The band just isn't working for me

[mosermel 0]

i live in kannapolis, NC and im thinking about having the surgery and hoping for insurance coverage. I have no advice because I havent been through it yet but what does the doctor say? I'm going to carolina weight loss center in Concord. Do you have thyroid problems or anything that might keep you from loosing more weight?

[honu 0]

Glad that you recognize the issues. That's the first step. The best way to avoid ice cream is to NEVER have it in the house. The second best is to NEVER go to BaskinRobbins or any other such store.

Yes, most of us are addicts, and most of us could use some professional help with that. But keep working on it, and same to the others who've been fussing about not losing. The ONLY reason for not losing is eating too much and exercising too little. The band is a TOOL to help you and is NOT a magic answer.

dan

I was banded in November 2005 and have only lost 35 lbs. But I haven't totally stuck to all the rules, and have been battling an ice cream addiction. I also didn't lose anything until I had proper restriction, which took me 5 fills and 2.7 ccs in a 4 cc band. I still am hopeful, and am trying to follow the rules a lot better. Without the sweets I know I will lose faster. But remember, the band doesn't do anything for you. You have to do all the work. It's just a tool.

[macmamma 0]

Hi Jaime,

My question is where is your doctor in all this. My suggestion (as a bariatric nurse, who is also banded) is that you contact your surgeon and be evaluated. You may need another fill.

I also want you to know that you have to stay positive. 31 pounds is great!

I am sorry I don't live near you, but a support group would be most helpful to you also. Please e-mail me if you want to talk or have questions.

[MoOrLess 0]

I hesitated to post here - I don't want to sound rude or be told I don't know what I am talking about......first - I am NOT banded, you can stop reading right here if you want to -- but I will tell you - I have been successful in losing weight! Everyone here is so supportive and encouraging and because of lack of finances and Medicare issues (I am disabled) I can't get the band right now....

I have lost almost 20 lbs - I started really watching my eating and exercising mid-way through April of this year. Yes, this is as much and maybe more than some banded folks....I agree with those who have said that you have to watch what you eat AND exercise....I know all about the different phases of eating banded folks have to go through and that exercise is limited or non-existent at first........

eventually (my opinion) you do have to exercise and eat properly and drink lots of Water.......do what your doctor says to do - read posts until your eyes fall out on here - ask questions - and ask for support! No one has kicked me out or turned me away just because I don't have a band - yes some people do lose slower than others....

but if I can do it without a band - I know folks with the band can surely do it....I'm here - come talk to me, read my journal....talk to others......

Count your blessings - you are banded - and losing - albeit slowly some of you -- but I strongly encourage those who are eating junk food and ice cream to please stop.....I say this with experience - I am now Type II diabetic who has to take medication (though with weight loss it is diminishing quickly) and have high cholesterol (food and family issue here) and need medicine for that too....don't kid yourself if you think that having the band keeps you 'safe' from these types of disease - it won't if you are not eating right.......

I mean everything I said here in a loving way - please don't take it wrong. You CAN do this - banded or not....it's harder for some of us to exercise and the weight comes off slowly - but it does come off, best wishes!

[ereves 0]

Man I feel your pain. I had to have the band emptied last week and I was so frustrated I started crying. Watching the scale has been the worst. I was banded in April and I have only lost 20 pounds. When I think about what I used to eat compared to what I'm eating now, I cannot understand why it's not falling off! I am still struggling with soft calories, mainly fried foods. Let me tell you what is working for me though. I've started hypnotherapy and it's working for me because it's changing my thinking. I was craving candy and cakes and pies after the surgery and the craving is completely gone. Now I'm working on slowing down my eating. The worst habit! I eat so fast! I may not have lost a lot but I feel as if I'm making progress on my way of thinking. Eventually I'll get there. I truly believe slow and steady wins the race. Hang in there! I cannot recommend hypnotherapy enough. Weight loss is about the way you think about food and eating and until you get your mind around healthy mindful eating you're always going to fall back on bad habits with the lap band. (At least that's been my struggle)

[puddin 7]

You know, I've had ups and downs, too. And even if you have gained muscle, if you are consuming fewer calories than you are expending you WILL lose weight. I know that when I keep an accurate record of exactly what I'm eating on a daily basis, that's when I lose. And let me tell you, when I find a Lean Cuisine or Smart Ones sale, I go crazy. I just got about 100 Smart ones meals at about $1.17 each. One of those will fill me up. That way I have no guessing and it's very cheap.

I don't mean to sound skeptical, but 2 hours of exercise with 31 pounds of weight loss doesn't sound right, unless you're downing ice cream every day. Keeping a diary has been the key for me. Since doing that I have pretty much consistently lost 2-3 pounds per week. Try doing the journal - it could be very revealing as to how many calories you're consuming. The device I wear tells me how many calories I'm expending all the time, but you could go get your BMR tested and have a pretty good guess of how many calories you burn in a day. It helps to take the guesswork out. For example, tonight I burned about 3,000 calories (that's about 300 more than usual for me), and I'd only consumed 610 for the day after dinner. That way I knew I could have a bowl of ice cream with chocolate Syrup (because everyone else was eating it) and STILL hit my 1,500 calorie deficit goal for the day, PLUS have extra calories to spare. Tomorrow I won't be so lucky, but I'll still aim for a 1,500 calorie defecit and by the end of the week I will have lost 3 pounds. It's all about the math!

