Frustraaaaated!! Arrrrgggh!!! >:(

[3bubbasmon 0]

Hello. I totally understand being discouraged. I had my surgery last July 2011. It's now almost May and I've lost 48 pounds total. I lost 10 Pre surgery with the liquid diet. I have an 11cc Band with 9.25 in now. I am not sure when I'll be in my "green zone". I can tell I am eating a little less than before the bAnd but I am still hungry too soon between meals and also am able to eat more than a cup- cup & half at meals. Also, I experience times when things get stuck(if I eat too quickly or too big of a bite). Then other times I can do whatever I want and It doesn't matter! The fluctuation I feel is strange to me. My dr. Says he's heard of this bit doesn't know why it happens. My Dr only added 1 cc. PER MONTH for the first 2 months, then he did 2, then 1 every appt after. And he put ZERO in the band at surgery. So, it's taken me SO LONG to get to any restriction. And I'm still unsure of this is what restriction is??? I have that phlegm sonetimes come up with my first bite or 2 of the day. If isn't realize this is bc of eating too quickly?? I have a lot to learn still, but I can say it takes a long time for me as it is for you too. Best of luck!

[cgirvan 9]

Hello,

I am 6 months post-op, I've lost 46 pounds. BE PATIENT, the band isn't the quicky weight loss that gastric is. My regular physician put it in perspective for me 3 weeks ago for my annual physical: to lose ONE POUND in a week you have to cut 500 calories A DAY, that's either cut your food or exercise it off. So that's every day, 3500 a week in order to lose ONE POUND. I almost fell off my chair. She said 1/2 lb a week for a 40 year old woman is GREAT. On another note, I was having dinner and the waitress noticed I was taking a long time to eat, put my fork down in between bites etc... She asked me in the rest room if I had been banded, I said yes how did you know? The 5'5" 105 pound woman in front of me had been banded 6 years ago! She had not ONE SHRED of hanging skin and had weighed 290 pounds. She said the slow weight loss was the reason she had no "hangy" skin, she looked incredible! I hugged that little woman in that bathroom so tight because she was quite the inspiration! And by the way she was 50... so it can be done we just have to work at it and be patient. It's a life long commitment and the band is a TOOL not a miracle...

Good luck!

Christy

[kerriej23 0]

Thanx christy!!!!! Yes looking at it from that perspective does make things much brighter.

[carisajo83 0]

It took me 5 months to start losing weight!! Just remember your journey is your own journey! Don't get on the website and see everyone else's success and get discouraged!!

[carisajo83 0]

It took me 5 months to start losing weight!! Just remember your journey is your own journey! Don't get on the website and see everyone else's success and get discouraged!!

[ready4therealme 41]

I SO FEEL YOU! I was banded in January and havent lost any weight and have no restriction.

[roro37 7]

I am in the same boat. Frustrated that my fills.are not yeilding results. I had my surgery in October and have only lost 24 lbs! have a 10 cc band.filled to 7. I had it unfilled once because I could not eat Protein, meats. Doc said I needed to eat more solid Proteins and I would feel full and lose weight. I have had 5 fills total! I tell the doc am still hungry and appear to always been in yellow....slow weight with hunger in between meals, but she insists the band is workin and I need to do more on my end. I started out at 224! Figured I would be at least 40 lbs down by now. My partner got duodenal switch two Weeks ago and already lost 30 lbs! Feel like I should have come that route.

[armymom2012 51]

I was banded January 25. I have had 3 fills and up until the last one about 3 weeks ago, I didn't feel any restrictions at all. Try recording your food intake and up your Protein. If I keep records of everything I eat, it lets me know what I might need to change and gives my bariatric nurses and doctor ideas in order to help me as well. I have lost 43 #'s half of that right after surgery, but if I didn't walk atleast 3 days a week and really watch what I eat and measure it. I could see where it would be easy to forget. My last filll, seems to be working for me, I can no longer eat steak or any bread or wheat wraps, as I found out last night and I now have to really abide by the rules or I get stuck, which I have a couple times already. Not a good feeling, but atleast I know it is working now. Good luck to you.

[Sunshyne068 97]

I felt discouraged ... Im 8 wks post op and I complained to my doctor about my fills (3.75cc in a 11cc band). My doc said the band is working and I needed to let it do its job. I realized that I was ignoring the signs that I was full while I was eating .... once I started listening to the band, I started to slowly lose weight. It will happen for you

[da380lady 0]

Hey i'm with everyone here I got banded on 3/19 and i've even had my first fill and can still eat like before I had the surgery. My Dr is not all that willing to fill me more than two cc's which is a bit discouraging because I want to lose the weight but I trust him and continue to hope for the best. I wish everyone here the best of luck.

[roro37 7]

Gets tough. I realize this is only an aid, but it's,hard not to compare urself to others that have lost quickly. I have lost less than 30 lbs in six months, makes me feel,as though I should have stayed with weight watchers instead of having surgery. Counting calories....using a diary.

[JessiG1983 50]

I totally understand where you guys are coming from. It took between my fourth and fifth fill before I got to the green zone so just keep at it!! GL!!

[carisajo83 0]

I am 9 months post op and have only 3.6cc in an 11cc band! To say my journey has been slow is an understatement! I'm only down 27lbs since surgery. But, I do have some sort of ailment that causes physical pain from head to toe. So, exercise has been minimal at best. It's discouraging every single day. But, we have to trust we chose the band for a reason! Did we get fat overnight? No! So, I've become more at peace with the slow pace of my journey! (((((Hugs)))))

[Skyvic 226]

It is definitely a journey. I'm down 80 pounds since dec 21, 2011.... I always said I'd be happy and satisfied if I made it down to a size 16. Guess what, I'm in a size 14, actually feeling like exercising and at a 5.5 the band is working for me, with the rules. Now, I can make a goal to get into size 12...u r right it did not take overnight to put this weight on. Be proud of what you have lost! Good luck

[da380lady 0]

It is definitely a journey. I'm down 80 pounds since dec 21' date=' 2011.... I always said I'd be happy and satisfied if I made it down to a size 16. Guess what, I'm in a size 14, actually feeling like exercising and at a 5.5 the band is working for me, with the rules. Now, I can make a goal to get into size 12...u r right it did not take overnight to put this weight on. Be proud of what you have lost! Good luck[/quote']

Congrats I want to get there. What tips can you offer about your exercise plan and what foods you were able to enjoy while sticking to the rules.