SassyB

Meli, I too am a slow loser and dread going to the doctor for another fill (Feb 5, 2010). Banded April '09 and I have lost 30lbs, the last 5 is up and down. One of my problems is that I am peri-menopausal...I'm all over the place. I haven't reach my sweet spot either. Some days I can do really good, but then the cravings for the carbs hit me. I know that I'm not being compliant with the dietary requirements either. I think that I have read so much, I'm on information overload. Do I count calories, how much protein is enough for me, should I get on hormone therapy? There's this women that works with my husband that had the surgery a year before I did, I think that she has lost about 80-100lbs and it makes me sick when he talks about how much weight she has lost. I try not to compare myself to others but it's really hard. I am at a total loss!!! I'm so afraid that this will be yet ANOTHER thing that I have failed at to lose this weight. HELP!!!

I can totally understand being discouraged. I was banded in April 2009 and I have a 9cc in a 14cc band. I haven't been on this site in a while because I feel like such a failure. Along with the medical conditions that lead me to the LB, I am also peri-menopausal. I crave carbs, I can go a couple of days without them then BAM, they come back. I really want to commend those of you who seem to have gotten a handle on this thing. Thank God I don't drink alcohol. I'm going to try and increase my protein, because I don't think that I'm getting enough. This is harder than I thought it would be. :thumbup:

I know what you mean about the benefits that others seem to be getting. At one point I had to stop coming to this site because I would get so depressed. I haven't thought about getting rid of the band because I couldn't afford another surgery, but I have been down on myself for not having gotten the bypass instead of the band. How many fills have you had? I received fill #7 on December 3rd and I'm still not at my "SWEET SPOT" but the restriction is better than it was. I read where some people need to get an unfill and I say to myself, that unless I was vomitting profusly I wouldn't get an unfill. This is because I have gone for so long without any restriction and of course no will power. So I commend you on doing it on your own. I will continue to tell myself that it's a lifestyle change and know that reaching my "SWEET SPOT" will come.

How was your will power before the band? I too think that you have a great weight loss. If the band has helped you with your will power maybe that's what it's going to be for you. That was one of the things that I have been praying for, among other things. I'm perimenopausal (I have a bad case of water retention). I have lost and gained the same 10 lbs. The last 8 months has taught me to read the labels more and I am more aware of what I'm eating and how much. This past week I increased my protein intake to 90-100 grams and I lost 4 lbs. This whole time I have been trying to have a balanced diet; but I wouldn't lose and because of that I started eating things I shouldn't have. I now think, could it have been something as simple as this all along? I say all this to say hang in there! You are doing GREAT!

I was told that the straw would causes me to get gas. I haven't used one since being on the pre-op diet. After surgery I get gas no matter what I have, so knowing that the straw will add gas I stay away from it. I have started using water bottles with the sport top.

Yes, yes and yes. :tongue2: I'm experiencing terrible water retention (swell legs and all). I don't know what to expect from one day to the next. The carb cravings are also a problem. I have an doctor's appointment next week, hopefully I get some hormone therapy and it helps.

Congratulations! That is great. What are you doing? I'm struggling. I'm trying to wrap my mind on the eating changes, but it's very difficult when there is little to no restriction. :thumbup:

I could use a boost...where are you guys getting the yellow jackets?

First let me say that I really like LBT. I have been reading the posts for a few months now. I'm 6 months post-op and I've only lost 27lbs and I have had 5 fills. :cryin: I felt some restriction after the 5th fill and lost 5 lbs; that was 2 weeks ago. I have been going up and down since. I do have to admit that because I felt no restriction the first 5 months, I still ate things I should not have had nor as much as I had. :wink2: So I know I can't blame the band...I was doing just that; but truth be told it was me and not putting more of and effort to change my life and thinking about food. I've decided today to really try and eat and exercise like I was directed to do. :hurt: Thank you all for your posts.

