I have to post this and sorry if I sound like I'm whining but this process sucks. I've had 3 fills and still no weight loss. Just tried to set up a fill appointment and Chae(my doc) wants me to wait another 3 to 5 weeks before he gives me another. Bulllshit. It doesn't take 4-6 weeks for me to see and know that the fills I've received aren't working. I did feel a little more restriction with my last fill on Feb 24th. In fact, I've even had a blockage on a couple of occasions. Big bites and not chewing enough did it. If I chew well then I can still eat till my hearts content. I know that another fill will get me close to where I want to be and find it hard to just sit and bide my time. I'm tired of biding time and want to get this rocket off the pad." Yes, patience, patience, patience. There are some other whiney posts of mine I won't bore anyone with but I've/we've been there. tmf

glad you posted, I forgot about this.

I edited it to the correct video. You're not drunk or anything

It's there, you didn't see it? jk-edited

When the weight loss slows you might want to ramp up the calories for a few days to trick your bodies metabolism into a higher gear. Sometimes our bodies will slow metabolism down if we're in or near a starvation mode. Terry Poperszky is one of the forum members and posted a great article on this very subject. Click on this link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/166381-interesting-article-on-the-3500-calories-burned-equals-a-pound-of-fat-discussion/#entry1955439

You won't lose weight every day, every week or even every month. You can lose fat every day, week or month however if you keep your caloric intake lower than your burn rate and exercise. But daily or weekly struggles with stress, sodium, exercise, simple carbs, medications and TOM can make our bodies retain fluids that show up on the scale. There might be someone on this forum who will tell you that the journey to their goal never hit a bump in the road? I doubt it? Is there anyone here(banded one year or more) who has not hit a plateau for a week or more, please show us your hand? Hmmm? Looks like you're in good company! tmf

Here's another take on drinking:

Well, kudos for having the balls to come on a forum and confess your indiscretion. And you know you did wrong, just don't do it again. Otherwise we're all gonna have to really kick your butt BTW-You're going to have to grow a thicker skin if you want truthful responses here on this forum. We all want you to thrive and be successful and each of us will do it in a different way. Don't expect a Polyanna answer to every comment. tmf

Just an FYI. You should start a new topic instead of posting here. Otherwise you won't see a lot of responses. Pick any forum? Like introductions or lap band story? 6 months out I had lost about 30 lbs so not much different from you. You might want to talk to a nutritionist to see if there are things you're doing wrong. If you start a new topic, include how many calories you eat? Exercise? Kind of foods you eat? Are you steadily losing or in a plateau? Just give us more information so we can help? I didn't look at your profile but if it's not filled out you might want to do that so we know you better?

Amazing what photoshop can do jk

I believe you posted something like this just yesterday and the replies were good. You cannot expect to lose weight every day or every week no matter what you do. It's just a fact we all have to deal with. Having the band does not mean a steady reliable decline every week in weight loss. Our bodies are unique and can retain Water for many reasons. TOM, sodium intake, stress, medications, weather and so on. Just because you don't lose on the scale does not mean you did not lose fat and losing fat is the goal. It won't always jump up and say it out loud. tmf

Well, I drink right before and right after. Sometimes I'll have a glass of wine with my meal. Your doctor will tell you what his protocol is with drinking. Most docs won't allow 30 minutes before and after and none while eating. Some docs are fine with eating and sipping and drinking before and after. Follow your doctors orders.

You've lost 23 lbs? What are you expecting? I know it's been said before but the band is not a magic wand. There's no genie here? Maybe you should attempt to lower your expectations? tmf

Eat protein Eat cold food so your body has to warm it up. Eat spicey foods. Drink green tea. Walk, take the stairs. Exercise like Kime-lou said. Eat low glycemic foods(high fiber)

Aint it though! I remember many Sunday afternoon football games sitting down with a bag of chips, salsa or queso and eating the enire sack. Then I ate dinner

Portion is fine but did you want more food? Did you feel satisfied? Immediate satiety is important with being able to stop eating for many of us? Oh, some people can eat their 1/2 - 1 cup of food and stop and the satiety lasts and this is how you should try to eat in the beginning. But, as time goes along, you will develop your own satiety signals so just stop and listen to what your stomach is telling you? When you hear us all say the journey is different for each of us, believe it. Remember, "when a craving doesn't come from hunger, eating will never satisfy it". Dr. Michele May

What are the fill protocols? In other words, how often can you get a fill, does it cost or is it insurance paid? Does the doc do the fills or a nurse? How many lapband cases has the doctor performed? What are the pre op dietary restrictions? Post op dietary restrictions? Is there a nutritionist on staff? Is there access to the nut? Have fun!

I never went through that emotion. I went through the "Do I really want to do this" syndrome for about 2 years before I realized I have to do this or die young. After I mentally pulled the trigger I was all in. You're experiencing what I and many others experience. You love food and the fear of not being able to sit down and eat a 24 oz chicken fried steak smothered in gravy with a side of mashed potatoes is overwhelming. Well, I can still sit down and have that meal occasionally but I could never eat more than 8-10 ozs without feeling over full. It's an emotion that was just unnecessary. Don't fear, you can still eat what you ate before but you won't want to since you'll be on a health food kick with the euphoria over losing so much weight. Good luck. tmf

You'll be in "bandster hell" until you get the fill that gives you enough restriction for the band to work it's magic. That may be 1 fill or 6. No one knows. Till then, like our esteemed forum member B-52 says, "Until there's restriction...It's just another diet" tmf

You've lost 34 lbs so you must be doing something right? That's huge for just 2 months. And, it also sounds like your trading fat loss with muscle gain? It's nice to lose weight but even nicer to lose fat.

Your post is very common mainly because almost every one of us has had the same experience 6 weeks or more into this journey. Seems like most all had selective hearing when we went through the seminars, research and nutrition meetings? I know I did. I really thought I'd immediatly start losing weight and feel satisfied with a small meal. HA! Not a chance. Some are lucky and it does work that way but for most, not! You'll be in "bandster hell" until you get the fill that gives you enough restriction for the band to work it's magic. That may be 1 fill or 6. No one knows. Till then, like our esteemed forum member B-52 says, "Until there's restriction...It's just another diet" tmf

Good thing Bush isn't still president, the U.S. would have invaded your home by now searching for Mass Weapons of Destruction