How are the banded Notorious Novembers???

[Glammaw 15]

Thanks for the support. I really need it right now. I have lost 41 pounds since surgery, but nothing in 6 weeks. My surgeon says my body is in maintenance and I am not ready for that. He gave me a "rotation diet" to follow at the last visit and was disappointed in my weightloss. I tried to find another surgeon to do my fills, but no one wants to do the fills if not the surgery, because the money isn't there. I would love to have a supportive surgeon, but it isn't happening. I never expected to be put on another DIET after having this surgery. I will keep on, keepin on and pray that sooner or later the weightloss will kick in. Thanks again. Everyone on this journey remains in my prayers.

[DivaStyleCoach 89]

Hi Notorious Novembers...saw Glammaw's message below and had to chime in...

I need help. I have been struggling for the past two months. No weightloss, despite doing what I should. I am ready to get a complete unfill and just give up.

Glammaw - please DON'T give up...you have already lost weight, and maybe you just need some 'rest' time...stress will do funny things to your body as well.

It is so frustrating to go thru the surgery and not get the results you hope and pray for. I knew mine would be slow, because I have a permanent disability with a spinal fusion and both total knee replacements. I cannot do much exercise to help it along.

Glammaw - does your health plan allow visits to a physical therapist? Perhaps they could work with you to find activities that you can adapt for your situation and your body - help you burn a few more calories and ramp up your metabolism...

But, now I am just ready to give up and go back to my old life, where my DH didn't complain about my NOT eating.

Tell your DH you need his support (or at least his silence and not complaining) more now than ever...maybe that will help him to understand how HARD this is for you...

Please pray for me. I know you all understand what I am going thru and I can speak my true feelings. I am at a crossroads...who knows where I will end up. My surgeon is not a nice man, and of no help to me whatsoever.

Does he work with patient advocates? Does the hospital / office / medical association in your area have patient advocates? Perhaps you can find someone to talk to him on your behalf, or to go with you for your next appointment to let him know what effect his 'bedside manner' (or lack thereof) is having on you...

Fills no sooner than 2 months apart. I have had 3 fills in 8 months. A lot of good has come out of it...fewer meds, diet controlled diabetes, some weightloss, but not what I was hoping for. Some of you have done so well...what else can I do?

Don't give up yet...check with a physical therapist or similar professional about exercises you can do. Talk to someone about your doctor and ask if you can be transferred to someone else for fills, and then try to take it easy on yourself - stress doesn't help the body to release weight.

If you are near a pool - try Water exercises. The buoyancy with the water may be enough to allow you to move more and not hurt yourself.

Let us know how you're doing...:thumbup:

[tmbowe 1]

Hi Notorious Novembers...saw Glammaw's message below and had to chime in...

Don't give up yet...check with a physical therapist or similar professional about exercises you can do. Talk to someone about your doctor and ask if you can be transferred to someone else for fills, and then try to take it easy on yourself - stress doesn't help the body to release weight.

If you are near a pool - try Water exercises. The buoyancy with the water may be enough to allow you to move more and not hurt yourself.

Let us know how you're doing...:thumbup:

Hey I just seen you were banded the day before me and our weight loss is the same. Do you get frustrated that you have not lost more. Some days I am happy cuz I know I wouldnt of lost it without the surgery and other days am frustrated thinking I should be losing faster. I was wondering if you had type 2 diabates prior to surgery as I had and still have it and wonder it that is why my weight loss is so low

[DivaStyleCoach 89]

Hey I just seen you were banded the day before me and our weight loss is the same. Do you get frustrated that you have not lost more. Some days I am happy cuz I know I wouldnt of lost it without the surgery and other days am frustrated thinking I should be losing faster. I was wondering if you had type 2 diabates prior to surgery as I had and still have it and wonder it that is why my weight loss is so low

Hi tmbowe!

Yes, sometimes I am frustrated that I haven't lost more...especially when I see others that have been banded for less time and have lost more weight. However, I then have to remind myself that I've been putting on this weight (one way or another) since I was 16 years old, and if it takes me more than a year to lose it, I'll still be way ahead.

I definately know I would NOT have lost it without surgery - in fact, I was going UP 5 - 10 pounds a year...without really seeing much success in my efforts to stop that upward creep. My health was deteriorating, and despite the fact that I was working out on a treadmill 4 - 5 days a week, it didn't stop me from having a episode with atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) that landed me in the hospital.

That was the final straw, so to speak...I realized I couldn't do this without help. I am SO HAPPY I was banded. I am trying to complete my weight loss by the end of this year, so that I can plan for my plastic surgery at the end of 2010. I have finally figured out that my health is of paramount importance, and the more I lose, the easier it is to move, and the more likely I'll be to keep it off.