[myiv4lyfe 0]

I NEED TO FIND A SURGEON IN THE NC AREA THAT DOES MEXICO BAND PATIENCE..CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME. ALSO, DOES THE BAND FEEL DIFFERENT DURING ONES CYCLE? THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT YOU ARE ALL INSPIRING.:help:

:clap2:

BANDED 6/26/2006

STARTING WEIGHT 229 PREOP

CURRENT 208

GOAL 150

[vinesqueen 2]

Hi there! I'm not the spokes model for the Turtle Tribe for nothing... :tea:

If you are working out that much, you are rocking! And yes, I think it is a marvolous idea to get your FFM checked. Hopefully, you'll be like our Pat and have put on muscle mass like nobody's business! She gained something like 52 muscle pounds from her work outs. That means that she has even less weight to lose than when she started!

Since you are working out like a fiend, you might really think about working with a nutritionist who specializes in athelets. I know, it's funny to think of ourselves that way, but if you are working like that, it's what you are. Own it and love it baby! (hurray!)

You might even find that you will need to increase your calories to lose weight. Yes, I know that doesn't make a lick of sense, but that's why I recommend seeing a specialist, and not just internet souces.

So, if on the other hand, nothing is working, and the band really isn't working for you, then it is time to start demanding answers from your doctors. Do not let any one push you away and tell you that you need to eat less, especially if you are already eating less! Demand answers from your doctors, DEMAND them I say!

I don't think you need "tough love." I'm not a big fan of that approche myself. I don't buy into the "I hurt you because I love you." To me, that is abuse. Anyway....

Be kind to yourself.

[the best me 6]

Since you are working out like a fiend, you might really think about working with a nutritionist who specializes in athelets. I know, it's funny to think of ourselves that way, but if you are working like that, it's what you are. Own it and love it baby! (hurray!)

You might even find that you will need to increase your calories to lose weight. Yes, I know that doesn't make a lick of sense, but that's why I recommend seeing a specialist, and not just internet souces.

YES! are you out there Jaime?

[the best me 6]

I NEED TO FIND A SURGEON IN THE NC AREA THAT DOES Mexico BAND PATIENCE..CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME. ALSO, DOES THE BAND FEEL DIFFERENT DURING ONES CYCLE? THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT YOU ARE ALL INSPIRING.

I will PM you.

[JZackary 0]

:faint: First of all, I want to thank everyone for their encouragement and kind words. It has been a difficult road and it is nice to know that I am not the only one who is struggling. I am very happy that the 31 pounds is gone and even happier that I have lost 5 dress sizes. It's funny how our bodies work when the scale doesn't move much, but our "too big for me now" crates get fuller.

I think one of my issues is that I don't have enough saline in my band because my surgeon really wants to be cautious because of my medical history. Right now I only have 1 cc in my band (after 2 fills.) I am getting another fill on Monday, which will take me to 1.5 ccs' so I have my fingers crossed. As for the exercise, I'm the type of person that if I don't go I really beat myself up. But then I do think that maybe I push it too hard with the 2 hour workouts.

Several of you asked if I had lost any body fat and the answer to that question is around 3-4%. My starting weight the day of surgery was 288 at 5'10" and now I am at 257. My medical target weight is 155-165 lbs., but my personal goal is 145-155 lbs.

I am eager to hear from you all again and learn more about your successes and challenges. Please feel free to write me at jaimezackary@hotmail.com

Talk to you soon!

Ms. Jaime

[JZackary 0]

Dr. Alan Bradshaw of Regional Surgical Specialists in Asheville, NC will help patients who had their band in Mexico. His number is (828) 252-3366.

[JZackary 0]

Dr. Alan Bradshaw of Regional Surgical Specialists in Asheville, NC does assist patients who had their band done in Mexico. His number is (828) 252-3366. He did my band and he is great!

Jaime

I NEED TO FIND A SURGEON IN THE NC AREA THAT DOES MEXICO BAND PATIENCE..CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME. ALSO, DOES THE BAND FEEL DIFFERENT DURING ONES CYCLE? THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT YOU ARE ALL INSPIRING.:help:

:clap2:

BANDED 6/26/2006

STARTING WEIGHT 229 PREOP

CURRENT 208

GOAL 150

[gordonfamily3 0]

Jamie I am so sure you have built muscle - if you are lossing dress sizes then that is what you are doing. Girl keep up the good work - I wish I had it in me to excersie 2 hours a day - I am lucky to get 20 mins in. How bad am I...that is going to change though.

Hang in there girl!!! You will meet your goal when the time is right...and conserative on the fills is probably the way to go. So stick with it - you will get there.

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

[Breezie 0]

Dear Jaime, I too am dissapointed in my weight loss and looking for a support group. I have only lost 25 pounds since March 11, 2006. I have 45 more to go. I work out every day and get very frustrated not being able to eat food yet see no weight lost. Im in Denver and everyone keeps telling me that Im not eating enough - but it just wont go down. I recently started drinking muscle milk Protein Shakes. I hope to see the pounds drop off!