Doc says, "It won't work unless you make a lifestyle change"

[anitai25 0]

I am on soft foods right now. Believe it or not, I have had two fills already - one with 2 ccs, and one with 1/2 cc. I have a total of 5-1/2 ccs. The problem, I think, is the soft foods. They are going right through and I am not feeling full. I've been talking to the doctor's office/nutritionist, and all they are telling me is to eat/drink more Protein.< /p>

[anitai25 0]

I meant to add in that last post that I was banded on January 3rd.

[Socalbandit 0]

It is so true that you must committ to making changes in why, what, and how much you eat. You also have to make exercise a part of your life forever. I hate the gym but 5 days a week I am there, literally working my butt off. At support groups I attend it really iritates me when people act like they are just this passive passenger on their weight-loss journey. If they are not losing it can't be their fault, it has to be the band. That is such hogwash. If they would stop stuffing their faces with pizza, ice cream, and hamburgers then I am sure they would lose weight. Believe me I could kill for a burger or a brownie but I refuse to sabotage myself. This is a lifestyle change and the band can only do so much. I am convinced for the first time in my overweight life that I will be thin sooner than later. For me that is nothing short of a miracle. I have to limit going out to eat because for me that is a trigger. I am 9 weeks post surgery and am happily looking forward to a meal out on Easter. Christ is risen and momma's gonna eat out. But then the next day right back on the wagon. You have to really want to lose and dedicate yourself to doing it. If you put the effort in, it will come back to you ten-fold but your doctor is absolutely right. Good luck to you on your weight loss journey.

[Ang1982 4]

I meant to add in that last post that I was banded on January 3rd.

O snap, I thought you meant March 1 not Jan 3. My bad. Yah I don't know why you aren't on solids then girl. I know with my first fill I had to do a couple days post fill of "liquids" but to not be on solids at all?!

[juliegeraci 7]

The biggest lifestyle change for me is exercise and alcohol. If you drink a lot you may have difficulty losing. Likewise with exercise. The more you exercise the greater the results. The food issues too. Some foods go down really easy. It will be very important for you to eat good healthy solid Proteins and less junk. If you are ready to do those 3 things then you can be banded. Good luck on your journey.

[Sweet_pea_2 0]

It is so true that you must committ to making changes in why, what, and how much you eat. You also have to make exercise a part of your life forever. I hate the gym but 5 days a week I am there, literally working my butt off. At support groups I attend it really iritates me when people act like they are just this passive passenger on their weight-loss journey. If they are not losing it can't be their fault, it has to be the band. That is such hogwash. If they would stop stuffing their faces with pizza, ice cream, and hamburgers then I am sure they would lose weight. Believe me I could kill for a burger or a brownie but I refuse to sabotage myself. This is a lifestyle change and the band can only do so much. I am convinced for the first time in my overweight life that I will be thin sooner than later. For me that is nothing short of a miracle. I have to limit going out to eat because for me that is a trigger. I am 9 weeks post surgery and am happily looking forward to a meal out on Easter. Christ is risen and momma's gonna eat out. But then the next day right back on the wagon. You have to really want to lose and dedicate yourself to doing it. If you put the effort in, it will come back to you ten-fold but your doctor is absolutely right. Good luck to you on your weight loss journey.

So far you seem to be the one with the best insight into the problem. I find it hard to imagine how anyone could have this type of surgery but not be willing to do the work to make sure it works. My surgery is on Monday. I am looking forward to a life that doesn't revolve around food. There are too many fun things to do to be being bogged down by food and a fat body. When I feel what I think is hunger I plan to take a walk or do some yoga or phone a friend or say a prayer. My mind set is that I need this lap band to get me headed in the right direction. Once I get the hang of it I'm taking over the wheel and letting this band guide me home. I fully expect to lose 100-120 pounds by the end of this year. It won't be because the lap band did it for me. It will be because I want this bad enough to do everything that I can do to make it work for me like it's supposed to. That includes working out every single day and following the plan even in moments of weakness. I can't say that I will be perfect but I plan on working really hard and I won't fail.

I lost 160 pounds about 12 years ago and kept it off for 6 years. I did it with shear determination, a plan, a focus and a goal. It was effortless because I wanted it bad enough to make it happen. Things happened in my life that caused me to lose focus of what is important like taking care of myself. Here I am with all of that weight back plus an additonal 20 pounds. I'm 50 now...not 38 and I need this lap band this time to help me get the initial weight off so that my poor tired strained joints will have some relief so that I can exercise myself into a stupor....LOL. This may sound crazy but I am SICK of eating....sick of feeling bogged down and lazy. Feeling light on my feet again and agile is what I am looking forward to. I wish you all the very best of luck. This battle has to be fought from the inside out. It's not enough to want to lose weight. You have to be willing to walk the walk......for a lifetime.

