lacasst

While I'm a huge proponent of exercise, I had foot surgery about 4 weeks ago and haven't been able to workout for over a month. (I was working out at least 4 days a week for over an hour a day prior) Like you, I've had decent restriction, but would love to lose another 20-30 pounds. I've lost just over 115 now and am about 2 3/4 years post surgery. Believe it or not, I've lost more weight while not working out for the past month. My theory? I was dreadfully panicked by the prospect of not being able to workout and have finally gone back to journaling and watching my portion size far more carefully. I think that we tend to get a little lazy and expect the band to tell us when we're done. Aside from that, I keep reminding myself to eat until I'm no longer hungry, not until I'm full. I think it's important at this point to remind yourself of the basics:

1) Portion size

2) Protein first, followed by veggies/fruit, then starches.

3) Drink enough water!

4) Eat only when you're hungry.

5) MOVE. Make time to keep your body moving.

I'm an eternal optimist but I'd like to think I CAN drop at least another 15 by Christmas. I've definitely exceeded the 40-60% of excess body weight my surgeon claimed I could lose, but I've always believed I'm better than average. My thoughts are....if you want it badly enough, you can do it. Consider a slight unfill if you aren't able to eat well balanced meals. I realize none of what I've said is new to you, but sometimes it just helps to be reminded...and to know you're not alone. Good luck!! :scared2:

Thanks for the reminder...soo true I was just thinking the other day I need to get back to the basics and I scheduled myself an appt for a slight unfill!!:mad:

Carrie..our stories are very similar but you actually lost more than I did...and I feel the same way haven't had a fill either because sometimes when my band is tight I cant really get much down either and I tend to eat sliders too...but like you was afraid to get loosened because I dont want to gain any weight!! I'm not much of an exerciser either!!

I drink coffee every morning too & have had no problems...Just drink lots of Water too so you dont get dyhydrated.

Rock that weight loss girl!!!!!! That's awesome!! Sometimes success when all we've done is fail is unfamiliar territory...but enjoy!

I'n not going thru the same thing but I just wanted to say I was sorry that you are.I can hear the sadness & frustration in your post.Hang in there you've done great with your weightloss and you have to listen to your body and your Doctor and do what you have to do.Take care!!:biggrin:

They told me at my doc's office that my port is positioned in a different place now based on the way I've lost weight in my stomach??

I waited a little over a year to get my wedding ring sized.It;s actually at the jewelers right now!lol! After 60 lbs lost i went down only 1 1/2 ring sizes..I was surprised...But you all are right sizing dose weakin the setting because when I first got the ring and they had to size it to a sz 9 after wearing it for awhile the diamond became loose in the setting,so be careful.I too am working on my hubby for a new ring as our 15th anniversary is coming up this summer!!:thumbup:

thanks for the advice everyone!! I think I'm going to get a tiny fill and see how I do with that.....I just wasnt sure if pbing/getting stuck was always a sign of being too tight or if it is just something that happens with the band and you just have to be careful??

I'm just wondering is frequent pbing & getting food stuck a sign of being too tight?? Or can you be at your "sweet-spot" and still pb or get food stuck if you eat too fast or dont chew well enough?? My concern is I was way too tight and constantly pbing & getting everything stuck.Now I've been loosened and that rarely happen's but now I feel as though I can eat too much plus my weight loss has stalled....Do I need a slight fill?? Any advice?? I just want to get to losing again but w/o being miserable.....

I decided to post a before & after pic just to cheer myself up & motivate myself.My starting weight was 260 and current weight is hovering around 199-201.I lost 60 lbs in the first 6-8 months and have been kinda stuck ever since.I'm not a big exerciser and I know that needs to improve.But I just wanted to show myself that I have made progress not as impressive as some but still good.I've heard over & over again how this is an individual journey but sometimes its hard to remember!! Thanks for all the motivation this site gives me!!Wish me luck to finish this journey!!

I too have been going thru the fill/unfill process and it is very frustrating.After hitting a plateau for awhile I thought I needed to be tighter but then ended up way too miserably tight so they unfilled a little and even though my restriction isn't as good as I like I've decided it's better than pbing everything for now!! So I dont know if that helps at all but at least your not alone!!:thumbup:

Hey Fly, I wish you the best of luck with everything!! Sometimes i think in the process of weightloss we really start to recognize and get to know the "real" us....And sometimes that changes things.Trust yourself and put your happiness first,dont settle!! Take care!!

Hey everyone!! I was banded 11/10/08.I've lost 60 lbs to date and am feeling sooo much better.My sleep apnea is gone and I'm off my high blood pressure medicene and my depression is finally under control!! I've kinda been at a stand-still for awhile(weight-loss wise) but am getting motivated again to buckle down & exercise more!! Restriction- wise has been an up & down battle for me either way to tight or not tight enough sooo were still trying to get that right!! But overall very happy with my decision!!:biggrin:

Thanks for sharing your story!!

