Need Coping Strategies & a Fill

ErikMesa · May 23, 2008

I've two fills now and have my third next Wednesday. While I've been losing weight very slowly (3 lbs since my last fill a week ago Wednesday) I was hoping to lose more. I notice I still have really no restriction yet and have had the following fills.

Surgery - 4cc

First Fill - 1.5cc

Second Fill - 1.0cc

I have a total of 6.5cc in my XL band (14cc max). I am eating smaller portions but I notice I'm really not feeling full but I'm not hungry either. I still don't feel like I'm there yet though. I'm happy for my 24 lbs postop weight loss but I still don't feel any restriction like I did the first week after surgery when I had swelling.

How long has it taken people to get good restriction? Is this normal? I know they say "it can take a couple of months to find the right spot" but how do you deal with the impatience factor? I really feel like I've hit a stall the last week.

Added to that real life is a bit rough right now (elderly parents and stress about their health) and you know how it goes, you get depressed about one thing and everything else is a negative, including "only" losing 24 pounds. I've noticed while I'm not depression eating or anything I am a bit down in the dumps and that has led me to make some bad food choices. Not as bad as I used to make but not the best choices either.

I know it'll get better with each fill and it's still real early. I'm just looking for some coping strategies to get me thru to the next fill.

ErikMesa :blushing:

salsa1877 · May 23, 2008

I've two fills now and have my third next Wednesday. While I've been losing weight very slowly (3 lbs since my last fill a week ago Wednesday) I was hoping to lose more. I notice I still have really no restriction yet and have had the following fills.
Surgery - 4cc

First Fill - 1.5cc

Second Fill - 1.0cc

I have a total of 6.5cc in my XL band (14cc max). I am eating smaller portions but I notice I'm really not feeling full but I'm not hungry either. I still don't feel like I'm there yet though. I'm happy for my 24 lbs postop weight loss but I still don't feel any restriction like I did the first week after surgery when I had swelling.

How long has it taken people to get good restriction? Is this normal? I know they say "it can take a couple of months to find the right spot" but how do you deal with the impatience factor? I really feel like I've hit a stall the last week.

Added to that real life is a bit rough right now (elderly parents and stress about their health) and you know how it goes, you get depressed about one thing and everything else is a negative, including "only" losing 24 pounds. I've noticed while I'm not depression eating or anything I am a bit down in the dumps and that has led me to make some bad food choices. Not as bad as I used to make but not the best choices either.

I know it'll get better with each fill and it's still real early. I'm just looking for some coping strategies to get me thru to the next fill.

ErikMesa :blushing:

24 pounds is GREAT. :thumbup: My doc states that losing 50 pounds in 1 year is what he considers success...by my calculations, you are well on your way to that...and in fact WAY ahead. :w00t:

Personally I have NEVER felt restristriction like I did the first week after surgery. Some of the things that you stated like NOT depression eating and not making as bad of food choies as you would in the past is a HUGE accomplishment. :thumbup:As for the impatient factor I think that is something that you need to sit down with yourself and have a good long chat. This band does take major discipline. To be honest, since my first fill (which ultimately had to be removed) I have never been at a good level. I was either too tight or too loose...nothin' in the middle. :sad: I knew I still wanted to band to work for me so I was really forced to change my eating habits and PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. Even now below goal I still plan my meals a week ahead of time and stick to them at least 98% of the time. I journaled a lot during the beginning stages of this journey....when I was hungry, why I was eating, what foods would I be eating, how much exercise, how many calories, my feelings about the food.

As for the hunger...to be honest, from when I was banded until my last total unfill, I never really felt hunger or fullness...I felt NOTHING. It was very frustrating at first. As fat people we are used to feeling hunger and then filling up to the point that we can tell we MAJORLY accomplished something by the nice full feeling we got in our tummy...most people won't get that any more. By the time you get to that feeling you probably running to the bathroom to pb up the food you just ate. Since being banded I have felt "FULL" twice and that was when I was totally unfilled...and I was still miserable. When I first started I would put my 1 cup of food on my plate and that was all I would allow myself to eat...no more...no less. I kind of had to treat myself as a little kid...cause I was...I was starting a new life.

I hope that some of this is comforting to you, and that you can find the strength to look within. Life is unfortunate some times and deals you rough hands. It sounds like the parental issue is one that you are struggling with and believe me...I get it. However, sometimes you have to focus on yourself, because if you aren't happy and healthy, you can't do much good for anyone else.

Good luck...and 3 pounds in 1 week is AWESOME!

auntlucy · May 23, 2008

I agree with the previous post! You are doing great. 3 lbs in a week is fantastic. I was banded 3/10, and my weight loss in that 11 weeks has definitely had its slower periods. Your body is still adjusting to all of this. The thing that has worked for me so far is to just follow the plan the doctor gave me exactly. He told me to eat Protein, vegetables, and fruit...and that's what I eat. He also told me not to worry about losing weight for a while, but to first focus on letting my body fully heal and then focus on changing my lifestyle. He told me he would let me know when to worry about losing weight. (He may never have to tell me that b/c of course it's going to happen when you change the way you approach things. I've only had 1 fill (a few weeks ago) and my second is not for another 5 or 6 weeks. I don't feel restriction. I can eat more than I feel like I should. But, I try to listen to my body's cues of when I'm hungry and full. I don't feel hungry all the time, but I also don't feel full. I'm kind of enjoying the lighter feeling of not feeling stuffed! Hang in there! You really are doing a great job. Tell yourself that!