Banded 3 + years and frustrated

[bonbon 0]

I was banded in May of 2008. I have always had very slow loss and am at 60lbs lost with 30 to go. I will go for months not losing a thing and then lose only 2 lbs for the following Dr visit.

I am a food addict and food is on my mind most of the time. I thought I would be at goal by now!

I have gained a couple of pounds and then took it back off, but I am confused at the green zone. I do not feel I am at the green zone, but neither of the other zones fits either.

I'm not really hungry between meals, but do snack sometimes. Should I have some Fluid taken out of the band? Sometimes I can eat anything and the next day, I can hardly eat a thing without feeling stuck.

Have any of you been in this same situation and what would you recommend??

Thanks!

[Phranp 46]

I was banded in May of 2008. I have always had very slow loss and am at 60lbs lost with 30 to go. I will go for months not losing a thing and then lose only 2 lbs for the following Dr visit.

I am a food addict and food is on my mind most of the time. I thought I would be at goal by now!

I have gained a couple of pounds and then took it back off, but I am confused at the green zone. I do not feel I am at the green zone, but neither of the other zones fits either.

I'm not really hungry between meals, but do snack sometimes. Should I have some Fluid taken out of the band? Sometimes I can eat anything and the next day, I can hardly eat a thing without feeling stuck.

Have any of you been in this same situation and what would you recommend??

Thanks!

"Sometimes I can eat anything and the next day, I can hardly eat a thing without feeling stuck." Yes, I am a little over 2 years out and this happens to me. Usually it is because I am dehydrated, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. I recently learned from my neurologist that Crystal Light can cause dehydration (among other things -- I can no longer drink it due to negative side effects). I used to drink it ALL the time! No more artificial sweetners for me! I have discovered Stevia ... it's okay.

"I am a food addict and food is on my mind most of the time. I thought I would be at goal by now!" While I would not say that I am a food addict, I am an emotional eater ... any emotion, good or bad. Something that has helped me tremendously is seeing a therapist, an obesity specialist. She gives me tools to deal with using food as the answer to everything. You might consider seeing a therapist to help with your "food addiction". It can also help you to stop snacking when you are "not really hungry".

I am a slow loser as well. I frequently fight with the same 3 lbs up and down for 2-3 months. But once they are gone, THEY ARE GONE. Fortunately, I am not in a hurry to lose the weight, though I would like to lose a little faster. In order to lose faster I know that I have to make a BIG commitment to doing different and more exercise as well as being more consistent with my "healthy" food plan. I walk 3+ miles each morning before work and 1 or 2 on the weekend. This is actually not enough. I am seeing a physical therapist 1-2 times a week and after a 40 min workout and 20 min massage, I am exhausted AND I feel it in my muscles so much more than I do power walking 3 miles. Who knew? So, it is encumbent upon me to do exercises that will help me build muscle so that I can lose weight faster and more efficiently. This journey is no walk in the park, but I am okay with it.

I suggest that you take some time to think about what you can do differently to speed up your weight loss. You are sooo close to goal. (Lucky you! I still have about 60 lbs to go. ) They say those last 30 or so pounds are the hardest. We, on this forum, are all rooting for you! You can do this!

All the best to you on your journey.

~Fran

[bonbon 0]

"Sometimes I can eat anything and the next day, I can hardly eat a thing without feeling stuck." Yes, I am a little over 2 years out and this happens to me. Usually it is because I am dehydrated, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. I recently learned from my neurologist that Crystal Light can cause dehydration (among other things -- I can no longer drink it due to negative side effects). I used to drink it ALL the time! No more artificial sweetners for me! I have discovered Stevia ... it's okay.

"I am a food addict and food is on my mind most of the time. I thought I would be at goal by now!" While I would not say that I am a food addict, I am an emotional eater ... any emotion, good or bad. Something that has helped me tremendously is seeing a therapist, an obesity specialist. She gives me tools to deal with using food as the answer to everything. You might consider seeing a therapist to help with your "food addiction". It can also help you to stop snacking when you are "not really hungry".

I am a slow loser as well. I frequently fight with the same 3 lbs up and down for 2-3 months. But once they are gone, THEY ARE GONE. Fortunately, I am not in a hurry to lose the weight, though I would like to lose a little faster. In order to lose faster I know that I have to make a BIG commitment to doing different and more exercise as well as being more consistent with my "healthy" food plan. I walk 3+ miles each morning before work and 1 or 2 on the weekend. This is actually not enough. I am seeing a physical therapist 1-2 times a week and after a 40 min workout and 20 min massage, I am exhausted AND I feel it in my muscles so much more than I do power walking 3 miles. Who knew? So, it is encumbent upon me to do exercises that will help me build muscle so that I can lose weight faster and more efficiently. This journey is no walk in the park, but I am okay with it.

