Slow Losers - Unite!

[tolmc 0]

First, a warning this is a little detailed about some women’s issues, so stop now if you don’t want to hear/know…..

Ok, listening to everyone here a few weeks ago I had an appointment with an endocrinologist. She was really good, she specializes in PCOS. I wanted to see her to get my hormone levels checked, etc. Confirm I had PCOS and not cushings. During the appointment after an hour of taking my history, etc she wasn’t at all surprised I hadn’t lost any weight with the band. She was very sure that my pcos was affecting my insulin, which of course was affecting my hunger and no amount of dieting could address this. We changed drugs to the once a day slow release metformin (or metformin type drug) We knew from my pregnancies that insulin resistance played a bit part in conceiving and keeping the pg’s.

Then she wanted to run some tests and have a scan. I couldn’t get in for the scan until next year but told them I was home for any cancellations. Well I was out with my son picking up my daughter when I got the call about a cancellation. A girlfriend had just left pathology so I got her to go back so she could watch both kids. (Not the thing for them to see) Thank God for great friends.

Anywho, the scan took all of 2 mins. The Specialist wanted to check my lining wall before inducing a period. If I had a thick wall and forced a period I could hemorrhage. Normal range is under 10cms, mine was 22cm. :omg: With cysts within the lining as well. So clear to see on the screen as well. Then he checked my ovaries, this time they found both (they cant always) and they were enlarged and MANY cysts. Obviously the PCOS is still very there and present.

This is great news and no surprise about the lining wall. I have asked to have it check before and I know you need to have a few good bleeds a year. It was only the specialist who understood why I was concerned. Now that I know we can address this & reduce the risk of other problems later. Interesting too, the specialist sent me a copy of the letter that was sent to the referring GP –very impressed.

I feel like I am at least getting some answers and I am looking forward to how I feel after being on the slow release metformin for a while. Hopefully it will point me in the right direction.

[Pattman 0]

I know this sounds like a contradiction in terms, but every pound you loose, no mater how long it takes is worth it, and you are a better person (physically) along the way for it.

I got banded in July of 2004. While my loss is a sinificant amount (76 pounds) it has taken me over two years to get there. I still have a ways to go (my Dr wants to see me at 175).

My wife has not had as easy a time with hers. She was banded in January of 04. At one point in time was close to 80 lbs down. Due to Acid Reflux, worries of band slippage <thank god it hadn't done so>, having to get her gall bladder removed, and other complications she gained it all back PLUS <they had to unfill and refill her a couple times along the way>.

While this has saddened her along the way, and added more stress and strain then I'd like to our already "at the breaking point" marriage; I continue to give her the same words you see below

"One step at a time, you'll get to your goal"

I also remind her that it took her some 30+ years to get to the weight she was/is, if it takes 2+ years to get to the weight she wants to be, I could care less if the Dr's are unhappy with the speed of the decline - SHE SHOULD BE!

And I say the same thing to everyone one of you "slow losers" - we may be loosing at a slower pace then what is expected, but each one of us is unique, with our own set of cercumstances, needs, fears, troubles and goals.

It's the long term goal we have to keep in mind, not that short term bridge we have to cross. Just because the bridge was there for others to cross, and we had to wade across the stream, does not mean we didn't still finish the race! It may take longer, we may have to fight harder, but we can do it.

Your not in a race with anyone, not even yourself. You have a goal, and one step at a time, one pound at a time, you will reach it and find the person you are along the way, mentally, physically and totally!:clap2:

[AngelaT 2]

I need support in a BIG way. I was banded in April of 2006 and have only lost 22 pounds. Because I have SO much weight to lose, this 22 pounds feels like nothing to me. Im so sad does anyone feel this same pain?? I hate myself right now because I went through this surgery and got myself and everyone else around me so excited about the potential weight loss and I feel like a complete FAILURE. I take 100% full responsibility. I do not follow the rules including drinking with meals. Sometimes Im so sad, I purposely drink so I can get down more and more food. Its not necessarily that Im sad, I could be excited, nervous, any mood outside of content and I can find myself eating too much. I have the Vanguard band and just got a fill. Now im at 5 cc's. I CAN make time to cook meals, not eat out, only eat GOOD food that takes up volume in my stomach, and excercise 30 minutes a day but I dont do it CONSISTANTLY. WHY cant I do that? Why do I put myself through so much PAIN. I want the hurt and guilt to go away. Does anyone understand my pain? I hate myself for being so heavy. I hate that I still have sleep apnea and my husband has to roll over in bed and see me sleeping with a mask on my face. I hate having these fertility problems. Im so heavy I cant even get pregnant.I just want to crawl inside myself and not come out until I am healthy. This weight causes me so much pain but I dont think about the pain when Im eating something that tastes good.Its an awful cycle. Who out there knows how I feel or has anyone ever gone through this and been able to change. Please let me know

Dear Boppers and anyone else....

Sugar and any white processed food willdo this! It is hard the first week, but really do try to stop all carbs for a week or two, no drinks with meals and Water in between. At first it will be difficult, but the you will begin to see a difference in cravings. Just eat lean Protein and green veggies and make sugar free Jello with something inside like use some fat free half and half and it becomes a creamy yummy dessert, just not too much Creamer ok? You can also freeze it as ice cream in little cubes. Add vanilla flavor protein poweder so you are not hungry. For a while write everything down...you will get the hang of it and then will not need to write everything down. Also eat you bigger meal in the day time...a small one at night. Hope it helps... oh by the way, take cal-mag every night pour the powder from the capsules into a smootie or jello sand reallt stir. Hope it helps!

