How is weight loss for people over 50? Can we still expect to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week with the band?

IndigoGirl: Hope your surgery went well. Sending you positive thoughts!

Denise - Wow! Good for you. I have been downsizing a little, buying a few things rather tight, so I can "grow into them" it really is a different way of thinking.

Best wishes!

hello all...i was banded 10 days ago. i'm supposed to be still on liquids, but i'm so tired of liquids... i never feel full.... NEVER. today i ate scrambled egges and even a piece of toast. i did not chew, eat slowly, or anything different than i have done all my life. no problem. felt great. i was really hoping that things would be different. my girlfriend, who was banded a week before me, had lunch with me. she couldn't finish her eggs and didn't even try for the toast. she was too full. am i a freak??? the doctor told me that i have to wait four weeks from surgery before i can get my first fill. by then, i'll probably be 20 pounds heavier! ugh! am i the only one, or is this a common problem early in the process?

You're risking having your band slip later on down the road. The reason for liquids is so that the band can heal on your stomach without having to digest foods.

ohhhhhhhhh, that makes sense. but what about the hunger issue??? i'm starving, and yet my girlfriend fills up quickly and easily. what is normal? -- if there is such a thing as normal.

Watchband

I think the hardest time is that month after surgery until you start getting filled. Try really hard to follow your program and not eat anything you are not suppose to. I know it is hard, but you will feel better about yourself. It does take time for the surgery to hel and for you to fell restricted! Good luck

Wstchband

drink more water or liquids and have sugar free jello and sugar popsicles that may help.

wow, you've lost 100 pounds. that's amazing! okay, you're my new hero. i'll follow the damn program and just pretend i'm not hungry. i soooooo want to get my first fill so i can feel like everyone else around here does. plus, my husband keeps thinking he's spent all this money and it's not going to work. poor baby! thanks for the tips and enouragement.

watchband: There are things you can eat that will help keep you from being so hungry. Are you doing any protein shakes? They are very important. I found during the first few months after surgery, I did better if I just ate very small amounts every few hours. My dietician didn't like the idea - she wanted me to stick with just 3 meals a day. But I did better if I had something about 5 times a day.

One of my favorite and most satisfying things was cream of chicken soup. I have no idea why it worked, but it did. I got very sick of the sugar free stuff, although I found sugar free popcicles and fudgcicles (Popcicle brand) to be very helpful and they're only 25 calories a pop. Also Laughing Cow makes an awesome cheese product that is relatively low in calories and is incredibly good and satisfying. They come in individually wrapped wedges.

But the most important thing for you to stave off hunger is to be sure that you're getting enough protein every day. The protein shakes are the best way to go and I couldn't have made it without them. I lost 40 lbs. in about 4 months. Good luck!

looking real good in that picture good work keep it up

Hi D. I was at clinic today and we were told that we could lose 5-20 pounds the first week after surgery however don't be surprised or diasppointed if you gain some or all of it back before fill, it is natural we were told but it sure does take you down a bit once you lost and then regained it. Keep the faith it will work out LOL on me I ahve not yet been banded I am do on 09/10 for my LB Sharon

Watchband: The first few months are the hardest. You may not feel full after your first fill either. I'm sorry to tell you this. Everyone is different. I'm sure that you are hungry, but psychologically it's very hard adjustment too. Some of what you feel is giving up the old ways and habits. I agree with BJean that protein drinks are very important. Have small amounts of protien 5 times a day. Also, warm foods help, soups, sugar free hot chocolate, tea, etc. You are going to be so glad that you have LB, just give it time. I didn't feel full for the first 4 months, but you can deal with it. The weight you lose will be permanent and the hunger comes and goes. You are allowed to eat when your hungry and you are allowed to feel sad for the old habits and appetites. If you stay true to your program, you are going to be happy and eventually full! Good luck!

Watchband: The first few months are the hardest. You may not feel full after your first fill either. I'm sorry to tell you this. Everyone is different. I'm sure that you are hungry, but psychologically it's very hard adjustment too. Some of what you feel is giving up the old ways and habits. I agree with BJean that protein drinks are very important. Have small amounts of protien 5 times a day. Also, warm foods help, soups, sugar free hot chocolate, tea, etc. You are going to be so glad that you have LB, just give it time. I didn't feel full for the first 4 months, but you can deal with it. The weight you lose will be permanent and the hunger comes and goes. You are allowed to eat when your hungry and you are allowed to feel sad for the old habits and appetites. If you stay true to your program, you are going to be happy and eventually full! Good luck!

Karey, thanks for posting this. I'm a little over 2 months out and went in for my last fill about 2 weeks ago. I don't have another one scheduled for another 2 weeks and my stomach is rumbling big time! I try to still make good food choices and to ask myself 'are you full yet?', but when I'm hungry, I tend to fall back into my old, bad ways. Oftentimes I realize it's just head hunger, but I go on and eat anyway. I hope this is just part of the relearning process.

And I hope you're right about eventually feeling full and that I'm not an anomaly! 'Cause right now I feel like I could eat Texas! :hungry:

I am a year out and trust me you will fell full once you get past that first fill. Stay away from carbs and sugars and ,ake sure you get enough protein . Begin to learn how to trust your band. It will not fail you! Give yourself time to change your thought processes and behavior! You will make it! Good luck!

watchdog - I second the protein shake ideas. It is so important for hunger issues. mentally we all have to work on carb and sugar addictions. Each time I think i've got it, I slip.

The eating with a band isn't a whole lot different than without, although once you are tight it will feel a little different. I think the challenge is the head thing, at least for me. I've had to decide that the food choice I make isn't wrong, but if it is a "goodie" for me I may have to confront a chain reaction within my body. Am I up for it? is the bite of cookie or ice cream really going to hurt? Not really, but if my mental framework isn't right on center it will trigger a binge. Now, my band is really tight, so a binge isn't what I want to do. THAT is the band difference for me! I am not going to totally lose the ground I have covered, like I have time and time again.

So this is the long winded approach to - The band works! Work with it!

Drink protein!

Best wishes all,

Michelle