tmaiello

Hey Electricwoman and everyone, We are going to have times when our weight will fluctuate. My dietician told me it is perfectly normal for my weight to vary 10 lbs in either direction so, this seems perfectly normal. I also think that a new medication could be the cause. Does this medication cause water retention, or increased appetite? This could be another reason. If water weight is a side effect, then a low dose water pill could help. If increased appetite is a side effect, then this should subside after your body adjusts. In either case, its just a matter of adjusting. So, no need to panic, just give your body what it needs and don't panic!!! I hope all is well with everyone and just keep the course! We've gotten this far and I hope we all feel so much better after the life changing surgery we all had!! Good luck to all Anthony

I haven't been out to eat with friends in two years. I cannot in any way shape or form eat in front of others. Even my 8 year old daughter asks what my problem is when Im eating. If your band was filled correctly, eating out should be a treat and well tolerated.. You may not eat as much as everyone else, but, as long as you eat slow and in moderation, you should be able to tolerate any foods. Maybe I've just been WAY too tight for too long. I cannot eat meat at all so the protein thing is out the window. Doesn't matter how small - ten minutes later I am throwing up. It appears that your band is wayntoo tight. I am not saying to empty it completely, but backing off .5cc's at a time is a great start to getting the proper fill. You have to be conscientious about getting this right. One side effect of having it too tight that Drs need to be aware of is esophageal reflux. That can damage your esophagus to the point of erosion. I assume you are on something like Prilosec/medium for this also. I find myself eating fattening stuff so I dont starve. I make alfredo sauce and put it on fresh veggies like red/orange/yellow peppers only to get it to slide down. You are using high fat foods to allow the food to slide through the band. That means it is way too tight. So my question is to everyone? Are you able to eat in public without people knowing you have the band? Maybe I'm just too tight? What exactly do you eat? Did you give up sweets entirely to get to this type of goal? What type of exercise did you do? Did you follow a complete under 20 carb diet which is basically Adkins? I eat in public and have no issues. I don't eat just salads either. Anything in moderation is the key. I hit my goal weight late last year and have no issues with feeling like I am in danger of gaining it back. I eat sweets also, the nutritionist in my group wants me to not limit any foods. That is just not a sign of eating NORMALLY. That really is the key to keeping it off!!! I chase an 18 month daughter all day. That's plenty of exercise for me, but I'm sure that isn't for everyone (LOL). I did in the beginning after the three weeks of only liquids that jump started my weight loss. The Atkins type diet after that gave me some structure initially. Then, after that, moderation of all foods was the key! Please anyone reply.... I have been miserable for over a year because I can't eat. I really thought when I got this it would just allow me to eat and because my stomach was smaller I would be full much faster. I can't get full because I can't eat anything without throwing up. I would say at least once a day I throw up something that has gotten stuck! Throwing up every day is a sign of a problem with the band being too tight. I only throw up when I overdo it or when the foods/medicine that I took prompts me to do,so. Stay with it !!! You went this far and you should do what you have to In order to get the result you want. Keep exercising also, but you need to get the nutrition that your body requires to get the results you deserve! Hang in there and if you need anything else from me or the rest of the group, please keep posting so you can get some validation/support. Anthony

New Joy and all our bandsters, I still keep track of this thread. New Joy, stay with it. Getting a fresh fill and going back to the basics (i.e. start with liquid again) will renew your resolve and will get you to your goal. It took me a year and a half and I too went back to liquid to jumpstart my second attempt to reach my goal early last year and it worked. So, I have no doubt that you will get there! If you need someone to talk to, please post. I will respond. This system works and sometimes, all you need is a little support. My dietician was the greatest ally I had! He always called back and kept me on track. He left the clinic I used last year and I really miss his help. The other dietician talked to me also and she is just as great!!!!!!! Stay with it everyone! Sometimes you just have to start over to get to your goal! Anthony

Wow, what a great pic......yuo've done very well. Hope I can get brave enough to do that. (Yes ladies, even us men have body issues! I've told my group sessions I'm ready to consider a tummytuck. Let's be honest, you know guys are vain!) Keep it going guys! Anthony:thumbup:

That's got to be the hardest place to be stuck on a plateau....staring at 200 and not being able to break it! I would definitely get the fill. As you already said, there is ALWAYS going to be something going on, so, just get used to making excuses for the weird diet (a 24 hour virus thta won't go away, a minor stomach irritation that doesn't do well with solid foods, etc....I know, it takes a man to lie hahaha). But no matter what you do, exercise won't do it alone as you can always eat what you work off. Good luck on whatever your choice is! Anthony

Hey Tracy, I hit a plateau for almost 2 weeks and then the weight came off again. There is no trick to handling it.....just perserverance. You have to keep the same habits you had b4 the plateau that were working for you. The weight loss just magically starts again! You're doing real well, keep up the good work. This really goes for everyone, I am so happy and proud to be part of this group! Anthony 2 1/2 years to get insurance approval! Surgery 12/3/09 Weight Loss after Surgery Overall Weight loss since 11/2009

Hi Chickadee, You'd be surprised how much inaccuracy is involved in filling and refilling these bands. Just because they pulled out less than what was in there before, there is really no cause for worry. They can be off a cc and it can remain in the band or tubing. (The syringes they buy are disposable and hardly perfect themselves. Some have a perfect rubber seal and get good suction for draw and some are less than perfect!) Keep your mind on the prize and don't let something like this worry you. These syringes are .10 cents each in bulk and definitely not perfect! I'm sure your band is not leaking or more than that would be missing! Anthony 2 1/2 years to get insurance approval! Surgery 12/3/09 Weight Loss after Surgery Overall Weight loss since 11/2009

Wow. I think mine is a woman.....she tells me what to eat, when to eat it and how much more work I have to do on my honey do list. (hahaha). I can't quite give her a name yet, she hasn't finished showing me her personality. As far as sushi is concerned....rice expands too much in my stomach and I'm uncomfortable with it...Same thing for Pasta, but not for bread. Go figure! Again, thanks for all the well wishes....I'll catch up with you all later in the week! Anthony 2 1/2 years to get insurance approval! Surgery 12/3/09 Weight Loss after Surgery Overall Weight loss since 11/2009

Dottie, Happy Bithday and welcome to the 51 year old group of happy people. I think that being a cheap date and just plain cheap are definitely 2 different kind of women, so enjoy your husband's compliment! I am glad you are getting out and trying the "normal" way that people eat on the road. Dried foods (jerky, dried fruit, etc....) may help you on your trip!! I usually resort to that when we go to my daughter's house 8+ hours away! I hope you enjoy your day and have a safe trip! Anthony 2 1/2 years to get insurance approval! Surgery 12/3/09 Weight Loss after Surgery Overall Weight loss since 11/2009

I had the same thing happen when I changed scales, but I think I wore the first one out!!!:thumbup: Keep going and don't worry about adding the 2 to the starting weight just because you changed scales. You're still getting the weight loss and that's what matters the most! Thank you all for the kind words and I'll check back after Wednesday when I get home! Anthony 2 1/2 years to get insurance approval! Surgery 12/3/09 Weight Loss after Surgery Overall Weight loss since 11/2009