Welcome to the "Slow Loser" thread on LBT.

A few orders of business to begin.

First, we need to elect a leader. Someone who will voice our opinion clearly and with wisdom and humor. Our Leader will support us in our efforts and remind us of our NSV's and to not be discouraged.

I nominate - Vinesqueen. I can think of no on here on the board more eloquent and positive in her day to day outlook. (she has no idea about this, by the way - this is my own little invention - but I still think she should be our leader)

Second - we need to define "slow loser". I would propose that a slow loser is someone who is losing (or lost) less than 1 pound per week (average) during the first year of banding.

Third - Our Mission. Our Mission will be to stick together as a group. There is always strength in numbers. As we see newly banded people losing more in a month or six weeks than we have lost in 6 months to a year, we will join together and remind each other of how well we're doing. We'll chant the LBTSL ( that LapBand Talk Slow Loser) mantra of "It's not a race, it's not a race" over and over again.

Will you join me? Will you, a slow loser, a turtle in the weight loss race, make your voice heard amongst all these rabbits? Mostly will you let me know that I am not alone out here in bandland?

Looking forward to hearing from all of you.

If you are having trouble eating healthy foods, you are too tight. I know that seems backwards, since the junk goes down so easy, but the band is intended to limit the quantity of the foods we are supposed to be eating... we still have to actually choose the food that we put in our mouth, you know? That's a good portion of why I am a slow loser, I think. I think I'm a pretty slow loser anyway, but I'd have lost more by now if I had a little more control. :/

Hi Sarah - It's good to know the losing continues - I've always heard if you haven't lost at least 25% of your weight in two years you are considered a band failure. I'm not really trying to lose weight anymore but would be happy if some more comes off. And I'm most hopeful at least I won't gain or yo yo as I've done my whole life - at least the band has given me that. Also my last unfill has allowed me to eat three bandster meals a day (not just liquid meals like protein shake and soup every day) and maintain my weight. That is heaven as I do love food! I m ok eating less if it's solid lol. I do believe slow and steady and healthy is best - I know too many bandsters who seem to be starving themselves thin and eventually the tool will have to be less/unfilled and more control exerted. I do feel I have gained that /some control - if not pounds lost.

I had my surgery Dec 22, 2006 and have lost only 18 pounds so far....i have had three fills and i am thinking about another because I eat and I am still hungry....I really wanted this to work for me....I am very depressed over it....I too can eat junk which i am trying very hard to stay away from....I here all of your stories and feel the same....i have gone down two sizes but still dont like what I see in the mirror....I dont know what to eat and when i do eat feel guilty for eating...I need someone to prepare my meals and snacks then maybe i would be on the right track..but for now i have to let my stomach growl and drink my water....good luck all...NJ

If you are really serious about having someone make your meals there was a group i used in DC and i now know they deliver nationwide - it is called diet to go and they have several different types of meal plans and calorie levels. i really liked it when i lived locally and it isn't awfully expensive - just not something i can afford anymore. i think their website is diettogo.com but if not just google diet to go and washington, dc. - good luck.

marys, since our surgery isn't malabsorbative (sp), our body doesn't adjust to it the same way. Our bodies can adjust to the decrease in calories, but that can be true even if you aren't banded and are just dieting.

I'll be 3 years out in July. In December, I passed my halfway point. I don't lose steadily, and I don't have any noticeable pattern. I am at the point now, where it is what it is, and I'm alot better off now than I used to be, and I'm still on the way, you know?

My wedding is in June. I have high hopes of losing at least one more size, 2 would be better, but I'm not going to beat myself up over it if I don't get there.

Sarah - You go for it girl - Congratulations on your upcoming marriage - you have really inspired me to keep at it and shown others here that this is basically a lifetime journey/process. I'm sure you will meet your goal - I will be cheering for you. Thanks,

Hi. So after reading your posts...I guess I have to swallow my pride and go get ANOTHER fill! I mean really...we didnt all spend $15,000 to be sitting here on the slow losing thread right?? It is great to know I am not alone but DAMMIT if I didn't predict this! I read these forums BEFORE making the final decision to have the surgery....I saw this forum and said to myself..."man, I hope I don't have to relate to this one." Ok...so here I am...thank goodness you exist!! I hope to report a decent weight loss next post! thanks guys!

