So I had surgery on August 7 - six weeks ago. I've lost about 15 lbs. since surgery, 35 total. I've been hovering at the same weight for at least the last two weeks. I've been exercising a lot, eating around 800-1100 calories/day. But I feel like I'm in limbo.

Is this the infamous bandster hell? Between this and the fruitless job search, I'm starting to despair. (Guess I shouldn't have started halving my celexa dosage just yet! )

Anyone got any words of wisdom or inspiration or smack talk to get me out of this pit?

Nope, you are not in bandster hell! heheh I"m there though! That is when you have your band, but no restriction, and you feel like you could eat the entire Dominos Pizza, and sometimes try! I've found you CAN'T consistently eat 800-1100 calories per day while working out. Your body NEEDS food to work. Your metabolism is like a fire, and when it has no oxygen, the fire goes out. With no food, the body quits burning it's fuel, which is fat. You may up your calories to 1200/day, especially while hitting the gym, and also, a BIG helper, EAT EVERY 3 HOURS! That also keeps your metabolism in high gear. Grab some nuts or a fruit mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and evening. Sometimes when your hitting a plateau, your body is readjusting itself and you can observe changes in your shape. I bet your clothes fit differently in the last 2 weeks? Up your protein, reduce your carbs, bump up to 1200 calories, rev up your fire by providing more fuel more frequently and I bet you'll see a significant drop this week.

Good Luck!

OK Nan, whatever. Nice job cutting & pasting your story into half a dozen unrelated threads.

Lori, thanks for the thoughts ... I did eat 3 pieces of pizza on Saturday, does that count? My husband is all about the "fuel the machine" line of attack, and I know getting enough fuel in is important, but I'm having a hard time believing I'm burning that many more calories - even while wearing a HRM and tracking it fairly closely.

Oh hell, why am I arguing? The plateau is making me crazy. I think I know I need to mix things up more, I just need confirmation?

Lisa, I just got my first fill (2-1/2 months) and am finally back on track! Don't despair! My first post-op visit was merely a "consult" and then I finally got a band fill, and i am finally losing again... lost only 25 the first 2 months. Hang in there! It WILL GET BETTER!

Nope, you are not in bandster hell! heheh I"m there though! That is when you have your band, but no restriction, and you feel like you could eat the entire Dominos Pizza, and sometimes try! I've found you CAN'T consistently eat 800-1100 calories per day while working out. Your body NEEDS food to work. Your metabolism is like a fire, and when it has no oxygen, the fire goes out. With no food, the body quits burning it's fuel, which is fat. You may up your calories to 1200/day, especially while hitting the gym, and also, a BIG helper, EAT EVERY 3 HOURS! That also keeps your metabolism in high gear. Grab some nuts or a fruit mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and evening. Sometimes when your hitting a plateau, your body is readjusting itself and you can observe changes in your shape. I bet your clothes fit differently in the last 2 weeks? Up your protein, reduce your carbs, bump up to 1200 calories, rev up your fire by providing more fuel more frequently and I bet you'll see a significant drop this week.

Good Luck!

I'm right there in Bandster Hell with you

try a fill prepare to adjust tighten her up and see what happens

Dont feel bad I have been in that hell with you the last 2 weeks also. I kept lossing and gaining the same 2 to 3 pounds. I received my band on 7/23/08 a little before you. I just got my second fill yesterday and I can feel a difference already. I have 8cc's in my 10cc band and was very happy to find myself with restristion today. it will get better i promise. i couldnt believe I wasnt lossing weight either with taking in so little cals and also working out. I had a one day pitty party yesterday and i am back on the horse today.

So I had surgery on August 7 - six weeks ago. I've lost about 15 lbs. since surgery, 35 total. I've been hovering at the same weight for at least the last two weeks. I've been exercising a lot, eating around 800-1100 calories/day. But I feel like I'm in limbo.

Is this the infamous bandster hell? Between this and the fruitless job search, I'm starting to despair. (Guess I shouldn't have started halving my celexa dosage just yet! )

Anyone got any words of wisdom or inspiration or smack talk to get me out of this pit?

To me' "bandster hell" is pretty much where I was at 2 days ago, bent over a public toilet trying to yak so that the relentless pain in my abdomen would go away.

I think most people refer to "bandster hell" as the period of hunger they experience between surgery and fill kick in. (For me, that was a drop in the bucket compared to the time I missed my flight due to being doubled over in the public airport bathroom).

It's all relative.

Plateaus have to be expected. The "per week" weightloss guideline generally means averaged out long term, not literally each and every week. Your body needs time to adjust and equalize. Two weeks no weightloss, no worries.

Thanks for all the support ya'll, it's very much appreciated! Yesterday was (as you said BigPapa!) a pity party day. I think I've gotten it out of my system (until the next time), but I'm really looking forward to my first fill next week (postponed for a week to give me a chance to concentrate on enjoying our 6th anniversary this weekend, instead of learning all about restriction! ).

Wheetsin - ugh, sounds horrible, and I'm definitely not looking forward to the first time that happens to me. You have my sympathies!

I've added another exercise routine to try to mix things up a bit, since I'm still going slowly with free weights (I have *no desire* to feel anything that's newly stitched down pop!). Maybe that's what it will take? Keep your fingers crossed ...

Im in the same boat exercising everyday trying to follow the rules and loosing nothing!!!! I blame my dr for only giving 1cc fill and making me wait 1 whole month before another fill!!! I have only lost 13 pounds since the surgery :thumbup: I hope we will do better soon. So we can get out this bandster hell as you say lol