Well I'm on the reverse of this thread. I have no idea what to do any more. I had my 5th fill Oct. 9th and had some restriction. Lost those awful 5 lbs that kept going and coming back. This week I have been getting in at least 80 grams of protein a day. I started eating the Greek Yogurt with some of the suggestions that I have read on LBT:tt2:, the green beans . Getting in the daily water requirements and taking the vitamins. I know that I don't exercise enough and most days not a all. After 8 hrs. of work and a 3 hr. commute, I'm tired.:seeya: How do you guys do it and what are you doing?

I haven't tried it, but I was just looking over the Acai Powder (you add into at bottle of water like crystal light) in Costco last. I was SERIOUSLY considering buying it...still am. I too would like to know if it works.

I tried the green beans last night...they were great! :thumbup: I will have to try the sweet potato next. Thanks for the great ideas.

For the people who are losing; I'd like to know how many grams of protein are you having daily?

Congrats on making the decision to have the surgery. I agree with littlemissdiva; the pain is temporary and stick with the post-op diet. Soon you'll start to feel better. I'm finding that it is a journey, but one that I'm glad that I ventured out on. Blessings to you.:thumbup:

...when you go to dinner, order and count how many meals you will be getting out the one.

I was pretty much in the same boat. For 3 months after surgery I did not lose another pound. Well I lost and gained back the same 5 lbs. I had no restriction. I was beginning to think that this would be yet anotherweight loss something that I FAILEd at doing. I got my 5th fill on 10/09/09...finally restriction. I love it and thank God for it. I like being able to turn food down or not eat as much because I just don't want it. This will also help me to make healthier food choices. I'm so excited about the lbs that I will be losing. You all are such great inspirations. Keep up the good work.

I had no problem during the liquid stage. Maybe not enough Protein is my problem. I've been afraid to have too much. I was drinking the muscle milk light once a day and of course having the protein from foods. I'll try increasing the protein a little. Thanks.

Shmoopy, How much protein are you talking about? Are you mostly eating protein or drinking it?

sberrys, I try to stay hydrated with water, decaf green tea and crystal lite. I'm perimenopausal, so it's been terrible. Now that I feel some restriction I think the weight will continue to come off. I'm excited like I was when I was told that my insurance approved my surgery. :thumbup:

I too am one of those that get on the scale every morning. I was banded in April '09. Had no weight lost since a week after surgery; so it has been very difficult for me. I even went back to weight watchers. I was having no restricition at all; which made it even harder to eat right. I got my 5th fill on 10/9 and I finally fill the restriction and the scale is going down...thank GOD. I was really feeling like a failure. I had oatmeal and coffee for Breakfast, 2 and a half hours later I'm still not hungry....I LOVE IT. I thank you all for your posts. I have been reading them for a while and it has help me a lot. I congratulate each of you on your weight lost. Keep losing and sharing; people are reading even if we don't make a post.

Thanks All. I had my 5th fill on 10/9 and I finally have restriction. This is great! I had a boiled egg and had to stop eating because it got stuck. , but it was good in a way. :confused: since I was starting to fell like the band wasn't going to work for me. I felt good about not over eating this past weekend. I was actually able to leave food on my plate...I can remember the last time I have done that! So now I'm back at work after the Holiday. I'm a secretary so I don't get much movement. I've had 1/2 cup of oatmeal and coffee this morning. I'm feeling full, I love this.

I've had 4 fills, go for another one today and I haven't gotten sick after getting them. I do the liquids for 24 hrs., then mushies the next day. :thumbup: I have no restriction what so ever. I'm praying that today the restriction comes.

I have had a major sweet tooth as well as urges for carbs. I'm perimenopausal so I suffer with Water retention. I'm losing my mind. I'm 5 months post-op, 4 fills and just can't seem to get a handle on this thing. I have felt restriction for the first week after the 4th fill. I've tried going back to the liquids but again the weight is up down then up again. Monday, I couldn't take it anymore, I re-joined WW. Walking on the treadmill when I get home is the only exercise that my crazy life allows me to do right now. I have read the post where people have had to have unfills. At this point I would welcome the over fill (except throwing up). I have to keep praying and believing that the restriction will remain. Is there anyone out there who has had the LAP-BAND® surgery while going thru menopause? If so, what are you doing to handle the cravings.:bored: DOS: 285 Current: 260 1st Goal: 250