newdicarlo

I"m so frustrated, I've been on a plateau and have only lost one pound in the last three weeks. I"m eating between 1100-1500 cals a day and exercise for 40 minutes 5-6 times a week...

I was banded on 3/2 and have lost about 55 pounds. I exercise 4-6 times a week for about 40-45 minutes at a time. I've been noticing in the last couple weeks that I am really tired in the late afternoon and evening. I'm getting 8-10 hours of sleep a night and work from home Monday-Friday. I eat 1100-1500 calories a day. I could lay my head down right now and take a nap! Has anyone else experienced this? What could it be? I should have more energy with the weight loss and did at first but not anymore...what's the deal? :smile2:

I lost 16 pounds in the week-long pre-op diet. I was banded on March 3 and have lost 54 pounds altogether (so 38 since banded). I seem to lose for a couple weeks and then plateau for a couple weeks. I'm just coming off a plateau now and hope to lose 5-7 pounds in the next couple weeks. I do have quite a bit of restriction though, with only 3.6 cc's in my band and hope to hit my sweet spot with the next fill. I'm noticing those plateaus during my "monthly visitor" and notice that I eat more during that time too. I just keep exercising, really watch what I'm putting in my mouth and try to keep my mind off the scale. About the time I get really frustrated is when the plateau seems to end.

when doing laundry and cleaning your house can no longer be deemed "exercise"...

2 more gone forever! My dresser drawers are slowly getting emptier...anyone in need of size 24 and a few 22 shorts and crop pants (mostly jean material)? I've got a ton of stuff and would like to give it to someone who needs it...

5 pounds down for me! :thumbup:

The title says it all--how long does it take you to feel any restriction with a fill?

Water is really hard on a sensitive tummy. I'd suggest what I use for my kiddos who get the awful bug. Start off with one tablespoon of Gatorade or Pedialyte or Sprite with no carbonation (stir it until it's flat). Every 15 minutes take a tablespoon. If you can do this and keep it down for two hours, you can increase the amount a little bit. Once you feel like eating, start with the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast and yogurt). Only a couple spoonfuls of one of these at a time until you determine if you can handle it. Hopefully it will pass in a day or two, I'm sorry you are so sick, I hate hate hate the stomach flu! :bored:

within the last week or so my son found my shoulder bones! I was rocking him before bed (he's three) and he actually moved off my shoulder to my chest because it hurt his head where he was laying on my shoulder. the next night he did it again and said it was "too bony" (quoting me from the night before)...who'da thunk it?

Something in another post sparked my curiosity about protein shakes having an ingredient that did not help you to lose weight but rather to plateau or even gain. In checking out my GNC protein (Wheybolic Extreme 60, three scoops for 60 grams, 280 cals, I use one scoop) which I was informed was closest in makeup to Isopure but less expensive, the bag states clearly "not for weight reduction"--ACK! My Dr has never recommended protein, but I was using it in a shake in the morning because of being more restricted at that time and just for that protein boost when I'm not eating my protein. So what now? Is this not true for bandsters? I'm wondering if this is why I plateau every month before a fill. Or that could just be my paranoia...help!

Chantal03--that doesn't sound stupid--my Father-in-law was just told he need to have all his bottom teeth pulled because they are rotting. Guess what he drinks every day? you got it, 3-5 cans of Mt Dew. he already has dentures on his top teeth...GROSS. I think you have a good point--there is more to giving up Mt Dew than just caffeine and sugar, it is an addiction, just like some people with Diet Coke. The point is, lapbandtalker, you are trying. You already are doing something by cutting it 1/2 with Diet, slowly add more diet until you are there all the way. you are getting the caffeine, but not the sugar. Then when you can start replacing drinks one at a time--just like you'd do with a baby going from formula to whole milk. maybe you still have 5 drinks a day, but make one of them Crystal light or water. Then a few days later, go to two, etc.

Me too please! I tried the Google spreadsheet, but had to sign in, so I'm copying and pasting here.... Name................Start........Current........Goal....To Go Capitolchick.........215.............215..............200.. ..15 Chocolate_Snaps..219.............219..............199......20 JasonR................314.............289..............289.....25 Kaninag..............210..............210..............190.....20 Aluv82...............281..............281..............235.....45 LibbyJane...........264..............264..............240....24 newdicarlo..........236..............236..............208....28

I was banded on March 2, 2009 and have lost about 45 pounds. I'm still around 235-240. I've been walking about 5 times a week for the last 8 weeks or so, and have increased from 20 minutes to about 35-45 per session (mostly flat areas with some hills) . I am losing weight and feeling good, my legs and tush are definitely more muscular and I'm also working my arms with freeweights 3-4 times a week. My question is--everyone says cardio, cardio, cardio to get rid of belly fat--am I doing the right thing? Should I be doing something different? I want this spare tire to shrink!

My Dr. starts with 4 cc in a 10 cc band for the first fill--and boy I wanted it, I was eating everything in sight and wanted good restriction to get this thing going! And guess what? it was too tight. I had to get an unfill an hour later because I was sliming and had immediate heartburn. I was so destroyed when the doc took out half--so now I only had 2 cc's of restriction. But that was April 15, and I've lost 10 pounds since then! So when everyone says "it's different for everyone", they are not kidding, it really is different for everyone as to when and how much it will take for you to get good restriction.

