I am very discourgaged right now. I had the band implanted on October 27th and I have only lost 31 lbs. since then. That includes me working out 2 hours per day 6 days per week and I have had 2 fills! I live in Charlotte and I really need a support group that can help me through this. I am so disheartened and I don't want to do! Can anyone help me?

Jaime:help:

Lap Band Implanted: 10/27/2005

Last fill: 7/3/2006

Total Weight Lost: 31 pounds

Charlotte, NC

Hey Vines, I wanted to chime in here. I think you've been a real trooper through all of your medical problems and have been so motivational each time I see one of your posts. I thought I'd comment on the "calories in/calories out don't work for everyone." It really does work for everyone - it's just that some people have very slow metabolisms. You apparently have a disorder where your metabolism is just greatly slowed down (I believe you said it was cushings?), maybe because the increased cortisol levels cause you to gain weight (because cortisol is the stress response hormone) and instead burn muscle for energy which further lower your metabolism and causes a lot of fatigue. Anyhow, your calories OUT just don't amount to much, so you end up just maintaining instead of losing, even on as few calories as you ingest.

Hey Puddin! I've been thinking about this post since I first read it. And on the surfice, it seems sound.

But the thing is, it doesn't matter how much I eat or don't eat. The calorie in/out would hold true if I gained massive amounts of weight on 1200-1500, when I couldn't lose on 1200, 1000, 800 or less than 700 calories. (I did gain 10 pounds in a week at 1000 calories, but that was one week.) It is entiely possible that my weight gain/loss has been only Water, which is fine on one level because it lessens my edema problems. But not fine for why I had WLS. If my metabolism was truely that slow, I wouldn't metabolize medications as fast as I do, and I would gain constantly.

But as for low calories, I just don't see how other people can function on sub 700 long term. I will give you that it is entirely prorbable that I entered into a deep Low during the month I was too restricted. But I think the lowered calorie intake made the Low worse.

Vines, I think you defy the rules of physics! LOL. Really, no one is exempt from the rules - they just can't be. But you have other things going on, I have no idea what, that for some reason are causing fluctuations all over the place. I wish I was a brilliant doctor who could somehow be injected into your body and see exactly what was taking place. I do think that if you eat VERY low amounts of food (like sub 700 calories, long-term), your metabolism will greatly slow, making the "low worse".

I have another friend who exercises her tail off, despite her low energy, and is very disciplined with what she eats. For some reason, she just doesn't lose either. I think TYPICALLY it's a case of just not being aware of our calories in/calories out (assuming the calories are not way too low, causing muscle loss and a lowered metabolism). But SOMETIMES there are those who have other things going on in their bodies that force them to hold onto the fat and burn other things for energy instead. I know this is the case with my friend. She doesn't have the Cushings "look", but she could have have it, or Epstein Barr, or a myriad of other things.

I'm going to ask my professor about this. I'm in a medical program right now, and there are some good doctors with up-to-date information on this kind of stuff. I know you don't have much faith in doctors at this point (and neither would I), but it won't hurt to get other opinions on what might be happening.

I hope you start to lose real soon and stay on a constant reduction. I can';t speak for anyone but myself its been 9 months since you had the surgery and you have only had 2 fills I had surgery Februaury 17 2005 and (in cheking my journal I had my 5th fill November 10 2005. I think you need to get a good fill and watch what you eat (protein protein protein)> You iwll lose it it can be done if I did it anyone can I was the worlds worse when it came to discipline and willpower but I learned how to follow the rules my Dr gave me to the letter, i wanted the weight gone. Get a fill and email me once you start losing. I will be there when you want an ear to listen to you.

I think I read that you have only had 2 fills. One of the biggest rules is that we get steady and very much needed fills. I can tell you that I considered myself a slow looser as well. I would eat bad foods... and I still go through phases.

Currently I weigh 175 and I started at 236 lbs. I kept telling people I lost 50 lbs. and I just didnt think that was *enough* for 15 months post op....then i got my caclulator out and realized it was 61 lbs that I have lost... the key for me was this last fill I had.... this one is the SWEET SPOT for sure.....

a typical meal for me now is

bf a lowfat yogurt drink

l a bowl of Soup ( i splurge and get whatever kind I want... brocolli cheese is my fav)

s sometimes I will splurge and have a half a cookie with a cup of coffee at the office (ok maybe a full cookie but only every once ina while)

d is a tough one... I am usually not hunger now that I had this last fill...I will try to eat a bit or two of chicken... and maybe some mashed potatoes or Beans.. etc.... i have STOPPED eating the ice cream after dinner...

now I just started taken liquid Protein becasue I am not getting enough in with this sweet spot fill... even if i eat cheese i dont think it is enough.. hang in there GET A FILL... when you hit the sweet spot you will do just fine!

IckiVicki

Vicki,

Thanks for the reply. Congrats on the weight lose. How many fills have you had,and in what period of time? I have now lost 22lbs since march 18th,and I know I need another fill but I tore my achilles tendon ,and I'm in a cast, and on crutches for 8 weeks! I can't imagine trying o go to Tijuana on crutches to get a fill, and my local Dr. doesn't use fluro? I prefer fluro! Do you think I can wait 5 more weeks? Also I've been eating regular food just smaller amounts of it,much smaller! Some say you should be on a special diet, but others say thats the point of the band to learn to eat reg. food in small amts. and still loose wt. whats your take on it?

ciao,

Yvette

Hey Puddinpie,

What's the "calorie device" you wear? Always looking for more help getting to goal.

Jewel

So, Puddin', what did your professors say?

Vines, I totally forgot about this, thanks for reminding me. I'll ask Tuesday before class. Incidentally, I did talk with a PA about this subject. He tends to think the low calorie has to be quite low for a long time for the body to truly start favoring burning muscle for fuel. He did say that sometimes if you lower your calories drastically for a week or so, however, your body will hold onto water. But I'll ask the docs in my program.