Janet:wub:

[snowbird 2]

Anita, I am very confused. You have had two fills, but are still on soft foods? Granted, every doctor is different, but that makes no sense. The fills are after your stomach has healed, and every doctor I know about says you cannot have soft foods while you are banded. Restriction means nothing to soft foods. Once you are past the first six to eight weeks, solids are a necessity. I have never heard of a doctor that continues you on soft foods after you start getting fills.

Has anyone else had instructions like this? My doctor has me on liquids immediately after a fill 24-48 hours, but not continuously.

[Shinyhappymommy 2]

In regards to the band not working for you if you are a sweet junkie pre--band, I have to say for me that hasn't been true. I was very dependent on sweets, cakes and Cookies, chocolate, etc. to make it through every day. I was very committed to the pre and post-op diets and stuck to them very well. I have been banded over a month and the sweets I have eaten have included one brownie and one muffin. The whole month! The band has been a miracle in my life. Yes, I'm still making major changes myself, but the process of the surgery, and healing from it, has created a catalyst for me to change how I was feeding my body. I have had one fill and though I could eat more, I don't feel like I need to. I go about my life without thinking over and over again about what I'll be eating for my next meal or snack. There were times I would do that planning while eating the current meal. The insanity has really calmed down and I am grateful for every day with this tool inside of me. So even if you have a sweet tooth the size of Texas, this band can work for you.

Good luck in your journey.

[Sweet_pea_2 0]

shinyhappymommy,

Brownie and muffin? Why would you eat those things only a month after the band. Just wondering. I don't get it.

[TulipStar 2]

I will say this: It hasn't been easy.

Some people I know who have the band never exercised and lost 100lbs in 6 months (damn that lucky man!)...some people try and try and the weight comes off slowly. I personally exercise 6-7 days a week for at least an hour every day and I do this because I am a slower loser. If I don't work out, I don't see results. I can stay at the same weight for weeks at a time or I even start to gain weight. I guess my point is that it is easier for some than others, and yes, you are going to have to work at this... emotionally, physically, dive right in because it's your life!

The band is just a tool, you have to make it work for you. It will help you to lose weight as long as you don't try to sabotage yourself and you can...by eating soft foods all the time or liquids like lots of chocolate, ice cream/milkshakes, etc. The best part of the band is that it gives you that jump start kick of motivation that most people need.

[lovemyband 0]

Hey i am having the same problem as you...ive been banded now since oct 2007 and i am such a slow loser...i eat well...i exercise but its not coming off like my friend who doesnt exercise and just eats less...whats the deal? i mean yes its good to lose slow so you keep it off but i feel like im a lap band failure...i guess time will tell but i plan on losing 50 more by october

[imb316 0]

I read all these threads from people who say you should have self control etc. and I read about alll these people who are not sticking to the post op diet and feel terrible. The facts are that until you have restriction, 5 fills in 2 months for me, you will eat like you did before after you blew your latest diet. I beat myself up because I ate everything less than a week after surgery. Now I wish I could eat, well not really. Other than a little Soup maybe some cottage cheese I can't eat much with-out getting stuck. Not that I am complaining. Just be patient and push for your fills, Remember if you are to tight you can always go back and get a slight unfill. All this banter will not mean a thing once you are filled and the band is working as it should. TRUST ME you won't be able to eat sweets or pizza or a hamburger....

[lovemyband 0]

I dont know when i need a fill...i mean i am hungry after about 2 1/2 hours but then almost everything gets stuck! so im not sure if i even need a fill? do you know if i should or since things are getting stuck im not ready for another one...ive had 2 so im not sure if one more will be good

[angelsoul 0]

Socialbandit,

Thanks for your words. They hit home with me. I hate working out, but it will be something that must become automatic with me. Honestly, I've tried to keep an exercise routine before and failed. I don't want the same thing to happen again after I'm banded and then I end up not doing well. Believe it or not, I'm afraid of failing here because up until now, nothing else has worked for me. But, the journey to a healthly place needs to start with the first step, and I chose to step here and now. Thanks for your encouragement.

[Shinyhappymommy 2]

Sweet Pea 2,

I don't know why I ate them, other than somehow I was able to justify to myself that I could eat them slowly and get them to a mushy state in my mouth. I ate them slowly and made them pretty liquidy before swallowing. The only problem I had was the sense of guilt at having strayed from my prescribed diet. I guess that other than a couple small things I have been amazed at my ability to stick to my post-op diet. I have done very well on 99% of what I've eaten. Judge me if you must, but I'm proud of my journey so far. The band has been an amazing miracle in my life.