Oh no Rachaele1! Please don't feel that way! I think most of us truly understand how you feel--that's why this time is called Bandster Hell--they really aren't kidding! it is a hellish time. I only lost a couple pounds from the day of my surgery to the day of my first fill--6 weeks later. I was banded on March 2 and weighed in at 261 and went to my Dr on March 10 for a checkup and weighed 257. My first fill on April 15? Still at 257! I also expected to feel immediate results--and was so convinced I was doing something wrong. The day before my fill ate an entire sub from Jimmy John's, the whole thing! My Dr's nurse said to "eat until you are full, you may gain, but that's OK, this time is for healing and you shouldn't expect to lose--if you do, it's a bonus!" She was telling me that if you can eat a chicken breast, great, if you can eat the whole chicken, it's OK, just to tell them so that when you do get restriction, they can fill your band appropriately. I also wanted a "big fill" and guess what--my Dr. filled me to 4 cc in a 10 cc band and it was too tight! He took out half leaving me with only 2 cc--I was so disappointed--but, I do have restriction. I've lost 5-6 pounds since then and I'm doing what you are doing--lots of protein, watching what I'm eating, and I'm also walking for 30 minutes 4-5 days a week. I promise, it WILL happen, just give it some time, take a step back, re-evaluate and convince yourself--you have the drive, you just need the band to function properly and until you start getting fills, there is no restriction at all. Hang in there! You are doing all the right things! :rolleyes2:

Thanks for the replies. Maybe I didn't state my question clear enough. I understand the band is a tool, I need to work at it, etc., I guess my question is probably better phrased: Do you find that you lose weight faster right after getting a fill and then it evens out until the next fill?

I just had my first fill last Wednesday, 2 cc's in a 10 cc Lapband. The Dr put in 4 cc's and I was too tight so he took out half, much to my dismay, because I wanted good restriction. Since weighing myself last Wednesday and weighing again this morning, I'm down 5 pounds! Pretty good, but I'm really watching what I'm eating, walking 4-5 times a week and holding back at meals. How much do you typically lose after a fill? is it continuous?

No, it is not normal. I just had my first fill Wed. April 15 and the Dr. put in 4 cc's and made me drink water immediately afterwards. I was sliming and felt like I had heartburn. I went back into his office and the MD took took out 2 cc's. I immediately felt better and was worried I would have no restriction. At first, I didn't, but after a day or two, I do have restriction. I had a few bites of cereal and couldn't finish a protein shake I had made for breakfast just this morning. If you can't get anything down and are feeling like you have something in your chest, that is not normal and you need an unfill.

Hi there--what exactly are you looking for? The best malls are West County and the Galleria for clothes and mall-type stores. The St. Louis Mills has some outlet stores with good baby clothes outlets. These are all in the "suburbs" of St. Louis and easily reached by highways. Good luck!

hi there, i was banded on Monday and everything went well. I'm on clear liquids and feel a tightening in my chest every so often thruout the day (right in between my boobs, probably where the band is). is this common? it seems if I stretch or breathe deeply it goes away, but it happens quite frequently. has anyone else had this? what is it?

I only know what my MD charges--which is about $7000 for the band, but then you have to take into account the surgery center. Mine is an overnight stay which is about $20,000 plus all the before and after care and costs. My insurance pays for 80%, but I will hit my max out of pocket at $3750. Hope this helps.

I was losing about 3 pounds a day for the first 4-5 days on the clear liquid diet and have hit a plateau! I've lost 15 pounds since the Dr. office a couple weeks ago--that's 15 pounds in 6 days. Even though I've stuck to the diet I don't seem to be dropping any more weight. Is this OK? Has anyone else experienced this?

I'm on day 2 of the clear liquid diet--surgery is March 2. I found that Special K protein water really helps, as does drinking as much as I can tolerate of different options--chicken broth, diluted juice, water, coffee, protein water, diluted Gatorade, etc. if I can keep full on these, it doesn't make me so loopy. I still have to work and peeing every 30 minutes isn't fun, but at least I'm feeling OK. I'd highly recommend the Protein water--they have packets you can add to water and bottles already made. I found them in the nutrition section at KMart...

hi there, I'm starting my clear liquids today and am having surgery next Monday--i'm amazed that so many are on liquids for so short a time. Maybe it depends on your pre-op weight? Good luck with your procedures tomorrow, may we all get through the next few weeks with flying colors!

I"m glad to see people who have had good experiences with Dr. Wagner and his staff--I'm having the band put in on March 2 and am getting excited and nervous. there seems to be a lot of variances from MD to MD on the types of pre and post-op diets...Wagner states clear liquids for 7 days pre-op and at least 7 days post-op...has this been everyone's experience? i see lots of other people with protein drinks and other forms of actual filling products or nutrition--I have to chase down 2 little kids every day, I won't have any energy on clear liquids!