I'm in!!! Banded July 06 and only lost 20lbs...8 in the first week! I can't remember the last time the scale said I'd lost any! I'm hypothyroid and am working out, so hopefully it's all muscle (that's what I keep telling myself, LOL)

I don't know if I qualify yet. I have only lost 2 lbs since moving off from liquids after my first fill, for a total of 20 lbs. I haven't lost anything in the last month. I am 54 and I have heard that the older you are the slower you lose, plus I am on hormones. I have also heard you lose really slowly if you are on hormones. I am afraid to get any more fill because food gets stuck often. I have never pbed though. I just need to take smaller bites and chew more. I have 1.25 ccs in the band that holds 4 or 5. Surgeon said 5 but someone else told me there is no such thing.

I really would like opinions on whether or not I should get any more put in there, since I get food stuck so often. I certainly didn't pay 10,000 to not lose the weight and that's what I am really afraid of.

Thanks for any help or advice you can give me.

I would not get a fill, just up the excerize and make smart choices on the food you put in your mouth.

I am joining the "slow losers unite" I was banded Aug /06 and I am down 30lbs- scale goes down 1 up 1, ect. But in reality thats good case before the badn it went up, up, up.LOL Count me in in SLU

Robyn

I am joining the "slow losers unite" I was banded Aug /06 and I am down 30lbs- scale goes down 1 up 1, ect. But in reality thats good case before the badn it went up, up, up.LOL Count me in in SLU

Robyn

You sound just like me. I lost the 20 when I was on liquids for 4 weeks and now after my first fill I am having trouble keeping that 20 off. It's really discouraging.

Denise/MsRoby I hear that! I was banded OCT 30th and have only lost 37lbs!! I am getting discouraged too. I am really working on making better choices but I am an emotional eater so its hard for me! I am depressed the scale doesn't move- so I eat. I am screwed up I know! :nervous

Hang in there- spring is comming and we can start walking!!

Turner24

Hey there, i was banded July '06 and as of today i have only lost 20lbs total. I know my problem though. I am not following the rules and haven't been for some time. My band is awesome - i am just not making good choices. For the past 6 months my mom struggled with brain cancer. :cry She went home with the Lord this past Monday - the 5th of March. I think i have used that as an excuse for too long. No more!!!! Today is the day that i have to work with ~ and i have the choice to stay miserable and cause myself health problems - or put some effort into this band and make some positive progress. So, i still consider myself a slow loser ~ but i'm going to make a real effort to lose. We are only defeated if we don't try. Thanks to everyone who posts here ~ i have gained much knowlege and encouragement from you guys :clap2:. I hope you all have a great day - i know here in my part of Texas it is beautiful outside!!

jess, i can relate to your story.

my dad passed injuly 05 and his twin brother nine days later, my son had a stroke the previous december and my mother lost a breast and went through chemo right after she returned from being evacuated (with my oldest son) from Rita. (it was a tough year)

it was preband but i gained a hundred lbs. we eat when we grieve.

top it off, id quit smoking dec04 (after 23 yrs, 19 at three packs a day) and stayed smoke free during everything else.

after my mom started chemo i found the answer one day. The day she called crying saying she lost her hair (she had been in denial that it would happen, she thought attitude would prevent it) i went to a local salon and had ALL my hair cut off (to a supershort cut, like a little boys) and kept it that way until i felt i was done. Its just now growing back. Its right now scraggly and about chin length. it worked though. Im not saying a donut isnt sexy.....but sometimes something big makes that "when i said whoa, i mean whoa" statement better than suffering quietly through it, regardless of what it is. Im in galveston right now hiding from the snow up north and working. I go back home on March 21rst. Good luck to you!!!