Hey all,

so i am approaching my 1 yr bandiversary.. i'm only down 25/30 lbs still.. and to be honest. most of it was post op weight loss from eating mushies.. and another 10 lbs because of stress in my life.

i am not happy because of a few reasons. I know there are members out there that i will get an ear full from because i haven't exactly been "by the book"... i know what i am supposed to do.. and lets get real... most of us were or are looking for an easier way out in some way....

when i went for the seminar prior to surgery.. i was told basically everything i wanted to hear. YES, i was informed of what i should be doing while banded.. what i should avoid.. but i was also told that i would feel full and satisfied and my life wouldn't change so much other than working on being healthier and losing weight. well, it's not so much like that :smile:. Basically no matter how slow or how much i chew my food. i ALWAYS have discomfort. I addressed it with my dr. had an endoscopy and all went well.. no blockage, band in place.. it's all good. I had .5 CC's removed and felt somewhat better. so i have 5 CC's total in a 14 cc band. I can most definitely eat a lot more than i should be... when i can get it down.... I was told no more than an egg amount of food. i eat a normal size portion.. and maybe more. I am rarely satisfied. I stop eating because of discomfort or PB. I have done the whole..wait it out 30 min.. i am just NEVER satisfied or full. I have to be honest.. weight watchers was much more successful and i was always satisfied. I am really starting to regret my decision unfortunately. i wish there were more posts like this when i was doing my months of research.. but even then.. we are all different. we all have different surgeons and Dr's.. i have to say. i am completely unhappy all around... (dr, surgeon,lapband,weight loss, uncomfort) I'm not really looking for much advice in response.. i just wanted to throw out my feelings.. on that note, i'm getting ready for the gym and will do my best to lose weight the old fashioned way.. maybe get the Fluid removed from my band so I am not so uncomfortable on a daily basis and i can eat more than Soup to be satisfied :biggrin:

thanks for hearing me out.. i hope i helped someone who's researching the band.

Whoo Hoo, you go, girl!!!!!

Mimi

Just punt............

Ok...how much chicken breast did you have before you started getting the tell-tale signals from your stomach? Perhaps the portion sizes are too big? I agree with UrbanWasteland in that if you are eating small bites, chewing well, eating slowly, and keeping portion sizes small, then you should be able to eat some chicken breast. Maybe you're too tight. Remember, the band isn't supposed to work by physically preventing you from overeating!!

I have one more question to add to Plain's. Are you weighing your meat and using a measuring cup to measure your veggies and starches?

I know there is an answer to your problem here somewhere.

ok, so here is my reply for all..

Plain - i had probably less than 2 oz of chicken. i will pay attention more to the size of bites next time. i do know that i chew very well.

Esin- researching is the best thing you can do. i personally would NEVER do bypass or sleeve. I am not comfortable with cutting my organs.. but remember, just because i am having issue with the lapband, it doesn't mean you will.. every BODY is different, ever surgeon is different. i wish you the best of luck... thank you.

darkangel - i'm very happy to hear the band is working out well for you. it seems you are 100% dedicated to lose the weight. go you. for me, it's a different story.. as much critism i receive, no one really knows what i deal with on a daily basis. YES, i do go to the gym, YES i do stay away from food at night. NO i do not eat breads and i am not perfect either.. but i definitely choose my foods more wisely. i think once i get this "TOOL" to work with me, i will be golden.

leigha- i am guilty for not weighing out my foods.. however, i do have a measuring spoon and i have a very well trained eye for measuring ever since weight watchers. but as far as the lean chicken last night, i ate less than 2 oz. I put a palm size of chicken breast on plate and gave about half of it to my cats..the rest went in the bowl

all in all.. this thread turned out to be very useful and helpful. so thanks everyone. i feel great today, my workout yesterday was amazing and keeps me motivated.

all in all.. this thread turned out to be very useful and helpful. so thanks everyone. i feel great today, my workout yesterday was amazing and keeps me motivated.

