stateofzen

Ladies, I just think some of it is out of our control. In fact, when I hear about how hard you all work with slow results, I know that it isn't a matter of what I did right that you're doing wrong-- no way! I lost 100 lbs and part of it was just plain old dumb luck. Many of you are way healthier in behavior than I am.
I hate to say this because I don't want to be the cause of anyone's pain and I truly believe that it isn't fair-- but I don't exercise and haven't really done much in the way of sustained physical activity this entire time. I ate low carb for the first 6 months and have been more relaxed since then, so it isn't even some magical calorie or specific food-type eating plan that got me 100 lbs down. Honestly, I think it's that I actually have a relatively small build underneath all of the fat, and that I hadn't dieted or messed with my metabolism at all in 10 years before getting surgery, so my body was willing to cooperate if I just ate less and ate healthy most of the time.
I only say all of this because I want you to know-- you are not a failure and most of you seem to be doing even more than I did but having slower results. It's frustrating and unfair, but as long as you stay honest with yourself and keep pushing, I have to believe that eventually you will see better results.

I was very seriously considering RNY until I could not come up with any good evidence of the positive effects 10-15-20 years out. I'm 39. I don't want osteoperosis or not be able to drive at night because my vision is so poor from lack of nutrients. The studies I've seen show that 95% of RNY patients after 5 years suffer severe malabsorption issues even while following the prescribed Vitamin protocol. I take Vitamins and minerals already. i believe in their importance to every function in our body. I cannot- will not- have such a drastic procedure (that cannot be undone) when I see those that kind of outcome. And I can't talk about it on most forums because most people have had RNY and I'm not looking for a battle nor do I want to freak them out, because they can't do anything about it having had the surgery anyway.
I want to go about losing weight as I have in the past- but without the hunger or the ability to eat more than I should in one sitting. I've been successful in the past with tracking my foods, eating yummy but very healthy meals, exercising at the gym, doing cardio in my target heart rate range, strength training to prevent muscle loss......I know how to do it the right way. I just find myself becoming exhausted of it after a period of time. And getting started when I feel so down on myself. My thinking was that I'd need to do all those things I mentioned including counting calories, Protein, carbs, fat and Fiber, but having the band would be my extra motivation, my extra kick in the ass to keep me going and help me in my problem areas- eating too quickly, too much and being hungry on 1200 calories.

Actually scientifically there is no relation to size and race although one study did find that white and black avg the same while it was the middle eastern man who took the lead in avg erect size. The vagina is actually able to contract and relax its muscles to accomidate the size of the male she is with at that time. But as far as race and size it is all myth. As a nurse with 15 yrs i have seen hundreds if not thousands and i can say on average there is no significant difference that i have seen. Human sexuality.... Funnest class from college!

The beauty of the band, ebeeze, is that it's endlessly adjustable-- not having success in the first year is very disappointing and frustrating, but you can absolutely start anew as you're planning and get it to the point where it is helping you.
To me, that's what makes the band amazing. If you had the bypass, if you didn't lose the first year you are definitely not going to all of a sudden lose in year two. But the band can absolutely still work for you. Just don't give up.

I am sorry, but this attitude is really concerning to me. I know a lot of people on this site look up to you because of your success and experience, as they should, but this is extreme.
Sure, people who don't eat a lot of food aren't fat. . . but they also aren't always healthy or even alive. You are right-- don't eat enough and you will in fact eventually starve to death.

The thing I always think, but rarely say when someone posts this - the help me, I've gone off track threads - is that the very act is indicating the fact that you're still not facing the responsibility and consequences of your choices. The very decision of how to frame it - not "what are some motivational tips" but "someone please help me" is telling - its more than just a coincidental choice of words, its pleading for someone to come and make it all right so that you dont have to do it yourself.
And that inability to accept responsibility is a prime trait in every single overweight person. The ones who succeed are the ones who suddenly understand that weight loss really IS simple, if you simply accept the fact that you make choices and you wear the consequence. But read through this board and you'll see its endemic - I'm fat for this reason, for that reason, I cant lose weight because I'm stressed, or I have a bad hip and cant exercise (so somehow that means I'm excused for my diet as well), yada yada yada. That victim mentality is alive and well, whether it causes obesity or is a result of obesity I cant figure out, but one thing is true - ditching it is the single most important step towards a thin life.
You do sound like a fill might be a good idea though - this tool doesnt work that well if you dont keep it tuned up.
Honestly, everyone here has sympathy for the situation you're in, everyone here has been there, and everyone here knows what its like. But only YOU can fix it.
Think about it, on a deep level. We can all give you support, which you deserve like everyone deserves. We can all tell you what works for us in this situation or that, which can sometimes give you food for thought or even lead to a lightbulb moment where you suddently get it. But we cant truly help you, you have to do that yourself.
What do you want more - ice cream or a healthy thin body? Its that simple. You just have to choose.

Good morning fellow bandsters!! I had surgery 12/9/10 and I'm doing well. As you can see from my ticker, I'm over halfway to my goal. It feels great! I'm registered to run a 5k next month. I would have never thought a year ago that I would be doing this. I have been training for it and I can easily run the entire thing nnow. Before, going to the mailbox was hard. I think alot of times we focus solely on the numbers on the scale instead of the other great things happening on this journey. Things like losing inches, eating less, getting more active, eating healthier and just having a different mindset about our health. And as some of know....it has to start in the mind before the body follows. For those just starting out or only a few months post op...hang in there. I was discouraged too. The scale wasn't moving fast enough, I thought that I would just start dropping weight after surgery and continue until I got to goal. That didn't happen. I thought that the band would just stop me from eating. That didn't happen. I was discouraged because I wanted bigger fills and my doc was only doing small amounts at a time. Now in hindsight, I'm glad that they were small amounts because it gave me time to wrap my head around the lifestyle changes I needed to make. For the new bandsters or the ones struggling, keep your appointments, schedule nutrition visits, join a support group. I truly believe that post op care is critical. Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to share this with everyone. Good luck!!

It sounds to me like you know the score and you're just venting. Vent away! It IS frustrating and counter-intuitive and we all want to be the exception to the "healing period" rule. I think no matter how educated we are pre-band, there is a still part of us that really thinks that we'll wake up two weeks after surgery and have lost 30 lbs overnight.
Don't go cray-cray on us (It's not the oatmeal)

Dolce, I would suggest that you get a therapist who specializes in eating disorders or check out FAA or OA. You may have a food addiction.

Yet another person that has decided to go against their Dr's instructions and then come here looking for approval/validation. What is there to say that hasn't been said before............................................
NOTHING

The first thing I did was let go of the thing that I could do nothing about: THE PAST!
You messed up, it's done. YOU WENT BACK TO THE GYM! AND YOU STILL LOST WEIGHT!!! YAY FEFE!!!!
Are you kidding??? The way you talked about all you had eaten I just KNEW you had GAINED weight -- but you didn't. Does it make you feel good to beat yourself up about something that you cannot change (i.e., past behavior)? I doubt it. There are enough people out there that LOVE to step on us overweight folks. Don't join them and do it to yourself ... plzzzzz.
The reality for me is that if I want to lose weight I have to do what it takes, WHATEVER that is -- it means getting up at 5 a.m. to go to the park and power walk 3 miles before going to work, it means cutting carbs, not eating a lot of sweets. I WANT to lose the weight so ... I do what it takes. For the past 3 weeks I have been going from specialist to specialst. One week I'm told I possibly have brain damage, the next week I'm told I have a mass on my thyroid, the next week I am told I have "many" masses on my thyroid and I have a biopsy done with NO anesthetic! Then I have to wait a week to find out if I have cancer. WTF???!!!!! Yes, I tried to eat over it cuz I'm an emotional eater, but, my band gets tighter when I am stressed so no binging for ME! Dang it!!! Yesterday the doc called me as I was driving home from work. The news was good, the mass(es) are benign! I didn't go home, I went to a walking path and power walked 3.6 miles!
Don't let life's stresses destroy you. "Doing what doesn't work --- doesn't work." We KNOW how to get fat(ter). With the band we can help ourselves stop the madness.
GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT for the GOOD you did for yourself: YOU WENT BACK TO THE GYM. Smile at yourself and pat yourself on the back because we both know that there was a time with neither of us would have consider doing something healthy instead of our usual "eating over ANYTHING" pattern. YOU CAN DO THIS. I am proud of you ... please be proud of yourself.
YAY FE FE!!!!
We are here to support you.
~Fran

Not only did I find the questions strange, the Dr. I saw was the dad of my daughters classmate. The thought of him reading my answers made me crazy for a minute. I didn't realize it was him when the appt. was made. Good thing I took the test before talking to him, I wouldn't have been able to do it.
I am over 2 years out and I can tell you that it is easier to understand the need for the eval. It is more than having an implant, it really is a part of you that you must work with daily. In the beginning it owns you, every thought you have everyday. You must learn how it works for you (sometimes against you), early stages it even controls where you go and who you see. At a point it becomes a part of you that is just there like your leg. As long as things are as they should be, you don't really think about it;; your life with it becomes natural. Then one day you are forgetful or bold and do something you shouldn't and it lets you know who rules.
The ups and downs with the band can work on your mind. Many loose easily in the beginning; slow down and become depressed. Some never get a fill and loose, some need many fills and never feel what they thinik "restriction" would be. I am at 5.5cc and really didn't feel it was any different than 2 cc. My last fill was 2 weeks ago, there is a big difference. Today a greek yogurt was dinner at 7 and I was full. lunch had been 4 shrimp, 1tbl. of fried rice and a slice of Tomato, slim fast to start my day. I have never had a problem with being hungry since the band. I usually don't eat enough now to loose .
Then there are the "bad" times. Adjustments can be to tight, stuck can scare you real bad. The eval helps them, along with your talks with the staff to know if you are ready for the journey. Good luck.

It's funny how even here its about the hurricane. Enough about the hurricane. Plus lets not make a big deal about food. So you don't eat for a few days. Maybe will loose some weight? Possibly? Why get a band if all you worry about is " ooh what am I gonna eat? " stop thinking about food all the time!

You know, I imagine what I say is not going to sound super sensitive and supportive, etc. However, after reading so many posts like yours, I have to get this off my chest. My husband, when I met him, couldnt be PAID to eat vegetables. Now he is on the Atkins diet and has lost a lot of weight, largely due to the fact that though he doesnt LIKE vegetables and he is PICKY, he sucked it up and ate them because it is and was more important to him to eat healthy (even if he didnt like the way it tasted at the beginning) than to be fat, unhealthy, not be able to enjoy our children and possibly die at a younger age from weight related medical issues. He is still experimenting to find ways to make them as tasty as possible for him and he SUCKS IT UP. Sure, we would all prefer that healthy foods taste like chocolate and Cookies, but the fact is, they don't. So if you went to the trouble to get banded, you must have realized that you were not having a magical weight loss machine put into you which would suddenly make the weight melt off you without any work. You don't mention at all about how you exercise at least 3 times a week and have limited your portions. All you say is that you are the same weight now as you were 3 years ago. That tells me that you think the band will do all the work for you. You need to go back to your doctor (I imagine you havent been to him/her in a long time) and work as a team to make the band work WITH you, not FOR you. You need to get in your kitchen with those foods that are good for you and a bunch of cookbooks and experiment until you find a way to eat those foods prepared in a healthy way that you can tolerate. You need to drop the self pity and realize that obesity is a disease and you carry inside yourself a GIFT. Don't squander it just because it hasn't lived up to your expectations. Make it work for you and your future.

Full liquids are still liquids-- the only difference is that you can't see through them. I ate Soup with no chunks-- Tomato Soup, butternut squash soup, broccoli cheese soup (where the broccoli was too small to chew). Yogurt and Protein shakes I think were considered Clear Liquids by my doctor. But that was it.
Mushies for me added in refried Beans, chili that was blended until it didn't require chewing, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese (I made a ricotta cheese/cottage cheese seasoned base with marinara on top, baked, that was good and suggested on this board). I think I also did a baked "quiche" at this stage-- beaten egg with cottage cheese, baked.
You need to check with your doctor's office. I can't believe there are still surgeons sending people home without detailed diet lists. If you haven't already, recheck any paperwork you got from your support staff to see if it contains directions on your diet.
As for the Cheetos Puffs-- well, I wouldn't add them back in for at least 6 months. Don't get me wrong-- I think people can have non-nutritious food on occasion and be fine. However, I worry that if you're really concerned about how soon you can eat something that has ZERO nutritional benefit after having weight loss surgery, that you are setting yourself up to struggle to lose. But if you want to kickstart your loss even before your band begins to help you, I'd commit to healthy eating. You can always add the treats back in later after you've developed some new habits.

