I'm just not getting it, am I?

I don't know what my problem is! I was so motivated getting this surgery. I had goals, ideas and thoughts about this surgery. This was IT, this was my answer to my problems. Yes, it was going to be work but something was going to actually HELP me get this under control. I've vented, cried, gotten frustrated etc. I just don't know why I can't get it under control. I KNOW the rules, I KNOW the band isn't magic, I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW.....what the he!! is my problem.

I'm frustrated that I'm doing what I'm supposed to and I'm hungry and not losing. I'm frustrated that I'm frustrated. I know I probably need another fill and once I get a good sweet spot that perhaps things will start falling into place but I'm so disgusted with my lack of initiative anymore....guess that's why I'm fat in the first place....diets don't work for me and I'm on another diet. Yes, I get it....it's a lifestyle change...I'm working on it. I'm trying and I've made huge adjustments compared to how I used to be and I guess that is a plus on my side. I'm just mad at myself because I thought I'd be so much better at this than I am. I had high hopes for myself. I don't get full easily. When I do get satisfied, I'm hungry again in two hours. It doesn't happen all the time but more often than I think it should. I'm getting pretty good Protein in for each meal too. I'm supposed to be at 1,100 calories per day and am still about 1300-1500 per day. I'm exercising 4-5 days per week - walking. this is much more than I ever did before.

I was banded on 4/18/11 and have only had 2 fills for a total of 4.5 cc in an 11cc band.

Anyhow, I think I just need a swift kick in my butt.....at this point, that might not even help my lack of motivation. I guess I was kind of hoping this would be a little bit of a help to me and not another "DO IT YOURSELF" diet and so far that is what I'm dealing with and failing at again.

Okay, the pity party is over thanks for listening......gonna go drink my crystal light. Let the bashing begin.....but like I said, I'm not stupid and I know this isn't a magic wand. i'm working it but so far it isn't working with me.....that is what I find frustrating and I hope I find that sweet spot soon...

I had to stop and make sure I wasn't the one who wrote that! You sound like you are stuck like me.... I am trying to make adjustments in my food intake. I am frustrated because I can't eat very much and I am still not losing. I just posted that I think I am defective! I am motivated again though by visiting this site and meeting new people that are having the same issues. I hope that the changes that I am making(on liquids this week) are going to jump start my losing again... I was banded in March of 2010 ! Ugh! There is hope and we shall prevail! Just don't you give up or I 'll kick you in the arssss as requested ...

Have a GREAT DAY!

Here if you need an ear

Sounds to me like your doing everything right! First,, you are not at your sweet spot, so of course you are going to be hungrier! If you are exercising 5 days a week, then you are more than likely adding muscle, and since muscle weighs more than fat...that could be why it isn't showing. I went 3 months without loosing, but during that time, I went from a size 18 to a loose size 14...I know it's crazy, but that is just the way it is...hang in there and keep the faith!

You don't need a swift kick. What you need is to take a deep breath, put your priorities in order and set up a list of rules for yourself that you can follow. You already have all the information you need to succeed. You know what you have to do. Now it's time to put it into action. From your picture I see you have a little one. You have to tend to his needs but not to the extent that you ignore your own. Make yourself and your weight loss your number one priority. If some counseling would help GO GET IT! Talk to your lapband doctor or his staff. Set up a little reward schedule for every 10 or 20 pounds you lose. Get your kids involved. "Help Mommy lose 20 pounds and we'll all go to the zoo!" Do whatever it takes. You've come this far. You've been through all of the pre-op stuff, the research, the expense, the time, the surgery. You didn't do all of that so you could fail. You can do this. I know you can or you wouldn't be here. Good luck. We're all here if you need us.

Sounds to me like your doing everything right! First,, you are not at your sweet spot, so of course you are going to be hungrier! If you are exercising 5 days a week, then you are more than likely adding muscle, and since muscle weighs more than fat...that could be why it isn't showing. I went 3 months without loosing, but during that time, I went from a size 18 to a loose size 14...I know it's crazy, but that is just the way it is...hang in there and keep the faith!

Welcome to Onderland, Kelly, and Happy Bandiversary (a day early).

Thank-you bunches Cindy! Gotta say it feels good!

