Meliwriter

One thing I realized and that I have seen echoed in so many posts from other slow losers is this feeling of guilt. We feel like with the surgery (whether we paid for it or insurance did) that we should be more successful. We constantly compare ourselves to other bandsters and get down on ourselves because we aren't moving as fast. We are afraid to check in with our doctor for fear of being reprimanded even though we feel like we are doing everything right. We are embarrassed to tell friends and family that we had the surgery because we don't look that different or haven't lost anymore than someone who didn't have the surgery. See the pattern? There is a ton of guilt, embarrassment, and even this feeling of being a failure that can prevent us from getting back on track. What I find helpful is being open about this fear and guilt: being able to identify it, verbalize it and then do something about it. My biggest fear: my doctor being disappointed with my progress thus far and not believing that I am working out as often as I am or eating to follow the rules. Worse I don't want his office to write me off as a lost cause, just another statistic that failed another weight loss attempt. Obviously I have to learn to stop worrying about what other people think about me! So for this week, my challenge is going to be to pick up the phone and schedule that DRs appointment for a fill. What are you struggling with? Post it here and share how you plan to face it this week. We can support each other in this new year and get back on track with our weight loss! Meli :smile2:

So I've been reading a lot of posts and many people mentioned how helpful it has been to have a therapist to help them with the mental and emotional part of this journey. Ive had two rough years with the band and even though I have not given up and am still losing weight I think taking this next step and talking with someone about the other issues both food related and non food related I will be better prepared for success. My problem is that I do not know where to start. I want someone who deals w wls patients or food related issues or addictions. How did folks find a therapist? Am I being too picky about this? I did not like the person my original surgeon recommended for pre surgery evaluation. I have no idea to start so I have been putting it off for a while.

Forgot to weigh in last week. I'm at 283 on the nose today. That is two lbs down but over two weeks so still a little slower than I would like! But a loss is a loss. I will take it.

Thank you so much for being brave enough to share your journey! I'm glad to see the surgery went well and you are on your way to recovery. Best of luck and please do continue to share your updates on the board. I've had a lot of trouble with my band and my original surgeon wanted me to convert to the bypass but my insurance wouldn't cover it and my new doctor believes I can be successful with the band and has made some adjustments. It is still a very slow, learning process but I'm trying to be patient. It makes me happy to hear you are having some success again!

I've been reading a lot of he posts on the boards and many folks have mentioned that they regularly see a therapist to help them with the mental challenges that come along with the surgery and weightloss. Anyone in the columbus area have recommendations? I was not comfy with the therapist my surgeon used for preop and really want someone who rgularly deals with wls patients or folks with food related issues. Thoughts? Am I being too picky?

I like them but I try to eat them in times of emergency and don't like to rely on them as part of my daily routine. Too many calories for my preference. If I can eat veggies and real protein I opt for that. Though I don't have issues hitting my protein goals.

I've been nervous about getting rid of clothes and because I'm a slow loser it has made me even more cautious. But I just went through some winter clothes this weekend and pulled out clothes that I was hanging on to. There is something mentally rewarding about letting go. It will reaffirm your commitment to this journey!

