BetsyB

It happens because surgery (like childbirth or trauma) interrupts the normal growth cycle of hair. Ordinarily, we lost a certain amount each day. For a while, post surgery, that is interrupted. Then we lose a bunch at once. For some people, it is more noticeable than it is for others. Inadequate protein/biotin/zinc intake can play in--but I get plenty of all of the above, use Nioxin, and still have been experiencing loss. It's noticeable to me when my hair is wet; it is not noticeable to others.

Congrats, Erin!

I have one pair of jeans I'm hanging on to---not because I will ever wear them again, but to remind me, when my mind is unable to see my loss, how far I've come. The rest gets ditched as soon as it's too big.

Your body is busy doing lots of things--losing FAT may be among them, but sometimes that doesn't show up on the scale. Your incisions are tiny, but there is more trauma than visible to your eye; there is tissue swelling and Fluid retention. The weight will come off--truly. Even as your weight holds steady right now, your body is likely losing fat. The scale just doesn't tell the whole story.

I hope you've hit on what works for you. I also hope, though, that instead of accepting that the band just doesn't work for you, that you work with your doctor to achieve good restriction. 10 ccs in a 14cc band leaves a LOT of leeway for adjustment! (I have 8.5 cc in an 11 cc band, and am only beginning to toe the good-adjustment line.)

An unfill sounds like a good idea. I understand that we can't always control the stressors in our lives--truly, I do. But can your therapist help you with techniques to help direct your response to those stressors? Does s/he use tools such as biofeedback, neurofeedback, EMDR?

Stress wreaks havoc with my band, too. It's been really important to me to identify measures I can take to reduce stress. We can't always change our circumstances, but we CAN take care of ourselves the best way we can. For me, exercise is critical. But it's just a piece of the puzzle. Can you find a therapist who specializes in posttraumatic stress?

Count me in, too!

Is there a reason you had a particular preference? I ask, because when I asked my surgeon which he'd use, he did ask if I had a preference (no)--then went on to explain how he chose the band (based on stomach shape/size). I would imagine that if you ask your doctor, he'll be more than happy to share his rationale for band choice with you. It's not something that would shock me---I would assume the decision had been made for a reason. Still, you are certainly entitled to know that reason!

I started feeling some restriction with my third fill. I'm heading in for my fifth on Wednesday; I think it will likely take me to my sweet spot. That said, I've lost weight from the outset. At first, I just was terribly hungry as I lost. Now I am far less so. What are you eating?

I exercise twice a day, every day; some days, I add in a third activity. (I am working toward doing this most days.) I also try to just be generally more active; my occupation is sedentary, so getting up and moving more makes a huge difference in the way I feel (and lose). It's summer and nice, so I do a LOT of walking. (I can't run because the gait aggravates ortho/neuro issues, but I walk around 7 miles/day at a rate of 10-11 min/mile.) I also belong to the Y; there I do resistance training. They just added Zumba, so that'll be added to the repertoire next week. I am adding power vinyasa yoga (at a studio) as soon as I can cough up the $$. I still have to eat very low calories--it's just the way my body is. But I think in the long run, the exercise is probably more crucial. I know it will be for maintenance, in particular.

Do continue the walking--and don't be afraid to take the pain meds prescribed. There's no need to tough it out! It passes (no pun intended) quickly. I think a lot of us sort of forget how we felt immediately postop--but it is harder than I think we lead, in our rosy post-banding glow, people to believe. You're not alone! And you, too, will soon forget this pain, and be moving on happily :thumbup:

I, too, can run into trouble, some days, even with my staples. It seems that if it's a "get stuck" day, it's "get stuck" day---and even the most ordinarily innocuous things can catch me off guard. My staples are Beans, chili, ground chicken (I have difficulty with it if not ground), most lean meats, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, other cheeses (in moderation--too much sat fat to eat as much as I want!), and most nonstarchy veggies. Broccoli is a problem for me unless I choose broccoli slaw--then it's just fine. (And that is a staple for me, too.) Most fruits are problem-free--even apple skin does not bother me if i chew it carefully. I have not yet added whole grains back into my repertoire. That'll come when I hit 75% of my excess weight gone. I haven't missed them much, but will enjoy having things like polenta and wheatberries again.

You're not failing your band---you're just not quite where you need to be yet, in terms of restriction. Hunger makes it very, very hard

I, too, have realized, mid-bite, that swallowing that bite would put me into serious pain---and have then spit it out. However, chewing and spitting as described by the OP is kind of a slippery slope---it's disordered eating I'd want to nip in the bud. If genuinely hungry, I'd recommend calling the doctor for suggestions; perhaps your diet can be advanced/tweaked so that you aren't as ravenous.

I'm not taking supplemental iron; iron overload is dangerous, so I take my lead from my doctor. If my bloodwork is skewed, he'll let me know :biggrin:

Heck, I don't even necessarily wait until I have a full pound ---I change my ticker for 0.2 down, if that's what the scale says :smile2:

I understand that the CPAP is uncomfortable. I understand it's a pain. But if my surgeon told me to use it for three weeks before surgery, I sure as heck would use it. I don't know if you're aware, but sleep apnea places considerable strain on the heart. I wanted to be wheeled into surgery is as HEALTHY a condition as I possibly could be. If that meant using a PITA machine for a few weeks, that's what I'd do. (I'd also continue to use it after surgery, until the weight loss was actually achieved, and the apnea resolved.) You're right; as you lose weight, chances are the machine willl become a thing of the past. But until then, why place additional strain on your heart? Seriously--the risk is quite real, and it's quite significant. I'd rethink this one.

I use Protein supplements. I don't use them instead of food---I use them to ensure I get enough protein when I am unable to get enough from solid food. I just don't have the capacity to get the number of protein grams I need each day in from solid food alone. So I start the day with a protein shake---and if I haven't gotten enough, I end the day with one, too. You're right, they're not as satisfying as food. But they get the protein in, when the body's already had 3 solid meals and really can't hold any more :smile2:

It's really hard at first, isn't it? There's really no way to prepare for the discomforts, and especially no way to prepare for the mood swings caused by anesthesia, pain meds, the trauma of surgery, and hormonal swings that accompany the surgery (and weight loss itself). Throw in pain, hunger, and what really can be described as grief for our old lifestyle ('cause once that band is on, it really hits home that that's a thing of the past)---it's REALLY quite a blow. ALL of this passes. I promise. Each day, you will feel better physically. Each day, you will learn new strategies to cope with the changes required by the band. As you approach restriction and your new way of eating becomes second nature, it really becomes so, so worth it. But until then, know that you're not alone. We've all been there. And most of us do conclude, pretty fast, that we made the right choice. I'm betting you'll be among us soon.

It is an awful feeling! I'm with elcee, though. After some time passes, I give foods that have given me problems another try. My band is fickle; it does not predictably have problems with any particular food. But I've had plenty of stuck incidents that practically made me swear never to eat anything again!

Something to consider: liquid moves right out of you---and solids linger in your digestive tract. Just that, alone, adds to the number on the scale. I know it's tremendously frustrating, but you're not adding body fat. Your body is retaining Fluid for a number of surgery, anesthesia, and healing reasons. You might see a blip upward due to the fact mentioned above, that food has mass and weight and hangs around long enough to be measured on the scale. If you're eating the right things, you will lose body fat. At this stage of the game, being hungry is normal and expected. It seems like lots of us were/are unprepared for it, but it's part of the game. As you get restriction, it becomes SO much easier. In your shoes, I'd try to eat as if you had restriction, even though it's difficult. It will allow you to lose some weight as you wait for restriction. But if you can't do that, it's okay. You will get there. You WILL gain restriction, and you WILL lose weight. It's just a longer process than many of us like!

You're right, Missy. I should have said, "take a deep breath" instead of "take a pill." I live with teenagers; in this house they mean the same thing. But it did come across as rude, and I'm sorry. I still believe there was little bashing on this thread, and lots of good advice offered. The OP didn't like it--and lashed out a bit more than most who post incendiary questions.

No way! You're not allowed to give up! Look how far you've come! It's natural to plateau close to goal. I know it's frustrating--but you will get there!