Hello My Fellow Bandsters,

I need some encouragement. I was banded June 10th and have lost 30 some pounds. I am very happy about that. However, I have not been losing like I feel I should be as I have a knee injury. I had it a few weeks before my LB and unfortunately it has not gotten better. Long story short, I have some damage to the medial meniscus and arthritis. It is very painful and had kept me inactive all summer. I do not have to have surgery on it thankfully, but it is incredibly painful. Walking, driving, swimming and basically any repetitive movement is agonizing. I am so mad and so depressed. All I can do is wait for it to heal. Of course I can't take any anti-inflamatories because of my LB, which would help. I was given some pain meds which does help. I am so bummed. I went to the store tonight and it gave out twice.

I have had one fill and am due to go next week for another one. I have lost and gained the same 3-5 # for the last month. I guess I will have to just deal with the pain and deal with the disapointment of not being able to exercize for a time.

Have any of you been in this situation? What did you do? Waa waa for me, lol.

Stacey

u kno its not healthy to lose to fast ..

youve done great so far i have lost 25lbs and i was banded in feb

im 170 now

anyways dont worry about it you will lose again after your fills start..

You are doing great so far... And you have plenty of time to lose the weight..

Remember life likes to throw suprises and challenges for us every once in a while... These things are what makes a person stronger and wiser.. We get to know ourselves better, and learn that no matter what life throws us next we will make it through...

Just think you have done fabulous in spite of your injury.. Remember our health and healing comes first before the weight loss.. So whatever loss you have now think of as a bonus... And when your knee is ready im sure that you will be up and moving and shedding those pounds with pride!!!! Wait till you hit that sweet spot you will be in full course weight loss mode..

Also, what i find that helps me, is finding those non-scale victories in everyday life (loose fitting clothes, smaller sizes, loose rings, getting up a flight of stairs without being short of breath, crossing my legs like a lady, etc.) Its things like that, wich make us feel the best.. It doesnt matter the number on the scale, but how our health is improving...

I recently had to get a complete unfill with my band (i was at the sweet spot) because i had surgery to remove my gallbladder.. But im thinking of it as a challange to see how much i have learned with the band and try to make sure not to gain in the two weeks!!! I have not weighed myself, i won't until i see my surgeon on monday...

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!! And remember you are doing great.. And LBT memebers are always here to help.. Keep us updated on your healing and progress!!

Edited August 10, 200817 yr by Jeni 85

I had a torn medial meniscus a few years ago, and I also have bone on bone arthritis in the same knee, so I know the pain you're talking about. However, my meniscus was torn, and there's no way torn cartilage repairs itself. At first, my doctor prescribed physical therapy, but all that does is strengthen the muscles around the injury to support better. But the only "cure" for it was arthroscopic surgery. After I healed from the surgery, I felt a million times better.

At some point, I will need a total knee replacement, but even losing just 27 pounds since my surgery in April, the pain is greatly reduced.

I would ask your surgeon what other pain meds you can take, because Tylenol just doesn't cut it for that kind of knee pain.

Good luck.

Jan from KY

I am going thru the same thing. I was banded on June 9th. I have lost 42 lbs total but 15 of it was due to the pre-op diet. I have had three fills so far and I still don't feel too much restriction. I have thrown up if I have eaten turkey and cheese too fast but other than that I feel I can eat quite a bit. My weight went back and forth between 37-40lbs for about 3 weeks then I finally went down two more lbs. today I ate a vegetable and cheese egg beater omlet (hold the toast and home fries), a half of a roast beef dip sandwich and a small caesar salad for lunch and THREE pieces of pizza and a very small piece of cake for supper. I am starving right now!! I don't know if it is the food choices I made or what. For a few days I was eating mainly protein with just raw veggies and my weight was down but I was still hungry and didn't feel that great. I have a friend who had the band and lost close to 100 lbs in a year. When I am with her she eats very little and gets full very quickly and that just isn't happening here.

Kim:confused:

I am going thru the same thing. I was banded on June 9th. I have lost 42 lbs total but 15 of it was due to the pre-op diet. I have had three fills so far and I still don't feel too much restriction. I have thrown up if I have eaten turkey and cheese too fast but other than that I feel I can eat quite a bit. My weight went back and forth between 37-40lbs for about 3 weeks then I finally went down two more lbs. today I ate a vegetable and cheese egg beater omlet (hold the toast and home fries), a half of a roast beef dip sandwich and a small caesar salad for lunch and THREE pieces of pizza and a very small piece of cake for supper. I am starving right now!! I don't know if it is the food choices I made or what. For a few days I was eating mainly Protein with just raw veggies and my weight was down but I was still hungry and didn't feel that great. I have a friend who had the band and lost close to 100 lbs in a year. When I am with her she eats very little and gets full very quickly and that just isn't happening here.

Kim:confused:

Hi kim my guess is you need an adjustment.... feeling hungry all the time indicates that you need a fill, an slow weight loss as well.

Also avoid the pizza!!!! to many calories and no nutritional value..

If your going to have a salad, chose a healthier dressing low fat balsamic vinagear, or italian.. avoid the creamy stuff like ceaser or ranch... Too many calories.. Also i would suggest adding 3-4oz of grilled chicken on top for th protien to keep you fuller longer..

I had a very hard time with the protien at first and i was constantly hungry.. this is why our dr's stress the protien first thing...

And if you are still hungry on only 3 small meals a day try choosing a low calorie snack in between meals like almonds, or some raw veggies...

This should help until you get to that sweet spot with your band.. it will be a little easier.. But remember what the band is all about... it helps us with portions but the food choices are up to us.. and no one said this was going to be a easy breeze.. good luck

thanks!!!!

you might ask your doc for a Rx for lidocaine patches, you can keep them on for 12 hours at a time and they are great for pain, they are about 4"x6" and you can cut them as you need

30 pounds since june is great. I see you mentioned swimming.

can you swim slowing and just float or tread water. swimming is great as there is no resistence.

good luck, and you are doing great

micountryfarm-- can you let me know why you can't take anti-inflammatorys... I have the same issues with my knee, and when I get the pain attack nothing helps like aleve or voltarin. I am scheduled for surgery Sept 17, I know i can't take them prior to surgery-- but why not after?

thanks!

All anti inflammatories (NSAIDS) like asprin, naproxen, and ibuprofen.. are believed to be the cause of some band erosions.

My surgeon is ok with me taking them as long as i take the liquid childrens form or crush the pill.. the whole point is for the medication to pass throught the stoma fast, so it doesnt just sit on top...

But like i said it depepends on what your surgeon tells you..

micountryfarm-- can you let me know why you can't take anti-inflammatorys... I have the same issues with my knee, and when I get the pain attack nothing helps like aleve or voltarin. I am scheduled for surgery Sept 17, I know i can't take them prior to surgery-- but why not after?

thanks!

Hi Micountryfarm-

My LBS was on June 23rd. I lost 15# before and 17# since. I went in for my first fill Friday (Aug. 7) and they didn't give it to me. He said it was twice as much as they expected me to lose. It sounds like you're losing quickly as well. Take care of your injury and keep your weight loss in perspective. You're doing just fine! How much would you have lost without the band?