I suggest that you take some time to think about what you can do differently to speed up your weight loss. You are sooo close to goal. (Lucky you! I still have about 60 lbs to go. ) They say those last 30 or so pounds are the hardest. We, on this forum, are all rooting for you! You can do this!

All the best to you on your journey.

~Fran

[bonbon 0]

Thanks Fran and best to you also!

Bonnie

[klariade 7]

Ditto on the H2O!! The days I don't get my Water in, I have a lot of trouble eating. When I do drink at least 64oz of water a day, I rarely get stuck (unless I eat mindlessly and forget to chew!). I think once you're 2 years out or more, the game changes a little. I don't want to be constantly going back for fills and unfills the rest of my life, so I'm learning to live with what I think is the good restriction I have now. Stress and that time of the month also effects my band and makes me tighter. I've learned that at certain times of the month I just can't get certain foods down! I think this is a life-long learning process. The past year I've only lost 10 pounds, been riding the weight loss rollercoaster and been under tremendous stress with my job and planning a wedding. So, I feel ya! I've got about 30 pounds to go myself, and I've noticed the closer I get to goal the slower I lose. At this rate It'll take me 10 years to get to goal!!

[Cindy C 150]

I feel your pain Bonbon. I was banded the same time as you...June, 08. I lost like crazy the first year and then for the next 2 only averaged 1 pound a month. I quit my highly stressful job in April and that really made a difference. I lost about 12 pounds in 3 months. Then I hit another plateau. Last Friday, I decided to go on liquids for a while and see what happens. I did liquids for 3 days and then incorporated Soups on Monday. It really seems to have kick started my metabolism. I've lost 4 pounds in 5 days. I'm going to try to keep it up for 2 weeks but it's much more difficult than the first time!

[Jachut 487]

Its much harder years out - your body has already given up its easy weight loss, your metabolism and system settles to having the band in place, your mental attitude adjusts, its no longer new and exciting so the easy motivation isnt there, your body is used to and efficient at the exercise you've been doing, I could go on and on.

If I gain a pound or two now, it takes an enormous amount of work to get it off. I just cant lose weight quickly and easily anymore - mainly because I've got so little on me anyway, but also probably because I'm 6 years older and am now menopausal. After chemo, I also cant handle quite the same amount of exercise either - knees and hips hurt, even my elbows hurt from Body Pump, lol.

Its hard slog at this stage, no doubt about it. I also find that my band works, but not in the same way it used to. I think because the foods I choose have changed so much, I've figured out what I can eat easily and my tastes tend towards those things - when I was continuously still trying to eat things like sandwiches, toast, steaks etc I ate much much less because the more solid foods filled me up. Now I'll always choose a yogurt and a granola bar for lunch instead and I actually ingest more calories that way - its kind of a natural process that you need to be aware of to stay on top of. I try to make a point to eat what I actually DONT feel like eating - because usually what I dont feel like eating is a more difficult food that will fill me up faster with less calories than the slider type foods I'd naturally choose. This is a constant battle for me - if I didnt work at it, I'd graze on slider foods all day long and never eat a proper meal.

I've also learned at this stage for me, it does no good really to get another fill, tighter isnt the answer for me, its mental.

[YngGram 73]

Its much harder years out - your body has already given up its easy weight loss, your metabolism and system settles to having the band in place, your mental attitude adjusts, its no longer new and exciting so the easy motivation isnt there, your body is used to and efficient at the exercise you've been doing, I could go on and on.

If I gain a pound or two now, it takes an enormous amount of work to get it off. I just cant lose weight quickly and easily anymore - mainly because I've got so little on me anyway, but also probably because I'm 6 years older and am now menopausal. After chemo, I also cant handle quite the same amount of exercise either - knees and hips hurt, even my elbows hurt from Body Pump, lol.

Its hard slog at this stage, no doubt about it. I also find that my band works, but not in the same way it used to. I think because the foods I choose have changed so much, I've figured out what I can eat easily and my tastes tend towards those things - when I was continuously still trying to eat things like sandwiches, toast, steaks etc I ate much much less because the more solid foods filled me up. Now I'll always choose a yogurt and a granola bar for lunch instead and I actually ingest more calories that way - its kind of a natural process that you need to be aware of to stay on top of. I try to make a point to eat what I actually DONT feel like eating - because usually what I dont feel like eating is a more difficult food that will fill me up faster with less calories than the slider type foods I'd naturally choose. This is a constant battle for me - if I didnt work at it, I'd graze on slider foods all day long and never eat a proper meal.

I've also learned at this stage for me, it does no good really to get another fill, tighter isnt the answer for me, its mental.

WOW!!! Thank you. I have been kicking my own butt for over a month. I got a fill about 2 weeks ago and even that hasn't helped. I got down to 173 (-5) in the first 4 days following the fill. And then started to climb back up. I am NOT hungry, I really can't eat most mornings and try a yogurt or Protein drink. Then I can't eat any lunch and really have to push myself to get some dinner in. This is making me nuts. I have a wedding to attend in 3 weeks and I had wanted to get off about 5 solid pounds but it aint happening.

[Kat225 2]

I was banded in May of 2008. I have always had very slow loss and am at 60lbs lost with 30 to go. I will go for months not losing a thing and then lose only 2 lbs for the following Dr visit.

I am a food addict and food is on my mind most of the time. I thought I would be at goal by now!

I have gained a couple of pounds and then took it back off, but I am confused at the green zone. I do not feel I am at the green zone, but neither of the other zones fits either.

I'm not really hungry between meals, but do snack sometimes. Should I have some Fluid taken out of the band? Sometimes I can eat anything and the next day, I can hardly eat a thing without feeling stuck.

Have any of you been in this same situation and what would you recommend??

Thanks!

Wow! I feel like your telling my story! I am def a food addict!!! Love food! Obsessed with food! Wish I could afford to see a therapist that specialized in this area of addiction, because it is very different!

I was band just a month before you and have now lost about 50lbs. I was down about 75-80lbs but I recently put weight back on. I was so tired of being too tight and sick one day and then could eat anything I wanted the next! So I got some unfilled and could eat a lot...pounds came back quick! I'm convinced that there is no sweet spot for me. Can't figure this thing out to save my life! My band has a mind of it's own and I'm so tired of this struggle! Went back last month for a fill since my weight went up like 30lbs! Now it'sback to the same thing! Can't eat for 3 days and I will be starving then I pig out the 4th day because my body will be starving! My metabolism is probably so jacked up...I'll never lose this weight!

[Kat225 2]

"Sometimes I can eat anything and the next day, I can hardly eat a thing without feeling stuck." Yes, I am a little over 2 years out and this happens to me. Usually it is because I am dehydrated, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. I recently learned from my neurologist that Crystal Light can cause dehydration (among other things -- I can no longer drink it due to negative side effects). I used to drink it ALL the time! No more artificial sweetners for me! I have discovered Stevia ... it's okay.

So can you tell me more about this dehydration thing? What is the deal with sweetners? How does this effect the band?

"I am a food addict and food is on my mind most of the time. I thought I would be at goal by now!" While I would not say that I am a food addict, I am an emotional eater ... any emotion, good or bad. Something that has helped me tremendously is seeing a therapist, an obesity specialist. She gives me tools to deal with using food as the answer to everything. You might consider seeing a therapist to help with your "food addiction". It can also help you to stop snacking when you are "not really hungry".

I am a slow loser as well. I frequently fight with the same 3 lbs up and down for 2-3 months. But once they are gone, THEY ARE GONE. Fortunately, I am not in a hurry to lose the weight, though I would like to lose a little faster. In order to lose faster I know that I have to make a BIG commitment to doing different and more exercise as well as being more consistent with my "healthy" food plan. I walk 3+ miles each morning before work and 1 or 2 on the weekend. This is actually not enough. I am seeing a physical therapist 1-2 times a week and after a 40 min workout and 20 min massage, I am exhausted AND I feel it in my muscles so much more than I do power walking 3 miles. Who knew? So, it is encumbent upon me to do exercises that will help me build muscle so that I can lose weight faster and more efficiently. This journey is no walk in the park, but I am okay with it.

I suggest that you take some time to think about what you can do differently to speed up your weight loss. You are sooo close to goal. (Lucky you! I still have about 60 lbs to go. ) They say those last 30 or so pounds are the hardest. We, on this forum, are all rooting for you! You can do this!

All the best to you on your journey.

~Fran

[stemial1 1]

I was banded in April 2010, and am also having a slow go of it. I lost 30 lbs., then started gaining it back! In March of this year, I joined Weight Watchers, believe it or not, and the combination of the band and the support group/structured program is working, but very slowly. Maybe something like this can work for you. I thought the band would be enough, but it isn't, at least not for me. Good luck, and give this some thought.