I'm starting this thread on the post-op site, hoping that November 2010 Bandsters will post their responses and comments here.

My procedure is tomorrow, November 3, and I'll try to hang out here. Would welcome company!

Deb WS

SIGH....Been so frustrated lately!! I've gone about 6 weeks and only lost a pound!! The dreaded plateau!! So with that frustration, I strayed and struggled the past few weeks. But I am finally seeing some change again, and I motivated again! At my last fill I told the PA, and asked if I was loing inches, which I know I am. But I need to see the numbers!! Hopefully, I'll be back on track and continue in the right direction!!

I have lost a total of 60lbs since I began my journey 6 months ago..but lately I have been having a very hard time losing any weight since my third fill...so i have not lost any weight since march...i have gained and went back down but no lost of weight...i am pretty sure that i am letting food get the best of me so right now i am on a mini vac from my normal life trying to get myself back on losing the weight needed to be successful at my goals. but 60.lbs is a nice start.

60lbs is great. i am no where close to that. after the last fill in april i felt for a while that i was at the sweet spot and lost some weight over the next month. now i feel like i get hungry and my appetite is bigger. still much better but not as good. have stepped up exercise as well. Sweets are my biggest problem area. Ofcourse they slide down without the least bit of hesitation.

- J

I have lost a total of 60lbs since I began my journey 6 months ago..but lately I have been having a very hard time losing any weight since my third fill...so i have not lost any weight since march...i have gained and went back down but no lost of weight...i am pretty sure that i am letting food get the best of me so right now i am on a mini vac from my normal life trying to get myself back on losing the weight needed to be successful at my goals. but 60.lbs is a nice start.

I was banded on November 5th I have lost 40 pounds. Its a process but Im learning to listen to my band and also change my eating habits for good. I have my good and bad days but with the grace of God I know I can get through this 50 more pounds to go.

OK, good folks: the last time I wrote, I said I was encouraged that the 'sweet spot' had been hit and loss would crank up. Nope. Here is what I am experiencing: it's quite easy for things to get 'stuck' for some period of time. I have to eat slowly, deliberately, carefully, But I have not lost. I am still pretty much where I was about three months ago. I'm concerned that if I have another fill I will be at a point where I can not eat much except soft stuff. On the other hand, if I don't have that fill, I'm not sure I will lose any more weight. I've had about 7.5 cc's, I believe, and I've lost about thirty pounds (my goal was 100).

Advice??

Thanks,

Deb WS

I hit my year mark and am struggling with a plateau too. Just keep trying to change up my workout until I see the numbers move. Anyone have any luck breaking through a 3 month plateau?

What a past month I have had. I ended up with pneumonia and had some problems with my band. I ended up having 2 cc's removed. I started feeling better. I went on vacation to Hilton Head, SC and was able to enjoy myself. I was able to eat without over doing it, but also without feeling sick afterward. I rode a bike quite a bit on vacation and swam, but still managed to gain 4 pounds. I just finally lost those 4 pounds this week. I have started back running and I am increasing my laps in the pool. I have always added weight to my dumbbells doing my weight lifting workouts. A lot of times you hit a plateau and it is hard to get the weight lose going again. This is one reason I have never been able to lose weight and keep it off before. I just keep varying my workouts. Also allow yourself a cheat meal or day. Give your body something it is craving, just don't over do it. Those are my two things for breaking a plateau.

Off to go swim some laps and then weights this afternoon.

I have lost a total of 60lbs since I began my journey 6 months ago..but lately I have been having a very hard time losing any weight since my third fill...so i have not lost any weight since march...i have gained and went back down but no lost of weight...i am pretty sure that i am letting food get the best of me so right now i am on a mini vac from my normal life trying to get myself back on losing the weight needed to be successful at my goals. but 60.lbs is a nice start.

Congratulations on your 60 lbs. I am about 7 months out and have also slowed downed in my weight loss. My physician told me that most lap band patients loss only about 40-50% during their first year, I have lost 56 lbs in 7 months. I still have 40 lbs to go and I think these next 40 are going to be my hardest. I started writing down everything I eat and keeping a dairy so I could stay focused. I still don't do as good as I should with consistant exercise, I know this would help. My MD wants me to do at least 20-30 minutes a day. Keep your focus, you will reach your goal, you have done an awesome job so far!

OK, good folks: the last time I wrote, I said I was encouraged that the 'sweet spot' had been hit and loss would crank up. Nope. Here is what I am experiencing: it's quite easy for things to get 'stuck' for some period of time. I have to eat slowly, deliberately, carefully, But I have not lost. I am still pretty much where I was about three months ago. I'm concerned that if I have another fill I will be at a point where I can not eat much except soft stuff. On the other hand, if I don't have that fill, I'm not sure I will lose any more weight. I've had about 7.5 cc's, I believe, and I've lost about thirty pounds (my goal was 100).

Advice??

Are you exercising?

Thanks,

Deb WS

I am back here for motivation. I followed this website religiously 6 months prior to my surgery and for the first 3 or 4 months after the surgery. I quit reading about the success and failures and stopped losing weight and exercising. I walked 2 miles last night which was the first exercise i have done since I went to a conference the 2nd week in April. I had actually gained 2 pounds when I went to the doctor last month but since getting the last fill I think my food intake has decreased some. I had hoped with the band there would be less of a struggle ... but the struggle is still there. I am starting to record what I eat again also ... so I can own what I'm eating and have a good picture of where I'm possibly going wrong.

