caldwell33

I feel your pain. I have been at the same weight for almost 3 months. I had surgery 3/24/10 and have had 4 fills, the last 2 did nothing, 2 months waisted! I have not lost any weight since June. I'm very discouraged and at the point I'm almost sorry I had this done. The stress of not losing any weight in almost 3 months doesn't please me. My primary doctor is furious with me, he basically gave up on me. He doesn't like the way my biartric doctor is handling this. He think the fills are way too far apart and I don't know what to do. I am going to see him tomorrow for my 5th fill and tell him how discusted I am. I am not eating junk foods, I'm hungury and never feel full. I need motivation also or a new plan of attack. Good Luck and God bless!. Eileen

Hi to ALL: Well I had my 4th fill today. I haven't lost any weight in 8 weeks. Dr. doesn't seem to think their is a problem. I DO! I hope this fill helps. He told me to come back in 2 months, I made the appointment for 1 month! I'd rather have the appointment than try to get one. I haven't had anything to eat today and I'm just starting to get hungary ant it's 4:30 pm. I think I will have Soup for dinner since they said only liquids today. I hope you are all well, it's nice to know that I'm not alone and there are others who are in the same boat. We will survive this, I know it, but I just want to see something different on the scale to know my efforts are working even if it's alittle. Thanks for the encouragement, I needed that:thumbup:. Have a gre:thumbup:at week and God Bless you all. Eileen

I can't thank you enough for this post. I wish I had seen this earlier. I was banded 3/24/10 and since then I have lost 44 lbs. You are right, we need to focus on the weight we have already lost and keep our goals alive. I did hit the wall with not loosing any weight in 3 weeks and was very upset. I know I have to work harder and keep reminding myself I didn't gain this weight in one year and my goal is to loose it in one year. I hope I get close to my goal in ONE YEAR. We all need to relax and be happy for what we have lost already. Thanks again and good luck to all. May our guardian angels remind us when to stop eating and keep us in line!

I was banded on 3/24/10 and just had my third fill on 7/8. I hadn't lost any weight since my last adjustment on 6/17. I was very disappointed. My doctor said we "ALL HIT WALL" don't worry about it. I noticed that I don't feel any different with this fill than the last. I did make an appointment for my forth fill on 7/26. I have been making my appointments ahead of time in 3 week spans. I now have a total of 5 1/2 cc in a 13 cc band. I figure I can always cancel the appointment if I don't need it, but I hate waiting for 3-4 weeks to get an appointment. Don't give up, I do know how you feel and we all will win this battle of the pounds, we didn't put it on overnight so it's not going to come off overnight, that's the only thing that keeps me going. Good luck. Eileen

Hi Fern: Thanks for the encouraging words, it makes me feel better knowing I'm not alone, so I feel better that I'm not doing something wrong. I am going to get my 3rd fill next Thurs. morning and can't wait. I was checking some of the other responses and alot of people with the large band (13 cc) haven't been feeling the "sweet spot" until between their 6-8 fills, so believe it or not that made me feel better. I guess I'm just too impatient. What I also need to do is start swimming. I can't do too much walking since I have a spinal problem and very bad knees. So, I understand that Water aerobics are good to do. I think I'm going to start on Monday and try to go 2-3 times a week. Jason: Yes I do keep a food journal, I write down and weigh everything I eat and keep a calorie count (never over 1000 cal.) and I am also keeping track of my Protein intake and taking supplements when necessary. Thanks again to all for you help. Happy 4th. Eileen

I hear you. I am in the same position. I was banded March 24th and was doing great. I have had to fills for a total of 5 cc's and stopped loosing weight. I have been at the same weight for almost 4 weeks now and I keep playing with 2-3 lbs. up and down. I am getting very depressed and disgusted. I don't know what I am doing wrong. I am eating around 1000 cal. per day give or take 50 cal. I just scheduled my 3rd fill for next week, a week earlier than scheduled. I feel I am doing this on my own, with no restriction. If you find the answer please let me know, I'm about ready to jump off the bridge. Thanks for listening. Eileen

Congratulations to all of you. I feel about the same. I was banded March 24th, 2010. I have lost a total of 44 lbs including the weight I lost before surgery. My loss since surgery hasen't been great. I too feel like I'm doing it all myself. My first fill was for 5 cc and my second was for 1 cc, I have a large band totaling 13 cc. I am very disappointed. I feel almost no restriction. The only problem I have is occasionally with very dry food such as tuna (which I love) and chicken (which I also love). I have norrowed it done to the dryness of both. I can eat everything else, and I mean everything including steak with no problem. My weight has stayed the same for 3 weeks now and I just called my doctor and moved up my appointment for my third fill to next week. I pray to God this works. I am getting very discouraged and depressed. Please say a prayer for me, because if I don't start loosing again I think I just my give up. I wish everyone a wonderful Fourth of July. Eileen

