Sunnyone41

I am incredibly slow at losing. Almost 2 years and only 46 pounds - a little more than half way, but my progress creeps at barely a pound a month or less - it is really incredible. At the same time, most everyone is worried about me eating too little. The fact is, I have been a slow loser on every program ever tried (and I tried them ALL, or I would not be here) so I am not surprised. I am REALLY compliant, eat tiny amounts of good fresh foods everyday, use protein drinks, don't crave things, easily quit the diet drinks, carbonated anything, don't eat much sugar, etc., etc. I see my Dr. regularly, have been loosened a little, tightened a little, not a big difference either way. I have seen my band on a Flourescope and can see how it sits and see the medicine trickle down . . . I am so tight at the moment I really have to work at eating correctly, drinking water, etc. People ask me if it is worth it, and I would say yes, because I hadn't been able to lose ANYTHING for a number of years on ANY program. Husband had really given up after seeing me try and try, so he is really pleased now. (He has NO problem with weight) (When I slide in the car and easily buckle up over a greatly reduced tummy, that is good!) But sometimes when I get heartburn and have to sleep elevated (I haven't had heartburn since I was pregnant 40 years ago) or am stuck for 8 hours and miserable because I forgot and took a bite after 8:00 pm, or sometimes I just get touchy and almost anything I eat is wrong and I have to do liquids for a day or two, I think this is the hardest thing I have ever done. It does isolate me from friends and gala eating and has created a difficulty with food fixing/eating with my husband. First, it is difficult to imagine what he might like, since my food tastes and possibilities have changed so much. And whatever I fix, he has to eat for a couple of days since I just don't know how to cook for one only. He gets in so late I can't eat then, so I have to cook for him stuff I can't even have a bite of, and I like to set a nice table for him, but then I don't feel like sitting there with him and visit and not eat. He is uncomfortable eating without me also and at first lost a lot of weight, but now he has evened out. We just haven't figured out how to make both of us happy about that. I just wanted to see if there is anyone with a similar situation. One honest reason I don't post much is that I don't want to discourage others. Others seem to be having a much easier time than me. I struggle every day. I am looking much better. A size 16 person @ over 5'6" with a big frame is not really fat anymore, and I have lost fat in the face, shoulders, waist, hips and everywhere. There are 20 things I can be happy about . . like no more serious snoring! Clothes loose. Blood pressure better. Can run up the escalator and not feel like I am going to pass out before I catch the Bus! Can put on socks and pantyhose and do my own pedicures . . . don't pant and get out of breath so much. Probably have added years to my life, and at my stage - that is important to me. Gotta see those great-grandchildren coming up and seeing my own kids and grandkids mature into life . . . Life is good if it is not easy. Anyone out there can relate? Or am I a bird of a different feather?

I can just imagine how much more agile you must be, just in doing everyday things. You look really nice and thanks for shareing

Wow, some of your answers are really eye-opening! Mine is not as dramatic, for sure. But yes, my relationship has changed. I don't like meat at all, because I fear getting stuck on it. It doesn't look good to me now, and I used to just drool over a thick juicy steak ready to eat! Also, piles and platters of food, even TV food advertisements, or someone talking about all the food that is going to be served at an event -- all these things have the reverse effect on me. Since I am only going to eat a tiny amount, hearing about lots and lots of food is unattractive. Also, since I am not really hungry at dinner, I have a very hard time cooking for my husband. The things we used to cook and eat together, I now cook and he eats, I can't get most of them down. I have finally figured out that I am almost stuck to start with in the mornings, having trouble even drinking a Protein milkshake (I do get it down, and my Vitamins & prescriptions, but slowly, over 45 minutes or so, while I am getting ready for work, and it is an every morning chore). For lunch I am much more open -- and can eat a variety of things and do. I am lucky, we have about 18 restaurants near our work. By evening, I am much more closed again, and have been just not eating dinner, just drinking Water. Since I am a very slow loser, I HAVE to stay as tight as I am. Some people would say I am too tight and I would say I am close to that! I have several events of PB's and getting stuck uncomfortably each week (if I try to eat dinner with husband). It bothers him when I don't eat at all, but it bothers him more when I eat little pieces and then get that sick look and burp and have to get up and leave the area. I am finally losing after very slow progress. I am close to losing 30 pounds now and it really shows (finally!). Husband is pleased, my regular Dr. is pleased, and I am really feeling hopeful. I tell people that are cooking for me or having me as a guest not to be offended if I eat very little and have to stop. I do enjoy a variety of foods. Three teaspoons of something is usually enough. I can usually eat a one bite of most anything. I must make one statement. Even though this is a difficult way to have to eat and think about eating, there is no way my willpower would get me down to this small amount of food. And this little amount of food is what finally has me losing at a nice rate of one pound a week. I have always had good willpower and been able to stay on diets for long times. They just didn't work. This lap band didn't work either, until I got my third fill --- so it is really obvious that I have a slower than usual metabolism. I have been dieting for 50 years. I am now 64, but lead a much younger life. I walk, kayak and do my own housework, my husband is 14 years younger, I work in a young company. I am very blessed and fortunate. Only last year I was so very frustrated. I thought to myself how can I be over 60 years old, have dieted nearly all my life, and not figured out my weight problem YET? I know carbs and calories like the back of my hand, I have been, at one time, on every diet plan around. I had will power and great personal discipline. Nothing worked. This works. I don't mind it being slow at all. 238/210/155

Yesterday I went to my reg. Dr. for my annual. She was pleased with my weight loss and we discussed my lap band surgery, what I eat, how I eat it, how I take my regular meds, etc. She gave me a full exam and saw the scars . . . then she ordered me a prescription for my persistant ear infection. I got it filled in the afternoon and it was Augmentin, VERY Large, Chalky White pills with warnings not to "Crush or chew before swallowing" (and cost $68.00). I was supposed to take 2 of these things on a "Full" stomach. Well, since I am eating a very small amount now, I never have a really "full" stomach, and I NEVER swallow anything that big, and I always chew my food to pieces before it goes down, and still I get PB's . . . . so I am really careful. After talking to the pharmacy and my surgeon's office staff, I decided to halve the pills and be sure some food was eaten before. Down it went -- hurt very bad, came up again after a lot of PB & pain. And I was supposed to take 4 of those halves at each dose, twice a day. The next morning I tried again, this time sipping hot tea to loosen up. Pills down with some Breakfast. Back up again and then I was really sick and in pain for quite a time. Results for the day: Lost a day of work, had to ask the prescribing Dr. for a liquid antibotic, then had to wait most of the day to get it filled because it was not in stock, spent more than half the day really miserable, had to spend another almost $50 for the new medication, can't take the other back since it was opened. I was just surprised that after all that discussion about my lap-band, still, a very good Dr. would carelessly prescribe me something impossible for me to take. Lesson learned: Be sure before you leave the Dr.'s office about any prescriptions given you: are they in a form that you can take considering your surgery? Most regular Dr.s are not that informed about what you can and cannot do. You have to tell them! (I thought I had!)

Absolutely beautiful and amazing! Thanks for sharing the pictures!

Gosh, Thanks for all the information and replys. These were the BIG pills, Augmentin XR 1000 62.5 TAB GSK and they were time-release - 10 day XR pack. 1/2 pill was larger than a pencil eraser. But I did end up obtaining a replacment with a liquid antibotic: "Ceftin for Oral Suspension" 2 teaspoons twice a day with food. Still does not rest easy in the tummy, but I can handle it. My point of the whole communication was to remind people to make the Dr.s & Pharmacists give you something you can take. Hope your little boy does better --- I had earaches as a kid and now I am 64 and still have them! On the too tight issue. I might be. I am having a lot of trouble finding foods I can eat, eating at other's houses and not wasting a LOT of food. I have a fill up to 2.2 ccs as of mid Feb. But - this is the first time I have had a weight loss that was anything near 1 pound a week. I have been just piddling around - I went to a support meeting in January and I was certainly the slowest one there with 6 months, not quite 18 pounds lost. So now, I finally feel that I may lose 4-5 pounds this month so it looks like tough restriction is the only way for me to lose. I have been a hard, hard loser at any diet, all the time, for all my life. It feels like I have been on a diet since I was 12 and I really guess that is right. I would like to finally solve this situation and get to my best weight, not for vanity (past that) but for health. Thanks again to all who commented.

