Yep, thats right. I do.

I know this is a board of support, and all, but I think people looking into this must get both sides of this procedure.

It is NOT for everyone. Not everyone will loose weight.

It takes work is an understatement. There is a fine line between starving yourself and feeding yourself and you get to tap dance on it.

Mentally I am a wreak. Physically, I am either hungry or down right sick with myself and refuse to allow myself to eat as I will gain.

Yes, I ate. I gained 3 pounds. Focusing on Protein, low fat and low carbs. And I still gained.

I have drank more Water then I ever thought I could get into my body.

I have to take medications (over the counter) to have a BM. I have had two since surgery, and never felt constipatated.

No, I am not 'restricted' yet. But I am already on to that game. This could takes months to happen, and happen right.

Then what? I eat on the level I have been, and due to the restriction I eat less, and loose weight?

I am already in starvation mode.

Starvation mode - let's talk about this. What diet are you NOT in starvation mode?

In order to get the protein in, and low carbs, low sugar and low fat... what exactly do you eat and fill up on?!

This is that tap dance I was talking about.

I can not get this. I am failing, and I let myself down yet again.

This is insanity and I fought tooth and nail for this for two years. I was just stupid and settled.

Think long an hard if you are considering this. This is not easy. And there is not all that much help out there.

This board can be helpful. I found a good bit of information here. Some nice people too.

When the scale moves up rather then down. Who wouldn't feel the way I am feeling!?

Do I regret this? Yes. In order to make it work I am considering taking diet pills with this. I don't know what else will make this fat go away.

I have kept a daily diary of my intake. I see nothing that I can improve upon. My nutrionist says I need to eat more.

How the hell do you loose weight eating MORE!? especially when you have been told you are putting a band around your stomach to STOP you from eating more/too much!!!!

I am full of regrets. This procedure does not work on everyone. No matter how hard you try, or how by the rules you play it.

OK, just what is a Jello Protein Shot, Melanne?

OK, just what is a Jello Protein Shot, Melanne?

http://store.bariatriceating.com/conewwhlipr.html

25 grams of protein, in two gulps.

Tastes and has the consistancy of jello that has not set yet.

Okay here it goes....I figured when I had this lap band 70 lbs would not be so hard to lose. Well I had my lap band done in Feb of 2005 I have had eight fills less than one year.....I have lost some weight...before the surgery.....Now I am losing weight because I cant eat...barely can drink...and maaloxx has become my drink of choice.....Its funny I had two friends that thier hubbies work with mine...we all had the lap band around same time...and we are still not losing.....but we sure can go get tons of fills....and our insurance is charged 600 dollars a pop and us 25 dollars...oh then I was told when I got a fill it was a surgical procedure...and all he did was feel for the port and stick a needle in ummm....that is not surgical to me...so told them they were not getting and extra dime out of me anymore......I havent had a fill since last year...eight should of gotten me where I wannted to go....was this for insurance money or what??? Now I have a friend who is a nurse practicioner and another friend who had to have theirs removed.......tell me about upset......All this money for what...to weight what I weighted when I went for my first fill. Do my friends and I have a problem or what.:think

Now I am losing weight because I cant eat...barely can drink...and maaloxx has become my drink of choice.....

Sweetie, you are too tight. I know that you have been in for so many fills, but you have to get a bit taken out so you can eat. You are going to have problems with the band if you don't... Sorry you have to go through this!

Melanie,

Someone told me (I don't know this for sure), that your nerve endings that tell your brain that you are full are at the top of your stomach. So, when you have restriction and food is held in the pouch, you feel full after a small amount of food. No restriction, no fuzzy-full feelings.

That is why the restriction works so well. It is true for me. I can eat a half of an apple, and I am full for an hour or two. And I am feel satisfied.

If I were you, I would put that dang scale away until you get the restriction. Right now, you are just dieting. And we all know how well diets work, and how frustrating they can be. Once you get your first fill, see where you are on the restriction.

And if you are sick of Protein, eat salads, veggies, and fruits to fill you up for now. Don't deprive yourself of food.

Hang in there! This is the toughest part, waiting for the "tool" to work, so you won't have to do all the work. That is the way it works!!!

Wow I felt like a failure too. Not the bands fault.... I was done in Oct 05 and have finally reached my sweet spot wow this does help!!! But mentally emotionally and spitiually I really want this .....I ahve only lost 30# but I can run again I have hope again oh well I guess this is not for everybody

Elda

I am sorry you haven't had the weight loss you desire. What I have found, which is a blessing for me, is that I don't have those uncontrolable cravings anymore. I journal my food making sure I get at least 1000 calories and no more then 1200 calories. I concentrate on 50 grams of Protein and 25 grams of fiber. No bread, and no sugar because those or binge bring-on foods for me. Someday when this becomes a natural habit for me I can stop journaling everything. Remember the band is a tool, not a miracle worker. We still have to make wise food choices.

missymaxie, I agree, you are too tight!!!! Start a thread and drum up some advice...post your menu, eating habits, fill schedule with amounts and lets get to the bottom of this. If you live on Maalox, I can assure you, you are too tight and will NOT lose weight this way. You have to eat to lose weight. And not 2000+ calories a day. Real food in good portions. Rather than worry about whether or not this is some kind of Dr/insurance conspiracy, be willing to take a close look at what you are doing and how. Tweak what's needed. There are too many success stories for this to be a crock of "poop". Maybe the band won't work for you, but make sure it's for some medical reason, and not a lack of information needed to make it work. ((((hugs))) and YOU CAN DO THIS!

How are you, MelAnne?

MelAnne,

I feel you are over obsessing right now about calories, Protein, carbs, etc. You are still recovering from surgery and you have no restriction. I do not "diet" with my band, but I do try to make good food choices. If I feel like having something that has more carbs or fats than I "should", I go for it. I know I cannot eat the amount I used to and I find that by not having any forbidden foods, I don't feel deprived. I have lost 40 lbs so far and feel better than ever. P.S. - I am really bad about exercise also , but lately have been trying to walk daily.

I wish you all the best and hope you are feeling better soon!

missymaxie, I agree, you are too tight!!!! Start a thread and drum up some advice...

I just found the thread you started the other day about this...going to read it now...