joannedt

I was banded June 2012 and have only lost 35 lbs. This was accomplished by my will power alone because I'm always hungry. I've tweaked the amount of fill I have over and over but I've never found the so called green zone. I just don't have the will power anymore. I was never good at dieting and that's all this band is. I envy the people on here who can barely finish a cup of food. I feel so sad and I'm such a failure. Worst of all, I'm a self pay so I'm out $16,000. I went to my regular doctor today and got a prescription for Phentermine. Maybe now I'll lose some weight.

I was banded June 2013. I have around 5cc's in my 10cc band. I lost weight in the first 5 months by pure willpower and strict discipline. In December my mom was really sick and I had to care for her for two months. I got really tight (from stress) and got a couple of unfills because I kept getting stuck. I haven't been able to lose any weight since then. I've gone back for two fills but I can still eat like a truck driver and I'm always hungry. I don't believe I ever reached the green zone because even when I was tight, I was always hungry and could eat as I did preband. I admit, I've never gotten the hang of eating teeny tiny bites and that's probably why I was always getting stuck. My question is, if I'm in the green zone, shouldn't I get full with one cup of food and be satisfied for 4 hrs? Or is this mostly a willpower thing? I was doing so well but I got burnt out and stopped recording my calories. One bad day turned into one bad week and now I'm just frustrated. It seems everyone else can't eat large quantities like I can. Even when I was tight and food got stuck a lot, I couldn't control my eating. Am I missing something here? Is this band all about willpower and recording calories? Help!

Make that banded June 2012!

You look so healthy and happy! Congratulations!

I love this! And perfect timing!

How rude!

Cut it in fours and swallow with water, spacing the time in between each one. I was able to take capsules with no problem post op.

Merry Christmas to my LBT family! We're all going to have a fabulous New Year!

I have the same problem. I get stuck nearly every meal even when I take my time. I decided to get a very slight unfill on Friday but I still get stuck way too often. It's no fun and no way to live. I think you should follow the above poster's advice and slow things down. What I do it before putting the first bite into my mouth, I think about how much pain I have when I'm stuck. It forces me to really think about how mushy the food is before I swallow. I have to think about each and every bite as though it might be the one to cause me pain. I hope this helps. Good luck and Merry Christmas! :-)

I have a glass of red wine nearly every night. I include it into my daily calorie count.

Go for it! The added support will feel really good!

Looking for others who live in the area.

Great story! Congrats on your success!

I just posted a stress thread too. My mom was hospitalized and since then my band has gotten super tight. Weird, huh? I hate to get an unfill because I was finally in the green zone. Are you gonna wait it out or get an unfill?

My mom was admitted to the hospital last Thursday and ever since then it seems my band has become really tight. I can't eat anything without getting stuck. My stuck episodes last for hours and even cause back pain. Can this be the result of stress? My last fill was around 3 weeks ago and I was fine until now. Now I'm miserable every day.

I indulged tonight. But I will be back on track tomorrow. Hey, I'm human and I love life. That includes a Reese's every once in a while!

Perhaps you're not getting enough calories. Strange but often true, such a low calorie count could be forcing your body into starvation mode. Try upping your calories to 1000-1200. Best of luck! :-)

Getting even the slightest unfill can make a world of difference and put you in the green zone. I trust that you are taking tiny little bites and chewing your food well. If you are, then a slight unfill may be just what you need.

A heating was my best friend post-op. Try it for the pain!

Sounds like your port. No need to be alarmed. I think most people can feel theirs. Congrats on your surgery!

I love Centrum Multivitamin adult chews!

I have an appointment for a fill tomorrow but I just don't know if I need one. I can eat absolutely anything and not get stuck. And I'm talking huge bites of food. I go 3-4 hours between meals and I do get hungry but I just can't decide if its head hunger. i eat only 1200 cal per day and losing 2 lbs a week. Should i get a fill?stisticking to