Is this why I'm NOT losing?

Vicki J · July 7, 2008

Stephanie - As I said before, I don't know. I am not in the medical field and I am not an expert. I do know that when I get to a stalled point I often feel like I've been there FOREVER. God, it's bad. But if I keep track I not only see that it hasn't been forever but in a lot of cases there is a pattern. That's just me though. I usually can find out why (if it's not a normal stall) by looking at what I'm eating.

I agree with you that the weight loss due to not eating is NOT a healthy loss and effects all of your body. My statement was never directed at promoting that method of loosing. Hopefully with the band and other WLS available we'll see more people loosing in a more healthy manner. But even as a bear looses weight during hibernation so will people loose weight when they don't eat. Our systems do not slow down in the same manner as a bear's does. This is just MHO. Again, I'm NOT an expert. I am just humbly expressing an opinion.

Vicki J · July 7, 2008

Oh, yeah, this nurse is a bariactric nurse who has been banded and written a book regarding lap bands. Personally, I think she has some good qualifications. Can she be wrong? Yeah we all can. She states that it is a time when the body is adjusting to the change in weight loss and change in calorie intake.

Please don't think I'm defensive about this. I will say it again, I'm not an expert and everything I have said is STRICTLY an opinion to be taken as nothing more than that.

Vicki

U_go_gurl68 · July 7, 2008

No offense taken :biggrin:

We are all in a learning process together and everyone's body is different. We all lose at different rates and have a variety of different health histories.

I didn't really have any major health issues, but didn't want to develop any either. My mother has some serious health problems and I didn't want to end up just like her. My problem was that I just ate too much; mostly out of boredom or when emotions ran high.

When I did diet, I would take it to the extreme and still never lost weight. I was even on diet pills prescribed by a bariatric physician and never lost more than the 8-10lbs of Water weight. He told me it was because I wasn't taking in enough fuel and my body went into starvation mode. Like you, I am not an expert either. I just want to get my fat butt into shape and not develop any health issues in the process.

Looks like you are doing quite well. Keep up the great work

Vicki J · July 7, 2008

I know what you're talking about. I think a lot of us did the extreme thing. I'm probably one of the few people who would still take phenfen if it was available. Well, not anymore. I found something healthier.

You're right, everyone needs to have some patience because it will happen at the rate that their body decides. It's so hard though. I have been blessed with a good result from this journey. I lost about 70 of those pounds prior to banding because it took Kaiser so long to get me through their system. I asked the doctor if I lost too much weight if they would kick me off of the program. He laughed and said that they went by the starting weight. By the time surgery happened he wasn't laughing and was impressed. I couldn't have stuck to it if I hadn't had the band to look forward to. Towards the end of the wait I was chanting that the band was coming and to hang in there. It was so hard even with the good results I had had.

Fortunately, I have reached my sweet spot and living with the band is great. I find I'm not as motivated to be the blue ribbon dieter now that I'm close to goal and I know that it will happen one of these days. Funny how the attitude changed from failure to hard core dieter to I'm ok with myself in just a year.

I see that you're just starting your journey. It's a wild and emotional trip. I think that one of the most surprising feeling was being overwhelmed when I got into the single diget clothing. I find myself standing with clothes in my arms in sheer disbelief that they are mine. Yep, it's a wild ride. Good luck!!!

U_go_gurl68 · July 8, 2008

VickiJ,

Thanks for the well wishes. I used to take Phentermine a while back and initially lost 80lbs, but within 8 months after getting off of it, the weight came back and then some. The next time I tried it and other weightloss medications they didn't work for me. The side effect I experienced was extreme cotton mouth which lasted the entire time. I wasn't hungry and didn't eat much, but never lost any weight beyond the initial Water weight. I tried diet, after diet, after diet. Even did the stupid ear stapling thing everyone went crazy for, LOL!!!!

I had thought about getting the band for over 3 yrs, but would chicken out all the time. I am glad I finally got it done. I am frustrated at the moment because I am not losing anything right now, but I know this is supposed to be my healing period.