I am healing well, feeling well. Have had great support from Husband & family. Walked a mile yesterday, starting on smooth soft food stuff today. I have to fly tomorrow in the a.m., go down and get my Mother in Florida, clear out her home (after 27 years), pack her up and fly her to Texas with me to be able to take care of her in my home with the Help of Hospice (she has terminal cancer)--- so my surgery has taken a second place in my plans ---- my concern for my mother the top priority. I went ahead and kept the surgery date -- I was fearful that all the approvals might not come through perfectly like they had done if I postponed 6 months or so . . . . I am going to have to hire help with the packing and lifting and just be SURE that I am not tempted to "Do it Myself!" ---- hard for me to ask people to do things for me, but I will HAVE to. I am happy that I went ahead and did the banding. Won't worry about losing, only healing and my Mom, and the losing weight can all come later.

I really tusseled with the idea of keeping the surgery date or not. My banding doctor even asked me if I wanted to postpone due to the family pressures -- but as most of you reassured me, I did the right thing -- who knows the future? And I had the insurance approval and time away from work all arranged before I knew about Mother. Well, let me tell you guys - it was not easy. There were times I was belching gas (both ways) and could not eat, times in which I could not get anyone to bring me the food I needed - since I was out of town without a car to use. It was obvious to Mother (but I have never told her about the surgery at all, she has so much other stuff on her plate!) that I was having trouble eating and digesting, but I just put it off to upset from travel. The little amount I was eating I explained that I had recently gotten out of breath just making a bed and was determined to eat less. Well, since the beginning of the liquid diet (June 18th) I have now lost 10 pounds and I am a HARD loser, so I am happy. I am happier that I am learning how to eat for my future. I pay attention to those "washed out" moments and grab juice, slim fast, Soup or something quick. And I am enjoying food and the taste of good things, even though I can only have a bite, I was worried about that. Only once when I was paying attention to what my Mom was eating did I swallow something not chewed enough -- I had to excuse myself from the table and was embarrassed as well as in pain for a little bit. What I love about all this is the end of my pitiful "story" - - - The lament that I cannot lose weight and the 67 different ways I have tried, the stories of people sitting next to me losing tons on the same food I gained on - - - - pitiful boring stories that are gone from my thoughts, gone from my personality, not part of me any longer. I tell you, I was tired of them. Now my new story is just moderation in all foods, good quality foods first, slow is the answer, be careful about chewing, plenty of liquids and don't let too much time go by before eating/drinking something. I see the Dr. next week and I think he will be proud of me. My Mother's move went well from beginning to end. Angels to help me appeared from nowhere and gave me hours of assistance, She stayed well enough to help me sort out things and tell me the history of many items from all over the world. It was a 7 day everyday long job, but she is now in my home, her treasures from a lifetime arrived last night and are all here, I have sold her apartment (in a day!), I have Hospice here already, and we are as ready for the future as we can be. God is good. I asked for help harder this time than I ever have, acknowledging I was too weak for the job, and God sent people to help me on every turn, every day, by the hour. I had miracles everyday. I am so blessed.

I have observed what I eat for the last month and I am eating a big plateful once or twice a day. HOW in the world could 1/2 cup 3 times a day provide enough nourishment? I don't want to weaken myself or cause malnutrition. I am overweight, (about 90 pounds) but I have always fed myself good, fresh, food (not junk at all). I have low carbed it and been eating fresh veggies, lost of salads, fresh fruit, etc., dense whole wheat bread only. (good eating habits, I am healthy, but don't lose weight) Will my face wrinkle up? (i have good skin and look a lot younger now) -- geeesh -- there are a lot of things to be unsettled about. My Mom @ 89 is skrinking to almost nothing since she is not hungry ever, and she has become a tiny little thing, and she was always as big as me. I am going to be willingly doing to myself (starving) what has happened to her because of age and sickness? Do I have a right to volunteer for something that might weaken me? All this fight to get the procedure approved, the time off, etc., (all which went smoothly) and now I get scared. In the picture - on the Island of Molokai- My two girls & me on the left.

(to stangers or when I just don't want to explain myself) That I am on a "restrictive diet" under medical supervision. I think that will be close enough to the truth!! Date: 6/25/04

Mine is on June 25th so we will be close. I am glad to hear your feelings are on a roller coaster, mine are too, and I am very much older and should have a handle on my feelings. I guess it is normal. It surprised me, I had thought it out and was very confident, now, a little jittery. I will be keeping up with you and best of luck!

