Meliwriter

I'm late, as always, but I totally want in. I'd gained a few lbs over the holiday and need to get back on track. I am at 292 as of Friday 1/8/09 and I would like to lose 13lbs to put me at 279. I'd better get on it. So far this weekend was good. But I have travels next week and that makes me nervous.

I woke up feeling depressed this morning. I realized I am nearing my one year anniversary and I feel like a complete failure. I am nowhere near where I thought I would be, where I should be if this stupid band was working right. I don't understand what is holding me back. I've been stuck at 285 for about four or five months now and just going back and forth within five or ten lbs. I can't get out of the 280s. I don't feel any restriction. When I go in for a fill I feel like it only lasts a few days and then the restriction is gone again. I got a bodybugg to track my calories eaten and burned. I go to the gym regularly. I was wondering if the Water I drink could have stretched my pouch? When I work out I drink a lot of water. That is the only thing I've ever done that I can think of that might impact my success. I try to eat smaller portions, and stop when I'm full. I follow all the little rules, but I am just not getting anywhere. I feel like such a failure and a disappointment. I can't figure out why it is so easy for some people and for me, like always it has to be so painfully difficult. How do other people stay motivated? How do you face your doctor knowing that you aren't where you should be? Could there be something else wrong that is keeping the weight on? Is there something wrong with my band? Meli

Thank you for reminding me that failing means not trying. I really have to come to terms with that and focus on the fact that I am still making an effort and I haven't given up even though the results aren't what I expected. I am so afraid of failure that it can paralyze my actions or cloud my judgment. But I made a commitment to changing my lifestyle and I have stuck to that. Trying is not failure. Failure is not trying. I'm going to remind myself of that until it sinks in.

Just finished the 5-day pouch test and it was super helpful for me. I did adjust it slightly given my schedule and my birthday, but that didn't seem to matter. I don't think I realized how many slider foods I had been sneaking in without noticing and going back to the liquid diet really did help my restriction. On day five I really felt restriction and I am down 3 lbs. A couple of things I did to help me get through it all. 1. I didn't rely only on Protein drinks for the liquid stage. I made two batches of homemade Soups at the start so that I could eat them throughout the week. I also incorporated Starbucks Chai Latte fat free milk because I can't drink coffee anymore. Between those two things and the Protein shakes it was pretty easy. 2. I found that a single glass of OJ was enough to give me a little sugar and cut the carb cravings during the first few days. 3. I prioritized my multi-Vitamin. I was taking a prescribed prenatal vitamin which I hated and made my stomach upset and my DR said that I could switch to one that I liked better and still be good so I went back to the viactive flavor glides which I love. I wasn't as strict about the soft meat stages either. Mainly because I was working with what was in my pantry and certain things were easier for me to manage during the week. But I was able to pay attention to my eating, the amount that was going in, and most importantly I began to put a stronger emphasis on my protein, bringing in 20 gms or more over what I was originally told. I did this because I am very active and it became apparent that maybe I wasn't getting enough for my body to be comfortable giving up the pounds. Hoping it will continue over the weekend and into next week I'll be traveling so there will be new temptations to overcome.

I just turned 29 this week so I guess I'm close to not being in this group anymore but I love reading everyone's posts because it seems like there is no one my age at my Dr's office. If they are, they are married and have children and since I'm not we don't have much in common. I had my surgery in January (when I was 28). I did not have a pre-op diet other than the day before. I thought it odd, and tried to limit myself because I knew other Drs required it. I had a perfect recovery. Was sore a little, needed lots of extra Fiber that first week, LOL, but it's been good. I'm only down 35lbs but I've had trouble getting to my sweet spot with my fills. I was told some people are just slower losers. I actually work out four times a week minimum. I do cardio (50 minutes of aerobics) twice a week and weights and the bike or eliptical the other days. i also walk every day, cause my doggie likes that. Good luck all you young folks! I know I am so happy to be taking control of this now while I still have so many years (God willing) to enjoy it.

How do you know if your band or port is leaking? I've seen a couple of folks reference this on the board and honestly I'm concerned that something might not be right with my band. I have had very large fills and not had good restriction. The weight-loss has been very slow as a result. In fact I've been stalled at the same point for about two months even with the fill. My Dr has never showed any concern but I'm curious if there are any other symptoms I should look out for? How can the DR test to make sure everything is as it should be? And the right amount is in the band? Melis

Congratulations!!! I had my surgery in January. Everything happened very fast once I got approval from my insurance company. I remember thinking how truly blessed I was that it was all happening, because even as I was doing the pre-op stuff and trying to get approval from my insurance I didn't believe it was going to happen. I am sure you are experiencing tons of different emotions, I know I was. Please feel free to PM me any questions. I would love to help you out in any way I can on your amazing journey. Good luck!

Congrats on your surgery! This is totally normal. I had my surgery in January and I quickly got used to eating very small portions and feeling full thinking it was because of the band when really it was because of the surgery! As your body starts to heal from the surgery your appetite will come back because you don't actually have a fill yet. Though I did find my appetite was never as large as it was pre-op, I did have to pay attention to portions and hunger cravings. I think the hardest thing for me to deal with is head hunger. I might not physically be hungry, but my mind says I should be, so I start to crave foods. Pay attention to other triggers that might make you want to eat so you can differentiate. Melis

I have had three fills since my surgery in January. I lost about 13lbs between surgery and the first fill. But my first fill didn't give me much restriction and I only lost about 5lbs and had to go back in for a second fill about 6 weeks later. Then I had some restriction and stayed their for a while. I've lost 35lbs to date but have been stuck here for two months. I had a fill in August and another scheduled for September, but long story short, it takes patience and faith. It definitely isn't a science like they would like us to believe. I do wonder if I have a leak because I have been getting pretty large fills too. Anyone know what the signs of a leak are or how they can check?

YAY!!! Congratulations. This is a very exciting time for you. Enjoy it. Don't let the nerves get you. You are ate the beginning of an amazing journey. Melis

Yep, and if you can't handle the full 30 minuites, that's okay. Everyone starts somewhere. Try to do three short ten minute walks throughout the day or two fifteen minute walks. I like to walk first thing in the morning because it gets the blood flowing and wakes me up. I no longer drink caffeine so this is a necessity. You could also squeeze a 10 minute walk in after lunch or dinner. The warm evenings of fall are great for quick strolls. Melis

I don't live in socal but I'm happy to share advice however and whenever I can. I had my surgery at the end of January 09 so I'm about 8 months out. I've had decent results, no major complications, (unless you count jumping over hurdles from the insurance company), and have lost 35lbs so far. I'm far from my goal and haven't experienced constant weightloss each week like some folks, but it's not uncommon. Anyway, I'm not an expert and I don't play one on tv, but I'm happy to share my experience and answer any questions. This is such a big deal. Congrats on even making the decision to go on this journey!

Hey there, I've been stuck in the same place for a while so I feel your pain. If you ever want to chat about it and share ideas send me a PM. I may not have the answers, but sometimes it is nice to know you're not in it alone! Good luck!

I hear boosting your Protein helps. Also make sure you are getting enough calories. Sometimes folks stall because they are getting too few calories and their metabolism gets out of wack. At least that is what I've been told. I am a slow looser. I was banded in the end of January. I've lost 35 lbs. most of that in the first four or five months. Since then I have stalled and was really starting to panic about it until I started talking to other folks on this board! It happens, even when we do everything right. You just have to be patient. Stick to it and believe in yourself. I got 5ccs on my first fill and my dr made me feel weird because I had so much and wasn't getting restriction. What can I say. My body apparently wants to do things the hard way. Melis

Thanks Marivan and Love2teech7! It's so helpful to know that I am not the first person to struggle with losing the pounds even with the surgery. I've always been active and made an effort to understand the types of food I was putting into my body and yet it's difficult for me to drop pounds. My father is the same way and he is a madman in the gym. I think I thought that given how much I work out, that the weight loss would happen quicker with the band, but as long as it comes off...I'm okay with that. The hardest thing at this point is dealing with other people's expectations. I didn't tell a ton of people about the surgery because I knew it would take a long time for me to get to goal, but it's difficult when family and friends question how much I've lost and make judgments about my progress. Since I've been stuck at 35lbs I feel like I'm still at that point where people are thinking, I told you this wouldn't work, or I knew you couldn't do this! I just can't wait to prove them wrong! On a side note, I have another appointment for a fill in September. So I'm just going to stick to my rules and watch my protein. I'm glad you all have found peace with where you are on your journey and wish you luck! Melis

Thank you for posting. I am seven months post op and have only lost 35 lbs. It has been a serious struggle to get to forty. I go back and forth every week and cannot figure out why my weight loss has stalled. I have had two fills and they were quite large but that hasn't helped me jump start my progress. Like you I have had success with WW in the past, so thus far, I have not lost more than I have with any other weight lose attempt. In fact the most I've ever been able to lose at once was about 35lbs so, breaking that 40lb mark is a big deal to me. I am glad that I found the forums because I was starting to blame myself, something I think is natural for folks with weight issues to do. I have failed so many other attempts that mentally my insecurities about my ability to be successful are starting to show. I read about other folks who have restriction, who have the weight come off quickly in the first year and I feel stupid for ever believing that that could be me. I feel like there must be something wrong with me, because I'm not seeing the same results. Its a very difficult thing to wrap my head around. Unfortunately I had my surgery done at a place that doesn't have good support for lapband patients, their focus is gastric bypass. So I never know if I'm getting advice that applies to me and the other post-op folks don't seem to face the same challenges that I do. That said, I will try to increase my protein intake. Right now I get 60-70 grams on a good day, but I also work out regularly at least 4 days a week for 50-60 minutes. I have been doing a combo of weights and cardio in an effort to speed up the weight loss but that hasn't helped either. I feel like my body is refusing to give up the goods! I wish I knew why it was so challenging for some folks. Is that just natural or should i be concerned that something else isn't right. I haven't experienced any of the symptoms my doctor mentioned, but my band is already half full and I don't have restriction. Is that odd? Melis

Hi Everyone, I'm new to the boards and in desperate need of a support group. I had my surgery done in January of 09 at OSU Medical Center. I'm glad I had it done, but I've been slow to loose and found it frustrating because the team at OSU focuses on gastric bypass and not lapband. I feel very alone because I can't talk to anyone about my specific concerns. Worse, I feel like I'm doing something wrong because I haven't been able to get good restriction. I'd love to be able to meet up with folks when they do a local support group/gathering. I am so excited to have found this forum, as I've been reading posts for the last two days during every bit of free-time I can find. It has been helpful. Melis