The band just isn't working for me

[vinesqueen 2]

5 sizes!!!!

Woot! Ok, you have lost more than 3-4% body fat. Way more. At your gym, you should have the facilities to test your body composition. Really need to do this. I cannot recommend this strongly enough, especailywith your work out schedule.

I'm serious.

You've been beating yourself up for something that you shouldnt' be. Namely putting on muscle mass. We focus so much on the scale, when we shouldn't.

[Dragonwillow 0]

Jamie, I'm late chimming in here...but I'm right at 50lbs lost since october, with another 68 to go. It really does seem I loose weight better when I don't work out....because I do put on muscle pretty good. Right now I'm in a slump...and I know it. Stress is building and exercise is low...I need to flip that...I'm hoping once the family visit is over this weekend I can get back on schedule. I work at the YMCA so I really should have NO excuses. Before lapband surgery I was doing 5 days a week 2 hours a day and wasn't loosing weight...but I felt MUCH better. Had tons of confidence, and energy. For me regular work out is sure key.

feel free to private message me if you want to talk anymore.

[SHIMMYCAT 0]

Hey - if I lost 31lbs since last October I'd be really pleased.

It's 31lbs less than you used to have.

I understand that exercising doesn't necesarily mean weight loss. Don't weigh yourself - feel better about how you look. Chuck those scales away - they're too depressing. The way I go about it is " Do I feel better?" - if your answer to this is "YES" that's all you need.

I've lived my life on a diet - my mother was obsessed with having kids that weren't fat - result we're all on the plump side. It was very dramatic when I did decide to have a band. I was happy until I got a thyroid problem and have been left with not being able to tell when I was full. Now I'm banded (since May 06) I really don't care about the weight - it will take care of itself. What I feel is how healthy do I feel and will continue to feel, despite any weight loss - that's a bonus.

So don't feel bad about only (I say that tongue i cheek) as you should feel healthier and will feel like exercising.

Smile - I think you're doing wonderfully well, my doctor is only expecting me to lose a total of 40lbs in total.

I bet you look great!

Regards

Donna

Australia:clap2:

[l.a.susan 0]

i meant to say i say i win the low weight loss story however winning doesnt seem approprate to someone who has had her band for 2.6yrs and has gained a couple of pounds (never lost). ive been underfilled and overfilled so badly i couldnt eat anything solid for 6months. still dont lose.

why? ????? cause im just as hungry as always and nomatter what level of restriction i will find something to fill it up.

i do have unusual circumstances in that im bedridden in chronic pain 60yrs old and take serious amounts of narcotics. but, having maintained near 100lbs for most of my adult life by different diets including pills (phen fen, wellbutrin and pregnant womens urine injections,honest) i feel the only way i will ever lose weight is to go on a diet. yes i said it. since im just as hungry as ever i havnt received the benfit of the lapband that most of you have. im not asking for advice because there isnt any except to eat less

and move more (joke since i cant really do that). and really isnt that what all of you have done.?

tell me it isnt true . when you all (and every other site about lapbands)

discuss results its all about what you eat and how many calories you intake and expend and calling the lapband "a tool" well this "tool" promised to limit my appetite and help me lose weight i took my home equity (with no income) and traveled painfully twice to Mexico once for the surgery and the second time to have my port resutured. ive had so many fills and unfills i cant count them and yet. here i sit still hungry.

ive stated before that i know what a healthy attitude towards food is from when i was on phen fen for 6 months and 650mg of wellbutrin, i know what its like to not think about food all the time have my stomach knawing and

feel deprived and resentful and oh yes to "make correct food choices" because of apathy towards the food.

i am currently extremely depressed so please dont anyone think im trying to discredit anyone or the lapband. its just for me it really has had no effect and alot of money and feelings of more failure in my life.

and alas. i will have to go on a diet to lose weight. which means deprivation, hungar and resentment. isnt that why we all turned to the lapband because we'd all been there.

im glad your here and have had success and please dont let my stuff bring anyone down. just read the facts of my situation and know that even though ive become a non believer because i keep wondering how many of you are not depriving yourself and dieting and will not gain it all back once you stop.