First I want to say thanks for sharing your stories!!! I know it can be hard to say, "Hey, I'm a slow loser!" when everyone else is saying "Look at me I lost 50lbs in my first two months!" It is so important for others to know that we are not alone in this journey, that for some of us it is a lot harder than others and it does not mean that you are a failure. The biggest lesson I have learned thus far is that no ones journey is exactly the same, and that is because our bodies are not the same. In life two people weighting the exact same amount, process food differently. So why is it that when we think about the Band, we compare ourselves to people who had surgery the same date or who had a starting weight the same as ours? I've been at this since Jan 2010. I switched doctors this year and was told my band was too tight. I was also given very different nutrition guidelines and general instructions on how to function with my band than I was with my first doctor. I too learned I was avoiding good foods because they got stuck and relying on bad ones to fill me up. Those foods are higher calorie and less filling than the Protein and veggies I was avoiding. I've learned a lot more about what hunger feels like, how to determine when I need a fill, etc. Ex. I time myself when I eat. If I eat in less than 20 minutes I ate too fast and there is a good chance I ate the wrong things! ex, I can't eat chicken that fast, it will get stuck! but I can eat yogurt, pudding or ice cream that fast. I love Cereal, I used to eat that, and not only can I eat a lot of it very quickly but it is one of those slider foods that go right through me and I'm hungry in an hour. I eat ever 3 hrs like clockwork. Some people say they aren't hungry for 4-5 hours and I am and I've learned for me that is normal. Its okay! If I am super busy (i.e. out of town for work or a conference or vacation) I may be able to go for longer amounts but what usually happens is that if I go for 4-5 hrs I am so hungry by the time that I realize I haven't ate that I make very bad decisions, my mind is telling me I want anything and i don't always have the willpower to say no. knowing this I don't put myself in that situation. Don't set yourself up for failure! I know this is a hard, long, journey and I know I sometimes question if it is really worth it. Should I keep going or just give up, but I know how important it is for me to be healthy. If this is the most important thing for me, how can I just give up on myself? I am worth being happy and healthy. The thing I hate more than anything is not having the freedom, the choice to do whatever I want with my body. I don't do things because I am over or close to being over the weight limit and I don't like the idea of my weight restricting my life. That will be my biggest victory in this journey and I don't need to be 130lbs to do that! Set your own goals for success, big and small and Celebrate everything! Celebrate eating a piece of chicken or steak and taking the small bites and not getting stuck! Celebrate hitting your daily calorie or protein goal. Celebrate taking a walk, stepping inside the gym, parking at the back of the lot, walking the stairs, saying no to ice cream! Celebrate it all! I'll gladly celebrate with you. If either of you need some cheering I always read the posts for these boards and you can also friend me or send private messages! They call it a support group for a reason and not feeling so alone has helped me stay focused on the bigger picture.

