I was banded in June 2008 and have only lost 35 pounds. I should have lost so much more by now. I cannot stop eating. I choose the wrong foods and have absolutely no energy to exercixe! I do not get full after 1 cup of food and my doctor won't give me another fill. I have 8cc in a 14cc band. He says that I have to decide which foods make me full and only eat those.

Does anyone have any good suggestions to get motivated to excercise and eat differently? Or any suggestions on which foods work the best for you? Any help at all (even constructive criticism) would be appreciated! Thanks

hmm i don't understand why your doctor won't give you another fill? are they done under fluroscope? i mean whats the point of the surgery if the band isn't giving you any restriction.

My doctor says that if he gives me another fill, he thinks that I will be miserable. He said that I needed to recognize the difference between being full and food being stuck. Until I do that, he won't give me a fill. I guess that the food always feels stuck to me and I can't tell the difference.

If you feel stuck you could be too tight. Are you getting stuck when you eat all foods or only certain types of food? And are you getting stuck when you eat slowly and chew well? You might need to have an upper GI to see what is going on. As far as exercise - everyone is different. For me, if I know I have to go to a gym, I know I won't go. Others love the gym and want personal training. So I got a treadmill about 10 years ago and I use that while watching TV. I can adjust the speed and incline. Nothing fancy. You don't need to spend a lot. The fact that you recognize you are not making good food choices or exercising is a first step. Now that it's spring, it might be easier to just get out and go for a walk in a local park. Exercising will actually give you more energy. I will tell you that unlike others on this board, proteins do not make me feel full longer. Carbs do, but I don't eat a lot of them. Try this recipe. Make instant mashed potatoes with skim milk. Buy a rotissiere chicken (or bake some skinless breasts) and chop up some pieces. Put chicken in some fat free chicken gravy (Heinz makes it in a jar) and put it on top of the potatoes in a microwave bowl - heat for about a minute. You have protein and carb. Low fat, too and it might be filling. Add some sugar free canned fruit - like peaches or applesauce. Hope these suggestions help. Good luck.

If you are eating slider foods and carbs, that would explain why you are hungry.

Try eating low carb, high protien, no white carbs at all, no sugar and of course, no liquid calories. Weigh and measure your meals.

Let me know how that works for you.

Please do not say that you only have lost 35 pounds because if you did not have the band, perhaps that would be +35 pounds. You will find the right restriction as you go along. Are there any foods that stick? Sugar free jello is great, and a shake is a wonderful filler. Also, I cook fresh vegetables and then puree them for the times when I feel I must have something. A little parmesan cheese on it and way to go. I wish you much luck. Do not be so hard on yourself. Only I am allowed to do that. Be well.

Fran