i do want to here about those of you who have truly experienced the miracle of the band that includes diminished hunger. no one ever discusses that. its all about dieting and exercize.

remember that im very down and i do apologise if ive offended anyone here. im very sick and in a trememdous amount of pain. so forgive me. but as i said just read my facts and ignore and forgive me for my demeanor

love , susan

[honu 0]

Comments below, as usual

Hi there! I'm not the spokes model for the Turtle Tribe for nothing... :Banane56:

Turtle Tribe? Well, I'm spokesperson for the Honu branch of it (look up meaning of honu if you don't know it)

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.

Well, the "going into starvation mode" stuff, if that's what you mean, is nonsense. You have to be in a serious calorie deficit for several weeks, at least, for your body to hit "starvation mode". It is still calories in vs. calories out. That's physics. Exercise helps in many ways. I used to have a yahoogroup called bandsterworkout, but since no one ever wanted to post, and I was tired of doing most of the posts, I killed it. Yes, I'm a gym rat, and am taking three classes this fall in "PE" (now called Kinesiology Activity).

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!

The only thing you can "demand" from your doc is a proper fill. And most US docs won't give you one right away...they'll "sneak up on it", as opposed to the MX docs doing it right the first time.

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....

Tough love isn't abuse or hurting. It is telling the truth without candy coating or whining or other nonsense. If someone is eating a pint of ice cream every day and wonders why they're not losing, welll....duuuuhhhh. And I'll remind them of that, and be polite about it. I'll never use harsh language or rude words or anything like that....but I will point out where people are rationalizing behavior that is counterproductive. You do know that "rationalize" means "rational lies"? And, yes, I've done that myself.

cheers

dan

Be kind to yourself.

[GeezerSue 7]

I'm just going to pop in and say that SOME of the posters haven't been banded long enough to say they've really tried. (It SEEMS like a long time, but a few months isn't enough time, really.)

HOWEVER, I want to add for those who HAVE been banded a long time and are getting nowhere, that the band isn't for everyone. It's where most European surgeons START...but they have a brisk business in removing bands and moving patients to different options.

There is a "right surgery" for each of us, and no surgery being performed today is "wrong" for everyone. Far too many people explain whay they've chosen the surgery they've chosen by mentioning what they think is WRONG with the other surgeries. (I did it, too. But I was wrong.) And it's bullshit.

If you haven't give the band a chance, slow down and listen to the good advice proffered here and give it your all. BUT, if you've already done that, and are sure you don't want to go back to "flying solo," talk to some of us who have moved on to other surgeries. So far, we sound like a fairly satisfied group to me!

Sue

(Eight months post-op from DS, BMI moved from about 48 to <34.) (And, yes, my poop stinks, but it never was an olfactory delight.)

[Irish Dancers 0]

Have you had your thyroid checked? Not just TSH, but also FreeT3, FreeT4 and all the antibodies. A lot of docs don't like to check the antibodies - but when all else is normal - there could always be an off level in the antibodies (it happened to me).

Best of luck!

Tonja

[honu 0]

Amen, Sue. There is no one right answer for everyone. Some do great in OA, WW, JC, LAWL, etc, etc. Others do it on their own, or with prayer or meditation or..... And of course some never have the issue of obesity. Obesity is no more one disease than cancer is one disease. There are many reasons for obesity, and many causes of cancer. In both cases there are many that just can't be explained by science or logic. That naturally pisses us off since we always want nice, clear, simple answers, just like we see on Jeopardy. Welll.....

I have friends with bypasses, and others who've done fine losing well over a hundred pounds on their own by whatever method they used. That's wonderful. But I'd lost over a thousand pounds before the band, as I'm sure many others here have too. Lose 30, gain 40, lose 50, gain 60, and so on. Good old vicious cycle.

So, whatever works, find it....but don't give up on a band if you've only had it a few months. After all, did you gain a hundred pounds of ugly fat in a few months? Not likely. And weight is always slower to lose that to gain for any obese person. Yeah, life ain't fair, but no one promised us it would be, did they?