Thank you for your comments. I too have been frustrated because it's exciting to see the weight come off in the beginning but when it stops you question yourself, did i do the right thing? what am i doing wrong? where do I go from here? Although I've only been banded a little over a month, I expected to loose the weight on a consistant basis. Whether it be 1lb or 5lbs, just something. I've lost 20lbs since my surgery. I've been exercising on a regular for 2 weeks since my doctor released me to do so. I don't know, it is frustrating and I'm glad this sight is up because it really helps me when I get down on myself. Thank you all for being so honest and sharing your true GUT wrenching feelings.

Sounds to me like your doing everything right! First,, you are not at your sweet spot, so of course you are going to be hungrier! If you are exercising 5 days a week, then you are more than likely adding muscle, and since muscle weighs more than fat...that could be why it isn't showing. I went 3 months without loosing, but during that time, I went from a size 18 to a loose size 14...I know it's crazy, but that is just the way it is...hang in there and keep the faith!

I think that everybody has these types of moments and it is normal. I know that I sure have. I hate when the scale bounces between the same three pounds. I dont have the hunger issues that you do but again I feel that a lot of my hunger was "head" hunger. At night it really sets in. I want something to munch on when the family is snacking away. So recently I have started drinking warm tea or coffee so I feel full and the hunger passes.

I try to reevaluate what I am putting in my mouth. I am often suprised how much I used to find myself doing mindless eating. When I notice that happening I go back to basics for a few days and usually that helps me get refocused. You have to remember that you are not at a green zone yet so it is a struggle still. (Better but a struggle)

If you get on track and eat and move like your doctor has advised and you are still hungry then I would schedule a fill. Just keep working it and it will get better. Dont measure yourself by others because this is your journey!!!!

This is NORMAL! I know it's very frustrating and I totally agree with you-I didn't get the band to do another damn diet-I gotthe band to make a significant impact on my weight loss!! I am SO glad I didn't tell everyone I was getting the surgery because I am sure they would be saying 'what's the hold up?- I thought she had surgery?"

I think you need to be really patient until you reach your sweet spot and then it will all make sense. I had this sweet spot for just a couple of days after my first fill (not since then)- I simply wasn't interested in eating and when I went out to eat I just ate a little bit simply because I was full I wantthat feeling back! It seems that it can take anywhere from 3-5 fills to reach it. Don't be too hard on yourself until you have that kind of restriction.

Definitely talk to your doctor about it and see if he can help speed up the fills. I would really advise you to go to support meetings in your area. Call your doctor's office and ask them to recommend one. You will find you are not alone and will regain some inspiration!

Hang in there-we will get to the promised Bandland!!

No kicking from me, just want to say you're still doing great... get that fill and keep on truckin'

Sounds like you are following the rules and getting exercise so to that I say WAY TO GO! But it also sounds like you need a larger support group. Are you attending lap band support groups in your local area. That's a great place to meet people face to face that are going through the same thing. And if you befriend someone from that group that lives in your area then you can exercise together and be each others motivation. It's just a suggestion, but I am using this method along with these forums and it really helps me. Good Luck!! And try not to get discouraged, these things take time.

I think you need to bump up your work outs. I know walking is a great thing, but now, maybe look into doing aerobic classes, or getting on the elliptical.

I am currently taking TURBO KICK BOXING classes available at 24 hour fitness 5-6 days a week for an hour. It has helped speed up the weight loss.

As far as everything else goes...it doesn't sound like you need to be kicked. Good job on staying committed even though it's not what you're expecting.

Glad to read about others who are having the same issues...thanks guys!

You're doing SO well! Stop being so hard on yourself and let go of the fantasy that weight will just fall off you. YOu may need to tweak things, but you're doing it all right, and you said yourself, its probably only a matter of another fill or two.

I agree, bump up your workouts. Walking keeps you out of the cardio ward, but for those who are fitter, lighter or more muscular, it simply is not intense enough to qualify as weight loss cardio. The fat burning zone thing is a complete myth, you need your heart pounding quite hard and a decent sweat going, you should be feeling that you want to stop and that it takes willpower to keep going. That is the kind of cardio that will rip weight off you, especially if you also add some all out sprints.