Hi Everyone: I was banded on March 24, 2010. I was wondering if anyone will share on the average amount of calories they are intaking on a daily basis. It seems to be each doctor recommends a different figure. I have had only one fill of 4 cc and have an appointment for my second fill on June 17th. Just curious. I am staying at approximately 900-1000 calories per day. Thanks for being honest and sharing your experiences, Eileen

Congradulations! Sounds like you are in a good place. I am loosing about 1-3 pound per week. I have to go for my second fill this Thur. and hope I get some more restriction. I am hungry at times now. Keep up the good work. Eileen

I want to personally thank all who replied. It's interesting to read what everyone is doing or thinks. I think it reinforces each of us that we are on the right track but, maybe on a different train, but the destination is the same. Thanks again for being such a great group of people. We all have the same goal, and we will all reach our goals but in different ways, hopefully helping each of us together as one successful group. God Bless all and keep positive! Eileen:tt1:

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! Wow, you've done great. Keep up the good work. Can I ask you roughly how many calories are you eating a day? I'm interested to see what amount of calories people are doing. I am at about 900-1000 calories per day. Thanks, and keep up the good work. Eileen

You're very welcome. Just keep reminding yourself that you and only YOU can make this decision and only You can make yourself succeed. Like others have said, keep a journal, watch how much you are eating, get a good (Biggest Loser, or some other brand) scale and kick the crap out of those extra pounds, I find that I put a goal on myself for 5 lbs. in 10 days, so far it's working. Be confident, remember it took along time to gain this weight and it's going to take time to loose it, but you will feel better, look better, have more confidence and a whole new outlook on life and will have succeeded in making your life better, and who knows maybe you'll meet me in Alaska next year, I hope so, if not how about Sedona, Arizona? Please, keep in touch. God Bless, Eileen

OK, maybe this will help. I too had my doubts. I LOVE food and that's a fact on how I got to the weight I was at, (321). My husband, God love him, can eat to the cows come home and not gain. SOOOOO I cooked, and cooked and ate and ate. I realized my weight was going up but my husband never said a word to me. He loves me that much. WELL, I lost my job last year, do to the economy and found myself home and cooking up a storm, and eating too! Then I realized that I wasn't going to find a job at my age (63), who the hell is going to hire an overweight, senior citizen, so I filed for early retirement with Social Security, resigning myself that I was NOW RETIRED! (so is my husband). NOW we can do all the things we've been talking about doing for years, because WE'RE RETIRED. Well the first thing we spoke about was going on a trip to Alaska. We live in NJ. THEN reality set in! I was to big to be comfortable in a airplane seat, what have I done!!! This was the turning point. I realized that all my life I ate because I was contented and someday after all my hard work I would be rewarded and could travel. Now the time is here and I can't. I realized that I had to make a decision which was more important, 1. being fat and unhappy the rest of my life and not being able to do anything comfortably, or take control of my own destiny and make the sacrifices and DO SOMETHING about it. I'm the one who created the monster, now I had to slay the monster within me. NO, I didn't like it at first but it's been 3 months since surgery and I have lost a total of 41 lbs. as of today. I have 105 lbs to go. I AM GOING TO GO TO ALASKA next year because I've made that my goal, I am going to be comfortable on the plane and I AM going to leave the "old dead dragon" behind and never look back. Make the sacrifice, you are the only one in control of your life. You will be able to eat everything you ate before, just in smaller portions. It will work! God loves each and everyone of us and wouln't give us a challenge if we couldn't handle it. Do it for YOURSELF, you deserve it! God Bless and good luck:thumbup:. Eileen

I originally heard about the cards here and asked my doctor about the card and he knew nothing about it. He's is looked at as "the best" in this area. I was stunned. I contacted Allergen and received my card in a week. I have tried using it several times and been turned down. I really think it's the lack of knowledge about the cards. I've been told on all occassions to order and take home, "we don't honor them" and they will NOT let you order off the children's menu under any circumstances. I live in NJ and don't know if it's just that they don't want to honor them as the economy is so bad they need to make every dollar they can or what. I am going to try again. It's discouraging since it seems also to cause a scene in the restaurant and can get embarrasing. Good luck to all and God Bless. Just remember to ask our guardian angel to help us make the right decisions and to help us not eat the wrong foods. :thumbup:

I have a question. I have spinal stenosis and need to take Naproxin daily for it. It is like taking Advil. If I take it with water wouldn't it flush thru to our stomachs past the pouch? I take my Naproxin about 45 minutes after I eat so there is food in my stomach and the water should flush the pill directly into our stomachs. Any theories I'd be interested to hear what others think. Thanks

