Keia

I've done all of that. I've been consistently working out three times a week since March. I use the Lose It! app on my phone to track my food intake. I can't say I'm perfect all of the time but 4 -5 days a week, I stay within my range. I have lost a lot of inches, but my body is so slow in releasing the pounds. It's quite frustrating at times. When my Nurse Practitioner and I spoke last month, I realized that I have averaged 5 pounds a month (for the first five months) but that doesn't hold true now. I'm in my sixth month and I haven't lost anything yet. I'm going to get a fill next week. I'm rarely satisfied after meals (they're measured out) and my hunger returns too quickly. Finally after my fill last month I can feel restriction. But I still need help. It's exciting to give away clothes and have to go buy new ones. So I know the surgery is working and everyone is affected differently. Good luck to you, too!

I wish I could lose 5 pounds a month.

I was sharing with one of my friends, who had gastric bypass, that although I feel restricted, my mouth still wants to eat. She suggested chewing and spiting. I've done it once (that was all it took) and it cured my problem. I had forgotten about it until now. I agree, it cannot be a way to deal with overeating. But it worked for me that day. And it is disgusting; no doubt about it.

I literally feel like a lightbulb went off; I seriously could cry. The chart with the questions is an excellent way to figure out where you are. I suspected that I was in the yellow zone, but now I know for sure. (I was comparing myself to my friend...) I have been banded for six months and I've only seen my doctor four times. I said I was going to call and make an appointment sometime next month. But I see now that I have to utilize the band the way it was designed. Go get a fill, Keia!

Wow, what a rollercoaster. :-) Hang in there, it does get better. I found that really cold drinks make my band tighten. So I try room temperature fluids or just slightly chilled. Really try not to eat 30 minutes before or after you eat. This should help you get some food in. You sound like you're already chewing properly, so maybe try some different foods (different textures). I don't have a lot of advice, other than don't give up. I'm a slow loser (pound wise) but I have lost a lot of inches. You may be doing the same thing.

I just realized that when I drink cold fluids, my band tightens. And it takes longer for it to go down. But when I drink hot fluids, they go straight through. Try drinking room temperature water.

I had a fill a week and a half ago, and the restriction is still adjusting. Oh my gosh!

Wow, that was rude.

Hello, Everyone. My six month anniversary is Wednesday. That's my official weigh-day, so we'll see how it goes. I'm on the slow train like a few others here. I usually don't post that often because my stats pale in comparison to everyone else. Yes, I've lost more banded than I would have normally, but it's still a LOT less than I anticipated. But I said I wasn't going to complain this time. Instead, I'll share my good news. I can fit a size 14 pants!!! I gave away all of my 18's and I'm piling up the 16's. I've been shopping at the thrift stores and finding all kind of good stuff. Although my clothes were fitting differently and I had lost 25 pounds on the scale, I still wasn't too convinced. Then one of my friends (she was banded Jan 20) came and we took pic's of each other. OMG, I really have lost weight. I look pretty good :-) Lastly, my friend had to get an unfill for a couple of days. We went out to eat and she ate until she was stuffed. She was so miserable and said she did not miss that at all. Just watching her was enough for me. We talked about the difference between being full and being restricted. I'm learning to stop at restriction and not waiting to feel full. It may sound really simple to some people, but it was an "aha moment" for the two of us. It's made a difference since my fill a week and half ago. I know that eventually the pounds will fall off. They better, I've been working out three days a week since March!

Hello, Everyone. My six month anniversary is Wednesday. That's my official weigh-day, so we'll see how it goes. I'm on the slow train like a few others here. I usually don't post that often because my stats pale in comparison to everyone else. Yes, I've lost more banded than I would have normally, but it's still a LOT less than I anticipated. But I said I wasn't going to complain this time. Instead, I'll share my good news. I can fit a size 14 pants!!! I gave away all of my 18's and I'm piling up the 16's. I've been shopping at the thrift stores and finding all kind of good stuff. Although my clothes were fitting differently and I had lost 25 pounds on the scale, I still wasn't too convinced. Then one of my friends (she was banded Jan 20) came and we took pic's of each other. OMG, I really have lost weight. I look pretty good :-) Lastly, my friend had to get an unfill for a couple of days. We went out to eat and she ate until she was stuffed. She was so miserable and said she did not miss that at all. Just watching her was enough for me. We talked about the difference between being full and being restricted. I'm learning to stop at restriction and not waiting to feel full. It may sound really simple to some people, but it was an "aha moment" for the two of us. It's made a difference since my fill a week and half ago. I know that eventually the pounds will fall off. They better, I've been working out three days a week since March!

You're right. I did in the beginning and then I got tired of them and switched back.

Wow, that's great that you have lost so much without overfilling your band. I just had my third fill, I'm at 4.5 cc's. I'm still working on ignoring head hunger and trying to listen more to my body. Congrats on the stats!

Thank you, Everyone! It's the little things that keep us going. BTW, I love the jumping banana. LOL.

I went to get a fill Thursday, and for the first time in 6 years, my blood pressure was normal!!!! I have to confess, when I was placed on the meds, they were never strong enough. But I was in denial and didn't want to get a stronger dose. So I've just been skating by all of these years. I CANNOT wait to get off this medication. That was my first reason for having this surgery. The pounds have been slow to drop, but what I've lost plus exercising consistently has done the trick. Yeah, Me!

"Yeah...good" Just kidding. That is AWESOME!!

I've never had a problem with bread; toasted or not. But since I had to go so long without it (until phase 4), it doesn't taste as good to me. I have been a bread and starch eater my whole life, but I'm glad to report that is changing. I agree with the other post - moderation is the key; Protein is more important than bread.

Today is the first time I've ever felt any restriction right after a fill. Usually it takes a week to two weeks before I can really sense anything. I've had 3.5 cc's since March and today she added 1 more. I wanted 1.5 but she said no. I did tell her that I am going to start being a litle more aggressive. If I don't drop any weight, I'm coming back in a month. It's rather discouraging that my six month anniversary is June 29 and I'm only down 24.5 pounds. I've been working out three times a week consisently since March. Argh! But....(big breath) I'm going to be positive and keep trying. I bought the work out tapes, KettleWorx, so I'm going to stick to that regime for six weeks. I took my before pictures and I'm praying for some awesome after pic's.

Wow, I can't wait to try the ricotta cheese recipe; sounds delish! I also use frozen meatballs. They're great because they're already portioned out, high in protein and still taste good when they're blended. Obviously they go great with mashed potatoes or green beans. Oh, add gravy when you get ready to blend them. Good luck!

I saw the infomercial for KettleWorx and just had to get it. It's just an exercise routine using the kettle bells instead of regular weights. It's something different and looks pretty intense. Has anyone here tried it? I'm going for my third fill Thursday so between the two, I really hope I can start losing again.

Lmbo. It came with a five pound one. I'll just buy the other weights at Target and skip the shipping and handling.

I've only lost 6 pounds since February. I just had my surgery in December and I'm only down 25 pounds. So....I know it's hard, but stay encouraged. I know you'll get back on track.

I'm having my third fill next week. I am hoping to finally feel some restriction. Congrats to you!

What is the 5 day pouch test?

Hi, Everyone! I haven't been around much either. But I'm glad to see everyone's progress. I finally hit the 25 pound mark. That's an average of 5 pounds a month. I'm not jumping up and down (actually I'm trying not to frown). I clearly haven't hit my sweet spot. I was scheduled for my third fill Thursday but we had an auditor surprise us this week at work. So I had to reschedule for next week. Oh well. Anyway, May was an extremely busy month for me. I hope to be around more. I enjoy reading everyone else's success and encourages me to keep trying. On an exciting note, I ordered KettleWorx (a new workout tape using a kettle bell). It should be here tomorrow. Between that and the fill, I surely hope to see some pounds dropping. But I can wear a size 14 pants now!! Yeah!! It's fun shopping in my own closet. I'm giving away my big clothes this weekend. Thanks for listening.