oldiebutgoodie2

Hardly eating and not losing probably means two things (from my experience anyway!)-- 1} wrong, high-calorie/low Protein choices, and 2} not eating enough (believe it or not!). During this journey, I have learned to eat a healthy Breakfast whether i feel like it or not, to kick start the metabolism. Then do the same at lunch and dinner, with a lite healthy snack in between, like a piece of fruit. This keeps the metabolism up and using up calories and thus, you lose weight! I also learned early in the game (when I was doing 500-800 calories a day) that it means a quick weight loss for awhile, but the down side is that it slows down your metabolism cause your body starts going into the defensive starving mode (ie., slows down the metabolism!). So when I upped my caloried to 900-1200 a day, and ate regularly, I started losing again! This stuff worked for me. But everyone is different. I'm sure you will find your groove!

OMG! You are doing so well! I applaud you for doing all that exercise!! Well, I don't know if I can be of any help, but I have been at this for 9 months, and some months were just better than others on the scale. So if you are firming up and losing inches, I think I would chalk up your present experience to muscle weighing more than fat! Are you hungry? Are you tracking/counting all Protein and calories you take in? I was amazed as I was writing things down how quickly things added up! Plus, I just experienced an almost month-long plateau, when I happened to catch on TV a weight loss guru talk about eating a good Breakfast (protein, veggie and fiber) every morning to start kick the metabolism, and then the same for lunch and dinner, with a piece of fruit or other lite snack in between. I am doing that now (not to the letter but am doing healthy breakfast now, whether I want it or not!) and am now starting to lose again! Super good luck to you! Keep up the good work!

I am so sorry to hear you are having that side effect from the band! Hope your new way of taking your meds helps! Please update after your next dr. visit!

Thanks for the info! I live in Northern California and I have been quoted by two plastic surgeons of costs of $7000 for the arms and $9000 for the tummy tuck/liposuction! (I'm going to do them separately cause one doctor said you really rely on your arms when you get your tummy tuck. Did you do both at the same time? How long til you didn't need anyone around? My friend in Southern Calif., by the way, got quotes of $4,500 or the arms and $6,500 for the tummy tuck! So I am seriously thinking of flying down there and staying with her for the procedures. Thus, my question about how long someone should be with you. Thank you again. Continued good luck to you!

wow! I have not heard that the lab band could cause throid levels to go up! Is there any other possible reason? I had drastic level changes after just a few weeks in other areas, but I was getting weak cause my blood pressure meds were then way too much (my levels were going down drastically). Please elaborate! And best of luck to you!

Wow! What a roller coaster ride! But now you get to start over with a brand new band! Best of luck to you! Remember how wonderful it felt the first time around? You'll be there again!

Super congrats for your amazing weight loss and your brother's! Since my band, my two best friends have lost 12 and 20 lbs, respectively! Just by being aware of making better food choices (I don't preach or anything. Just them seeing my progress in real life!). You're right! Wonderful domino effect!

Love your DH's attitude!

Yes, and all it represents!

I have a consultation appt. with a plastic surgeon in two day! Any suggested questions?! I have the famous apron stomach, ol lady thighs, sagging boobs, and horrendous sagging arms! My priorities (money and what shows most) is my stomach and arms.

I am so behind the times! What is rny?!

Mine is just below my ribcage, too. The band has a long tube, so maybe talk to your surgeon about where would be the best placement for you. I am now looking into liposuction and tummy tuck. My lap band PA told to to talk to the plastic surgeon about repositioning my port while he/she is in there so it is not so close to my skin now!

Wow! I haven't even thought about a swimsuit in years!! It's still in my dresser drawer--going to try it on! I would think that 73 lbs lighter would make me look different in it! I gotta start thinking of those things! Thanks for helping shake the cobwebs out of my head regarding new horizons!!

Everyone is different. But from my experience, I'd say you are not eating enough calories! I also was doing 600-700 a day for the first couple of months. Then I stopped losing for several weeks! Sooo frustrating! When I went up to 800-1100, I started losing again. I don't exercise, but eat high protein low calorie stuff. And I started eating breakfast to start my metabolism each a.m.! I used to hit 80 grams protein a day, but now, probably 50-60 day. Super good luck! Don't give up! Sometimes it takes just a little tweeking of good stuff you are already doing.

hahaha! Good question after the holidays! I was lucky enough to not gain, but didn't lose, either! So my goal is to get back to eating three healthy meals a day (high protein, low calories) and oh, lose some more! It's still an awesome journey, and this website and on-going thought-provoking topics like yours has kept me going my whole journey. Continued good luck to us!

I am just so impressed with your choosing the band and doing so well when you had so much to lose! My friend is about 350, and is a multi-Weight Watchers failure. I was wondering if the band would still be an option vs bypass, as she also has so much to lose. Thanks for the inspiration! Hope she chooses something surgical before her weight overwhelms her to the point of giving up! Continued success to you! Amazing! Wonderful! Congrats!

You should be on your way to the hospital by now. Super good luck to you. Follow your doctor's instructions to the letter for at least the first couple of months-- I did that for the first 4 months and it got easier and easier, as you slowly work up to eating sanely! What a great opportunity for all of us!

Best of luck to you on getting your surgery approved. I heard about the sleeve after I got the band. I love the band, but the sleeve sounds like less after-care, ie., no fills, etc. But I don't know what it actually IS. I know they remove a large part of you stomach, but do they then wrap the rest of your stomach in an actual non-expandable sleeve? You are starting out at the same bmi and me, and are aiming for the same goal! Looking forward to watching your progress! Hope it happens for you soon!

Best of luck on your surgery! Your world will start looking so much better, as you will!

love your quote at the bottom of your post! And congrats, by the way!

I am worried about my friend. My PA said that if I followed anything to the letter, it is to not drink any carbonated beverages! My PA said that carbonated beverages is the worst offender for stretching or moving the band out of place!!! Which would mean another surgery to correct or replace! And who knows if insurance would cover it for something you caused! Is it worth it?! I of course have shared this info with my friend. She said she has vastly reduced how much she drinks, and lets the fizzle subside before she drinks. But she recently visited and still drinks and eats fast, and therefore burps alot and gets stuck! She is a sad reinforcer for me to do things the right way.

I wouldn't wait. If you think you are too tight cause things are getting stuck (and you are thus resorting to eating easier less healthy foods), that's when you call the dr to do a slight unfill. Super good luck to you. It is all an on-going learning/experimenting process for all of us!

Wow!! Look how far you have come in less than a year! Super congrats!!

My friend was banded a year ago, I was banded 7 months ago. She still burps, I don't. Difference for us is that she still eats fast and takes too big bites! AND, she still drinks carbonated beverages! I burped the first couple of weeks (I think air from the surgery?), but all is well since then.

Bravo! Well put! Love your last line!