Am I doing something wrong?

[MrsCooper 1]

Ok, so here's the story... I was banded in February of this year - immediately after being banded (while still on liquids and mushies) I lost about 20 pounds. Since then I have had a few fills - I'm at 7.4 cc's now, but I'm still not losing weight (I think I've lost 5 pounds in total since but that was while on liquids after the fills). I'm maintaining, but not losing.

I do feel food get stuck when I eat too fast or don't chew enough, but if I eat small bites and chew a lot I don't fill up any easier than I did pre-surgery.

I have been told that it is because I am a lower BMI bander that this is happening, but does that mean that it just doesn't work for some people?

I have been staying away from soft foods, sugar and fat but the amount of food I consume to get full still seems to keep me from losing.

I'm trying to stay positive, but I am feeling a little discouraged. :tongue2:

[Guest Leslie2Lose]

Hi Kara,

Are you keeping a food journal? You may not be eating enough to sustain weight loss.

Are you exercising? If so - you may need to increase your calories/protein.

Can you give a little more information as to what you eat daily, your exercise routine, etc? Maybe we can help you pinpoint what you need to change to get the scales moving for you.

[salsa1877 10]

Ok, so here's the story... I was banded in February of this year - immediately after being banded (while still on liquids and mushies) I lost about 20 pounds. Since then I have had a few fills - I'm at 7.4 cc's now, but I'm still not losing weight (I think I've lost 5 pounds in total since but that was while on liquids after the fills). I'm maintaining, but not losing.

I do feel food get stuck when I eat too fast or don't chew enough, but if I eat small bites and chew a lot I don't fill up any easier than I did pre-surgery.

I have been told that it is because I am a lower BMI bander that this is happening, but does that mean that it just doesn't work for some people?

I have been staying away from soft foods, sugar and fat but the amount of food I consume to get full still seems to keep me from losing.

I'm trying to stay positive, but I am feeling a little discouraged. :tongue2:

Couple of questions...How much food are you eating? What is the volume? how many calories? If you need to eat more...eat veggies. Eat your Proteins first and then eat more veggies if you are hungry. If you take some Beans (pinto, white or my favorite S&W chili beans) and put them on a salad with some salsa, it is very filling.

Also, are you exercising? You are at the point now that my doc says that the band has done all the work it is going to in terms of help you lose the weight. Without exercise you most likely will not get the results that you are hoping for.

Finally...are you really feeling hungry? Head hunger is a major issue. When you think you are hungry, sometimes it is just your head telling you that you are hungry...when your tummy really is full. In fact right now as I type this I want to eat something, but I know that my tummy is not hungry...just my head. Also, make sure you are not drinking during your meals or for about an hour afterwards and this will certainly help with the satiety.

Don't get discouraged. This is tough work and you are both in a better spot and a worse spot then some. Starting with a lower BMI means that you didn't have as far to go, but it also means that it is harder to come off.

Good luck

[MrsCooper 1]

Normally I will have coffee in the morning then a little later a granola bar. For lunch I usually have a salad with grilled chicken, or crackers and tuna - something along those lines.

For dinner I have whatever my family is having - usually something along the lines of pork chops, ribs, or chicken with 2 veggies (usually steamed, but sometimes mashed potatoes or something like that).

It doesn't sound like much, but the portions are pretty big - I'm just not able to 'shut off' the hunger. Isn't the purpose of the band to help you get to that full feeling sooner?

I don't exercise, other than my normal housework, gardening, etc... so I can see that's an area I need to work on.

Thanks Leslie, please let me know what you think.

[TracyinKS 7]

First, Congrats on your band!

Second........ My guess is that you still haven't found adequate restriction. If you eat slow, chew chew chew, and are able to eat preband quanties of food you haven't acheived it yet.

I have the "small" band that is marketed to hold 4cc's of Fluid.. I have 4 cc's in my band but have had as much as 4.3 cc's in it........ .3cc's was the difference between eating ONLY Soup and eating food..... my doc said that the bands can be over filled but he didn't have ANYONE with a small band with OVER 5cc's........... the bigger bands (which is what I'm guessing you have) can hold WAY more than what you have... and yes, the fact that you are a lower BMI bandster could mean that you have less residule fat around your stomach, or it could mean that that is where you carry it and you are still not seeing restriction because you are Losing that fat pad.....

Just keeping working your band and plan... keep getting fills.. you will know when to much is too much..... each person varies... (I like mine a bit tighter than my friend) Focus on getting your protien in... and be patient... it will come.

[Guest Leslie2Lose]

My best advice is start a food journal. I use one online. It helps hold me accountable (which I really need). You can keep up with your calories, protien, fat etc as well as exercise. There are many available out there. I use thedailyplate.com. I entered my daily caloric intake (where I want to be) - 1200 cal a day and Protein intake (60 grams). That way, as I log what I've eaten it will automatically let me know if I need to eat more or less.

It doesn't sound like you are eating enough to satisfy your hunger. I think you may need to up your Protein intake. For instance, In the morning you may need to eat an egg with a small piece of cheese. I like grits myself. Some people like Protein shakes, I try to get my protein in the actual food I am eating.

You may want to start exercising a couple days a week too. If it isn't anything but a workout video or walking around the block.

Good luck to you and please let me know how you're doing! You can PM me if you'd like too.

