This is my first time posting anywhere!!!! And I see I missed spelling starving in the title -but that is my problem, not staving. I am hoping to get some suggestions to control my hunger pangs. I don't seem to have trouble eating anything (except chicken, turkey any dry meat) it gets stuck. I now understand the stuck and yes it does pass. I have been eating between 800 and 1000 calories a day (a few higher) and I am tryiing to exercise 4 to 5 hours a week. What should I expect to lose - a pound a week or slower? any suggestions would be greatly apprecciated.

Thanks so much for the wisdom and depth of insight you are offering teacher5thgrade and lapbandana. I have been reading things from any sight I can get my hands on. I realize that band slippage can be an issue and the time of "band hell" won't be good as well. I am concerned about those things. However, I am more concerned about being able to stand not being able to eat all I want etc. My 17 year old son said something last night that openerd my eyes. I shared with Him my concerns about missing being able to eat a bunch and wondering if I could put up with all the restrictions. He said, "Think about it, the benefits will make you forget what what you think you will be missing. You will be so happy that you can get around better and feel so much better without all the pain. The benefits will be so great that what you will be giving up will be minor in comparison." I don't think I am at rock bottom. But I do not want to get to that point before I do something. I want to show some wisdom in living. I weigh 344lbs and am suffering with back issues as well as other comorbidities. Maybe I am at rock bottom?? Your thoughts?

Thanks peaches9 for the helpful info. please keep the helpful info comming. I appreciate it.

Thanks so much for the wisdom and depth of insight you are offering teacher5thgrade and lapbandana. I have been reading things from any sight I can get my hands on. I realize that band slippage can be an issue and the time of "band hell" won't be good as well. I am concerned about those things. However, I am more concerned about being able to stand not being able to eat all I want etc. My 17 year old son said something last night that openerd my eyes. I shared with Him my concerns about missing being able to eat a bunch and wondering if I could put up with all the restrictions. He said, "Think about it, the benefits will make you forget what what you think you will be missing. You will be so happy that you can get around better and feel so much better without all the pain. The benefits will be so great that what you will be giving up will be minor in comparison." I don't think I am at rock bottom. But I do not want to get to that point before I do something. I want to show some wisdom in living. I weigh 344lbs and am suffering with back issues as well as other comorbidities. Maybe I am at rock bottom?? Your thoughts?

Everyone's idea of "rock bottom" is different. When I realized I had passed 300 pounds, it was quite a shock. I didn't own scales, never weighed myself. I have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, recently had breast cancer, all thought to be obesity-related. I truly felt that I might not live another 10 years if I didn't do something major. Now I look forward to getting on the scales every morning to see the progress I've made. I now have hope for the future--that I'll be able to watch my little granddaughter grow up. I am very glad that I have taken this step. It hasn't been easy during the "lap band hell" time, but it hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be either!