Hey all…

I've not been contributing much; pretty much just lurking - trying to get my daily/weekly dose of encouragement from you all; as my weight loss is NON existant. I'm teetering back and forth with the same 3 pounds!

So, went for my 3rd fill into my Vanguard band this a.m. First barium swallow; he said I was too loose (No kidding!). He added 1.5 cc to the band. Swallow. I was under flouro; he asked me how 'that' felt. I said "I feel nothing". He said "Look, the fluid is backing up, that's reflexing on you, and you don't feel that?" I told him I did not. He drew out to 1.2 cc (10.2 total). He said that would be the tighest I would be able to tolerate right now.

I got off the table and he told me that I am one of the few people who do not get the 'full' sensation. I honestly didn't feel anything; though I did hear a little bit of throat gurgling. So at least now I know what that is all about. He went onto tell me that weight loss is going to be more difficult for me b/c I don't get that 'stop' that most of you all get. No doubt, I get full faster - but I don't get the stop that I was hoping for. For sure I eat more than the 1/3 cup of food. :help:

What a horrible blow to my psyche!!! I left the hospital in tears. :think

Again, doubting myself and the choice of band vs. GB. Then I think that I'm at about 1 pound a week on average; most weight loss my first couple of months. Yes, I could do more exercise - there is always room for improvement. :cry

So now, I'm onto my 24 hours of liquids. Mushies tomorrow. :faint:

If you can eat around 1/3 of a cup you are at good restriction level.

Don't think the GP is a magic cure. I couldn't tell you how many people I know who have had it that gained ALL of their weight back.

The lap band does require dieting. I am not a fast loser either. I just know I would be heavier by now instead of having the loss that I do have.

Just try to eat a lot of protein and some fruits and veggies. Most people do count calories. A lot of people eat more like a cup to a cup and a half of food, but not rice potatoes bread or other starches. If you know anything about the South Beach diet, that is a good way to eat. There is a thread on here, and you can do a search for it, that explains the whole diet.

I hope this helps some. Sorry you're so discouraged.

She isn't saying she eats a 1/3 cup of food. She says for sure she can eat more than 1/3 cup of food

Hey all…

I've not been contributing much; pretty much just lurking - trying to get my daily/weekly dose of encouragement from you all; as my weight loss is NON existant. I'm teetering back and forth with the same 3 pounds!

No doubt, I get full faster - but I don't get the stop that I was hoping for. For sure I eat more than the 1/3 cup of food. :help:

improvement. :cry

So now, I'm onto my 24 hours of liquids. Mushies tomorrow. :faint:

Keep your chin up. There are a lot of us that are not losing as fast as

we expected. If you don't eat junk food, desserts, and a lot of carbs, I

would think you would lose, especially if you are exercising.

I put myself back on the liquid diet to break my plateau. It worked. Now

I am going to get another fill.

Thanks all; for the words of encouragement.

Today is another day; I'm now on mushies. I am trying egg salad as I write this - and I feel restriction for certain. Just a couple of bites and I feel it. Do I stop? Or do I finish the 1/2 portion I took for myself? I could also be swollen in there, I'm sure of that.

I'm guess a 'sure sign' is that I'm getting the throat gurgle.

I want it now, I want it now, I want it now! lol

What 'it' is...I will know when I have it.

Don't let anyone including your doctor deside how your going to do with the band! Those are just words right now and there is really no way to tell.

My Dr told me a while ago that most likely I would not be able to tolorate andother fill and that I may have to switch to another surgery. I have NEVER mentioned this to anyone! I felt like a failure and I was confused as to why.

Since that time I have really paid attention to my eating habits including the speed of them! I have had 2 more fills and he has never mentioned that again.

Take your time with the band, stick to the band rules and you will hopefully be fine.

Other peoples words can sometimes jepordise our success. They can really mess our heads up. Try your hardest not to let that happen to you!

hi sherilynn....

the 2 keys for me is to tracking my eating and get moving. at first i hated the exercise part but once i got in the swing of things...i actually look forward to it now. especially since it started me losing again and i feel good mentally after it

i hit a plateau about 2 months after surgery and this sparked me to start losing again

the people i see succeeding on this site hit the gym 4-5 times a week.

especially if they have slow metabolism's.

i will tell you i think 1 lb a week is a good loss. you are heading in the right direction....

can you ask your doctor to fill you more? i did that and i ended up being too tight and suffered the consequences. but at least i know i was responsible for that. if he didnt do that i would be frustrated with him...(he's pretty wise)

anyway good luck and keep your chin up

Don't let anyone including your doctor deside how your going to do with the band! Those are just words right now and there is really no way to tell.

My Dr told me a while ago that most likely I would not be able to tolorate andother fill and that I may have to switch to another surgery. I have NEVER mentioned this to anyone! I felt like a failure and I was confused as to why.

Since that time I have really paid attention to my eating habits including the speed of them! I have had 2 more fills and he has never mentioned that again.

Take your time with the band, stick to the band rules and you will hopefully be fine.

Other peoples words can sometimes jepordise our success. They can really mess our heads up. Try your hardest not to let that happen to you!

Sunsett - YOU KNOW how I feel!! This is exactly it! I haven't mentioned it to anyone, b/c I'm hoping it will just drop out of my memory; no negative self talk.

Honestly, he's not got the best bedside manner. Perhaps I take things too personally. So, I'm not a Superstar weight loss speed looser. So what. right? lol

hi sherilynn....

the 2 keys for me is to tracking my eating and get moving. at first i hated the exercise part but once i got in the swing of things...i actually look forward to it now. especially since it started me losing again and i feel good mentally after it

i hit a plateau about 2 months after surgery and this sparked me to start losing again

the people i see succeeding on this site hit the gym 4-5 times a week.

especially if they have slow metabolism's.

i will tell you i think 1 lb a week is a good loss. you are heading in the right direction....

can you ask your doctor to fill you more? i did that and i ended up being too tight and suffered the consequences. but at least i know i was responsible for that. if he didnt do that i would be frustrated with him...(he's pretty wise)

anyway good luck and keep your chin up

Hey Josie,

After doing thousands of these fills - I'm certain he knows what he's doing. He did put me at 10.5 cc's, then pulled me down to 10.2. This a.m., I feel restriction for certain. I know he's a better judge at what is best for me with regard to the fill. I have to trust him!!! Right? lol

That's the spirit! Just keep doing what you're doing. I have done nothing but whine about how slow this is going compared to how fast other people are losing. then I got a resting metabolic test taken and found out I have a super slow metabolism.

Now I just try to eat small portions, stay away from sweets and exercise regularly. I will go on long plateaus, then all of a sudden for no particular reason, the scale will move down again. Not everyone loses every week.