You probably arent a fast weight loss person, some of us arent and you will need to learn to appreciate the slow and steady approach. You dont need a kick in the arse, you just need some faith and some patience.

Hang in there, you'll get there eventually.

I have those days...............giggle. One thing that has helped me is that I know I am lower in muscle than I have been in all my life. I had gotten pretty seditary. about my 2-3 post surgery marks, I was very frustrated, especially when the scales only moved 1 lb in 3 weeks. Then I would just keep going and the next week, 6 lbs would come off. I finally decided that if that was going to be the case, I had to hide my scales and focus on the joy of knowing that I was doing all I could do and it would catch up and the results would follow. They have. I still get frustrated some times. That's when I pull out my itunes, put on my headphones and lace up my tennis shoes and say, I promised I would keep going and if I gotta do this, I'm at least going to enjoy it." Now, what used to be my fat only arms, is starting to develop a little bitty itty teeny muscle that I can even see when I flex. Might not be enough to win an arm wrestling contest but it's enough to make me feel stronger and want more. I'm determined now that no amount of frustraton is going to cause me to fail. I keep getting my fills and moving forward. Sometimes they work well, sometimes they don't. The next month, I go get another one and am back on track. I've also noticed that at my TOM, that I stop losing anything for nearly two weeks and then right afterwards the scales will usually move 8-10 lbs in two weeks................go figure, it's crazy fun.

I think that everybody has these types of moments and it is normal. I know that I sure have. I hate when the scale bounces between the same three pounds. I dont have the hunger issues that you do but again I feel that a lot of my hunger was "head" hunger. At night it really sets in. I want something to munch on when the family is snacking away. So recently I have started drinking warm tea or coffee so I feel full and the hunger passes.

I try to reevaluate what I am putting in my mouth. I am often suprised how much I used to find myself doing mindless eating. When I notice that happening I go back to basics for a few days and usually that helps me get refocused. You have to remember that you are not at a green zone yet so it is a struggle still. (Better but a struggle)

If you get on track and eat and move like your doctor has advised and you are still hungry then I would schedule a fill. Just keep working it and it will get better. Dont measure yourself by others because this is your journey!!!!

First THANKS to everyone for the great comments. I do love this board because even when I ask for a kick in the butt, I get great words of encouragement. You are right....this is my journey....but we all want "those" results, and while I'm so excited for those who are doing so well, I'm admittedly so stinking jealous.

This "head hunger" was a huge adjustment for me and one thing that I can say I have really done well at overcoming. I used to eat out of boredom and despite all my whining about "dieting" again, this is a huge adjustment I've made in this Lapband life. I know that head hunger was part of my prior issues.....and I talk to myself ALOT if I'm hungry or just bored and head hungry. I'd eat cuz I had nothing else to do, cuz I was sad, bored, angry, whatever. It's a 50/50 shot that I'm physically hungry vs. bored hungry. Even if I'm physically hungry, I'll drink something first to see if it goes away but most of the time I end up eating something else because I can feel myself starting to get the shakes and I know it's not head hunger. I do talk to myself a lot and it is hard sometimes when husband and son are sitting there eating even the sugar free fudgesicles (which I love) and I try not to give in because I'm trying to stay under the 1,100 calories and even if they are sugar-free it is still 80 calories or something like that.

Last week I had the worst craving for Twix candy bars.....I don't even really like them and never was a big candy eater....so I had no idea why I had the impulse to buy them. Anyhow, it is 250 calories for two bars....I ate one on one day and one on the next day...not bad, not good but not bad. BUT, then the "monthly" started and I figured out that is what was controlling my craving. It started and no more cravings....strange how our body works.

I'm doing well with not drinking my calories but my big problem is that I love coffee.....LOVE IT! \Mmy mother used to say to me "would you like some coffee with your cream" - - I like a lot of cream, no sugar, but not skim milk or stuff like that...the good stuff. I've cut back on it but I know I'm getting some calories from that. I've given up fast food (which was an issue) and I think if I give up my coffee too....I'll end up in the looney bin....

I really really do appreciate all your kind words and encouragement. Great place to vent and thanks for not kicking me too hard. :grouphug: Thanks for letting me get it out.