Congratulations!!!!!!!! You're doing wonderful, keep up the good work. God Bless YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was banded on March 24th. I lost 10 lbs after the first 2 weeks after surgery. I think I have only lost 5 more since then. I am going to the doctor today. I have not had my first fill yet. My dr. believes you should wait 7 weeks for the first fill. I will be on vacation then so I am going to have to wait 8 weeks. I can eat pretty much everything now at 4 weeks but have to be careful of chewing meats more. I am hungry most of the time, I never feel full. Thats why I wish I could get a fill now instead of waiting another 4 weeks. I'm afraid I will start putting weight on. I have been trying to stay on a 700 calorie, 70 grams of protein a day diet, which is what my doctor says we need to do up until we get our first fill. I have been staying around there but a few days I went up to 750 cal. and then would be under in the protein to about 40-60 grams. My problem seems to be that I really don't feel full for long. I'm sure that after having a fill things will change. I would hate to have gone thru all of this for nothing. I keep reading that you don't really start losing weight until after your 3rd fill. I can't wait for that to happen. I have been maintaining my weight but not loosing any for the last week. I am getting discouraged at times but I am able to get myself out of the funk for now. I do feel like the rest of you and can't wait for a new me! Congratulations to all for doing such a wonderful job so far.

I think I may be having the same problem, but it's me. I keep forgeting to take the protein and have been at a stand point now for a week. I will try what you say and get back on the protein on a regular basis. Thanks for the reminder. Eileen

Hi Everyone! Well I was banded on the 24th, everything went fantastic. I feel great but I am very hungry!!!! These 4 ozs of fluids every hour are just not cutting it. I need something besides broth (can't even stand to smell it now), Jello is ok, tea is ok, and the protein drinks all taste foul to me now. Having a difficult time drinking them. I have to go to the surgeon on Wed. and we need to talk. I cannot do another week of clear fluids. I was on liquids for 2 weeks before surgery and now another week making a total of 3 weeks on fluids. I need to have something else. Sorry to complain so much but I feel great but am very frustrated. I hope you all have a good week. The one other good thing is that I have lost 3 lbs since surgery. e

Good luck to all the 24th er's, I'm also one. I am looking forward to getting it over with and moving on to worrying about something else. I wish all those being banded tomorrorw the best, just think, we will be "SLIM" for sure! I had a very good meeting with my doctor yesterday and he cleared up a few things like: no, you don't have to be on totaly clear liquids for the next 2 weeks, yes you can mix your protein drinks with milk, V8, or other juices, KEEP DOWN the SUGAR! and I can have watermelon which I almost jumped over his desk and kissed him. He said the watermelon basically disolves in your mouth, but said they must be in no more than 1/2 in cubes. Good luck to all, we will all be happier and healthier for the rest of our lives. My doctor said yesterday that THE most important thing is our protein shakes so we don't get sick. I just found a new ones from BariatricLiving.com they are Nectar's that you mix in water or milk. They have sample packs for about $12.95 for 10 different fruit flavors. I had the Peach Navel today and it's to die for and they range between 6-23 g. protein and 25-90 calories. Check them out. God bless all of you and see you on the other side of the banding! Eileen:thumbup::smile::thumbup:

Congratulations!!!!! It's over!!. I am very happy for you. I hope you feel better each and every day. I am having my surgery on Wed. 3/24 and wish it was tomorrow. Good luck to you and God bless. Eileen:thumbup:

WOW! What an inspiration you are to me. I start my second week on the pre op tomorrow. I know I can do it now. The week of liquids I think I will be fine with I can't wait to get to the mushy week knowing that real food can't be far behind although limited. Sounds great to me. You are doing wonderful and I'm very happy for you. Keep up the goo:drool:d work! Eileen

Hi Mike: It's Eileen. When I saw your picture I couldn't stop laughing. This is a hoot!!!!!!!!! I love your sense of humor. I hope you are doing fine after surgery and thanks again for a good laugh. How are you feeling since surgery? Have a great day.:smile::tongue2::wub::smile2::laugh::tt1::thumbup:

Michael: Congradulations!!! I hope you are doing well. Thanks for the words of encouragement. I will let you know how I'm doing after surgery on 3/24. Keep up the good work. Eileen

Hi Amy: First let me say thanks for responding so quickly. I am going to call the nutritionist first think Monday and ask her about the soup. Thanks sooooo much for the suggestion. My pre-op list is: oatmeal 1 time a day, 2 s/f Snacks, pudding or Jello, 2 yogurts, 1/2 c. applesause, 1 c. tomato or V8 juice. That's it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's why I think I'm going crazy. Thanks again. Eileen