Meliwriter

I'm 5'4 and my ideal weight is 120-130 lbs according to all the charts and formulas I have seen. I didn't make that my actual goal because I can't seem to wrap my head around being that tiny. But I may set a second goal once i get to the 100s. I would go ahead and get a fill talk to your doctor and they will work with you to make sure you don't get too much. If you have lost that much without any fill you may only need a small amount to push you to your goal.

I actually don't watch for the weigh-in or elimination. Sure it's nice to see someone drop 10lbs in a week, but it ain't gonna happen on my scale nor does anyone really encourage it. Even the BL Game and products stress the 2-3lbs a week rule. Do as I say not as I do... I think the show is long but I DVR it so I can cut out commercials and skip the drama of the weigh-in and elimination. What I love is actually watching the contestants face their fears...seeing Bob and Jillian help them rebuild their self esteem. For me on my journey the biggest challenge was adjusting my mental game and wrapping my head around this new me. Watching others do that and hearing them say the words that could have come straight from my mouth is inspiring and why I continue to watch it each season. Oh and I do cardio during the first hour and take breaks during commercials for Water....I like your idea about the workouts during the break!

Hey JenPen! I went to OSU, had Dr. Needleman and he was great. I had my surgery almost a year ago. I have been a very slow loser, but partly because I haven't hit my sweet spot with my fills and partly because I had a lot of issues to deal with in terms of head hunger when I first started. I am in a much better place now than I was a year ago and excited to keep losing the weight! Even though I haven't lost as quickly as others, I don't regret my decision at all! When I went to OSU I was the only one in my class getting the lap-band. That was the only thing I didn't like and part of the reason I turn to these boards. I felt like not everyone could address my specific concerns. I know some centers have different protocol pre and post op for lapband patients (like liquid diets) and I do wonder if my weight loss would have been more steady if I had chosen a center that does more lapband surgeries. But there aren't too many around here. I did consider Dr. Curry but wasn't willing to make the drive. Just a note: I was so sore after the surgery I don't know how anyone travels after the surgery. It was very uncomfortable the first few days to even be in the car with all that jarring. Anyway, rambling. Good luck! My cousin is a nurse in the OSU recovery wing for WLS patients and I must admit the nurses were fantastic! :thumbup: Looking forward to meeting you at Polaris if you can make it. I am definitely going to try and come! Meli

Thanks all! I am going to make an appointment with my Dr. and maybe the nutritionist. I've been more focused over the last week about actually tracking my foods and measuring them out. I was doing it for so long that I got comfortable eye balling things, but I think over time my portions may have gotten larger than they should be. The focus on those two things has helped me feel more confident about what is going into my body. Also over the holidays I may have been snacking more than usual. Those Cookies definitely add up quickly. I found that I have to physically stop and ask myself if I am really hungry? Could I actually be thirsty? Could it be head hunger (which I think a lot of the snacking is a result of that). I'm finding that when I focus on those things my calorie intake stays in the right range but it is a lot of work!

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:

Hey There! You might be struggling a little because of nerves. I know I was very nervous the weeks before my surgery and started to really question the idea of putting a foreign object inside of me. The reality is that this is no way as invasive as it could be. I knew that it wasn't permanently damaging my stomach and that heaven forbid if in ten or twenty years I need to have it removed I can. I am nearing my one year anniversary and have been a very slow loser (not for a lack of trying) but because I realized I had a whole bunch of other stuff to deal with as well. Mentally I am in a much better position now than I was a year ago (and I thought I was good then). My relationship with food and my body has improved. I know that eating well and working out is how I love my body. I know that I am worth the time and energy and effort that I spend on myself. I know that in taking care of myself I am better able to take care of those around me. I do yoga and meditation and feel closer to being wholly healthy than I ever have in my life. There is nothing wrong with using a tool that will enable you to find that balance. Embrace it and get excited about discovering the new you!

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.

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

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

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

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