Thanks for the heads up guys!!

Has anyone read or heard about this stuff?? There advertising it to help with weightloss and general overall wellness & energy.I've seen it in capsule's & as a juice? I was just wondering if anyone had heard of it or possibly used it?? What's the deal with pills in capsule's too? I dont think were suppose to do capsule's?? Any info appreciated....

Indigo Girl,

Thanks for your advice. I guess there's two reasons I didn't think I reached my "sweet spot".....one because in the past I didn't know what restriction was of course that was BEFORE the band, and I hear about how most need MANY fills before they've reached their "sweet spot", and two, my doctor didn't think I would be alright with just one fill, although after reading your post, who know's as you said everyone is different. I go back in a month I guess we'll see. To be completely honest though, I really wasn't too disappointed. Not getting a fill meant I didn't have to go back on liquids for two days. I know I just need to keep track of what I eat, and make smart food choices to succeed.

Thanks again, and good luck with your journey.

"If it aint broke dont fix it!!" Trust me you"ll know when you need a fill!!

I feel ya!! I'm so totally in the same boat!! I lost 60 lbs in 6 months and now the last 3 months this scale will NOT budge!! I too am stuck between 197-199.....it is SOOOO frustrating!!:w00t:Just so you know your not alone!!!! Any advice welcomed.............

Just weighing in here...

Here are my statistics:

The band got me skinny.

I didn't know about the sleeve.

I have a sleeve-fund set up for **when** my band goes south.

I will ride my band till the wheels fall off.

I never know if/when I will be able to eat on a day to day basis. IF I can eat. I CAN EAT, if I can't, I can't. It is a PITA.

My band is my best friend and my worst enemy.

I encourage everyone do to the research into a sleeve.

I concur!! I had a co-worker's husband that did the sleeve and he tried to talk me out of the band but I did not listen.He is doing very well and now I wish I would have listened!!

not really true.

many have found a place here outside the post op / pre op threads and post daily & have made IRL friendships.

it gets tiresome seeing the same thread over/over - you answer some days ... some days you know someone else will do it.....as sadie puts it.

to the OP - there are many successful people w/the band & complications are reality. i've had a few hiccups - but nothing that has damaged the band/port, all the while maintaining for over a yr.

i would look into ALL WLS - i think the band is very hard to work, if you ask my husband he would only suggest the band because he has had a cake walk. barely needed a fill - got to goal w/in 6 months....ZERO complications. me i wish i looked into my options a bit more - i wouldn't pick the band now knowing what i do.

Hey Luluc,

I kinda feel the same way as you.I'm 9 months out so maybe I'm jumping the gun but a good friend of mine did gastric bypass the same time as me.And when I compare our experiences & weightloss results she has had it so much easier than me.I too feel like I am working so hard to get half the result that she isn't even having to work for!! I really wish I would have looked into the sleeve more because it was an option for me I just got a little scared of them removing a good part of your stomach.But this back & forth fill game can be a nightmare!! Oh well I guess you just make the best of it!!

Yep spaghettti is a slider for me,as well as any kind of candy like jelly Beans, chocolate bars & ice cream!!

Restless Monkey,Thanks for the info!! I know this time she was like I have no problem filling you over 6 cc's if necessary!! I think she thought I was'nt really trying to lose and after 2 months of almost no weightloss she was more willing to work with me!!

I hope it's not stretched I would hate to have a complete unfill and I could only imagine how much weight I would gain with that!!:scared2:

I just wanted to give you all an update.After 2 months of extremely slow weight(2 lbs one month,1 lb the next) loss my surgeon has agreed to give me another fill under flouroscopy!!She said she would feel comfortable giving me a larger fill with more accuracy under xray.Plus she wants to check to make sure I haven't streched my pouch.What happens if you've streched your pouch??:scared2:

Thanks everybody for all the advice!! Soo good to not be at this alone!! I think I need a little fill and to ramp up the exercise and get all my Water in(which has been a struggle for me!)and I think I'll be on my weigh again!!:frown:

I have been plateaued for 4 months now:cursing:, rocking between 170 & 172. Had to have a partial unfill about a month ago and gained several pounds. I had 1cc put in last Tuesday which has promptly brought me back to 172 and holding. I'm not sure what to do about it. I tracked my food on the Daily Plate for several weeks (doing well) and changed out & increased my exercise and nothing helped. I've finally come to the conclusion that my body wants me to let it rest before starting down again. The hard part is continuing to eat the way I should with no loss to show for it. I go back for another partial fill in about 3 weeks and hope that will help. Be patient and keep up the good work. :confused: