rachieboom

Well first of all, you should think about your food choices. You likely aren't 'starving'. It is typically in your head. Eat foods that fill you up, not carbs that turn into sugar. You need good, healthy Protein. You don't have many cc's in your band and therefore you definitely are not at your sweet spot, which is why you are able to eat what you ate, but try during this time to take care of yourself and focus on good eating. You need to do the work for you. The band will work with you. I am sure you haven't stretched your pouch, you would fill pain if it slipped or stretched and to answer your question, yes, you are hurting yourself. You are hurting yourself by going back to old habits. You came this far and got the band, so why not work with it? Not trying to be harsh at all, just sometimes people need a wake up call/reality check. Try not testing yourself by seeing what you can eat. Focus on good eating, good exercise and eventually this will all fall into place.

Agree with Jim and Jachut. I have lost 75 lbs in 6.5 months. I am 35, active and changed my life and now weigh 189. I exercise for 2-3 hours a day, eat 2 small meals a day and am very strict. It is impossible to lose that small amount of weight in 6 months. Even if someone weighed 125 and did what you say you are doing, they would lose weight. The band is a tool, not a magic solution. You need to do your part as well and if you say you eat well and exercise, you don't eat well enough nor exercise enough. If the people on the Biggest Loser show who weigh quite a bit and exercise that hard, so can anyone else. Get your mind in the game and be honest with yourself.

You seem to have head hunger. You most likely are not hungry a week after being banded. You may need to seek therapy for your head hunger as it sounds like you are having a hard time. If food was your 'best friend' she/he certainly is a bitch and came around and slapped you in the face to get you in the position you are in.

Try and be positive and realize and keep thinking it is only food. Nothing tastes as good as getting thinner feels and it is so true. You will get to the point where food doesn't really consume your days. You will be obsessed with exercise or something else. Once you start to see the pounds falling off. No one said it was easy, it is a long process. Good luck.

Why even bother? The point of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver. Not meaning this in a rude way at all, but if you can't stick to a strict pre-op diet, how do you expect to stick to living with the rules of the lap-band for the rest of your life? The band does not do the work for you, you need to have willpower and do the work, especially in the first 5-6 months. The pre-op is NOT about calories. It is strictly to shrink your liver. Alcohol usually isn't associated with being good for your liver. You are giving yourself a gift by being banded and finally making this decision, don't screw it up by having a few drinks at a get together.

Any weight loss is better than none at all or even gaining, so you should be happy and be patient. Are you exercising? You need to be exercising hardcore in order to see better results. At the same token, with exercise, your body will begin to change drastically. I got banded on May 11, started my pre-op on May 1 and to date have lost 60 lbs. It is not because I was extremely overweight, it is due to my change of lifestyle and my commitment to exercising everyday for 3 hours. I never had a stomach or hanging fat, so I am lucky, but my body is becoming tight and muscular. While I understand that I push it to the extreme, having some sort of strict regimen will automatically push you into a zone, a healthy one. You will feel better, see a change in your body, WANT to eat super healthy and begin to lose the weight. I never had any health issues and am 35, so I can do any form of exercise, but now am in love with it and can't go a day without it. Nice to be called a 'gym rat' or 'skinny bitch'. Good luck and let me know if anyone has any questions. -Rachel

Learn to be patient as the band does not work overnight. It is a learning process and patience is key during the first few months. It will happen soon enough! Good luck.

Give up on eating for the rest of your life? If you were able to give up on eating, then you likely wouldn't be here in the first place. No way in hell you would be able to live on Protein Shakes for the rest of your life, sorry, but true. I have never gotten sick, never slimed, never thrown up, never PB'ed or anything. Follow directions, stick to your plan and eat well and chew well and you should be fine.

That is great news, congrats to everyone that has had success or is moving forward. Perhaps you will be able to answer some questions...I have done all the steps that my surgeon requires thus far, but have received my blood tests back from my physical and my thyroid is inactive and my triglycerides are elevated and therefore she won't recommend me for surgery. Isn't this the reason I am entertaining getting banded? Has anyone else had this problem? I am now really confused as to what to do.

That is great news! I have done all the steps that my surgeon requires thus far, but have received my blood tests back from my physical and my thyroid is inactive and my triglycerides are elevated and therefore she won't recommend me for surgery. Isn't this the reason I am entertaining getting banded? Has anyone else had this problem? I am now really confused as to what to do.