Not losing

[nelly123 0]

I think it's quite premature to be jumping to "one of the one's the band doesn't work for." Please don't think that. You are just in bandster hell, that period of waiting for the proper fill level so the band can actually make a difference. I gurgled all the time, even before I was at my sweet spot. You will do great, just are in that crappy gray area where any weight you lose is really on you, not on the band yet. Yes, as Mel said - if you stop eating like the band IS working, you will lose weight. Well that a lot easier said than done, huh? That's part of what bandster hell is...thinking why the heck did I just have this surgery if I have to do all the work myself? Hang in there...your day will come! Just stay positive enough that you don't miss it Don't beat yourself up either! If you can get through this period without a gain, many consider that a success! I know there were times when I was so hungry that "not gaining" became my goal. This isn't a race - it's a lifestyle change. Take it one day at a time!

Wow Thank you so much that helps so much to hear all this! I like the Bandster hell u were talking bout it really makes sense.

I'm starting to really enjoy working out too, (which btw, never thought I'd ever say those words!! lol) so hopefully after my next fill it'll all start finally working for me.

How many fills have u had? What size is ur band? Again thank you so much, it's great having support!!!

[nelly123 0]

Nelly, I had surgery December 8th. Have 5.5cc in a 9cc band. I'm not at my sweet spot either. I'm STARVING (not mental, but sick feeling...stomach growling [not gurgling]) STARVING. I go tomorrow for a fill hoping for some restriction. I've lost 25lbs by pure willpower for sure. I haven't gotten stuck, slimed or vomited once since surgery. It's crazy!! I hope I'm not 'one of those' either. Keep us posted, I hope you get more restriction eventually too!

Good luck on ur fill is it your 2nd one? OMG i know mine was growling and hurting too especially right aftwards! I didn't know what the heck was going on, i wanted to eat a cow!. what is slimed? I only lost 28lbs b4 surgery on the Optifast and like 4 right afterward. i've been dieting but nothing is happening. , thanks so much!!! keep me posted on u 2 i hope ur not one of those also

[nelly123 0]

You are not at restriction yet so yes you will eat more than bandster sized meals if you don't weigh/measure your meals. My fills went something like the following: 4, 2, 1, 1, 1.6, .4, .6 now at 10.6 in 11CC band. I did not feel any restriction until 10. and now at 10.6 I think I am at my sweet spot/restriction.

For now you need to measure your food and when it's gone you are done eating; even it you feel you could eat more. My doctor prefers that you grit it out and not have any Snacks between meals. The Nut said if there is a long time between lunch and dinner (because I go to the gym) to have a low fat cheese stick for a snack.

I am a slow loser (aver. 1 pound week). I follow a very conservative diet and exercise an hour a day. I think there are a lot of slow losers who feel intimidated by people that post "I've been losing 3 lb a week for the last month."; so they don't admit to being slow losers. It's too bad because it sets up unreasonable expectations for new bandsters. There are also people who took a long time like me (6 months) to hit restriction; where as others get there at like 5 cc's

wasn't this hard for you though?, after going through all these fills without any restrictions? I thought we were suppose to have restriction way b4 that. U r almost at your full capacity, didn't that worry you that u did this for nothing?

[mattie7632 24]

I just wanted to say there are a lot of nice responses here! Even though this wasn't my post, I found them helpful too!

Sometimes people's responses are.....less than productive but this is a good thread. Thanks everyone for the good info that was also encouraging

[nelly123 0]

I just wanted to say there are a lot of nice responses here! Even though this wasn't my post, I found them helpful too!

Sometimes people's responses are.....less than productive but this is a good thread. Thanks everyone for the good info that was also encouraging

I totally agree! It is so nice to have people help. thank you for your response also!

[cheryl2586 3,053]

Maybe you are eating too much Protein. How many grams per day? Sometimes if you eat too much protein it will cause you not to lose weight also

[Dave_NW 92]

Thanks Dave, I have an 11cc band. with only 5 cc's it feels like i should feel something but alot of people do say they don't. what is sliming? I thought about eating till i get full just 1 time to see what it actually feels like to feel restriction.

How much have u lost?

Thanks for the incouragment!

Ronelle

Sliming is an unpleasant side effect of getting stuck, where your salivary glands produce massive amounts of saliva, trying to lubricate your esophagus so you can fully swallow whatever it is that is stuck. The increasing amount of saliva builds up, till you cough and spit it out. It's nasty. After you manage to pass through your band whatever is stuck, the salivating stops, and things get back to normal. But the entire experience is unpleasant, since it's easy to panic when something gets stuck. Eating smaller bites, and chewing thoroughly will decrease the chance for that happening. I've only had one sliming incident, but it was enough to get my attention. I don't want to do that again.

Eating till you get full may not happen the way you think it will. The band may offer a degree of restriction, but it won't prevent you from eating. food only stays in the pouch for a few minutes, if that, and then it passes through to your lower stomach. If you want to feel what being stuck is like, eat huge bites, swallow without thoroughly chewing well, and eat very quickly. If you have enough in your band, you WILL get stuck. And it's a painful, unpleasant thing to do. I don't recommend it.

My weight loss to this point is hovering right around sixty pounds. I'm having a bit of a plateau at the moment, so am evaluating how and what I'm eating, how much I'm exercising, and how much sleep I'm getting. That's part of having a band - the "rules" change as you go along, and what worked for awhile needs to be adjusted to keep things working. I'm fascinated by how much I'm learning about how my system works.

Dave

[mattie7632 24]

Funny you should mention about how much sleep you get! Not getting enough sleep (my issue) can cause real problems and even affect your weight loss!!!

Sliming is an unpleasant side effect of getting stuck, where your salivary glands produce massive amounts of saliva, trying to lubricate your esophagus so you can fully swallow whatever it is that is stuck. The increasing amount of saliva builds up, till you cough and spit it out. It's nasty. After you manage to pass through your band whatever is stuck, the salivating stops, and things get back to normal. But the entire experience is unpleasant, since it's easy to panic when something gets stuck. Eating smaller bites, and chewing thoroughly will decrease the chance for that happening. I've only had one sliming incident, but it was enough to get my attention. I don't want to do that again.

Eating till you get full may not happen the way you think it will. The band may offer a degree of restriction, but it won't prevent you from eating. food only stays in the pouch for a few minutes, if that, and then it passes through to your lower stomach. If you want to feel what being stuck is like, eat huge bites, swallow without thoroughly chewing well, and eat very quickly. If you have enough in your band, you WILL get stuck. And it's a painful, unpleasant thing to do. I don't recommend it.

My weight loss to this point is hovering right around sixty pounds. I'm having a bit of a plateau at the moment, so am evaluating how and what I'm eating, how much I'm exercising, and how much sleep I'm getting. That's part of having a band - the "rules" change as you go along, and what worked for awhile needs to be adjusted to keep things working. I'm fascinated by how much I'm learning about how my system works.

Dave

[mrs myke 0]

The posts on this topic were very helpful and encouraging!! I think I need to up my Protein intake..thanks!