Hang in there, y'all. I'm just on a short break from being with my mother....who is getting very near her trip on this earth....almost 87 and now down to skin and bones and probably not but a few weeks left. And I'm doing my damndest to not eat over it. At least my weight has been stable for the last week, and I trust it will be again....and maybe even down. But that's not all that important now....she is....and my siblings.

best to all

dan

[SHIMMYCAT 0]

You most certainly must get your thyroid levels checked.

Believe me I know all about that.

It's most important to get the TSH, Free T3's and Free T4's checked.

I still find the band allows me to eat like the rest of the family - no diets or scales in this household - that's for sure.

Please - don't leave this issue - consult a doctor.

Let me know how you go.

Regards

Donna

From Australia

[vinesqueen 2]

Originally Posted by vinesqueen

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

Turtle Tribe? Well, I'm spokesperson for the Honu branch of it (look up meaning of honu if you don't know it) Here at LBT, the Turtle Tribe only refers to the Slow Losers, those who lose much less than the 1-2 pounds we are told to expect. I know there are Native American traditions where the Turtle has a specific spitual meaning, but here it's just the slow losers.

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.

Well, the "going into starvation mode" stuff, if that's what you mean, is nonsense. You have to be in a serious calorie deficit for several weeks, at least, for your body to hit "starvation mode". It is still calories in vs. calories out. That's physics. Exercise helps in many ways. I used to have a yahoogroup called bandsterworkout, but since no one ever wanted to post, and I was tired of doing most of the posts, I killed it. Yes, I'm a gym rat, and am taking three classes this fall in "PE" (now called Kinesiology Activity). Actually, here I was talking about some people need to increase their calories if they are working out. I know that when I was working a different program that the nutriionist didn't want anyone to go below a certian amount of calories. I know that I had better restults when I was eating more than 1200 calories than if I was eating less. Unfortuantly the "calories in vs caloires out" does not work for everyone. There are certian metabolic and hormonal conditions where it doesn't matter what you eat. I personally am breaking the laws of thermodyamics daily.

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!

The only thing you can "demand" from your doc is a proper fill. And most US docs won't give you one right away...they'll "sneak up on it", as opposed to the MX docs doing it right the first time. My clinic likes to give a good big fill right off, and then they back it down. If fills are not working, then you most certianly can and should demand answers. If you are not losing at any rate, if you are not losing at any calorie intake, then you most certianly should demand answers.

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....

Tough love isn't abuse or hurting. It is telling the truth without candy coating or whining or other nonsense. If someone is eating a pint of ice cream every day and wonders why they're not losing, welll....duuuuhhhh. And I'll remind them of that, and be polite about it. I'll never use harsh language or rude words or anything like that....but I will point out where people are rationalizing behavior that is counterproductive. You do know that "rationalize" means "rational lies"? And, yes, I've done that myself. Well, a lot of folks like to be harsh and cruel, under the guise of "tough love." I was raised by wolves, so I have a different take on things.

cheers

dan

Be kind to yourself.

[vinesqueen 2]

Have you had your thyroid checked? Not just TSH, but also FreeT3, FreeT4 and all the antibodies. A lot of docs don't like to check the antibodies - but when all else is normal - there could always be an off level in the antibodies (it happened to me).

Best of luck!

Tonja

Also, if your throid pannel comes back "normal" don't give up. It might be your cortisol levels that are out of whack.

[puddin 7]

Originally Posted by vinesqueen

Unfortuantly the "calories in vs caloires out" does not work for everyone. There are certian metabolic and hormonal conditions where it doesn't matter what you eat. I personally am breaking the laws of thermodyamics daily.

Hey Vines, I wanted to chime in here. I think you've been a real trooper through all of your medical problems and have been so motivational each time I see one of your posts. I thought I'd comment on the "calories in/calories out don't work for everyone." It really does work for everyone - it's just that some people have very slow metabolisms. You apparently have a disorder where your metabolism is just greatly slowed down (I believe you said it was cushings?), maybe because the increased cortisol levels cause you to gain weight (because cortisol is the stress response hormone) and instead burn muscle for energy which further lower your metabolism and causes a lot of fatigue. Anyhow, your calories OUT just don't amount to much, so you end up just maintaining instead of losing, even on as few calories as you ingest.

