:help:I have been on here as a guest for about a year now and finally got banded on the 24th of Nov. here in Kuwait..it was much cheaper and I was fortunate that the doctor from Sweden who taught my doctor was here and did it! I got a new band, I even got to keep the box, lol! It was less healing time, I was on liquids a week and lost about 10lbs. Then went to mushies and I have been on solids a couple weeks..my first fill is this saturday. I have maintained at 10-12lbs loss, but get depressed when I see all of y'all at 26-30lbs loss..what are you doing different? I do notice some of you are working out with a trainer and at gyms..don't have that here since they are soo expensive here and I work and have a 3 yr old so not alot of time. I did start walking again.

My back story is I gained 60lbs with my pregnancy, he is 3 1/2 and I have been losing/gaining the same 20lbs ever since never more than that! I did nutrisystem and would lose a lil then it stopped coming off..I am sooo scared that I will not lose with the band, I have been depressed and negative since the weight gain and feel like "it will never happen to me". The before and after thread has been very inspiring for sure! Just wondering if y'all can give me any tips/advice/encouragement that this WILL work for me! I was always a "thick" 12-14 girl skinny but big butted kinda gal, lol but never "fat" til after the pregnancy and I want to be healthy! I am excited about this and I know once I get the fills and finally hit my "sweet" spot it will start flowing..but is that true does it really "fall" off? What has been your experience as far as weight loss and I am not sure how to word this I have been reading countless threads and I know but when it is you personally it is soo different, make sense? I just really want to be successful at this and I am the type that needs step by steps. I am eating healthier and smaller portions. Hubby has even commented on the smaller portions..thanks everyone and congrats on making the change in your lives! I wish you all the best and success in the world! God bless

catie

Howdy and welcome!

You're asking questions of people who are in the same situation you are -- that is, most of us have had zero, one, or maybe two fills but few of us have reached the point of restriction where the weight is falling off. Some people lost a lot of weight on their pre-op diet. Some have lost a lot since being banded, too, but there are many reasons -- maybe they have more to lose, maybe they aren't hungry, maybe they're exercising, or maybe they're "dieting" until the band starts to work -- and any combination of these.

As much as I'd like for the weight to be falling off, I'm not going to get caught up in comparing myself to others. There will always be someone -- usually a guy -- who is going to lose faster than me. In fact, I've always been a slow loser compared to other people so there will be lots of someones who lose faster than me! :present:

I didn't get the band to go on a diet, per se. I understand that there are rules to follow but I also understand that I got the band to help me follow those rules and my band isn't doing what it's supposed to do -- yet. So I'm doing the best I can and I'm exercising and being patient. In the past, my efforts at losing weight were "short-term" but the band is a permanent condition. Being impatient now would be like giving birth to my first child and being impatient about getting my first grandchild! :thumbs_up:

Congratulations on getting your band and good luck with your first fill!

hi cat

welcome,

when i wasnt losing as quickly as i liked...i noticed people who were doing well exercised regularly.

so i started to exercise, drink lots of Water and journalled my food intake and really started to feel well.

you dont need a trainer and you can exercise without a gym

i got hand weights, jump rope and do abdominal exercises.

i started with only working out 1X a week (which wasnt enough)

i do best at 4-5 times a week.

once i get in a routine of working out it is much easier.

good luck...

Catie:

I second what Josiebies said. The exercise really kicks up the weight loss. Not only that, but it helps relieve stress too. I walk 4 to 5 miles 6 days per week. I usually do a mile in the morning, two miles during lunch hour, and another mile in the afternoon. Then at night I try to get on my eliptical for at least ten minutes. I got a great MP3 player and put some great walking music on it and off I go.

Hope all goes well for you.

Sue

Thank you all for responding! I know I should not compare especially since I am just banded and not filled yet!! I ordered a jogging stroller and will be walking everyday after work and I will be more consistent with my hand weights! I also was not on a pre-op diet so I have to keep that in mind when reading success on here!

I am very excited though to see what happens, and you are right I did this b/c I am tired of the diets and this tool will help me tremendously!! I already eat less, and once the fill and my exercise gets consistant then I can post a much more positive remark!!...and I must admit now that the holidays are over and no heavy stuff *winks*

I have really admired the community and support on here and so glad I signed up..gotta fix my name though, lol!!

catie

Josie; how often do you do handweights and jumprope? how long do you jump rope or your pattern? thanks so much!! congrats on your amazing success!!

Cat, I see you were banded on the 24th of Nov. I was on the 29th. You should check with your doc before "working out" I am not supposed to do much but walk till I go back the 14th of Jan. I had a friend whose port flipped because she did too much too soon. Please be careful, and be happy with a slow loss, if necessary. The best to you...

Sue thank you and congrats to you as well!! can I ask what a daily meal plan is like for you ladies? like a menu sample?

Hi and welcome to the site. My son works on an army base in Iraq and he is often in Kuwait.How do you like it there??? Give yourself some time on the weight loss. It goes slow, but it goes. Exercise and water have been my answer. Donna

Thank you Donna. I do like it here!! We have been here a year and a half. I started teaching kindergarten this year and my son is in a great school. he is three but the class is like a pre-k, so he is learning alot! he can also speak arabic now. There are ALOT of "expats" here, Kuwaits population is less than 30% Kuwaiti! it is very westernized here, I was surprised!! We miss our families, but have made friends who have become our serrogate(sp?) family.

Is your son Army? My husband works on the US Army base here, he was a Marine for 9 years and is now a contractor.

Hi There Cat,

I found I had many similarities to you from your introduction. I have a 2 1/2 year old. My lifetime of weight issues just became a bit worse after my pregnancy and I just decided to nip it in the bud before I got any heavier. I got my band on 11/14. I have had all the same worries and anxieties about this band not working for me. You know what really helped me? I read "Fighting Weight" by Khaliah Ali and after hearing her inspirational story, I just decided to get over myself. If she could do it, than I will too. Arming myself with knowledge- from books and this website especially, helps me get past my worry and on with the business of living and getting better every day! :0)

Take Care and keep working at it!

Welcome Cat I am certain you work out if you have a 3 1/2 year old....LOL that is almost my grandsons age and he is a huge workout....LOL

Do not be so hard on yourself, you need to go at your own pace not what someone else is doing.....I know it is hard seeing some people with large weightloss and thinking what am I doing WRONG....but it is not necessarily anything you are doing wrong.

As Longhorn explained there are many things that make up the weightloss on the scale. Just try to follow your surgeons orders to the letter and I am sure you will soon see the scale moving downward.

We didn't get here overnight we are certainly not going to get it off overnight either...:eek:

Ladies thank you all!! I feel alot better reading your responses and all of you are right! I have to stop comparing and just try to break bad habits!! You all inspire me and best to you all! Happy New Year!