deedee16117

I was banded in August 2008. To date I really haven't had much luck either. I have bounced around the idea of having it removed. I originally researched and was prepared to have gastric bypass but the surgeon talked me out of it. I am not sure if I am happy about that or not but I know I am not happy about the struggle I am still having with my weight. I really haven't lost at all - the few pounds that I did lose are back and then some. I have had fills - they have taken some out thought I was too tight! I have been so tight I couldn't swallow water. All in all I feel OK no complications but I certainly didn't get the results I was after. I was ready to do the work but now I don't even care. My doctor told me I had to eat 600 calories!! I am not planning on living my life like that - I want to be able to eat less but healthy and I don't see 600 calories being healthy. I also find it easier to eat the junkier food than the hard protein I just cannot get it down and certainly can't enjoy it. Don't know what to do - how do you convince the insurance company that it's a failure and has to come out?

Long Thanks for that input. Everyone keeps telling me I don't eat enough food and have not been getting enough calories. I tried to bump that up a little but I just can't seem to do it. WW and I have a love hate relationship I was really never successful with that either maybe this is why. I always thought "calories in calories out" and I thought I was putting out more than I was taking in still without weight loss. I really don't eat all of that food in one day it's just I don't have a lot of foods that I like and/or can eat. You asked if I eat 1/2 to 1 cup of food at a time - I really don't think so. If I have oatmeal in the am I measure that to a cup. But the hard protein I know I don't eat a cup of that. Like I said I really just lose interest I don't like it all that much no matter how it is prepared. It is rare that I can sit and eat that much hard protein. My husband will do all kinds of things to chicken to make it more appealing and it always tastes great I just ususally eat some and give the rest back to him. Poor thing, I call him "Mikey" since he gets all of my leftovers - Mikey will eat anything! Two things happened in sequence around the time my weight loss stopped. In december I had a fill - it was major so much so they had to take some out before I left because I couldn't get water down. Then I had a really hard time with that for a month or two - seems to have let up a little. Second, they had prescribed Synthroid, which is for my thyroid - I had that refilled through a mail in place and it was supposed to be brand name and it came back generic - those are the only two things I can think of that changed. Up till then I was losing -I am exercising more now and losing nothing. The doc said he thinks I am still too tight and that's the reason I can't get in the protein. He may be right but like I said I just don't like it all that much. I am thinking of calling and I will try a small unfill as he puts it and see if that helps but I am not scheduled to see him till 5/12 - maybe I'll see if I can get in a little sooner. I don't want to get too discouraged that I really fall - I am so committed to this but getting really frustrated. Thanks for all of your help Sandi

Yes walk on the treadmill in the morning 2 miles at least - if weather is nice at lunchtime we walk another mile or so and if the weather isn't nice (I live in Pittsburgh and it's always a gamble about the weather) a couple of us do a walking tape at work and then again when weather is OK I will take the dogs for a walk after dinner. I think I have been doing the right things but I will continue journaling and see if I can discover anything strange but I'm thinking maybe the doc is right and I just can't eat enough but I am eating and I am not hungry. I actually think I am at the "sweet spot" just not so sweet waiting for that scale to change. A little frustrated for sure. Thanks Sandi

Thanks Long I haven't been eating slider foods. Breakfast is usually scrambled eggs or oatmeal. Lunch is a salad with some chicken in it or a baked yam w/sugar free syrup and cinnamon, an apple, a few rice cakes at night as a treat with a little peanut butter. Dinner is usually chicken or a steak with vegs and salad. Sometimes a sugar free pudding or some almonds, that I bake in the oven with splenda and cinnamon (gives them a nice taste) That's pretty much what I eat - I might mix it up a little but that's it! Instead of oatmeal sometimes I have cream of wheat - that also could be my dinner at times too depending on the day that I have had. It seems like the episodes of getting foods stuck are getting fewer and fewer but still no weight loss. My choices are somewhat limited but that's OK because I used to eat those same foods but just added a lot of junk with it. Oh, sometimes I will have pasta for dinner but it is always wheat pasta, which I have been eating for years since being diagnosed with diabetes. I really don't think that I am eating too much of the wrong things but the weight just hasn't been coming off. I did keep a journal today using the old WW points criteria and got to my point range with dinner with maybe a few left for an apple or pudding this evening. What am I missing? Thanks Sandi

Help! Is it possible to not eat enough? I have been at the same weight for three months now. I have had three fills and the last one in December was a rough one, but now it seems to have eased up and I have been able to eat. No weight loss though. I was in for a checkup in March and my doctor wasn't happy with the three pounds in three months that I lost at that time. He said that he feels I am too tight because I am finding it easier to eat everything but hard protein. I can eat it but actually lose interest in it. I am not and never have been a big meat eater so it's not that appealing to me. Seafood is out because I am allergic to it. We have been doing this "biggest loser" contest at work and since it started 7 weeks ago, I am the only one not losing - it's either up or I stay the same each week. Those around me think that I am not taking in enough calories. I pulled out my old WW book today and checked out the points and have journaled what I will eat today. I admit that I am not good at keeping a journal of my food, even though everyone says it is very important. I will continue to see how that goes. I have increased my exercise to the point where I feel I am doing all that I can do but something is holding me at this weight and I just don't know what it could be. I am starting to get sooo frustrated. This is how it used to be when I dieted before the band. I don't want to regret this move. I know it's a tool and I am really working with it but not getting very far. I was banded 8/25/08 and only lost about 40 lbs. (none of that lately). Any suggestions please???? Sandi

Helene Although I don't post much I read almost every day and I have been very concerned and so happy to see your post. I was praying for you as well and very anxious to hear how you were. I am so glad that you were able to get this straightened out - you sure have had your troubles. I also pray that you can maintain and not gain after all the hard work that you have done. Take care and rest but keep in touch so that we can all hear about your progress. Good luck Sandi

Hi Everyone Lot of activity lately on here. I have begun getting my e-mails again as well they were missing for awhile and my Blackberry was awfully quiet. I am not having a smooth time of it lately. For one thing I am not losing like I felt I should - not looking for a great loss but something. Banded on 8/25 and barely down 40 lbs., 10 of which I lost before the surgery. The last fill was a good hit so much so they had to take out 1 cc before I left the office. So I figured the problems I was having was just me and learning how and what to eat. I think I do a pretty good job at the not drinking but lately it seems that everything I eat comes right back up. Last nite it was soup, today not much of anything and up it came. I think the prime suspect is pasta! Now I am Italian so this is not a great discovery for me. Breakfast was fine and it consisted of scrambled eggs with a little cheese and one thin slice of bacon. No problems there. I see the doctor next month and I don't know if I should have some taken out or just try and stay with it and determine what is "normal" for me. Does anyone else have these problems? Last week I started walking every morning on the treadmill 2 1/2 miles before work but I have a very sedentary job and as much as I tried by the end of the day my pedometer did not hit the 10,000 steps! I am starting to get frustrated and I don't want to fall off the wagon so to speak. This past weekend we had a lot of snow and got stuck in the house - even though I had plenty to do to keep busy and I did, I still managed to eat cookies - lots of them. Amazing how easy those go down and never come back up!! But food is giving me a problem. I have read that stress makes the band tighter - I have had some of that too but I am getting concerned about this throwing up all the time. Any suggestions? I need to have this weight loss start to move on a consistent basis or I will lose all of my momentum. Thanks for listening to me whine!! Deedee

Hi Happy I am 57 and was banded on August 25. I too am a type 2 diabetic and I can tell you I have not had one major low since being banded. My numbers have been low but a good low. You will be just fine so please don't worry. As for energy levels, speaking for myself, I have had more energy and feel absolutely terrific! My weight loss is slow but steady (at least it was until these crazy holidays). I feel better since being banded than I have in a really long time. Good luck to you and don't worry it will be the best thing you do for yourself in the new year. I am still learning how to adapt ( I guess I am a slow learner) but it's been so worth it. Sandi

Hi Everyone Hope all had a very Merry Christmas. I haven't been able to get on the internet for a few days - not sure why but I am taking advantage of it now. Janet - In thinking about what I was eating I might have taken those two bites a little fast. When I was told to cut everything up into small pieces, I guess my small wasn't small enough. I have taken everything I eat down to a much smaller piece and for now seems to be better. I did go back to see my doctor thinking I was too tight. He felt that I am actually at my sweet spot and that it's just a learning curve for me. I think he might be right and I obviously have so much to learn. i will say these last few days have been really bad for me as far as food goes. What I do manage to get down isn't the best food for me. There will be no more of that - back on track and back to work tomorrow. I do much better when I have a schedule to stick to. Being home for the last week throws me off. Thanks to everyone who has responded it is so helpful to hear solutions to things you are not sure about. Sandi

I have had a couple of bad days, tonite was the worst! I am in the "learning" stage where I find the good foods and bad foods for me. Lately it seems like everything is giving me problems. The other day it was pasta, two bites and that was it. Earlier today, I was trying out a receipe for an appetizer for tomorrow and it only took two bites of that as well. Then tonite went out to dinner to a Mexican restaurant. This isn't the first Mexican food I have had but tonite - let's just say I really didn't get anything out of that dinner. It seems as though the softer foods are giving me more problems. I can munch on those chips they give you at the mexican places but nothing else. I am afraid since I haven't been able to get in almost no Protein. My doctors don't like me to lean on Protein Shakes or bars and have asked me to stay away from chicken and bread. I am allergic to seafood so I am really struggling with the protein. Seems like the only thing I can get down and keep down is cream of wheat and oatmeal. Scrambled eggs don't like me anymore either - but egg beaters are OK most of the time. I like the suggest of the honey ham and will try that. Anyone else have this problem with the softer foods? Merry Christmas to everyone Sandi

Joann I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I have Golden Retrievers and lost mine 2 years ago Christmas. We had the same thing happen - cancer and hoped for the best. We did get through Christmas but on January 3 I had to let her go too. It was the worst time for me she was just so precious to us. I couldn't let her suffer either. I understand how devastating it is. I vowed not to have another one it was so hard but after about a month the house was so quiet I started looking. I needed "energy" in the house - at least that is what I told my hubby. Well I have energy again and although I still miss her I have another great pet that I just love. I hope it gets better for you and your family as well. They are like our kids. I don't have any children of my own, just two grown step daughters but these guys are my kids. Take care and try and enjoy the holidays. Sandi

Here goes another question but I think I know the answer. Last Tuesday I had a fill - it was a good bit so much so that they had to take out 1cc before I left since I couldn't drink water. I was banded 8/25 and since then I have had no restriction that I could tell. After this last fill I had restriction! I have not been doing so well with the eating as much as I try to slow down and chew and cut into small pieces, it feels like it just sits there and I have indigestion all the time. On Saturday I felt great - ate, drank and felt full for about 4 hours and that's exactly what I want! Sunday was the worst, I started the day by vomiting my two bites of breakfast. Do I need to have some taken out? I really like the fact that I can't eat and don't eat that much but I am not really getting in the calories or protein that I need. So I answered my own question right?

Well I finally feel like I really belong! Yesterday I received my third fill of 3 cc's. Well that put me over the edge - couldn't even get down water, which they make you drink before you leave. So he took out 1 cc and it felt so much better. Was only able to eat 1/2 cup of oatmeal for breakfast and wasn't hungry until around noon. Now that's what I was waiting for. Up to this point I had no restriction and was pretty much hungry all the time. I was banded on 8/25 and have been hungry since and I was always picking - good stuff, but picking all the time. Now I didn't have the urge to pick and didn't eat until I was hungry. I have been waiting for this and it's all new the feeling is different but welcomed. Hopefully, the weight loss will become steady because up to now it hasn't been much at all.

Thanks Apples I have the most difficulty getting in the protein - seafood, I am allergic too - hamburger or ground beef I just don't seem to have a taste for anymore. I have always been sort of a picky eater - I just eat a lot of the things I like. So I have been getting my protein from eggs and chicken mostly and supplement them with protein bars and shakes. I think i twas Janet who said to keep a food journal and I have not done that but think it must become a part of my day as I must be taking in more calories than I need. This weekend was the worst! Thanksgiving and then my twin grandsons were baptized yesterday so I had a luncheon here for everyone - way too much food and appetizers this weekend for me! JoAnne - just a few more days for you - I am so glad this time has finally come for you. I will be thinking about you and hope to see you back on soon. You will do great! Good Luck! Deedee

Dee I was banded on 8/25. I wish my weight loss was a little more like yours but it's not - what are you eating and how much exercise can you get in? Are you able to eat a lot of food. I can eat way more than I think I should be able to. I feel , as you do, this is the best thing that I could have done but I guess I need to come up with a way to get it moving just a little quicker. I must be eating the wrong things. You say you are not feeling hunger that often - I was starving in the recovery room. Today I still get very hungry. I have had two fills and they really don't seem to have helped much. I have the Realize band and I have read in other places that most people need to get that band to an almost full state before they are at their sweet spot. Anyway keep up the good work you are doing great! Deedee uote=DeeH;1076282]Twirl, I was banded 10/6/08 I have never vomited nor do I often feel hungry.. this is the best thing I have ever done for myself! I started this journey in Feb with all the doctor's appointments weighing 260 and today the scale says 221. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Don't second guess yourself JUST DO IT you will never look back

Hi Pat I see you are in PA - so am I but a little North of Pittsburgh. Where are you driving to have your surgery? Are you by any chance coming to Pittsburgh for your surgery? Sandi

Have a question had my second fill today and again they said just liquids for 48 hours. Why os this? I feel fine and have had tea, coffee and water since then with no problem. I just get so hungary and I wonder why I just can't have soft food?

Indio Girl I notice that you are now down 20 pounds below your target. How wonderful is that! Congratulations you seem to be doing all the right things. I am still getting used to this whole new life of mine. Since my surgery 8/25 I have lost 23 pounds. Not bad but I was hoping for a little better. I think I have the food portion under control but not the exercise. I live a little North of Pittsburgh, PA and our weather is turning cold and dreary and walking has lost it's appeal. I know that needs to be kicked up. My thinking is I might be able to do a little better on my food choices. I thought I had read once that you follow WW still. Is that true? You do the point system? Your exercise must be way up as well. I am not good at committing to a gym but is that something that you do and would recommend? I have had one fill so far and scheduled to go in on Tuesday hopefully will get another one because I feel nothing with the first but something must be there because I did get a piece of meat stuck one day - something I will try to always avoid in the future that was ugly! I still can eat a good portion of food though - 3 oz of chicken and about a 1 1/2 cups of green beans for dinner that's a lot don't you think? Thanks Sandi

Thanks for that feedback. I guess I just absent mindedly took too big of a bite. But when I got the fill I really didn't feel any restriction at all and still don't - other than that episode I have been fine. As for the quantity of food I can eat it's more than I expected to be able to do. You can be sure I will be much more careful in the future I didn't like that feeling at all. Thanks again Sandi

I have a question on fills. Today is one week since I had my first fill. 3 cc's in a 9 cc band. I have had no problems and really feel no restriction. I was warned about eating chicken and white bread, but have had no problems with either of them so far. My question is does it take time for the fill to "hit" so to speak? The last few days I have noticed a difference but not sure what it was until last night. I had a small piece of a pork chop which I chewed but it must have been too big because I was in such pain! it felt so stuck and I didn't know what to do. My first instinct was to drink something to try and push it down but that didn't work either so I walked around and about a half an hour later I could literally fell it go through and the pain stopped immediately. Scared me to death. I am just not sure what to make of that, obviously I didn't chew it well enough but up to that point I had not felt any restriction at all. So does it take time? Thanks Sandi

I had my first fill this morning - 3 cc. I was told not to eat for 48 hours just liquids. Has this been the normal practice experienced? I am starving tonite and want to eat something - anything - help!!

Today I had my first fill. 3 cc's into a 9 cc band. I really don't feel too much restriction. I have been doing nothing but liquids since then and I am starving. Is this something that is standard when having a fill? What would happen if I had something to eat? Just some cereal would be fine for now. I will be going to bed soon so I wouldn't want to eat too much but something would be nice. Any suggestions? Thanks Sandi

I was banded on 8/25 with the Realize band. My surgery was smooth and recovery was quick and easy. I doubt that had anything to do with the specific band but I was surprised. I was more worried about the time after surgery and I am still struggling. Tuesday I will have my first fill. So far I have lost 18 pounds. That's 18 pounds I probably would not have lost but I was hopinig for a little more. I am not a patient person and I know this will be slow and steady and I am ok with that just want it to get going. I have been so hungry since surgery and the last few days it's been really bad but think it more of a head hunger than real hunger. I have signed into the Realize website but it was confusing and I just didn't have the time to sit and try and figure it out. I will need to find something though. I see that everyone is losing steady some a whole lot more than me and banded after me. So far my experience has been a good one. I guess the fun will start once I get a fill - I don't know how conservative my doc will be but hope I can stop this hunger. Sandi

Nani Rose - You will be fine. I had the same worries - not so much about the surgery as after. My journey took me from January 25 until August 25, the day I was banded. I am not sorry I took that journey and I am still learning every day but I have fought this monkey for such a long time that now I have something to help me every day and it was so worth it. All of us will be thinking of you tomorrow - as soon as you can let us know how you are doing.

Janet I have read on here so many times, most of them from you, that the band is just a tool and that head hunger will give you the most problems. I just want to say you are absolutely right about that!! I was banded on 8/25 lost like 15 pounds quickly and standing still at this moment. Saw the doc on 9/23 and he will give me my first fill on 10/14 and I am hoping that will kick it into gear - as he puts it "that is when the fun will start". But even right after dinner I am still hungry and I know that is my head playing games with me. I am full but want more. I will also agree that this "full" feeling is a different kind of a full than before I was banded. I am wondering if it has much to do with the fact that there are no liquids before or during the meal. But it's taken some getting used to and know when to stop. I like reading all of these posts and I have learned so very much but its amazing how some things will stick with me longer than others but the TOOL was one that caught me from the beginning. Can I ask if this weight loss, or lack of, is normal at the beginning? I feel fine and I have been walking more than ever which has helped in the normal going up steps etc. The other day I reached into a play pen type thing to pick up my grandson and I think that it was too much my stomach hurt after that. I haven't had much pain or discomfort but that might have been more than I should have done - he weighs about 20 lbs. and I'm too short to reach in and grab him comfortably. I haven't done any other type of exercise but walk which I have been doing since the second day I was home. I'll wait for the doc to tell me when I can start doing other stuff. Thanks for all the help. Sandi