Why Aren't You Losing Weight?

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

That I understand. Kinda like a forever band?

Because I know you have had lots of issues it makes sense now....

The thought of loosing my band scares the shit out of me, I could't live one day without it.

It scares me too. At least with the band I have learned to work around issues for the most part. What if I have the same issues with a sleeve?

I thought about this a great deal tonight. I wrote out specific questions and I'm going to talk to my doc on Saturday. So far, I have every intention of going through with it one way or another.

Due to the band I cough ALL the time. Reflux, I suppose. I've been on four different meds for reflux and it is no better. My voice sounds froggy all the time and I assume it is from coughing.

It's getting harder to swallow, it's even hard to barf. It's like my throat does not cooperate.

My port hurts all the time, my stomach hurts all the time. Not mega pain, just discomfort but it's constant.

There is more, but it is getting worse by the month. I think when I outline everything to my doc he'll be supportive of a revision. Things are much worse than the last time we talked. So I think he'll do it. He has to, he's the only one I'd want doing a revision. :scared2:/

But I know what you mean, I'm scared to death. I'm not the least bit concerned about the actual surgical procedure, I'm not concerned about complications, I mean I'm kinda into research (heh...) and I would be going to one of the two best surgeons for a trickier type surgery so I'm giving myself every advantage. I'm scared to death this won't fix it. Since being fat is not an option then just removing my band is not doable. RNY, MGB, and DS are certainly not options. That leaves staying with the way things are or a sleeve. I have to try, I don't know what else to do.

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

But I know what you mean, I'm scared to death. I'm not the least bit concerned about the actual surgical procedure, I'm not concerned about complications, I mean I'm kinda into research (heh...) and I would be going to one of the two best surgeons for a trickier type surgery so I'm giving myself every advantage. I'm scared to death this won't fix it. Since being fat is not an option then just removing my band is not doable. RNY, MGB, and DS are certainly not options. That leaves staying with the way things are or a sleeve. I have to try, I don't know what else to do.

Do you think it is because you are already at goal he will give you a hard time?

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Do you think it is because you are already at goal he will give you a hard time?

No, that is something I asked him a long time ago. If I got a band and I were to slip or erode... anything, if I needed to change to a different procedure would I have to wait to gain everything back before he would do a revision. He said no, a revision does not require a BMI of 30 or more. Just an original surgery.

A history of MO is sufficient.

[losingjusme 12]

but can that pouch stretch (like a normal stomach can) if you eat too much?

why is it only no hunger for about 2 years? does the nerve just 'wake up'?

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

but can that pouch stretch (like a normal stomach can) if you eat too much?

why is it only no hunger for about 2 years? does the nerve just 'wake up'?

Very good question!

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

but can that pouch stretch (like a normal stomach can) if you eat too much?

why is it only no hunger for about 2 years? does the nerve just 'wake up'?

They started doing a version of the sleeve in the 70s and it really didn't work out well. It was a huge invasive open procedure and it failed probably more times than it didn't. Today the technique has changed and instead of saving a more elastic part of the stomach they save a more muscular part of the stomach so it doesn't stretch as much. Yes! It can happen and you can stretch your stomach but that isn't something I am worried about. I never stretched my banded pouch, matter of fact it is still a newbie pouch. It never even stretched to what it was supposed to but that could be due to the fact that I have never had decent restriction and I can't use my band the way others do. I only keep enough fill so that I can't eat bread and I've learned to eat bandster portions without restriction.

As for the nerve, I assume I know the reason but I have nothing to back it up so I'll ask before I post it. I'll add it to my questions. I've always assumed it would be like any other nerve damaged during surgery but I'll ask before posting so I don't give wrong info.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

BTW... the inside of a sleeve stomach is about the size of a man's finger but longer. It's in the shape of a banana so many refer to it as the banana procedure. ;o)

[hollyberries 2]

You can't.

Consider this, if you ate just Protein, 1/4 cup three times daily that would give you 28.5gms Protein daily. That doesn't include everything else necessary in your diet. Veggies?? Fruits??? GOOD carbs????

Wasa-

Gotta agree with you there. I have lost about 90lbs. since 11/07 and it has been primarily from eating about 600-1000 calories per day with at least 65-80gms of protein. I always eat my protein first, then fruits and veggies and carbs only if I need it. Typical day includes:

Breakfast: Egg, cheese and veggie omelet, or Quaker Weight Control oatmeal and 1/2 an orange or banana.

Snack: Don't need one because I am satisfied.

Lunch: 1/2 turkey or ham sandwich with cheese and mayo, the other 1/2 of my fruit and 14 almonds/nuts.

Snack: only if hungry, air popped popcorn or nuts or cheese or lean deli meat.

Dinner: meat and veggies and sweet potato.

Snack: only if needed; SF/FF chocolate pudding or nuts or cheese. Not often because I am usually satisfied.

I drink K20 about 40 oz. and usually 40 oz. of Water. I do have I cup of coffee a day.

I have not exercised up until this past week. I felt that I needed to kick my weight loss into high gear. So I joined the "Y" and am working on the treadmill for about 35 min. and lifting weights. I would like to do Water aerobics but need to buy a new bathing suit because mine is way to big.

I have gone from a size 34 to size 24 and feel fantastic. I am not always good about food choices and I am still dealing with head hunger/ real hunger but am getting better everyday. I do not deny myself anything, if I want it I eat it just smaller amounts and I try to keep within my calorie range.

Oh Yeah, I track everything on sparkpeople.com and I weigh myself everyday to keep ahead of any weight gain (which has happened very rarely and usually gone within a few days).

I have a 4cc band and am at 1.5cc's and definatly know that I need another fill because I am more hungry in between meals. My rule of thumb is if my weight is stalled and I get hungry within 4 hours of eating; it is time. I make sure that I see my doctor every 4-6 weeks regardless of whether I need a fill or not. It helps me to stay accountable. I didn't do this to not lose weight.

I love how losing weight makes me feel and I am not going to sugar coat it because it isn't always easy but I love how thin feels.

I hope that if anyone has read this far; it will help you if you are struggling. You can do it because trust me if I can you can.

Cindy

[JDUB0414 0]

Wasa-

Gotta agree with you there. I have lost about 90lbs. since 11/07 and it has been primarily from eating about 600-1000 calories per day with at least 65-80gms of Protein. I always eat my Protein first, then fruits and veggies and carbs only if I need it. Typical day includes:

Breakfast: Egg, cheese and veggie omelet, or Quaker Weight Control oatmeal and 1/2 an orange or banana.

Snack: Don't need one because I am satisfied.

Lunch: 1/2 turkey or ham sandwich with cheese and mayo, the other 1/2 of my fruit and 14 almonds/nuts.

Snack: only if hungry, air popped popcorn or nuts or cheese or lean deli meat.

Dinner: meat and veggies and sweet potato.

Snack: only if needed; SF/FF chocolate pudding or nuts or cheese. Not often because I am usually satisfied.

I drink K20 about 40 oz. and usually 40 oz. of Water. I do have I cup of coffee a day.

I have not exercised up until this past week. I felt that I needed to kick my weight loss into high gear. So I joined the "Y" and am working on the treadmill for about 35 min. and lifting weights. I would like to do Water aerobics but need to buy a new bathing suit because mine is way to big.

I have gone from a size 34 to size 24 and feel fantastic. I am not always good about food choices and I am still dealing with head hunger/ real hunger but am getting better everyday. I do not deny myself anything, if I want it I eat it just smaller amounts and I try to keep within my calorie range.

Oh Yeah, I track everything on sparkpeople.com and I weigh myself everyday to keep ahead of any weight gain (which has happened very rarely and usually gone within a few days).

I have a 4cc band and am at 1.5cc's and definatly know that I need another fill because I am more hungry in between meals. My rule of thumb is if my weight is stalled and I get hungry within 4 hours of eating; it is time. I make sure that I see my doctor every 4-6 weeks regardless of whether I need a fill or not. It helps me to stay accountable. I didn't do this to not lose weight.

I love how losing weight makes me feel and I am not going to sugar coat it because it isn't always easy but I love how thin feels.

I hope that if anyone has read this far; it will help you if you are struggling. You can do it because trust me if I can you can.

Cindy

Cindy, did you gain weight when you started on mushies? I am two weeks out. The first week I lost 20 pounds, since I've started mushies, I've gained 5 pounds. I've been working out everyday, and my calorie intake is about 800 calories per day, but that's without subtracting the workout.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I freak out and worry all the time that something is going to go wrong with my band it will need to be removed. This just seems way too good

to be true.

I would love to go to WasA's dr. and get a sleeve if anything were to

go wrong with my band.

[JDUB0414 0]

I freak out and worry all the time that something is going to go wrong with my band it will need to be removed. This just seems way too good

to be true.

I would love to go to WasA's dr. and get a sleeve if anything were to

go wrong with my band.

I with you on that. I'm so afraid that I will be the one that will have to get it replaced or something like that.

[mlewis 0]

Cindy,

What an inspiration you are!! I am still in the thinking stages of getting banded and I really appreciated what you had to say. Some of my biggest questions now are, what do you eat? You seem to have found the magic formula. I read some of the complications and wonder what is going on? It really seems if you have a great doctor, the band is fitted properly, stay close to your doc and learn the right way to eat things should go fairly well. Thanks for your insight, it was very helpful.

Mendy

[derbygirl 0]

I have been banded for almost 3 weeks and have only lost 5 lbs, I can't understand why as the other people banded on the same day as me have lost at least 20 lbs some of them more. I know it is early days yet but I have to admit I am disapointed by such a small weight loss.:think I have been having protien shakes and Soup plenty of Water and the last week have been going on the treadmill for 20 minutes per day.

It may be too many carbs. You might try switching to a carb-free drink like New whey. The carb count on milk is outrageous, especially if you're having multiple shakes per day.

I think, also, that some people are hungrier than others initially after the surgery, although I don't know why. My hunger didn't return for a few months after surgery, but I met a newly-banded person (who had the same surgeon as me) last week and she said she's always hungry. I lost about 40 pounds the first month, and half of that time my band was empty. But I was stuffed after eating about 500 calories a day. Maybe that has to do with where the surgeon places the band.

[hollyberries 2]

It may be too many carbs. You might try switching to a carb-free drink like New Whey. The carb count on milk is outrageous, especially if you're having multiple shakes per day.

I think, also, that some people are hungrier than others initially after the surgery, although I don't know why. My hunger didn't return for a few months after surgery, but I met a newly-banded person (who had the same surgeon as me) last week and she said she's always hungry. I lost about 40 pounds the first month, and half of that time my band was empty. But I was stuffed after eating about 500 calories a day. Maybe that has to do with where the surgeon places the band.

I have to agree with that statement. Band placement is key...some doctors have better luck at it than others. I have small band 4cc's and I only have 1.5cc's in my band so I clearly have not need much with regard to fills. I have been careful on what I ate most times but I don't deprive myself. I followed all the rules my doctor gave me the first 4 weeks out. I didn't stray....now I eat smaller portions of everything. Sometimes I have trouble with some things going down hard and just stop. I try to eat everything in moderation. Isn't that what a normal thin person does?

Cindy

[luvinke 0]

I am trying to start tracking my food and wanted to know how many calories a day should we consume?