I am back here for motivation. I followed this website religiously 6 months prior to my surgery and for the first 3 or 4 months after the surgery. I quit reading about the success and failures and stopped losing weight and exercising. I walked 2 miles last night which was the first exercise i have done since I went to a conference the 2nd week in April. I had actually gained 2 pounds when I went to the doctor last month but since getting the last fill I think my food intake has decreased some. I had hoped with the band there would be less of a struggle ... but the struggle is still there. I am starting to record what I eat again also ... so I can own what I'm eating and have a good picture of where I'm possibly going wrong.

Ann, it takes courage for us to look at where we are and where we had hoped we would be. I think we can all lose site of what the band truly does for us, it offers a feeling of fullness if we listen and forces us to change our life choices and make a wiser decisions, again if we listen. Your post is motivating, we do own what we eat. Good luck and I know you will find the strength to make it to the end of your journey, we all just need to get our head in the right place. I keep remembering what my MD said before surgery, "This is only a tool, you still have to do the work" Best of luck!

I haven't seen new threads here in quite a while - nor have I posted. That is, I suppose, partly because I haven't had a lot to post about! Ten months past surgery, I have been mostly 'stuck' at a 35 lb. loss. I go to my doctor monthly and (with the exception of one month) we've been in this tweaking process, where I get a 1/2cc fill or skip a month to see how it goes. Last week I got another 1/2cc, and am now at 8.5 cc's. I have to be very careful of what I eat and mindful of how I eat, although this is a good thing - paying attention is something that all of us probably can benefit from. I would love to hear from those who have hit the "sweet spot" that I keep hearing about. Is this it? Does the sweet spot mean that sometimes food gets stuck and you feel uncomfortable but that, mostly, you find that you are able to eat modest amounts and lose steadily?

What have you not been able to tolerate? My "no thank you list" currently contains maki sushi (the rolled kind) and most Chinese food - which is either too stringy (mushi) or tough (orange beef, for instance) for me to be happy with...also I've heard that rice, in general, is difficult to deal with.

I'd love to hear from more of you as to how you are doing and what your experiences have been.

Best to all,

Deb WS

Deb, hang in there!! You are doing great!! I am at 7.5 cc's now and will probably get another .5 at my next visit. I struggle too. We all do!! it's a long lasting battle that we have to win!

I am struggling to break the 200 mark. But I am convinced it will be this week! M weight this morning was 200.8, so I know I will get there this week! I am determined! I ahve been yo-yo'ing between 202 and 200 for the past 4 weeks, and I have to step it up!!

i have not found much that I cannot tolerate. I find bread can be tough, but as long as it is tiny pieces, I can do it. Oh, and hard boiled eggs are difficult too. Weird, right??

Glad you are back. I have been away for a bit too, but I am trying to get back here to get some support as well.

But I have to say that the compliments, new clothes and energy really have given me postivie vibes!!

Hi guys! Let's support one another! My weight loss has been stuck for four months and I find it depressing and shameful. I haven't been back here because I've thought that everyone else would be sporting 100+ losses and it would depress me.

I haven't seen new threads here in quite a while - nor have I posted. That is, I suppose, partly because I haven't had a lot to post about! Ten months past surgery, I have been mostly 'stuck' at a 35 lb. loss. I go to my doctor monthly and (with the exception of one month) we've been in this tweaking process, where I get a 1/2cc fill or skip a month to see how it goes. Last week I got another 1/2cc, and am now at 8.5 cc's. I have to be very careful of what I eat and mindful of how I eat, although this is a good thing - paying attention is something that all of us probably can benefit from. I would love to hear from those who have hit the "sweet spot" that I keep hearing about. Is this it? Does the sweet spot mean that sometimes food gets stuck and you feel uncomfortable but that, mostly, you find that you are able to eat modest amounts and lose steadily?

What have you not been able to tolerate? My "no thank you list" currently contains maki sushi (the rolled kind) and most Chinese food - which is either too stringy (mushi) or tough (orange beef, for instance) for me to be happy with...also I've heard that rice, in general, is difficult to deal with.

I'd love to hear from more of you as to how you are doing and what your experiences have been.

Best to all,

Deb WS

I tell you, there is nothing sweet about a stuck episode - so in answer to your question, no, that is not the sweet spot. The sweet spot is when you eat just enough, then have the sensation of satiety or being satisfied for a few hrs. Being stuck generally occurs (as in my case) when you dont chew thoroughly, eat too fast or you eat something that doesnt agree with the band. It will get stuck in the stoma area (above the band) and then backs up (oh the pain)! This is the reason we're told not to sit in front of TV because we wont pay enough attention to chewing. I have lost 50 lbs since Nov 22 and should be further along, but have been distracted. If I exercise discipline, then I can progress because though I am tight, emotionally I still want to eat. At this point its all abt discipline for me. I have clinic tomorrow and will share myndownfalls so I can get back on track. I dont need another fill or I may get stuck all the time because it will be too tight.