New to Lap Band and feeling discouraged

[perky1 0]

I had the lapband surgery on December 18, 2006. I went for my third fill today. I lost 5 lbs between the first and second fill and only 2 lbs this time. I was really expecting the weight to come off faster. Is it just because we have not found the "right" adjustment yet. I need some encouragement!! I go to the support group meetings and I hear all the stories of losing 100 lbs in 6 or 8 months! There is even one lady who is three months out and has lost 68 lbs. Is something wrong with me - will this weight ever come off??? I am so anxious.

[demmemoon 0]

sorry to hear you're so upset with your progress.

could you possible post a menu of your typical day. be honest so we can see if there are places to pinpoint and help you.

i mean no harm. i am posting this without pointing fingers or blame. i want you to know we are here to help and support one another.

[perky1 0]

I usually eat one egg for Breakfast and a piece of wheat toast. A can of Soup for lunch and a small portion of whatever I am cooking for my family for example a cooked a beef pot roast with carrots and small potatoes. I ate some gravy with carrots and one small potatoe. I am on liquids for 24 hours b/c of my fill today. Today for lunch I ate a large chili and side salad from Wendy's. I drink my liquids when I am supposed to - not at meals and I also joined Curves. I have not gone and worked out as much as I should because we just returned from a trip to DC.

[Wantmeback 0]

Hi,

I am new to this and getting banded this month, sooo not even banded yet. But, I just wanted to comment from what I have read it seems you are being able to eat to much. It is my understanding we should only be able to eat about 1/4 cup of food at a time. You said you are going in for your 3rd fill, hopefully this will be the one that restricts you better. Have you called and talked with the doctor who performed your surgery, and/or the nutrionalist? Make sure you are honest about the amount of food you are able to eat with them as well. Don't get discouraged, you just haven't had the band filled to where it needs to be yet. Are you doing any exercise? If not, try to walk just 5 minutes a day, before you know it, once you're out there, you'll want to walk longer. For most people, it's just getting out the door. And I find it much easier when I tell myself "It's only for 5 minutes"....but then I walk a little longer each time:) It will get better, I"m sure of it.

Take care,

Cyndy

[QTkidsmom 0]

You mention that you have had 3 fills. How many cc do you have currently? What type of band? I have 2cc in my band and am having too much restriction. My first fill was 1/8 and this is when they put in the 2cc. Since my fill, I am lucky to eat a full cup of Soup. It may be that your doctor is just not putting in enough saline. I think that you should share your frustrations with the doctor. Don't worry though, it will come off.

[*susan* 1,709]

I don't have much to add that others haven't already posted. I just wanted to say that I don't think one bandster should compare their weight loss to another and allow it to discourage them. I have had my band for 10 months and just now reached the 50 pound loss mark. I don't let that discourage me though. I didn't start losing until the end of June/July when I reached proper restriction. Since then, I pretty much average 1-2 pounds per week, which is what the band is designed to do. Personally, I think losing 100 pounds in six months or so is not particularly the healthy way to do it.

[marjon9 6]

But, I just wanted to comment from what I have read it seems you are being able to eat to much. It is my understanding we should only be able to eat about 1/4 cup of food at a time.

Cyndy

I'm not meaning t pick on you Wantmeback, but have to say I do not agree with this. I am not sure where that figure came from of eating only 1/4 cup of food. Perhaps people have mentioned that they can eat only this much when they first start eating solids, I'm not sure. But when people describe their menus, which can be seen in many different types of posts, it is ordinarily a good bit more than that. I, for one, eat more than the amount perky1 describes and I've lost pretty well. It's all an individual thing.

And, it can also be a problem to eat too little. You can send your body into starvation mode and it becomes really hard to lose any weight. And eating too little is unhealthy. Having the band does not mean that you are supposed to sacrifice your health in order to lose weight at any cost. Quite to the contrary. The band is about eating just the amount you need to be healthy and no more, and feeling full from that amount so you don't suffer.

I am not sure why you are not losing, perky1, but I would try not to be too discouraged at this point. It is too soon to be discouraged. I would try and just keep your focus on finding the solution for you. It may involve more exercise. I'm not sure. But problem can be solved. Just keep moving forward.

[MarySue33 0]

I go to the support group meetings and I hear all the stories of losing 100 lbs in 6 or 8 months! There is even one lady who is three months out and has lost 68 lbs. Is something wrong with me - will this weight ever come off??? I am so anxious.

Also, make sure you are comparing apples to apples and that the folks in the support group are lap banders and not gastric bypass patients. I know at the support group that is a part of my doctor's practice, most of the folks who attend are gastric bypass patients and not lap band patients. If you are comparing the pace of your weight loss to theirs, it is not wonder that you are losing less. We are not supposed to be losing as rapidly as they are.