I can't wait to get into the single digit clothing. It is so much easier to shop and find something you like when you are smaller. I know stores usually order more of the smaller sizes, but when you find nothing but small sizes on racks, it just reminds me how many larger people there are. I mean someone is buying all those Larges and x-large sizes up. I am in a 14-16 right now. I know that may not be too bad since the average woman is in those sizes, but it is bad on me being only 5'2". It use to not be so bad when I had a smaller waist and fuller hips, but when the weight started becoming a problem in the middle, that was when I knew it was time to do something.

I work 12 hour night shifts which already increases my risk for having a heart attack, but having fat around the middle really did it for me. No matter how many exercises I did, I couldn't get rid of it, so that is when I knew, it was time to seriously consider the band.

I am trying my best to make those positive changes. I will be moving to day shift hours (7a-7p) in mid august and after the healing process, I plan to increase my exercise. What kinds of things have been the most helpful to you? I truly enjoy the support I have received here on LBT.

Sincerely,

Stephanie

Vicki J · July 8, 2008

I never had any luck on just Phentermine. I had to have both parts and boy did I loose the weight. It also gave you that mega energy - LOL. I was like a high strung bumble bee. Unfortunately, like everyone else I gained it back and more.

I tried to tell my doctor years ago when I was on WW that if I ate a piece of bread extra I would gain and if I didn't I would continue to loose. He told me it was all in my head. I thought PCP's were good at anatomy - it sure wasn't in my head it was all on my butt. :biggrin: So I got no help. I guess I missed the ear stapling thing. Darn, I can't believe I missed and didn't get the chance to fail at a diet. :thumbup:

Anyway, for exercise I have been working out at Curves. It was great because it is designed for women that are not in the greatest of shape and it does work. They have a new computerized thing going where the machines adjust the workout as you get in better shape. It really kicks your butt. I haven't worked out in the last month due to the air quality. I have slight asthma and I don't want to get half way through a workout and have a problem. I also think I'm going to check out full gyms because I'm not the fat kid on the block now and I would really love to do some different things. I would love to do some belly dancing or rock climbing or even laps in the pool. I'm getting quite adventerous these days.

I also enjoy going out and rock hounding which is a new thing for my DH and me. It gets me outdoors and it definitely is exercise. We also get to go to new places doing this and it's a blast. Being at a normal weight has opened up the world to me again. I am in such a better place not only physically but mentally and emotionally. I look at life in a whole new way.

Just think by this time next year you'll be a hotty. It's so hard right after banding because it's like having a new car without gas. But you seem to have a great attitude about this time in the journey. You're going to be so happy with how easy life can be in keeping your weight in check. I talked to a friend of mine who got the band and she was kind of beating herself up because she was loosing so slow. She said that her head just wasn't in it and she wished she could be like me. This is a girl who has lost about 70 pounds since October '07. I mean what kind of failure could loose 70 lbs? I told her that she was loosing and that means she must be doing something right. She thought about it and had to agree. The band will keep you going if you even give it a little chance.

Oh well, enough chewing your ear off. Keep in touch with me and let me know how you're doing. You can always PM me. I get the stuff on my phone and can answer emails. PM me if you want my email.

Vicki

tillydog · July 8, 2008

you have lost 60 lbs. and not even had a fill yet? that's awesome! good for you!

Vicki J · July 8, 2008

Yeah, Susan's kicking butt. She's gonna be buying all kinds of clothes to keep up with the weight loss. Way to go Susan!

U_go_gurl68 · July 8, 2008

Thanks for all the info VickiJ.

Tomorrow is my 40th bday and I figured I might as well, put of the real celebration for next year. I will still go out and do something that doesn't involve food. My mom is kind of upset with me because she wanted to get the family to go out to eat and I can't have anything, but full liquids still. Oh well, there's more to life than just food.

I will keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Stephanie

Vicki J · July 8, 2008

Stephanie - Happy Birthday one day early. :biggrin: How about you and your Mom go out to messages or pedicures together. Maybe all the girls can go together. Well, the guys might like massages too.

You're right in the fact that there's more to life than food. She had better get used to the change because when you're adjusted right your world won't revolve around food either. But she will figure it out and things will adapt.

What a birthday present you gave yourself. The funny thing is I had surgery 17 days before my 55th birthday. This is one of those last forever presents. LOL

Vicki