My two cents....for what it is worth. Remember that you are worth this and you are not a failure because your weight loss journey is different from those around you. In my three years I have come to realize that everyone is different even with the band. For example, I have great restriction, but I can eat bread. I always have been able to and waiting around for bread to get stuck to let me know that I have restriction or can't eat anymore is not going to help me at all. I lost 10 -15 lbs in the first month and basically hit a plateau that lasted nearly a year. Then I gave up, was depressed avoided my doctor and gained a lot of that weight back. My doctor wanted me to have a gastric bypass, even encouraged me to run the new testing and thankfully my insurance company denied it. He basically wrote me off as a patient. New doctor gave me very different support and aftercare. Some things I have now learned: (1) I need a low-carb diet. I eat 45-55 gms of carbs a day. Thats it, and a lot of that comes from fruits and veggies. The funny thing is that with carbs, they are either slider foods (potatoes) foods that get stuck, (doughy foods, rice) or sweets/nuts (high calorie, high sugar, high fat) and they often trigger cravings for more carbs! (2) I eat at regular intervals, every 3 hrs. Some people say they don't get hungry for 4-5 hrs. Not me. I'm hungry. If I rely on just hunger, I eat too much, if I to wait for 4-5 hrs I am starving and again I eat too much, too fast or make bad choices. Seriously figure out how long it takes you to get hungry and set your meals around that. I had an alarm on my cell the first week to remind me to eat because I am not starving at that point and sometimes miss the hunger signals, but I know if I go past the 3 hrs pt bad things happen. I also know if I am hungry between then it is probably dehydration and I'm not getting my fluids in. 3. Eat slowly. If I eat my 3/4 cup to 1 cup of food in less than 15 or 20 minutes I am eating way too fast and likely to eat way too much. You'll find if you are only eating softer foods you eat them faster because they don't get stuck. I have to force myself to eat Proteins like chicken or steak and fresh veggies because I am afraid they will get stuck and they require me to be very careful with the chewing. The other day I ate carrots too fast and they were stuck! Ugh. The old me would have stopped eating raw carrots. The new me knows I ate them too fast, and didn't chew well enough. Also know that I will get full on a smaller amount of carrots than I will lunch meat, or yogurt. If I can eat it that fast it is probably not that good for me!! Time yourself. I've done it and having that external cue to keep you on pace helps. Note: If you follow this guideline with portion size, small chews and length it takes to finish a meal and are still getting food stuck you are too tight!!! I know it sounds counterproductive, but being too tight means your body thinks it is starving and you WILL NOT LOSE ANY WEIGHT!! Get the unfill, let your pouch heal and go back to the basics. My dr. does not like people relying solely upon Protein supplements for regular maintenance...so in his opinion you need to be able to eat lean meats without getting stuck.You can also be too tight and go over your calories because you tend to rely on soft mushy foods that are not going to keep you full and that are higher calorie for the volume. 4. Track your calories very very carefully. The've said it before and it is true. One of my biggest issues for me with this surgery was my slow metabolism. My body adjusts very quickly to a reduced caloric intake. You are not losing any weight because your body is adjusted to the amount of calories you are taking in. If i ate the amount of calories the calculators say I should to maintain weight (even without exercise I would be gaining 2-3 lbs a week! Trust me! I have tried.) I have to stay on a strict 1000-1200 calorie diet. If I am around 1400 or 1600 I gain. And when you break it down that is not a ton of calories and one pudding cup, cookie, or yogurt can quickly throw me over my daily goal. I may be eating what I would call a healthy diet but now post lap band for me healthy means getting lots of protein, paying strict attention to carbs, and focusing on non-starchy veggies. Very different from my BFF. If the scale is not moving I have to take a very serious look at what I am eating, own what I ate and make adjustments. My guess, if you haven't lost weight you are probably taking in the same amount of calories you were before the surgery just in a decreased volume. Again, doesn't mean you're eating ice cream all the time, but you would be amazed at how many calories you can take in even with the band. Someone said he does 3000 calories on a calorie cycling regimine for his high cal day. I know its hard and I know you may feel like people assume you aren't following the rules or are doing something to sabotage your success. Please don't give up!! I have run into plenty of guys and gals who struggle and this journey is a mental and physical one! Don't judge yourself or your success based on what others have done on the boards it will only make you feel more depressed. Set your own goals and Celebrate them, no matter how small. I celebrate tracking all my calories (especially if I have missed a day or two!) Adjusting behavior patterns and breaking internal cues and triggers can be hard. Your body does not want to lose weight, it thinks of that as starvation. You've got to outsmart your body and for some of us it takes more work than others! Good luck!

I switched doctors! For very different reasons, but it was the best thing I ever did! I originally had two doctors that I was debating between pre surgery and though I liked one better went with the other one out of convenience. It was closer, (by more than 2 hrs) and my cousin was a nurse in the surgical recovery there and had high praise for them. My mother and grandmother were also considering surgery at the same hospital so it seemed to make sense. I completely regret that decision. The surgeon was nice. He did a great job with the surgery as far as I can tell. It was the staff/facility that I had a problem with. The aftercare was horrendous. I had little support, it was a pain in the butt getting appointments and then when I would show up they would be significantly late. They would blow off any questions or concerns I had. I would request for a flouroscopy or to see the surgeon and then when I showed up they would not know anything about it and I would have made a wasted trip. I was a slow loser and quickly plateaud and they blamed me, saying I wasn't following rules and just kept giving me fills. Finally they told me the band wasn't for me and that I should get it removed and try gastric bypass. I woke up and realized the problem wasn't with me it was with them. I went back to my other choice who had since opened up a satellite office in my city (given so many patients were traveling the long distance to be treated by him) and have seen significant changes. He did not believe I was a failure or the band wouldn't work for me. He actually thought I might have an overfill and recommended removing some Fluid. He and his staff have had the surgery and been successful and the rules and guidance they provided has helped me be successful. I did have to pay about $600 for a consult, which the insurance did not cover but in my opinion it was well worth it! I wish I hadn't wasted my time ( more than 2 years!) fooling around with the other doctor and beating myself up for things that weren't in my control. I know your situation is different but I say trust your gut. You do not need to be chained down to a doctor, but good ones can be hard to find. Get recommendations, meet with the new doc and make sure you know what you're getting into. Sometimes even the good doctors run late! Probably because we all want to see them! Good luck!

