I've been banded for a year now and I've lost close to 60 lbs overall. I know that I should be excited for that, but I'm really not. I feel like I dropped a lot of weight right off the bat, and have lost maybe 2-3lbs in the last 3 months. The weight loss started off pretty drastic and has tapered off more and more each month. I've only had one fill, and sometimes I question if maybe I'm too full. It has gotten to the point where I feel like I have to drink tea before every meal to help things go down a little easier. I try to make healthy choices, I drink protein shakes, and I haven't had bread, rice, or pasta since being banded! It's so frustrating because I feel like I am following all the rules, exercising a ton, and just not seeing the results I think I should be seeing. Any advice? :smile:

Robin,

You don't say how much you've lost or how close you are to goal. Remember, as you lose weight, your body's caloric needs will drop which means you're either going to have to reduce the calories you're eating even more or increase your caloric expenditure (exercise or more movement in your day).

Right now I can lose 2 pounds a week by eating the calories needed to maintain my goal weight of 140 pounds. At 180 pounds, I will only lose 1 pound per week so I will either need to increase my activity or decrease my calories...or be content with a pound a week.

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You say you've only had one fill but feel too tight. Normally, it takes several fills to reach true restriction. Also, I wonder if you are eating slider foods. Slider foods go down easy but are often high in calories. Are you exercising? How many ccs are in your band and just how full are you? How much weight did you need to lose and what is your goal weight? These are all question that need answered in order to give you a full response. Hang in there and you'll figure it out so that you're band will work for you. Best wishes!

I started off at 250lbs, am now down to 190 and my goal is 145. I was banded in Mexico and only have a 4cc band. Right now it's filled to 1.9cc. I walk 1.5-2 miles 4-5 days a week and get into the gym for extra cardio and weights about twice a week. I haven't been counting calories really, and maybe that's where I need to start. My surgeon sent me home with instructions for 600-800 calories a day, but that doesn't seem like enough. I may be guilty of eating some slider foods, like tomato soup and mashed potatoes on occasion, but for the most part I eat a lot of salmon, salad, chicken, and raw fruits and veggies. Thanks for your insight! I don't want to fail at this, quitting just isn't an option!

600-800 cals a day! I'd be dead!! Blimey huni, only my opinion but I'm pretty sure you can't be getting enough calories a day. I was only banded last month but I was told by the doc to have 1000-1100 cals a day and I have a slow metabolism.

I think you should up your calorie intake and see if you can do a little more exercise, maybe do something fun like salsa so you won't feel like your doing another stint in the gym! I wanna do belly dancing, I most certainly have the belly for it :biggrin:

I would eat almost all protein and no shakes at all. A few green vegs. Protein is the key to this. It increases your energy also. It sounds like you are not eating enough to me also. You might want to spend a few days writing everything down. You might also be snacking more than you think you are. That is my biggest problem. If we write down every snack, it can be a huge surprise how much is actually being consumed in them.

Best of luck!!!

Snipped.........If we write down every snack, it can be a huge surprise how much is actually being consumed in them.

Best of luck!!!

Gack!! That is just a huge scary thought!! :biggrin:

Maybe your eating to few calories and your body is going into starvation mode and starting to hoard them? I would maybe see a nutritionist or atleast up your calories to 1000-1100.

Is anyone willing to post like a 3-5 day menu/exercise plan that has worked for you?