I am also a type 2 diabetic - and we do lose weight 'harder' than some others. I still crave carbohydrates, but I'm doing better with that. I'm not off the meds or long-acting insulin yet, but my dosages are HALF what they used to be, and dropping. I'm looking forward to the day I can say I'm no longer taking ANY diabetes meds or insulin. :thumbup:

Then I'll consider myself as having won the battle...:wub:

[Glammaw 15]

EbonyRose, thanks for the support and encouragement...and the suggestions. I can't afford the copays ($40 each) for physical therapy. I have looked at exercises for aged 50+ people with limitations and there are some I can start with. I sure expected to lose at least 20 more pounds by now. I wanted to be at goal my first year. Guess I set my goal way too high! I will keep on trying and hope that someday my weight "loss" will catch up with my efforts! Again, thanks for the ideas and the encouragement. :thumbup:

[DivaStyleCoach 89]

EbonyRose, thanks for the support and encouragement...and the suggestions. I can't afford the copays ($40 each) for physical therapy. I have looked at exercises for aged 50+ people with limitations and there are some I can start with. I sure expected to lose at least 20 more pounds by now. I wanted to be at goal my first year. Guess I set my goal way too high! I will keep on trying and hope that someday my weight "loss" will catch up with my efforts! Again, thanks for the ideas and the encouragement. :thumbup:

One more idea, Glammaw...sometimes gyms have 'Open House' days (my old gym used to do it once a month). What about checking with them on one of their 'free' days and asking about exercises with a certified trainer? Sometimes they even do special days for the 50+ crowd (where I'll be before too much longer!). If not that, maybe a Senior Center near you would have a day when they have a physical therapist or exercise physiologist around to ask questions of.

You might also consider posting a question to a message board that concerns exercise and working around your injuries...

I hope you are able to get the scale moving downward soon - I know it must be frustrating, but look at all the good you've already done for yourself! :wub:

[2-Lose-Fluff 1]

Glammaw- For exercise what about a Seniors Center, or try a DVD on chair exercises. Please don't let your hubby get to you. Try to remember the week after surgery how you were motivated. And Go girl !!! I planned on 2 years to lose all my weight and I track everything of Fitday.com That adds the accountability factor for me.

Edited August 11, 2009 by 2-Lose-Fluff

[Glammaw 15]

I track everything on Daily Plate and I know I am not getting in near enough Protein, so I am working on that. I work 40 hours a week, so I need something I can do at home for exercise. I greatly increased my walking but that has been going on for some time now. I guess I just need to add more walking and shake things up. Thanks for the encouragement. That is what I need most of all...

[tmbowe 1]

I track everything on Daily Plate and I know I am not getting in near enough Protein, so I am working on that. I work 40 hours a week, so I need something I can do at home for exercise. I greatly increased my walking but that has been going on for some time now. I guess I just need to add more walking and shake things up. Thanks for the encouragement. That is what I need most of all...

Have you tried Walk away the Pounds. It is a great DVD you can do at home. I think it cost about $10 at Wal-mart. There are different levels of walking you do and you can walk anywhere from 1 to 3 miles. If you walk 1 miles I think the full workout is 20 Minutes. I know it came highly recommended in my support group and I ran out and bought it. Then my DVD Player broke, but the few times I did get to use it I absoulutely loved it

[tmbowe 1]

Hi tmbowe!

Yes, sometimes I am frustrated that I haven't lost more...especially when I see others that have been banded for less time and have lost more weight. However, I then have to remind myself that I've been putting on this weight (one way or another) since I was 16 years old, and if it takes me more than a year to lose it, I'll still be way ahead.

I definately know I would NOT have lost it without surgery - in fact, I was going UP 5 - 10 pounds a year...without really seeing much success in my efforts to stop that upward creep. My health was deteriorating, and despite the fact that I was working out on a treadmill 4 - 5 days a week, it didn't stop me from having a episode with atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) that landed me in the hospital.

That was the final straw, so to speak...I realized I couldn't do this without help. I am SO HAPPY I was banded. I am trying to complete my weight loss by the end of this year, so that I can plan for my plastic surgery at the end of 2010. I have finally figured out that my health is of paramount importance, and the more I lose, the easier it is to move, and the more likely I'll be to keep it off.

I am also a type 2 diabetic - and we do lose weight 'harder' than some others. I still crave carbohydrates, but I'm doing better with that. I'm not off the meds or long-acting insulin yet, but my dosages are HALF what they used to be, and dropping. I'm looking forward to the day I can say I'm no longer taking ANY diabetes meds or insulin.

Then I'll consider myself as having won the battle...

Thanks for your input sometimes I think we just need to hear it from someone else. I know I am doing better than I would withouth the surgery and like you I only only taking 1/2 of the dosage I took before. Thanks for the support I really appreciate it

[ginny two 0]

Big hugs to Glammaw and all the Novembers that are struggling to hang in there.

