penturn

I am interested in hearing what you eat if you try to eat six times a day. What, for example, made up the 700 c. you had today? I have not counted calories in several months. Maybe I should start again. 800 just seems to be so few. I love to count calories at LiveStrong.

To Mich: When I read your post, I felt like it was written by me. Your story sounds almost identical to mine. It took forever to even feel restriction, my band is practically full, and I have only lost 50 lbs. in the past year.(And that's on a good week!) I have 50-70 more to go. I don't eat much at all, but I must admit that I don't make healthy choices. It is just so easy to eat junk!!! I walk at least one mile every day--usually around three miles. I also must admit that I just started doing that this summer. The weight is just not coming off. What I have noticed lately is this: For a while, I really had saggy skin under my chin and on my neck. Now it is gone. I don't know if it has filled with fat again or if the slow weight loss has allowed my skin to adjust and tighten some. I am hoping it is the latter. So, I am trying to be optimistic. I am told by everyone everywhere that slow weight loss is best. It is just frustrating!!!! I have worked all summer to be back at the weight I was in May. Three pounds to go. Anyone who thinks banding is an easy fix is very mistaken. I work hard!

Boos02, I feel like you do. I had quit even coming to this site. I love being inspired by everyone, but I also get discouraged when I see how much weight others have lost. I never even felt one bit of restriction until I had 7cc's. 8 cc's worked well for a while. Now with 8, I can eat way too much. I need a fill, but I hate to fill the band up completely when I've only lost 42 lbs. I feel like once it is full then I have nothing left to work with. Does that make sense?

My six month anniversary was also this week. It's funny. . . Going into this thing, I had envisioned that by the six month mark I would have lost like 50 or 60 lbs. The fact that I have lost only 31 is a little depressing. It took me five fills, however, for the band to start working. I take a little pride in the fact that I basically did 27 lbs. with absolutely no restriction. I hope I lose more than 30 lbs. in the next 6 months, but the next 30 will probably actually be even slower. Oh, well, I'm trying to let this 6 month mark inspire me to do better and work harder and not to let it get me down. My main concern is that I have 7.5 cc's in a Realize Band. I am afraid that I am going to have the darn thing completely full before it really starts working for me. My good friend is only 2 months post surgery and she has lost the same amount as me---and she's confined to a wheelchair. Darn!

But I can't see how something like tomato Soup could be harmful. Amen.

I hate to disagree with the doctors and the others on here, but I think a protein shake would do you lots of good. When I had surgery in July, I was allowed to begin full liquids on day 4. That was the turning point for me. Once I had protein shakes and creamy soups and yogurt, I felt great, had plenty of energy, etc. I say go for it. I only had to do one day of clear liquids before surgery. I imagine you're starving.

My whole experience has been very slow. I lost about 15-17 pounds during the first two weeks post op. I am now almost 5 months out and have only lost a total of 27. It is very frustrating. I will just continue to press on. Hang in there.

I have had a Realize band since July. I have never had a problem eating anything--of course I haven't felt restriction yet either. I think I could eat this computer if I wanted to. . .

I have had two fills since being banded in July. I supposedly have 6ccs in a 9cc band. I have never felt one bit of restriction. I stay full for a long time, but I am able to eat basically like before surgery. I DO try to make healthier choices. I have lost only 24 lbs., and it is very frustrating. I get my third fill tomorrow. I am hoping it will be the "magic potion" I have needed.

think the process to get the surgery is slow? just wait until you see how slow the weight loss process is after the band! this whole process requires lots of patience. i have to remind myself that i didn't get this way overnight!

Their doctor probably just has a different theory. They are more aggressive. My doctor is not aggressive at all. I can only get a fill every four weeks, etc. I get so impatient. I waited almost a year to get to have this surgery, and now I feel like I've gotta' wait four or five months for it to start working. I haven't worked so hard at dieting in years. It will be worth it, though.

I'm slow too. My surgery was the day before yours, and I have only lost 23 lbs. I had my second fill last week, and can maybe feel a little restriction. (cautiously optimistic anyway.) Up until now, I haven't had any restriction at all. We'll get there. Slow and steady wins the race.

If your band is like mine, it isn't working yet. From what I understand, it could take months. At least you are allowed to get another fill. I have to wait four weeks between each one. In the meantime, I lose nothing. Don't beat yourself up.

I know how you feel. Basically the same thing has happened to me. I had surgery July 15, and I have lost 20 lbs. I lost all 20 within two weeks of surgery. None since. And I have been trying very hard. I don't eat between meals at all, and I try to eat healthy meals. It is just that I have no restriction and can eat as much as I could before. I have never felt one bit of restriction. This is probably the hardest I have worked at dieting in 10 or 15 years. Discouraging to say the least. Just wanted you to know you're not alone.

I have lost a lousy 21 lbs. since being banded July 15. I have zero restriction--never had any from day one. I work very hard at making good food choices and trying to eat healthy. I am working just to keep off the 21 lbs. I had one fill three weeks ago and can have another in a week. My doctor is not very aggressive, and I am so frustrated. I waited for a year to get the band, and now it seems I will have to wait a year for it to work.

Gosh, I'm soooooo discouraged. I think I got a placebo!!I was banded July 15 and very quickly lost 20 pounds. For the past month, however, I haven't lost any. (Actually I've lost the same three pounds three times. Shouldn't that count as nine?) I have no restriction at all. I got my first fill this week and can't have another for a whole month. There is no telling how much I could actually eat. I try not to overdo it, but I want to feel full. I walk almost daily. Everywhere I go, people ask me how it is going. I hate telling people that it isn't working yet. I know people who had restriction from day one. I told so many people that I was having the surgery because I wanted to be accountable. Now I wish I had never even told anyone. At this point, I almost wish I had done bypass. Sorry to whine, but I needed to vent.

This phase is frustrating. I am just under 4 weeks banded. Had no pre-op diet. I've lost 20 pounds since surgery, but 15 of those were the first week. I am struggling to lose even a pound a week at this point. I have no restriction whatsoever. I haven't really tried, but I think I could eat a whole big plate of food--like a cheeseburger or something. I have not felt full one single time. I can't get my first fill for two more weeks. Please tell me this is normal. I'm starting to think that I'm some clinical study and that I got the placebo band. HaHa.

I was starving at that point too. but I could have full liquids by that time. Girl, go drink you a protein shake. You'll be amazed at how much better you'll feel. I would always advise to follow doctor's orders, but that seems a little ridiculous. Your body can't heal without some nutrition.

I am two weeks out. Day two was fine for me. My husband took off--but it would not have been absolutely necessary. I did not even lie down one time the whole day of day two. I was more comfortable sitting up. I did sit around and rest a lot but walked a lot too. Day three was my worst day--for hunger and for just feeling yucky. After that day, every day has been better and better.

Dr. Miles is also my doctor. I was banded two weeks ago (on the 15th) and I had completed all of my requirements back in April. I couldn't believe it took so long. Naeomi would tell me that she was submitting my paperwork during a certain week. I would call two weeks later only to find out that it was being submitted at that time. When I was complete, I started calling and emailing Naeomi frequently. I was finally given the July date during the last week of May. I was getting so frustrated with them that I was about to start looking at other doctors. I begged for something sooner, but it all worked out great. I start eating mushies tomorrow. I thought this day would never get here. Hang in there. He's a great doctor.

I've been having yogurt too. I haven't had pudding yet, but I think I will pick up some tonight. I really enjoy jello made with buttermilk. You boil water just like you normally would, but then when it is time to add the cold water you add buttermilk. I like it, and it seems more filling than regular jello--which I am very sick of right now. I had my one week post op visit today. I've lost 16 pounds. I got my staples out, and that feels much better.

Can you eat? I'm one week post op and am still on liquids for another week. That doesn't mean I'm not hungry because I definitely am. Today is actually the first day that my hunger has felt manageable. I have been pretty miserable until today. Are you doing protein supplements? I choked down my first protein drink last night and really felt that it was the turning point in making me feel better. When I think of how quickly the past week has flown, it makes me think I can manage to make it another week until I can have mushies. I'm going with my children to church camp this weekend and I'm a little nervous about being on all liquids while there. Let us all know if you find something that fills and satisfies.

I have heard/read that this drug can be extremely dangerous. If your tubes are tied, do you really want to use chemicals to regulate your period? I am extremely wary of all prescription meds anyway--although I know that sometimes our lives depend on them. I had a uterine ablation several years ago. It has done a great job with practically eliminating my period. Had tubes tied prior to that as well. My vote: Don't use the pill!!!!

Oh, I meant to add. . I also love the instant breakfast. That helps.

Hi Alicia, I was also banded Tuesday the 15th. I am very tired of liquids and am thinking constantly of mushies and what I want to have on July 29th when I get to have them. I have lost 11 pounds so far, and that is great motivation, but I still feel pretty miserable. I'm not in pain at all. I just feel weak, hungry, and nauseous. I can't make myself choke down a protein shake, but I know that is what I have to do to make myself feel better. Hang in there. You're right. . . we're all in this together. Pen