I am really lost and maybe answer to these questions will help me get back to track

I cant stick to three meals in a day ... i eat around one cup per meal and get really hungry real soon ... i was banded 28th june and dont have any fill.... i know the standard answer is get a fill but i cant get a fill due to personal reasons ... so will this damage my band

in last two days i gained back 2.2 pounds ... i was trying to follow the diet but i guessed i binged a bit ... cant shake off that weight even though i have gone back to the diet ... dont know what to do ... how to get the motivation again

i got champion choco mocha Protein powder but cant decide how to take it ... with milk or Water or yogurt

without a fill how can one decide whether is lack of restriction that makes one eat more or has my pouch overstretched

i at times feel like a total failure ...

i have only lost 34 pounds ... there are people who are doing so much better than me ..

at times i get chest pain after eating ... what is that

and can u suggest a book which i can use as a guide ...

in general nothing will cheer me up right now ... only some weight reduction will cheer me up ..

what if one fails at this ... whats next

first of all... congratulations on losing 34 pounds!!! that i really awesome for someone who has not had a fill!! there are some people who gain weight before their first fill because there is no restriction. what you're going thru now is what is considered "bandster hell". no restriction, being able to eat whatever you want and not losing weight...

unfortunately, there isn't much you really can do without a fill. right now you have a band that is not functional. without a fill your stomach is not restricted... or not restricted enough to lose enough weight and stop you from being hungry.

the only thing i can suggest is portion control your food... only eat 3 times a day (even if you're hungry more often)... NO snacking... and increase your exercise.

i'd say you're doing really good though! i was banded in april and have only lost 40 or so pounds. i was overfilled at my 2nd fill and had to have some removed because of constant PB'ing and now i've gained a few pounds back.

this is going to be a constant struggle. it's not going to be easy for us. it's like the first 30-40 pounds melted away and now the REAL work begins!

good luck to you!

"I cant stick to three meals in a day ... i eat around one cup per meal and get really hungry real soon ... i was banded 28th june and dont have any fill.... i know the standard answer is get a fill but i cant get a fill due to personal reasons ... so will this damage my band"

Are you full after one cup of food? What kind of food? Are you eating Protein, then veggies, then carbs? Are you drinking w/ your meal? Or too soon after eating? That will cause hunger to come on more quickly.

Also, consult your doc, but there is nothing wrong with a healthy snack!

"i have only lost 34 pounds .."

Okay - since June? why are you upset? That is wonderful! I feel good about my weight loss, and I have lost about 45 since april 1, and that includes 17 on the preop diet. Stop comparing yourself to others. Only get concerned if you are stop losing. 1 pound loss per week is normal.

"at times i get chest pain after eating"

Probably it is food not going down well b/c too big a bite, too little chewing, etc. BUT I am NOT a doctor, and if you are concerned you should consult one.

as for motivation - can't give you that - it's up to you. Keep doing what you have always done and you will not improve. might be harsh, but it's true.

I don't know if you are but also try eating every three hours to four hours.

I was banded within about 10 days of you and in the 34 lbs down range as well. So, if you are behind then I am too!!!

My fills havent kicked in yet, two tiny fills which havent done a thing for my appetite. So, maybe if I get another fill Ill "get it" but so far it just seems like a regular diet to me and its tough. Im being so good and walking every day and getting to where I feel like you do, when the scales dont drop day after day, I get down.

I hope you can start getting fills soon and they help. Ill be pulling for ya. Just stick to it. Its gotta keep moving the scales down eventually.