I haven't been on the board in a very long time. Let me see if I can try to make this as short as possible.

Stress from planning my wedding led me to not try so hard to lose weight. I went into "maintain" mode.

Got married in late May, kept not trying, went on vacation and now here I am.

I've gained 6 pounds back. I'm deep into sugar cravings and mini-binges. I saw my doctor yesterday and I'm ready to start working on my weight loss/health gain. I went over a plan with my nutritionist, too.

I feel bad about not working on my weight loss when I see the progress others have made. Then I tell myself to not compare, because we are all individuals and have our own journey. I am a little worried about the "most weight loss in the first year" thing. My doctor has never told me that, but I've heard it a lot on this board.

Sorry for the long post. I'll shut my yap for now and go to bed!

Have a good night, everybody.

[Wesley'sgurl29 2]

It does get discouraging at times. i especially feel that way when I have these urges to binge when I'm under an increased amount of stress. My band will not allow me to binge the way that I did prior to surgery. I really serves as a reminder that I need to be in better control of what goes in. I do need to exercise even if its simply walking. Any movement at all makes a lot of difference in progress. Hang in there and just think that you may not be where you want to be but you are on your way!

[Glammaw 15]

Ginnytwo, thanks for the hugs. We can all use a big hug! My body too is "maintaining" and that is not where I want to be. Good news....I lost 2 lbs, so I seem to be back on track. Just really tracking what I eat and the walking I can get in seems to work. I am limited on exercise, but I am looking daily on the internet for additional exercise. I know you are going to get that scale moving again. you have had a lot on your plate, but now you are ready to get back on track. Congratulations on your marriage, BTW! We can do this together....we just need to come to each other for support. I will keep you in my prayers.

[ginny two 0]

It does get discouraging at times. i especially feel that way when I have these urges to binge when I'm under an increased amount of stress. My band will not allow me to binge the way that I did prior to surgery. I really serves as a reminder that I need to be in better control of what goes in. I do need to exercise even if its simply walking. Any movement at all makes a lot of difference in progress. Hang in there and just think that you may not be where you want to be but you are on your way!

Ginnytwo, thanks for the hugs. We can all use a big hug! My body too is "maintaining" and that is not where I want to be. Good news....I lost 2 lbs, so I seem to be back on track. Just really tracking what I eat and the walking I can get in seems to work. I am limited on exercise, but I am looking daily on the internet for additional exercise. I know you are going to get that scale moving again. you have had a lot on your plate, but now you are ready to get back on track. Congratulations on your marriage, BTW! We can do this together....we just need to come to each other for support. I will keep you in my prayers.

Thanks, Tammy and Glammaw!

I can't binge on a dozen donuts like I used to do. I can't even eat one. That's the good news. The bad news is that I've discovered slider foods. I did eat some Greek yogurt this morning with blueberries (my nutritionist had suggested it). It has 13 grams of Protein and it was delicious. I just need to work on finding foods that are good for me that I enjoy eating.

I know that I need to get moving. Thanks for the reminder! I have two new wonderful stepchildren and my own spicey, sweet, redheaded daughter that want to start walking together. (All teenagers.) My little chihuahua is the new star of the household and he is a great motivator for us all. He makes it a lot more fun.

My life is really wonderful right now on all counts except for the food monster. I guess it's a great time to tackle him. I struggle a lot with head hunger. :thumbup:

BTW, I have a habit of writing long posts. Sorry about that. I'll probably just apologize each time.

Talk to you later!

[DivaStyleCoach 89]

Hi Notorious Novembers!:thumbup:

GinnyTwo - don't you apologize for long posts - I do them too! We WANT to know what's going on with you, and getting the stuff that's in your head out on the screen makes it easier to deal with. Feel free to write as often and as much as you want if it helps! It's wonderful that your "kids" want to walk with you - that's a great motivator. I like Greek yogurt too - will get some this weekend. I was a bit concerned about the sugar content (because of my diabetes) but I'm going to try mine with fresh fruit and go for it. Like you - I need to eat more Protein.< /p>

Glammaw - congrats on the 2 lb loss! Sometimes just tracking what we are doing points out changes we can make to take us from 95% to 100%. I know when I have to write down what I eat, I eat better!

WesleysGurl - I feel ya on the progress thing. I'm not where I want to be, but thank goodness I'm not where I WAS, either! I am closing in on Onederland and I want to see that scale number drop below 200 so bad I can taste it! I don't want to overdo and injure myself though, so I will continue with my plan...it's all about perspective. Here I am, thinking I'm moving slowly because I've only lost 60 lbs since I was banded, and someone sent me a message that it took them 2 years to lose 60 pounds! It's all relative...we have to take it easy on ourselves, though, because beating ourselves up won't make the band work any better.

Time to get my busy weekend started...have a great one, everybody! :wub: