Hi

I was banded in August 2011 and have lost 35lbs to date. I am extremely frustrated though. At the beginning of the year I started exercising cardio and weight training 5-6 days a week and have not lost more than 10lbs. My band has been filled to max and I still feel it is not enough as I can eat full plate some days and others I am full after 2 bites. Because of the lack of success with my weight loss I am ashamed to go back for my year follow up.

Can anyone offer suggestions or support. This surgery was a last ditch option and I am having severe surgery remorse and wishing I had done gastric bypass. I know it's wrong to want to just loose weight but I have been heavy since I was 12 and I just want to be healthy and in shape.

I would definitely go to your follow up. If you've done all you're supposed to why would you be ashamed? I have read that the band can sometimes slip and move, if that's the case for you maybe it's not as high up as it should be and so not as restrictive as it could? I don't know, but just a thought....

Since we dont know each other I can only tell you from what you written it looks like we had a very different first year. I was at the dr monthly. I tracked everything I put in my mouth except toothpaste, I had several fills and no problems, and lost a boatload of weight.

That said there is NO reason not to call the dr and get back on track. You already have the tool. You need to learn how to use it.

While you are waiting for your appointment why don't you start tracking your calories and measuring your portions Because the band cannot work without you helping it out. All the best to you

Good luck

I also had monthly visits for the first 12 months Excellent after care seems to be the key to success for most of us.

Exercise is great, but are you restricting your calories too? Do you stick to a cup or less of food per meal? Do you track your calories? Have you seen a nutritionist at any point?

These are all questions to help you figure out where changes are possibly necessary. The bottom line is, weight loss is simple math. If you're burning more calories than you consume, you will lose. If you're not losing for the last year then somehow you aren't burning the calories you eat. The only exception would be if you have a medical problem causing the issue.

Definitely keep your follow up appointment. It's crucial you do.

Also, you say:

My band has been filled to max and I still feel it is not enough as I can eat full plate some days and others I am full after 2 bites.

Perhaps you're expecting the band to do something it's not meant to do. The band isn't supposed to stop you from eating anything. It's not even supposed to give you a full feeling. The band is only supposed to keep you satiated on less food for longer periods of time. It's up to you to limit your portions to a cup or less per meal. Here's an excellent link to better explain it: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

There is much you can do, but the best starting point is seeing your doctor and getting back on track with his help.

Best wishes to you.

Please don't quit. Go back to your doctor and be honest about what you feel and what you are doing

Thank you all for your input. I have not tracked what I eat and I eat way more than a cup for most meals. I will start tracking today and make my 1 year follow up appointment. I saw a nutritionist before every fill I received and up until April of this year I had been keeping up with my appointments. But when the PA told me I was at the max for fills I got discouraged about going back. I did not imagine still having this struggle when I got the surgery

How many calories do ya'll average a day? What should my goal be?

I lost about 20 lbs. the whole second year even though I exercised more than ever in my life. I think it came down to eating too much sugar. I would have a protein fruit smoothie for breakfast that probably had as much sugar as ice cream! I avoided bread and pasta the first year because it was hard to swallow, but found a way to eat them the second year. All the while thinking that because I'm eating less, I'm doing good. I cut those things back a few months ago and have lost 20 pounds since.

How many calories do ya'll average a day? What should my goal be?

I ate 1000 calories each day but that may not be a good number for you so check with the Dr. At each meal I tried to eat 300 calories in the following form: 3-4 oz protien, 1/2 c veggies and 1/4 startch. That left 100 calories for a snack of fruit or whatever.

A really helpful tracking tool for me has been www.myfitnesspal.com I know there are others out there too that are helpful. Check it out and put in your food and exercise. It has been a life saver for me. I wish you all the best. Don't give up!

hi....our bodies respond differently isnt it... I too am not loosing..but I have understood 3 things...drink plenty of Water, eat lot of Proteins and exercise....

and i am not doing these regularly...so I cant blame the band...

but I am happy I put the band..at least i eat less and stopped putting on weight..all the best to all of us slow loosers..