I was banded Sept 19, 2011. While i lost some weight postop, i gained it all back when i started eating. I am currently at 8.5cc in an 11cc band. After 7-1/2 months i've not lost much (really, it's insignificant). I've tried so hard to follow protocol and the menu my nutritionist gave me but it's very hard. I was never much of a protein eater and when i eat a meal with no carbs, i feel very depressed and i find myself looking for food.

I know planning my meals is the key but it's hard enough to cook and plan meals for the family, so often times i'm not getting my alotted protein and am looking for the carbs.

I'm also having a problem finding that balance between being hungry and eating too much that it causes me to vomit. This usually happens during dinner. (not every though)

What's even more frustrating and confusing is that i feel restriction when eating solid protein....healthy foods, but when it comes to certain carbs (ones not allowed to have), well, let's just say i can get through an entire bag of cheddar flavored rice cake minis with no problems whatsoever.

Sometimes i'm ready to give up.

You hear most studies on weight loss surgeries conclude that people generally lose 40% of the weight they need to. I think its because (for me) I've lost about 80# give or take really without doing much at all. I of course eat less (volume) and a little healthier than I used to and find myself kinda plateauing. For me this is the point in which my band stops doing it all for me. I've been luckier than most because 80# without really changing much is great for me. I know its now up to me to find the time and motivation to help my band help me.

My point with all this is, dont sweat it! The worst thing you can do is come on here and compare your success or percieved failure to others. Everyone is different and every situation is different. You have ups and downs with everything you do, this is no different. The nice thing about my situation is I've lost 80#, havent really been serious lately but I havent gained any, any weight back! In the past I would have gained more than I lost! The nice thing is, with the band you can get re-adjusted and get back on track without much guilt. If you choose to follow "drs. orders" you'll lose much faster but be realistic, if you could follow drs. orders you wouldnt have the surgery! The mental part is alot harder than the surgery and unfortunately there's no "band" for your brain!

I've found what works for me is to incorporate healthier choices into my diet, etc. slowly. In the past my idea of trying to lose was to be all gung ho, change everything at once but I was lucky to lose at all because I've never lasted very long that way.

My dr. recomended protien bars. My issue was I wouldnt eat much during the day so I would make up for it with late lunch, dinner and into the evening. The protien early helps curb my appetite in the evening although my brain wants fed because thats what its used to!

Its not easy, if it was everyone would be skinny. Dont give up, you've made a great sacrifice for yourself mostly and also your family. Find what works for you and you'll be happy. The true test is not how much you lose in 1-2 years, its how much you lose over the long haul. How much healthier you become.

My goal with doing this surgery was to become a healthier person which I have definitely done. My dream was and still is to look good. I look better but still have a ways to go. If I do get there great, if I dont, Im much healthier and happier already!

Thank you! You're right, if i was able to follow exact advice of the doc, i wouldn't need the band. This was why i was so depressed while on the eating plan that the nutritionist gave me. If i was able to eat like that all the time, i wouldnt have needed the band! It's frustrating.

I agree, i think i'm overthinking by trying to follow what i'm told and am then frustrated and unhappy and just go off the plan to eat stuff i'm not supposed to eat.

Thanks for your encouragement. I'm hoping to have some success soon.

I understand exactly how you feel! I couldn't understand why all of the bad carbs would just go down and the healthy foods seem to get stuck! I was banded in July of 2011. I lost about 20 Pre op on my liquid diet and I'm now at a total. Loss of 48 lbs. It's been a roller coaster for me to figure out what my perfect fill is! At 9cc in my 11cc band I felt like I was never full. I had to really chew and take small bites or some things got stuck. Because I wasn't feeling full I thought I needed another fill. I am having my last .5 removed today. I think my biggest mistake has been not enough Protein to help with the fullness. My band does fluctuate like the weather. That's something I never expected! I'm hanging in there. You've got me beat on the exercise! Good for you with that! I need to make the commitment to myself to exercise! It's not easy but I think with determination we can reach our goals in our own time!

It just doesn't make any sense, does it? Why would all those unhealthy foods (even though they are solid) go down but the Proteins get stuck?? I always thought the band would help me get full faster regardless of the food that goes down (i'm referring to solid foods).

I honestly never dreamed it wouldn't be the case.

Why are you having Fluid taken out? Sorry, i didn't get your reason. Is it because you're not able to get all your protein in? Last night i had 4oz of grilled chicken with steamed broccoli and bit a of homemade lowfat cole slaw and i felt no restriction. I was surprised because i expected to have at least some restriction....hmm, wondering if the chicken was too wet from the bites of creamy cole slaw? Anyway, i didn't feel full so i had some quinoa that i had prepared for the family as a side. Had some watermelon about an hour later.

I made an appt for monday for another fill. Part of me wants to get tighter so that i stop overeating. The other part of me is so scared of being too tight that i can't eat anything....

Today for Breakfast i had an egg white omelette with cheese on toasted whole wheat bread with tomato slices on the side. I cut it into 4's so that i remember to take small bites. In the past 2 weeks since my last fill i was able to get through 2 of those parts and had to wait about 1/2 hour to eat the other 2 parts of the sandwich. This morning, i ate all 4 pieces without feeling restriction (of course i was eating very slowly and took tiny bites).

For lunch i had spinach pirogies (ate 6 of them) with cottage cheese and a salad with white Beans. I felt satisfied after that but i can't say i was stuffed. I stopped eating when i emptied the plate.

Just had a Protein Bar for snack.

Not sure what i'm having for dinner yet......