[FunkyGirl 0]

I was banded on 2/22 as well. I am just maintaining. I have 5cc. I experience food getting stuck at least once a day...I have only had to throw up once. I have another fill tomorrow. I have a friend who is 3 yrs out and has lost 130 pds. She got a fill last week & she is back to sipping hot tea to eat. I guess it is true it takes 6-8 fills for the Happy place to kick in.

Edited June 11, 2008 by FunkyGirl

[Sirius 0]

I hope things work out for you, it keeps my hopes high. I am also from a lower BMI, and I am worried this might happen to me too. I want to stay positive, and I have seen many people have great results, but it's always in the back of my head. I have tried everything to regain my post baby figure without any success. (My baby is 5 years old now) I do have a sluggish thyroid, but the doctor says I don’t have "clinical hypothyroidism". I'm not taking any meds for it, he says that my food intake is keeping me overweight and not my thyroid...so...I have done almost everything possible to lose weight, I've exercised more, gone on every known diet ever invented only to fail. I've taken almost every prescription pill to lose weight available...Ectiva, Xenical, Phen Phen, Ionamin, Itravil, (you name it, I've taken it!) I've done mesotherapy, massages; I've taken hCG shots as well. I've had Lipo 5 times already, I've had a Tummy Tuck, I've even tried the intragastric balloon. (Needless to say that was a bad experience; I only lost 10 pounds in 5 months.) I haven't let myself go, even though I know people think I have, but they don't know the struggle it has been for me. So now I'm here, this is my last hope of ever regaining my figure. I know many think that I'm at the perfect weight, or size, but for me, this is not acceptable. I don't feel healthy, I don't look or feel attractive, I don't have energy and I'm fed up with being overweight. Being overweight has changed my personality, and I don't recognize myself anymore. So I got banded almost a week ago, I feel hopeful, (I've lost 6 pounds) but I'm still on the liquid diet. I have fears, many fears, but I try to look ahead. I'm told that after the liquid and mushy food period is done, and after I get my first fill, that I should lose up to 1 pound a week. It sounds like a little, but if you put it all together, then it slowly adds up to a lot. So...you've lost around 25 pounds, in 4 months so I'm thinking you are on the right path. You have lost an average of 6 pounds per month. That's great!!! Although it doesn't seem like it right now, think about what your weight would be like right now without the lap band? I know that you will get there and that you will lose the 36 pounds that you need to lose, as I too will lose the 52 pounds that I have to lose. Give it a year; we can't lose in a couple of months what took years to gain. :tongue2:

[Brandy~ 2]

Well first of all I am a new bandster so I can't offer too much advise based on experience. But having dietitians in the family helps.

I can only speculate that you're over eating with the amounts of food and the lack of exercise is just holding you back. Sure having the band is slowing your eating down time wise but not quantity. You really just need to focus on what you NEED to eat to lose. Measure out your food. The portion you scoop on your plate is probably alot different than when you weigh it. Have you been getting all your Water in? You can count any liquid you take in that isn't alcohol or caffeine towards your Water count... SO why not mix it up and trick your tummy? Try having a cup of coffee preferably decaff in the morning. After about 30 minutes have a Protein bar with low carb, After about an hour have a cup of broth like you would coffee, for lunch make sure you take food that is very Protein heavy. Try to steer from crackers or breads as they have carbs and sugars. For dinner take a salad plate and put your food on that... This actually tricks your mind into thinking that you just finished all that food. Another way to shock your system is hit the track even if you're just walking it will help speed the metabolism up. Oh and don't forget the water, water, water :tongue2:

Since you're a lower BMI and closer to a goal you will have to work harder to achieve the overall results you are seeking.

I wish you tons of luck :smile:

[cross0207 0]

I was also banded in late Februay and have only lost 25 pounds. I have had 2 fills and have 2.6cc in a 10cc band. I have trouble swallowing Water if they put to much in at my fills, so they are going slowly. They also told me since I had a lower BMI to start with that I would lose slower! Very discouraging. Just thought I would let you know you are not alone!

Ok, so here's the story... I was banded in February of this year - immediately after being banded (while still on liquids and mushies) I lost about 20 pounds. Since then I have had a few fills - I'm at 7.4 cc's now, but I'm still not losing weight (I think I've lost 5 pounds in total since but that was while on liquids after the fills). I'm maintaining, but not losing.

I do feel food get stuck when I eat too fast or don't chew enough, but if I eat small bites and chew a lot I don't fill up any easier than I did pre-surgery.

I have been told that it is because I am a lower BMI bander that this is happening, but does that mean that it just doesn't work for some people?

I have been staying away from soft foods, sugar and fat but the amount of food I consume to get full still seems to keep me from losing.

I'm trying to stay positive, but I am feeling a little discouraged. :tongue2:

[kcispy4 0]

I too am losing slowly. I was banded 3/5/08. I lost quickly the first month and am now barely crawling. My calorie intake averages 1100 a day and I walk at least 30 mins 4x a week. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm not eating enough. I've never had a problem losing fast, just kept gaining it back. Now that I have my permanent "stop sign" I trust I won't have this problem again as long as I maintain a healthy lifestyle. Keep your chin up. You'll get your groove back. Talk to your doctor and see what he/she suggests. :-)

[juliegeraci 7]

I do feel food get stuck when I eat too fast or don't chew enough, but if I eat small bites and chew a lot I don't fill up any easier than I did pre-surgery.

If this is the case and you can eat larger portions after your first few bites you need a fill. This will help with the weight loss.