Well, that's what we're here for. Some people tend to"coddle", some tend towards "tough band love", but we all are here to support each other and want success for each other. Hang in there, dragonfly. Never say "die", ya know?

Esin - I think some of these folks with problems are the minority.......most of us do just fine - as long as we follow the rules. I personally can't eat most meat unless it's very moist.....too dry and it will stick and I will be uncomfortable. I also can't eat too late or I will have problems with acid reflux - which I never had before.

I recently got another fill (only .6 cc) and I'm tight again. I'm back to 3-4 bites of food, chewed very well, and then I'm full and not hungry for 3+ hours. Am I always satisfied? Hell no, but that was pretty much why I was over weight to begin with.......

I recently had someone tell me how "lucky" I was to have the band. As I sat there a few minutes, staring at her, I finally said, "yea, I'm real lucky. I just had one chip, with some queso with sausage, and now I'm full for the rest of the evening - I'm real lucky". Sometimes eating isn't just about satisfing your hunger.....it's also a social event that we now can't participate in. But in the end - I'm ok with that! When people see how sucessful I've been with the band and ask me if they should have it, I tell them only if you never want to eat another hambuger again........and that's just a fact you have to live with. At least while you are losing the weight.

Banded 11/09 - 290 lbs

Current weight - 225 lbs

Edited August 25, 201015 yr by howdybooth

Hey guys,

Thank you all so much for the comments directed at me, and one thing we all have in common apart from the band, is of course the need for support.

Still counting down till my surgery (3rd Sept) and feeling very lucky to have found a group of people sharing their experiences and knowledge. I'm so grateful.

Dragonflylover, the tone of your post is already sounding more positive and this will be sooo beneficial for you. I'm so happy that everyone's comments are helping you and I hope you'll be able to have a little bit taken out to ease your discomfort.

I live in London where hardly anyone has insurance. I am also funding my surgery alone, and I'm travelling to Belgium to get it done. I'm soo excited!

Howdybooth, you're very right, people do assume we are 'lucky' or have taken the easy route. They have no idea!. I will keep posting my progress and I hope to show you all my ticker chart too soon!.

Have a good day everyone!. Hope the weather is nicer where you are... its very rainy here in london! LOL x

Hey guys,

Thank you all so much for the comments directed at me, and one thing we all have in common apart from the band, is of course the need for support.

Still counting down till my surgery (3rd Sept) and feeling very lucky to have found a group of people sharing their experiences and knowledge. I'm so grateful.

Dragonflylover, the tone of your post is already sounding more positive and this will be sooo beneficial for you. I'm so happy that everyone's comments are helping you and I hope you'll be able to have a little bit taken out to ease your discomfort.

I live in London where hardly anyone has insurance. I am also funding my surgery alone, and I'm travelling to Belgium to get it done. I'm soo excited! :sad:

Howdybooth, you're very right, people do assume we are 'lucky' or have taken the easy route. They have no idea!. I will keep posting my progress and I hope to show you all my ticker chart too soon!.

Have a good day everyone!. Hope the weather is nicer where you are... its very rainy here in london! LOL x

Hey Esin,

you are right, there is A LOT of support on this forum and it is really nice knowing when you need that boost or support you got it..right here. :-). I'm sure everything will turn out great for you and in my opinion i am finding out that there really IS no easy way out. I've noticed something in these last few days..since i have been working out everyday.. i definitely have A LOT more motivation, energy, and it's easier to stick to a healthy diet. I know that once i get down to my optimum weight, the band will help keep off the weight gain... i think thats what they mean by it being a "tool" someone posted on here a very useful website.. BariatricEating.com - BE, Inc. The number one bariatric website for Protein, Vitamins, and success. i am grateful for finding it, there are soooooo many yummy recipes.. I wish you well and let us know how it all turns out!!

P.S. weather was rainy the last few days here in NY ..but today the sun is shining and it's going to be 81 degrees... too bad i am stuck in a box (my office) at work