This is something I recently posted to someone researching.
I would say that there are three regularly occurring post-op posts that you should be aware of as you prepare. Being aware will help you deal with the psychological aspect of the band in the weeks and months following surgery.
1. Be aware: You may experience a lot of discomfort after surgery that is pain related. People vary so much on this and of course everyone hopes to be one of the "bounce right back" folks, but be prepared to be in a lot of discomfort for up to a week or even more. It is NORMAL to be depressed and/or regret having the surgery immediately post-op.
2. Be aware: It is very likely that your weight loss will stall or even reverse (meaning actual gains) during the first weeks to month after surgery. This is counter-intuitive to people, because they just had weight loss surgery AND they are on a liquid diet and not eating. But it is NORMAL to plateau or even gain Water weight while your body is recovering from the stress of surgery. Try not to despair. If you keep at it, you will begin to lose weight soon enough.
3. Be aware: A lot of people feel very hungry and ready to eat eat eat almost immediately after surgery. For a lot of people, the band alone doesn't do anything for weeks to month until it is filled. This is what people refer to as Bandster Hell. A smaller subset of people do feel a reduction in hunger right away-- but if you don't go in automatically expecting you'll be a lucky one, then you won't be as baffled and disappointed if you aren't. It is NORMAL to feel hungry and frustrated until you reach the appropriate fill for your body, and that may take weeks to months.
Knowing these things and expecting them will help tremendously with your emotional reaction to the band. If any of these things happen to you, you are in good and prolific company. Don't despair! Figure out before your surgery how you might cope with them when they come up and odds are, they won't be a problem for you. Knowledge is the key.
I would add the following to that list:
1. The average loss at 2 years with the band is 60% of excess weight, according to band literature. So if you need to lose 100 lbs to be in a "healthy BMI", then the average person will have lost 60lbs by the end of year 2. This is the average, which means that there are going to be a few people who lose 0 lbs in 2 years and an equally few people who lose 100+ lbs in 2 years. Most people are going to be right around that 60% mark (I wish I knew what the standard deviation is, that would be even more helpful).
2. Weight loss is not constant and linear for most people, even if they are very very consistent with their eating behavior and activity level. It seems like it should be-- calories in/calories out-- but there are a lot of people that tend to lose in cycles and you may be one of them. For me, I lose weight in chunks, then I "plateau" for a few weeks, then I drop another bunch of pounds within three days, then "plateau" again. You may also be one of those people-- don't let it worry you.
3. Exercise may temporarily stall your weight loss or even make you gain, especially if you are starting or intensifying your program. I have been working out consistently for the past two weeks after about 10 years of nothing. I have GAINED weight even though my eating hasn't changed and I'm burning more calories. That's normal. I know if I keep at it, I will drop that plus some more and have a healthier heart and more stamina to boot.
4. This is hard work, even though the band DOES make it easier if you let it. I get full on small amounts of food-- not "stuffed" full like I was used to, but "ok, I've had enough and my body doesn't need more" full. This is REALLY hard to get used to. Full is never again going to feel like full has felt in the past. But, I can still eat past the point where my band says "eh, you've fed your body as much as it needs" and very very often my brain says "do it, you know you want to, mmmmm it tastes so good, just one more bite!". It is a real struggle sometimes to listen to my band and not my head hunger. I actually have a little mantra when I'm eating and being mindful. I say "if I'm not going to listen to the band when it says stop, then why did I bother with this surgery in the first place?" That tends to turn down the volume of the head hunger.
I think people naturally go into this surgery very optimistically. They go to the seminar and the surgeon and the carefully selected successful patients of that surgeon talk about how amazing it is. They come on this board and look at the success story forum, and the "I lost 100 lbs" forum, and the "before and after" picture gallery. They see people's tickers (like mine) who have lost huge amounts in months, not years and they expect only the best , most luckiest results, and ignore the fact that the average expected loss in 60% of excess weight at two years. I understand this because I did it too, and I fully believe that I have been incredibly LUCKY so far and that it's "easy" for me to say this but I do think that bandsters who are really in touch with reality and not overly optimistic are going to be able to emotionally adjust to banded life better.
Do not get the band if you expect it to work like bypass. If you want super fast results, and you want malabsorption, then get the bypass. With the "plusses" of the band, including its adjustability and its reversibility, come some costs and one cost is that it requires adjustment which is unpredictable in some ways, and it's associated with a slower rate of loss.