[Marimaru 7]

Pattman, those are some wonderful words.

I have lost about 65 ~ 70 lbs at this point, and I am about 2 and a half years out at this point. I figure I will get there eventually, and I am going in the right direction. :girl_hug:

[vericks 1]

Hi,

I was banded the end of July. I am at a total of 2.5 cc's. My beginning weight was 284. I am now going between 252 and 253 pounds. Let's see that's a total of 31 pounds. Most of the loss was after the initial operation, so I've been averaging about 1 to 2 pounds a month. Is that kind of the norm for weight loss with the band, or am I a slow loser? I am happy I am not gaining, but I still struggle with eating the right things. I do have problems with some foods, especially bread, bread seems to get stuck more often. Anyone else?

I need to work on changing my eating habits. I really have to work hard at slowing my eating process down. I've paid for eating too fast. I just can't seem to cut out some of the goodies, like chips. They are fast and seem to go down okay. Why I'm not sure, you would think chips would not go down easily. Any comments!

Like so many of you, who have commented. I too wonder if the other operation would have been the better choice. I just keep thinking that this seems so much healthier this way.

I need this site and need to feel encouragement that it's okay to be a slow loser. I just hope I don't become a no loser, or a total loser (if you know what I mean). Too many failures and too few successes when it comes to weight!:think

[robinem 0]

I respectfully request permission to join this club. I was banded July 24 and now have lost 27 pounds. I'm averaging an excruciating slow loss of .8 to 1 pound a week.

I'm not sure why its so slow, I'm doing what I should be. Can not getting enough Protein really slow weight loss that much? I have a feeling I'm not getting enough.

Oh well, at least I'm not gaining. And on the plus side, I think I'm losing inches as all my clothes hang off me.

I'll just keep creeping along.

[hippmom 2]

robinem

i'm like you i'm losing very slowly but i can still eat most anything i want i'm not getting that much Protein either but i'm losing inches i've gone from a tight 24 to a 20 but only lost 20lbs

ijust hope i hold my own thro christmaS and i go 1-15 for my 4th fill maybe this one will be the magic fill

[juliegeraci 7]

I was down another 2 lbs, 7 since my last fill the end of October. I am now down 32 lbs in 6 months. I am losing 1 lb a week total. Slow but I really hope I can stick to this long term. I know it will take some time to get to goal but it should be worth it.

[vericks 1]

I too am feeling somewhat discouraged. I lost around 32 pounds since my banding in July. Most of the weight I lost right after surgery. I have more than qualified as a slow loser since I am averaging about 1 to 2 pounds a week. The problem is the motivating factor. Does anyone else find themselves falling back in bad habits? I eat less but I still struggle with eating the right things. I eat on the run, so whats quicker is easier? How do we move on? Thanks for the site,perhaps its the motivation we all need.

Vickie

[AngelaT 2]

I too am feeling somewhat discouraged. I lost around 32 pounds since my banding in July. Most of the weight I lost right after surgery. I have more than qualified as a slow loser since I am averaging about 1 to 2 pounds a week. The problem is the motivating factor. Does anyone else find themselves falling back in bad habits? I eat less but I still struggle with eating the right things. I eat on the run, so whats quicker is easier? How do we move on? Thanks for the site,perhaps its the motivation we all need.

Vickie

I was told 1-2 pounds per week is the normal weight loss for a bandster! So no worries!

[MissyC 0]

I battle feeling discouraged alot. I have tried to be a good bandster, but I don't have much more control over bad eating habits than I did pre-band. I still sneak that bite of chocolate or chips/dip. If I could just stay away from the junk food.....

My last fill was aug 18th. I have lost 8 lbs from then to now. I guess thats less than 1/2 per week. I am ready for another fill but can't get in till jan 7th. Hoping for that "sweet spot".

[heresdeb 0]

Can I join please? I was banded on the 12th May and have lost 28lb. I'm still very hungry even though I am finding quite a few foods wont go down.

I just don't know what to eat to get that weight loss started. I'm thinking of doing the Soup diet to get it going.

[heresdeb 0]

I hope I have managed to change my ticker

[bitteroldhag 0]

I was banded on May 11, 2006 and immediately lost 35 pounds. That was great, but I haven't lost a pound in about 3 months. I got the band so that I could eat normal food and still lose weight. That was a pipe dream. I often can't eat much because I have a lot of PBs since I got 4.5 cc in my 10 cc band. I don't know what to do. I absolutely loathe exercise so I haven't done that part, but it will be my New Year's resolution. I would be thrilled to lose 1 pound a week, but I eat Cookies and stuff. I eat oatmeal cookies because they help with regularity. I can't eat salad because of irritable bowel syndrome. Fresh veggies just tear up my colon. So, despite my initial success, I think I qualify for the slow losers club. I just don't understand why I'm not losing weight since I eat FAR less than I used to. Maybe there is some sort of plateau or something. Anyway, I'm a slow loser now dammit.

[juliegeraci 7]

I am happy to report that I am down 2 lbs since my fill on Tuesday of this week. I guess I was eating more than I thought. Now I am eating like a bird. I have to remember to get all my Protein in for sure. I'm officially under 250 now.