I made it back to my favorite Zumba class for the first time since November when I injured my leg! I've been working up to this day for a while as my pt did not want me doing any high impact activities. I finally got the go ahead and told myself I would only do 30 min but once I got in there I was having so much fun I didn't want to stop! I am so excited I just had to share. It's perfect timing because I just changed up my diet and exercise routine this week and I'm already seeing the difference.

Thanks for the amazing post and congratulations on your success! I had my surgery in 2009 and have had a very long weight loss journey thus far. One of the most important things that I have learned is that this journey is different for everyone. I love your point about not comparing yourself to other bandsters! So much of this journey is a mental journey and I really struggled with that my first year and became a bit depressed about my lack of progress compared to other individuals who had surgery at the same time. For a while I stopped getting fills and just sort of gave up until I remembered why this surgery was so important to me. I came back at it with more passion and determination than ever. I changed doctors, (because that was also a big issue that was holding me back) and I've lost all of the weight I gained and another 8 lbs thus far since. I have a long way to go and know it is going to continue to be slow for me, but being a part of this online community and learning from and sharing with my fellow bandsters helps to keep me accountable and focused on what I have to do each and every day to keep moving forward. This is my new life and I have embraced it! Your post is great for newbies but also a nice reminder for those of us still pushing towards our goal. Your reflections are really spot on!

Name, real or screen~ Meliwriter Age~30 Weight on June1st~ 285 Goal Weight for June 29th~275 Exercise Goal for June~ Adding 3 days of weight training to workout routine Dietary Goal for June~ Embracing non-starchy veggies in diet! Personal Goal for June~ back to serious journaling my food intake. Date Banded~1/20/2009 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 50 lbs

I have a 10cc band and was at 8cc before i had any restriction at all. I was really worried about it and kept thinking something must be wrong because so many other people I talked with had restriction with much smaller amounts in their fluid. I've had two different doctors and both told me that for some people it just works that way, everyone is different and you can actually fill the band slightly beyond the size. However like most people I did get to a point where any fills now are minimal and still making a huge difference in what I can eat. My current doctor actually talked about possibly doing an unfill because I was having trouble tolerating certain foods, but honestly I think I might have been eating too fast in those cases! Unfills sound scary to me.

The band works by restricting your caloric intake and hopefully makes you feel full or satisfied with relatively little food. My success has been much longer and much slower than most because my metabolism was very slow to start with and I was already fully functioning (without weight loss) on a low calorie intake. The biggest surprise for me was that I went into this thinking I would lose weight just eating a healthy balanced diet but I actually still have to pay very strict attention to what I eat in order to lose weight. The difference between the lap band and other diets is primarily because of the restriction. You physically can't eat certain foods without getting sick. Everyone is different with what they can tolerate, though, some folks can't eat bread, I can. I can't eat chicken AT ALL. And getting food stuck is one of the most painful experiences ever so you don't want to repeat whatever triggered it! Hope that helps. It's not picture perfect and everyone is a little different but I wish you much success! Congrats on making your decision to get healthy and take the next step.

Fills are key!! You must get fills, and for some people (like me) your band may be completely full or close to it before you even get decent restriction. Everyone is different, no one seems to know exactly why but it is completely normal to not have restriction right after surgery or even before your first two or three fills (or more). I was a year in before I ever had any food stuck because of a fill, boy was that a shock! You'll also find on the boards that for some people the weight comes right off and for others it is a constant struggle of monitoring diet and exercise. Some people are really sensitive to carbs even with the band and the limited intake. My dr is very strict on a lower carb diet, and though I don't always like it, the weight didn't come off until I embraced it. Good luck!