I have two other very normal daughters, five normal grandchildren, 4 normal great grandchildren . . . One daughter and I are the only overweights out of the whole family-- plus our husbands are all very slim. Mine, in particular, eats carbs like you would not believe, (I make him buy them and stash them himself!) but has weighed 180-190 at 6'1" for twenty years. So it is not that we cook ourselves fat or everyone else would be too! Just she and have a weight problem and I started her off with Weight Watchers with me when she was 10. We both eat no JUNK, no desserts and no fried and basically low carb it and have for years-still we are both big. She has not had any luck with two insurance companies and has been trying for two years to get approved. I feel a little guilty that mine came through so easily! She was supposed to go first and I was supposed to cheer her on!

Does anyone else have this problem? I have lived with it for 18 years. He is slim and eats everything. I am fat and I eat diets all the time. I am planning to be banded as soon as the insurance process is finished. What will my eating (tiny bits) and his eating (large portions) be like? Does anyone have the same situation? I think one reason I am fat is that I make our plates look about the same. He burns it, I do not.

I have 4 daughters. Only one of them is heavy with a slow metabolism like me. The rest of the family is normal weight. She and I are both approx. 100 pounds overweight. Last year she decided she would do the full surgical bypass and I was horrified. Luckily, her insurance was very slow on the approval. Purposefully, I went on a diligent diet to prove to her that weight loss was possible for us if we tried hard enough. I followed the Atkins diet. I joined a group at work that cooked for each other and shared lunch time and hints, products information etc. The South Beach diet became popular, and several were following that. Some lost a lot of weight, and I was basically their teacher. One of these girls lost over 60 pounds. We were serious and there for each other. For the whole year I lost 8. They saw what I ate and didn't eat and knew I was trying very hard and was sticking to the diet plan. But after relaxing for trip and Christmas, I started Jan 2004 at the exact same weight I was Jan 2003. Zero loss for a year's dieting experience and I had only shown my daughter the reverse of what I wanted. Momma can't lose weight either!! Meanwhile she had heard of the Lapband. I began to encourage her in this. Along the way, it became evident that I could qualify and my insurance will probably cover it. (not approved yet). So now both of us are working on getting insurance approval and doing our due diligence. This board has been an eye-opener. There are so many people too tight, not tight enough, having trouble with PB, leaks, slippage- nausia. Is it really worth it? Is it ever smooth? Would most of you say YES, I would do it again? Or suggest that someone they love go through it? Has anyone actually achieved their goal weight?

That is unbelievable, wonderful, and doesn't it make a difference in your Life!! Thanks for the positive reassurance! /Sunny

Thanks Sue, Alex and Debbie and Not2big42long!! for some thoughtful responses with good information. It is so scary to consider surgery for a problem I thought I could fix myself -- but my best efforts have not resulted in any progress and now I feel so discouraged, I have not been able to face trying another diet since the start of the year. I am actually a very disciplined eater, and very knowledgeable about good foods, and should do well under restriction. So, I will try to hurry up the insurance approval, if possible. It might be May or June. Losing slowly but surely would make me happy as can be, I really don't care if it took 3 years, and no, I am not "in-Love" with some magic goal number --- I remember what I looked like at certain weights, but who knows what you would look and feel like at those weights now, years later? I am a big-boned person and will never be a lightweight --- and since I have lost before in my life, I know that rewards (recognition, health, clothes) come along at levels all the way along. It is nice to communicate with others like me. My daughter has a LOT of health problems - she is just 40 with Diabetes, fast heart beat, HBpressure, IBS and backaches -- with a high stress job, two hyper kids, no time for herself, a long commute -- she gets no break!! I am looking forward to her having some success at this. Thanks again.

that I, from Texas (Central and S. US), a person from Scotland, a person from California (West US) and a person from Wisconsin (North Central US), all of miles and miles apart, have all become your supporters and well-wishers in your weight loss in Australia? This Forum is wonderful!!

I know how much courage and thought it takes to make the decision. Good for you!

Yes, Melissa - I live east of Dallas and work in Downtown. My date is not set up yet but I am hoping it will be soon. It would be nice to make our own support group.

Banding Soon: I take Cardizem which is a time-released capsul with instructions NOT TO CHEW BUT SWALLOW WHOLE. I forgot to ask the Dr. about this. Also take a thyroid tablet, guess I would just chew that up a lot and sip with water?