Okay, geez, Cindy, you don't have to jump up on a soap box! You can feel free to call the Baptist Metabolic Center in Nashville and voice your concerns over their lack of expertise if it bothers you so bad but keep the negativity off my posts. What do they know anyways, it's not like they had to be certified to administer these bands.... oh wait..... yes they do!! Besides, I was making light conversation referring to the minor annoyance of having to chew so much (27 times), not that I am savagely hungry and just can't get it in fast enough. If the only thing you have to offer me is your cynical elbow throwing (enjoy your pureed cheeseburger), don't waste your precious time posting on my things. I can find SUPPORT (the reason we are all here) from more caring people!!

seriously i think u guys( recently banded) need to stop worrying about restriction, u have not even healed yet and you are worried about restriction. I may sound rude, but really worrying about healing. the band isnt going anywhere, its a journey not a race.
im 4 months out and still learning my new body signals, i really do not know how at 23 days after you can even think about anything like restriction, i think u need to talk to ur Dr, im sure they would tell you the same thing

If you want instant and natural relief make a salt Water cleanser. 1 L of Water and 2 tsp of iodine free salt (like natural sea salt). Mix the salt with around 1 oz of super hot water to dissolve, then mix that with the rest of the 1 L of cold water, and chug it. It will taste like crap it will be horrible for the minute or two it takes you to drink it. But, it will clean you out - and fast. It causes a natural sodium imbalance in your intestines which causes your intestines to release Fluid, which gets your bowels moving - FAST.
Seriously - FAST. Be near a toilet and plan on being near one for 2-3 hours. You'll feel great when it's done but it can be a bit tedious. However, it is natural and it works.

I felt just like you did for up to 7 months after being banded because I was making myself "diet" in order just to lose a little weight. I didn't get a good fill until my 7 month of being banded that took away my hunger sensation for up to 4 hours after eating. It will happen sooner or later so just stick with it! Some people only need a few fills or none at all to get to that point. I am a turtle at losing weight compared to some people. I average 1 pound a week since being banded! I am just as proud as someone that averages 3 pounds a week! Good for them and good for me! Keep your head up!

It sounds like you HAVE to make finding a new doc a priority, even if it requires a lot of effort/travel/money out of your own pocket. This surgery just absolutely requires maintenance and tweaking to work and you can't do those things without a doc. I'm sorry you're experiencing this, but I have seen people around these boards who have a similar story who do get back on track and lose the gained weight + more once they start following through with the rules.
Good luck!

I'd tell him I would consider working with him only when he can show you he has researched WLS and EDUCATED himself on the pros and cons to each surgery...and the very important lifestyle changes that each surgery warrants. A personal trainer who would pass such judgement is not only way off base and ignorant....but is doing his clients a tremendous disservice by voicing his ridiculous and uneducated beliefs! He does not hold a medical degree and as such should never comment on such things in such an ill informed manner! He is perpetuating a negative and ignorant stereo type of WLS...which could ultimately be very detrimental to the very clients he is supposed to be helping. GAAAAA he really made me mad, when he said those things to you!

Hippa is Hippa and all the release forms in the world aren't going to change that. An employee cannot discuss a patients care with her mother or anyone else.

I hope you don't mind if a vent a little...so here it goes!
I am SO sick of stores putting their women's clothes right next to the friggen maternity clothes! I find it so insulting!
I went to Target and they are set up like this Juniors, Ladies, Maternity, Womans. WTH?! I found myself looking at clothes only to realize that I crossed over to maternity. Kmart is the same way. Why don't they just put maternity clothes near the baby clothes-seriously! I just get so mad! And the woman's sections at these stores just keeps getting smaller and smaller! I would love to know what thoughless A** decided that would be a lovely idea!

Amen! Low to moderate doses of caffeine do not create dehydration and do not act as a diuretic for the vast majority of people. The research on high doses of caffeine just gets overextended to non-clinically significant amounts.
I drink 2 cups of coffee with sugar free hazlenut Creamer every morning. If I am "head hungry" in the late afternoon, I drink an additional cup because it fills me up for very few calories and does suppress my appetite.
OP: here is a link to a "Starbuck's like drink"-- she actually has TONS of recipes that are WLS friendly--
http://theworldaccor...ingtoeggface%29