I was very selective about who I told because I didn't want all the assumptions and questions that went with sharing my decision to have weight loss surgery. My family knew and said that they would be supportive but I quickly learned that there are two different types of support and the one I needed most my family struggled to provide. To clarify, my mother and grandmother both wanted the surgery as well. We went in together, and for various reasons they were not able to have the surgery. While they said they were happy for me and were there every step of the way during the surgery and recovery, my first year was really hard because they were not willing to acknowledge the mental journey and complete lifestyle change that I needed to make. I'm not sure if it was jealousy, resentment, or their own disappointment in the system but from the start they questioned everything I did, everything the doctor said. Every time I turned down a piece of food from my mother it was like I was slapping her in the face. She felt like I was rejecting her. To be honest I was probably a huge reminder that what she was eating wasn't healthy and she didn't want to acknowledge that. Example: less than 10 days post surgery my mother demanded that I go to a birthday dinner for my sister, even though I couldn't eat at that point and when I tried to refuse she called me selfish and spoiled. I eventually gave in and went and then she demanded I order something from the menu so that it wasn't awkward for the others around me. So I sat with a bowl of cold chili in front of me for an hour so that everyone else could feel comfortable and pig out while I was absolutely miserable. And don't think I didn't want to eat everything that they were eating!! It was horrible. It took me two years to hit my 50 lb milestone and when I did, even knowing how hard I had to work to get there my sister got angry when I shared the news, told me I was just rubbing it in her face and left me in tears on the phone. She did realize what she did and apologized but I realized my biggest obstacle was learning that I am strong enough to do this on my own and having the courage to do what I know is right for me and my health even if it makes some other people uncomfortable. Living to please other people and trying to be perfect is what got me into this mess. I don't blame my family, they have their own struggles to deal with, but I did have a breakthrough when I realized that I could stand up to them and defend my right to be happy and healthy. I thought I could inspire them to change, that they could take this journey with me, but now I realize they have to make that choice for themselves just like I did. I've definitely had some issues with my friends. Our lives were about going out and eating and drinking and I couldn't do either. I found I had to tell them about the surgery so that they didn't think I was odd if I only ordered a side for a meal or picked at my food. I found if you don't tell them they make assumptions about you that are usually a lot worse than the reality! My friends have actually been more supportive than my family. They are accommodating and don't feel threatened if I'm not binging on fast food or demand to bring my own food to a bbq. They help me Celebrate my successes and remind me to stay focused on the big picture. And being more open and honest has even brought my sister around and she's actually starting to support me in her own way. So yes, my journey has been tough, and very very slow, but well worth it.

Are you keeping track of the types of food you are eating? Meeting your Protein goals as well as your calorie intake? My previous doctor worked off of the MO that if you just ate less you would lose weight. My new doctor (who also has a band) doesn't believe that is true, that for some patients you do need to follow stict guidelines on what types of things you are eating. Your body is smart and it adapts quickly. if you aren't getting the right mix of nutrients or breakdown of protein, carbs, fat and Fiber, your body can go wonky on you and refuse to lose weight. It's basically operating in starvation mode. Of course if I knew the secret to jumping out of that plateau I would be rich! You've only had three fills! It took a lot longer for me to even get real restriction. I was a year in before it happened. At least you know you aren't alone and this isn't completely unheard of!

HI All! I thought I would take a few moments to check-in and update you on my progress thus far. Yesterday I was flipping through the channels and Dr. Oz was doing a segment on the lapband and he brought in two women at different stages post surgery to talk about their experience. The first woman was only 6 months out, the second six years out. They were both successful in losing weight but the second woman who was much father along in her journey had a harder time losing the weight than most. She also talked about how maintaining wasn't easy, that she could easily gain 15 lbs by not paying attention and then would have to get out the rules and go back to the basics to lose the weight. I was glad to hear someone on TV sharing this side of post surgery world. It seems like people present it like the weight is guaranteed to come off, but it simply doesn't work the same in all bodies. So where am I? I actually was completely frustrated had not lost any weight for 8 months and just gave up. I gained fifteen lbs from the summer to the holiday season. Meanwhile my Dr told me there was nothing he could do, that I probably should have the gastric bypass and we should submit a request to the insurance company. I had to jump through a ton of hoops again, pay tons of money for testing only to be denied because there were no documented complications with the band. The moment my Dr knew they insurance wasn't paying they basically dropped me and I couldn't get any information from them in nearly 6 weeks. I realized that they were the problem. Switched doctors and lost all 15lbs in six weeks. My new doctor didn't see anything wrong with my band and felt confident I could be successful. The program is drastically different from the one I was originally in and they had much more complex guidelines for what you could eat, when you could eat it and how you should monitor your nutrition and exercise. I have to admit. I'm now stuck at my original plateau amount, but this time I believe I can break through and feel like I have the tools, the resources, and the support to do it. I've also motivated my family to get healthy together. At first they would just complain and tell me how unfair it was that I had the surgery and they didn't. But I try to be honest about my struggles and challenges and let them know that we are in this together. At this point I need someone to be cheering me on and if people just want to stand in my way or hold me back, I simply don't have time for that. They can either be part of the problem or part of the solution. I've come to accept that no matter what, this is simply not going to be an easy journey. But I will reach my goal, even if it takes me five years! My words of wisdom, for what they are worth.... If you are having trouble, please reach out to you doctor. The fills are key. My band was basically full before I got restriction. Don't be afraid to ask for an adjustment. I've learned the NPs will sometimes be conservative but you know if you are too tight or too loose tell them. They are supposed to be there to help you and if they aren't supportive find someone who is. (remember, part of the problem or part of the solution...) Stick to the rules. My new guidelines have strict protocol for eating after fills. I'm not sure why there are o many varying guidelines, but for me i know that if i follow the rules the weight comes off and if don't I maintain or gain. For me it wasn't just about total calories, it was about the type of calories. I realized I needed to be pushing myself to eat veggies that are more filling and not relying on softer foods that are less filling but easier to eat. (note:I was not eating slider foods, I just started avoiding foods that were healthy because they were harder to eat and sometimes got stuck.) Be active. My first year was working out like crazy. Then I injured myself and was in PT for two months out of the gym for four months...I had to get creative to keep m activity level up. I picked up shadow boxing (while seated) and got a decent cardio workout , started lifting weights, doing low impact activities when possible. Anything to keep my muscles active. The most important thing here is increasing your metabolism. I've been told that your body can adapt to the smaller amount of calories. it simply becomes more efficient. Muscle helps reverse that. Know that you aren't alone. Keep posting and reading the stories (both successes and challenges) of others. It will remind you of the bigger picture. It's easy to throw a pity party for yourself, but it's more productive to acknowledge your fears, frustrations, anger, or concerns and then look for a solution. We are here to help you find that solution. Ultimately you know what is best for your body and don't let others tell you different. if anyone wants more detail about my New Dr., his recommendations, and how they differ from my first Dr. send me an private message!

Hey all you slow losers, I just wanted to post a message and share my ah ha moment with you today. This journey with my LAP-BAND® has been slow and long and not as fruitful as I anticipated. However, today I realized that in this last year I may not have lost the pounds that I wanted to lose but I gained a heck of a lot. 1. I made my health the number one priority in my life. I took a risk in having the surgery. I made a commitment to a lifestyle change in order to get healthy. 2. I faced some inner demons when it came to head hunger. I learned that some of my eating wasn't about physical need but about emotional need. I had heard about emotional eating before and on the surface it didn't appear to be my issue but when it came down to it, after surgery when I wasn't hungry and literally couldn't eat I discovered another layer of need that I had refused to address. 3. I have begun a regular fitness routine and for more than a year have worked out at least 3-4 times a week. Usually I work out for a few months and life happens and I miss a month. There are still days when I don't get all my workouts in but I have learned to listen to my body and for the first time ever I actually consider myself athletic (even at 288lbs)! 4. Lastly I have become more aware about what goes into my body. I call it being food literate. I have been overweight my entire life. I have dealt with that shame and embarrassment that goes with it. I have labeled myself a failure because I could never shed the weight no matter how hard I tried. Even now I still feel guilt and shame at having not lost as much weight as other banders. But in learning more about the food we eat, what goes into it, how it is made, why it is bad for you, I feel like I have regained control of my health and my family's health. Anyway I thought I would share and maybe that would inspire some of you to keep going forward and making the good fight. Sometimes we get so caught up in what is on the scale that we forget to Celebrate the other successes that we have made on our journey. If you need some additional motivation/inspiration check out some of the following links: Oprah's Diabetes Special Diabetes 101 with Dr. Oz, Dr. Ian Smith and Bob Greene - Oprah.com Food Inc documentary (I rented a copy from my library--warning it is a little graphic) Official Food, Inc. Movie Site - Hungry For Change? If you have seen either of these what did you think??