I think Jaime should definitely be tested for thyroid and cushings and other metabolic disorders, but the chances of having these problems aren't high. I think a lot of the time we just really need to buckle down and log what we eat so we can truly look for trends. I've never lost so fast with the band as when I'm logging what I'm eating. Even now, I'm losing faster than I was at 2 months out with the band. I think I just thought HAVING the band would make me lose weight. I learned my lesson after not losing any weight for 2 1/2 months! I started to log and lose again. Of course, the calorie device I wear all the time helps a lot. I can "cheat" if I know I'm still at my 1,500 calorie deficit goal for the day. I usually reach that through increased physical activity and eating around 1,200-1,400 calories/day. Going on fewer than 1,200 calories/day doesn't necessarily put me in "starvation mode", but my energy levels are low enough that during my exercise session and activity throughout the day I'm not going to burn nearly as many calories as when I eat more. But if it's a Sunday and I'm not going to be moving much, I know that it's okay for me to lower that calorie intake to about 900 and still hit my daily deficit goal.

[vinesqueen 2]

True, it isn't likely that folks have thyroid proplems or even Cushing's. But I really think that there will be a higher percentage of folks with Cushing's who've "failed" with WLS.

But it is possible, and unfortunately, if left untreated, cushing's leads to DEATH. All gone, bye-bye, game over. Full blown Cushing's patients are usually dead in FIVE YEARS, not 25 years, not 30, not 15. The life expectancy is SHORT. Yes, there are documented cases of intermitent or cyclica Cushing's living longer, but holy hell. I know that I cannot be alone. I know that I'm not alone.

I don't know if there is a known mechanism why Cushing's people don't lose weight, or gain on a small amount of calories. I've asked for help on this subject, and the folks on my Cushing's board are experts.

Now, for instance, accourding to http://www.caloriesperhour.com/index_burn.html just sleeping, I should burn 2400 calories, which is very close to both my BMR and RMR. If I'm only eating 700 calories a day, that means I have a deficit of 1700 calories, and that doesn't even take into account all the walking and other excersize I was doing, I simply was not able to keep up with less than 700 calories, I was getting physically weak and mentally clouded.

If I gain 10 pounds in one week at 1000 calories, there is no way to make up a deficit. If you look at folks who've been cured, and Cushing's is very curable, many people just drop their excess weight, it isn't heard of for people to drop 90 pounds in 3 months, 100 pounds in a year, without chaning anything they did, other than of course, not having to deal with Cushings.

[vinesqueen 2]

This is the information I got from my Cushing's board http://cushings.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=17111&st=0&gopid=145400entry145400 (might need to register to view the thread.)

The basic thing is that our bodies are designed to compensate when we're under stress. Our bodies haven't changed much since our caveman days. So when our bodies are under stress, like from a famine, the cortisol response kicks in and makes sure we have plenty of energy stores (fat) available to help us survive, just in case we need an energy boost while being chased by a sabertooth tiger. With Cushing's, of course, we have a source of stress hormone operating independently of our circumstances and it doesn't shut off. Our entire digestive and metobolic system changes. food, any food, is sent to our fat stores. Around our trunk/upper body is the most efficient place to store it for "easy access". We then receive all our energy from the breakdown of muscle. If not enough food is consumed for our needs, then the body will turn the muscle itself into fat.

Some people have been able to lose weight with Cushing's. It may have to do with intermittant cortisol secretion, so their bodies get a break once in awhile. Severe dieting (like a 700 cal. program) can actually make things worse. For example, anorexics have high cortisol levels. If their cortisol didn't kick in, they would die much sooner from starvation.

Wow, I don't know about anyone else, but this has been a lightbulb moment for me.

[Mochababe 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)

Can I ask why you had to have your band emptied??

Thanks Trace