Agh!! I think I have gained about 3-4 lbs!! I am not filled and have some restriction (trouble with bread and meat) but other than that I can eat anything and have been doing just that. I am trying anything, good and bad for me. I know my portions are about 1/4 of what they were pre-surgery but since being on liquids for a month I feel like I am eating sooo much!!

I also have not started exercising yet - I just bought a dvd yesterday to get me started.

Anyone else have these problems?? I need motivation again and cannot wait for my fill!!!

Lauren

I'm just going to quote myself from another recent thread on this subject:

"Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. It is NORMAL to stop losing or even bounce back a few pounds after the initial drop of weight. IT IS NORMAL!!!

Sorry for yelling but it's SO important to hear. The initial drop of weight, if you have one, sends your body into a sort of shock and pretty soon the dropping of weight will just stop even if you have changed absolutely nothing."

Not to worry, Connorsmom. This is an absolutely normal stage and though it's hard it is temporary. When your body realizes you're not starving it, you get your fill, you start exercising and get into a routine of taking in fewer calories than you expend, you will lose weight. Don't watch the scale daily if it upsets you--you WILL experience fluctuations from day to day. You may be eating more than you were on liquids, but it's less than you were pre-band and that's the really important thing.

RELAX!! :D

Even though you're still healing, you've got to start working on your thoughts. I'm sure you've heard so many times, the band is a tool.

You still have to make good choices, but it's much easier with the help of the band. I not only paid a lot for my band, I have respect for my band and don't want to abuse or lose it. You have to change your food choices, that's what got us here to begin with. It's so easy to fall into the trap of what's easy to eat.

A lot of people asked how I gained 12 lbs of muscle, the only thing I can think of is I've eaten lots of Protein since my band. Unfortunately, exercising has not been my strong point, so we all have our little demons to deal with. Remember when it's time for another fill you may have lack of restriction, which is another reason to start making those good choices now. Protein stays with you longer than starches and sweets, you want something that sticks with you.

I hope this ADVICE helps, please don't take it as a lecture, I just care, best of luck to you.

Dear Connorsmom,

You know-I am not filled yet (a few weeks from now) and yesterday I was so hungry I felt like I was eating every couple of hours. I was also doing a lot of house cleaning, up and down basement stairs. I think about what I used to eat before banding and I compare it even to now (before a fill-after band) and I am still eating at least 500-1000 calories less per day than I used to!

My food choices have changed drastically too. It's like this band of mine is also helping me make the best food choices I can. I know in a few weeks there may be only a very little room-so I must make the most of that space!

Be patient Lauren, and be good to yourself. You are doing exactly as you should, and you are normal!

Joan

I, too, could eat just about anything and could eat a lot more than I expected to be able to before my first fill. I just had my first fill three days ago (boy did I need it) and now I REALLY feel a big difference. The doctor put 1.5 in and things have been very different thus far.