I have been stuck floating at the same weight for about five or six months now, which was also the last time I got a fill. My weightloss has been incredibly slow and I cannot figure out what I am doing wrong. I work out four to five times a week and burn 2700-3000 calories per day (i got a body bugg to track it) but I am still not seeing any success. I think I am eating to much. I don't get good restriction even after the fill it only feels tight for a few days. My last fill I lost five lbs and then got stuck again around 285. In total I've only lost about 40-45 lbs. I am approaching my year mark and thought I would have lost double that by now. I want to take advantage of this opportunity and the tool I have. I want to lose the weight. I spent a lot of time understanding why I eat, but now I just need some help getting traction again. Losing another 100 lbs seems so daunting. Anyone out there have little tips they use to keep them on track? Did you up your Protein? How often do you need fills? My doctor doesn't remind us to scedule, we just call when we feel like it and that makes me wonder if my understanding of restriction is not really correct...like maybe I have never had true restriction. They said I wouldn't be able to eat bread or certain meats but I always have... I'm just trying to figure out what is normal/average and how I can adapt so that i am more likely to be successful going forward. Any advice is appreciated. Meli

Hi All!, I am sorry I haven't reported back in sooner. I didn't have my original appt as scheduled because of all the back to back snowstorms we had. Ugh. But two weeks ago I finally got in and got a fill. She added a full cc and was nervous about it being too tight but to be honest this is the first true restriction I have EVER had. Since then I have been doing great. I am loving this and losing about 2lbs a week (with 5 days of exercise). I just wanted to say thanks to all those who encouraged me to go back and get another fill. I hoping this restriction will stick. I already have another appt for april 1 and will hopefully just get a tiny adjustment to keep the pace going. Meli

I agree Mimi!!! Get the fill. THat was the trap that I was in for months. I was so worried about what my DR and his staff would think about my slow weight loss that I wanted to see a certain number on the scale before I went back in. The result? I stalled for months! I had my fill two weeks ago and think I finally hit my sweet spot. I'm losing 2 lbs a week (with exercise) and very happy with that. Now I wish I had stopped worrying about what others would think or say and just got the fill. I wouldn't feel so behind. Also, even if they are disapproving, ignore them. You paid money out of your own pocked to have this surgery and be successful. THE TOOL ONLY WORKS WITH THE RIGHT FILLS. What they do not tell you is that some folk do not hit that sweet spot until their band is very full. It varies drastically and thus you cannot compare your amt to others. Trust me. Get the fill and don't put so much pressure on yourself. I feel so relieved now that I took that plunge. Melis

Cassie-- I will be thinking positive thoughts for you. I hope your next fill goes well and that you hit that magic sweet spot. Caroline--thanks for sharing your experience. I'm not exactly sure what type of band I have but I know that it is 11cc and I already have 6ccs (I think). I remember feeling like something was wrong from the start because the nurse practitioner made a comment about most people only needing 3 or 4ccs at most the first fill and I couldn't feel any restriction. I have only had three fills in my entire first year so I think the fact is that if I had been more persistent about getting my fills when I realized there wasn't enough restriction instead of feeling like it was my fault and being embarrassed to go back to the DR I might have hit my sweet spot by now. At least that is what I am telling myself. I have no restriction right now. Well, a little. I can't eat as much as I did before (certainly can't finish restaurant portions) but I can eat an average sized meal. pretty well. I had to move my drs appointment last week because of all the snow, so I get my next fill on th 18th. Wish me luck.

I'll be there too! Can't wait to meet everyone in person. If I'm late look for the confused looking black girl wandering about the food court!:thumbdown: