4pyes

I am not sure what to do at this point. I got my band in March of 09 and I've only lost 20 lbs. My starting weight was 269 and now I'm 249. I'm grateful for the 20 lb. loss and I know that my band prevents me from binge eating. Although I'm very disappointed with my loss, I'd rather have the band than nothing. I lost great at first...lost the 20 lbs the first 2 months. I haven't lost anything since June. I have 8 ccs in my 9cc band so I'm pretty sure that I have enough restriction. I haven't been able to get under 1600 calories though (I need to eat between 1000-1200 to lose). I think I'm always hungry but I've talked with my nutritionist and she thinks that I must be "emotional eating" and I'm just misreading my hunger signs. My doctor wants me to do 1 hour of cardio every day but this has been almost impossible (I have 2 small children and work part time). I've been getting in 30 minutes every day and its a struggle to get that in. I think that maybe I should have gotten bypass or the sleeve since I'm an emotional eater (?). Has anyone switched from the band to another surgery? If so, what is the process? Does insurance cover it? If anyone else has any tips, please let me know. Thanks!

Wow--I can totally relate to what you guys are saying! So glad I'm not alone! In some ways, I feel I got the wrong advice from my nutritionist. While I've been struggling, she said that I needed to eat until I felt full and eat when I was hungry. She said that when the lap band was at the correct fill level, I would not feel physical hunger. I guess this is true for some people--apparently not me:smile2: Cleo's mom--that interesting what you said about the stomach producing hunger hormones. Maybe some of us just produce too much. I have endocrine issues also. I did not have a weight problem until after my daughter was born (she's almost 2). Before her, I was 198 lbs my entire adult life. While pregnant with her, I had hyperemesis (extreme vomiting) which means I couldn't keep food down during the pregnancy and basically starved the whole 9 months. A week after I delivered her, I had emergency gall bladder removal and I gained 40 lbs in 4 weeks!! then continued to gain another 30 until I got up to 269. My doctor then found that I had a tumor on my parathyroid which I had removed this past summer. Needless to say, my body has been through alot the past 2 years. With all that being said, I wonder if my body is just still freaked out. I've decided that as long as I'm doing the best I can, that's all I can do. I really want to get to at least 210--that would be great for me. Maybe it will take me 5 years to get there but that's ok. I think my doctor was right and that the sleeve would have been better, but since insurance didn't cover it, I'm just going to deal with the cards I'm dealt. Frustrating, but its better than the alternative:confused:

I met with my Doctor on Thursday and between him and the nutritionist, we agreed that I'm eating the right foods, but just too many of them (I'm eating 1500 and need to eat under 1200 to lose). He thinks I have the correct amount of restriction because I can a 13 oz of chicken to feel full. My problem is not getting full, but staying full. I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to feel hungry alot and the lap band isn't going to make my hunger go away like I thought it would. Don't get me wrong, the lap band makes a huge difference (I was probably eating 2000 calories before), but not the difference that I thought it would. That's ok--at least I know what I'm dealing with now. I'm doing some form of cardio 30 min/day 5 days a week.

I am not sure what to do at this point. I got my band in March of 09 and I've only lost 20 lbs. My starting weight was 269 and now I'm 249. I'm grateful for the 20 lb. loss and I know that my band prevents me from binge eating. Although I'm very disappointed with my loss, I'd rather have the band than nothing. I lost great at first...lost the 20 lbs the first 2 months. I haven't lost anything since June. I have 8 ccs in my 9cc band so I'm pretty sure that I have enough restriction. I haven't been able to get under 1600 calories though (I need to eat between 1000-1200 to lose). I think I'm always hungry but I've talked with my nutritionist and she thinks that I must be "emotional eating" and I'm just misreading my hunger signs. My doctor wants me to do 1 hour of cardio every day but this has been almost impossible (I have 2 small children and work part time). I've been getting in 30 minutes every day and its a struggle to get that in. I think that maybe I should have gotten bypass or the sleeve since I'm an emotional eater (?). Has anyone switched from the band to another surgery? If so, what is the process? Does insurance cover it? I'm so frustrated and really wish I could win with the band. I'd be happy if I could just get to 200.

i eat some carbs, but I get my protein in too (protein first, right?). I'm going in for a consult today so we'll see what happens.

only 20 lbs gone here..very frustrating. I have 8 cc's in my 9 cc band and going in today for a consult. However, I have no problems eating or getting anything down so maybe that's my problem. It looks like our 80lb losers are really tight (which I thought I would be at 8cc but apparently not).

I am making sure not to eat sliders. Its been hard since Thanksgiving because so much holiday food is around so this past week was not good, but normally I'm eating solid foods. I can totally eat more than a cup as long as I eat slowly and chew alot. There are some foods that I will PB if I eat too fast (red meat, raw carrots). I can't believe I can eat this much and I have 8 ccs but my nutritionist says everyone is different. I've emailed my diet to her and everything is ok except that I need more vegetables (which I'm working on). I NEVER drink and eat at the same time and only drink Water or crystal light. I am exercising 5 days a week.

because insurance doesn't cover the sleeve?

am not sure what to do at this point. I got my band in March of 09 and I've only lost 20 lbs. My starting weight was 269 and now I'm 249. I'm grateful for the 20 lb. loss and I know that my band prevents me from binge eating. Although I'm very disappointed with my loss, I'd rather have the band than nothing. I lost great at first...lost the 20 lbs the first 2 months. I haven't lost anything since June. I have 8 ccs in my 9cc band so I'm pretty sure that I have enough restriction. I haven't been able to get under 1600 calories though (I need to eat between 1000-1200 to lose). I think I'm always hungry but I've talked with my nutritionist and she thinks that I must be "emotional eating" and I'm just misreading my hunger signs. My doctor wants me to do 1 hour of cardio every day but this has been almost impossible (I have 2 small children and work part time). I've been getting in 30 minutes every day and its a struggle to get that in. I think that maybe I should have gotten bypass or the sleeve since I'm an emotional eater (?). Has anyone switched from the band to another surgery? If so, what is the process? Does insurance cover it? I really want the band to work for me and I feel like such a failure. I'd be happy if I could just get back to 200.

Thanks for your reply--glad to know I'm not alone. This is frustrating. When I went in for my first consult, my surgeon recommended the sleeve. However, my insurance only covers bypass and the Lap band. I wanted to try the band first because I don't like the idea of permanently altering my body.

Maybe someone can help? I was banded 3 weeks ago and lost 9 lbs the first week. The second week I lost 1 pound and this week I lost NONE. I am followng my diet plan (1000-1200 calories of mushies, 60-80 grams Protein, 8 glasses water) and I don't know whats wrong. I feel like such a failure. I spent so long getting approved and I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing yet I've failed again. My doctor also offered gastric bypass but I wanted lap band because I thought it was safer--now I'm regretting my decision. Should I go back to the liquid diet--that is when I lost 9 lbs in a week? I don't know what to do...

Thought I'd update my progress as its been 4 months now since my surgery. I have now lost 20 lbs which, although isn't much, at least its better than where I was AND I'm not gaining which is where I would have been if i hadn'thad the surgery. I met with my nutritionist and I'm doing everything right. She says I'm just not restricted enough yet and that is why the loss is so slow. I have 3 ccs and get one more cc on Monday. Unfortunately, my doctor only gives fill every 3 months!! Apparently this is not normal? I guess what was getting me depressed was seeing so many people on here who are losing so fast. I've now accepted that this will be a slow process and I'm ok with that as long as the numbers keep moving down. My nutritionist is going to try to work with my doctor to get him to give me fills quicker. Thanks for all the replys! :smile:

Wow--thanks! I think if I had a fill every 3-4 weeks I'd be doing MUCH better. I only have 3cc's! No wonder I'm starving all the time on 1200 calories. You have done awsome and I see that you have 7.5 cc's. I wonder why my doc only does fills every 3 months? I guess its too late to change docs. My nutritionist works with my doc so I will ask her about it.

Hi--I need some support/advice from some experienced bandsters. I got my band in March and lost 16 lbs the first month or two. I got my first fill in May (3cc). I lost about 2-4 more pounds in May. In June I plateaued and seem to be starting to gain. I feel NO restriction and have started sneaking ice cream..which is why I am starting to gain. I got rid of the ice cream in the house so i'd quit self sabatoging!:tongue_smilie: I have a nutritionist appointment and a fill appointment next week. I do feel like a failure though. I've been working out every day for at least 30 minutes. Should the next fill help? My doctor only does fills every 3 months!! thanks for any input!

I had my surgury on 3/16 which I think puts us at similar dates? I lost 9 lbs the first week and only maybe 1 or 2 since then. I feel the same way you do about the weigt loss--frustrated. I don't have any advice but just wanted to let you know that I'm in the same boat.

Hi--I was banded 3/16. I lost 9 pounds the first week, but haven't lost any the second week (maybe one pound?). Anyway, I was getting discouraged because I kept my calories to 1000-1100 but didn't understand why I didn't lose weight this week. I thought this would be enough. However, I've been reading through the board and I see that some people eat only 600 to 800 a day. I could do this but I was afraid this wasn't enough. Should I lower my calories to 800? thanks! PreOp 269 Current 259/260?

Hi--I have a one year old and I had the same worries about lifting that you did. I had my surgury on Monday, March 16th. I could lift my daughter by Wednesday. Lifting her wasn't that hard. Bending over was hard for a while. Getting up from laying down was hard for about 5 days. If you can get help for a day or two after surgery, you'll be fine!