too few calories

[firetruck3300 0]

I have been banded since june 26, 2013. I am at the blenderized stage mashed potatoes, oatmeal, yogurt & etc. I can not seem to get enough daily calories. Im just not hungry at all. I have stalled out at a lose of 18 lbs. help!!!

[Jim1967 3,569]

Stall?? You've barely even started. You're not even 3 weeks post op yet. This is a time for healing. Don't focus on the calories. Focus on healing. Weight loss will come but it will take time. Remember this is not rapid weight loss. Just follow Doctor's orders and you should be good.

[kazjim98 618]

I can't really add to the wise words of Jim but stick at it, it will happen and Best Wishes

[Jim1967 3,569]

I will add this,,,I along with most who are banded have been in your position before. There will be frustrating times now and perhaps later. Patience was not my strong suit but I had to learn it and learn it fast. I promise it is worth it but it will take work and time. Hang in there and do whatever you must to keep focused on your dreams.

[lisacaron 5,075]

I understand how you feel. I think we go through this surgery and we want to lose the weight as fast as we see some other WLS patients lose it. Those that have the bypass etc. It's just not like that for us, and that might be a good thing given all the complications I have read and witnessed from other alternative surgeries.

We chose to do this differently, and we chose the band for whatever our reasons were to choose this path here we are living it.

I have been reading a lot posts where people have given up and don't make the life style changes. They go back to old eating habits, and let me tell you it is HARD to make those changes. I am only 2 months post op, and I have had those moments where I am right back to the old eating mentality. I try to catch myself and sometimes I get caught up in it. I want to give up, not be on a diet not care about what I am putting in my mouth, but you know the band doesn't let me give up! I love that about being banded. When I am at my most frustrated, and I just want to say the heck with healthy, the band steps in and says NOPE you're going to have to do it right or I am going to let you know you are doing something wrong and it does!

I just had my first fill today 2 months post op. I don't have any discomfort and I am able to drink my Protein shakes just fine. Though I am noticing I am not getting beat up by the hunger demon as much, and that is a welcome relief. Right now I'm fighting with my fatigue and my conviction to do what's right for my body and forcing myself to the gym in the 90 degree heat to walk a bit on the treadmill. As my husband just said it's better than sitting in the car in traffic for an hour in the 90 degree heat.

He's right about that..so I will go to the gym and muster up the energy to walk it out.

It's a bit of a struggle every day, don't give up your doing great and you're going to keep on doing great! I just know it!

[cassandramontes 112]

I have been banded since june 26, 2013. I am at the blenderized stage mashed potatoes, oatmeal, yogurt & etc. I can not seem to get enough daily calories. Im just not hungry at all. I have stalled out at a lose of 18 lbs. help!!!

I stalled to I had surgery June 14th. I am on regular foods now and will be getting my first fill in 9 days. right now its not about one getting enough daily calories its about healing. If your not hungry don't eat. just that simple good luck

[Jim1967 3,569]

One thing to keep in mind is we are all different as far as whether or not we need fills and if so how many. I had a few false positives after fills. I would go for a fill and then would feel like I was in a good place with satiety and how I could eat and how I felt just to have it dissipate 3 days to a week later. That part was frustrating for me. I felt like I was never going to have long term satiety and at one point I even thought I was just simply too fat for a band. Well it took about 6 months and 5 fills and I am in a good place.

I have not had a fill since January and the band is doing it's thing. I can easily go 5 to 6 hours before I actually get hungry but I have set up a reminder on my IPhone to ensure I get my food in during the work day.

Time and Patience and it will come... You just need to find that spot that works for you. Until then it is like a diet.

Edit: I removed the word 'restriction' and replaced it with 'satiety'. Restriction is a poor word and how it ever got associated with banding is beyond me. Band is not about restriction...OK stepping off my soapbox

Edited July 9, 2013 by Jim1967

[pinklily27 61]

You might try adding a Protein Shake in a couple of time a day to get some additional calories and nutrition.