almost 3 months out and frusrtated

[Nettie225 0]

Hi, my name is Annete and I was banded on September 25, 2008 by Dr. Howard Simon at University Hospital in Syracuse, NY. According to my calculations from my starting weight to present, I have lost about 25 pounds. :thumbup:I lost 5 pounds just before my surgery as instructed by my doctor and the rest after. I feel like most of that loss was due to the dietary restrictions in the beginning and tissue swelling in the area where the band was placed causing me to feel full.

:confused_smile:The frustration is that I can't seem to lose any more than that and I am feeling like maybe that is going to be it. I feel hungry like I always did and the only indication that I have had sugery is the scars on my tummy and the occasional difficulty I have when I eat too fast or eat something sticky like rice (any variety) or french fries. Otherwise, I feel like I can pretty much eat the same portions I always did. I have had 1 fill, which they tried to do in the office, but it didn't work so well so I had to have it done in the radiology department under fluoroscopy. During that fill there was a malfunction in the catheter that caused saline to squirt all over the place so we don't really know how much actaully got into the band. The barium that I swallowed did show a sufficient enough delay that the doctor was certain he got enough saline into the band to function the way it is supposed to, but I don't seem to feel full when I eat any more than I did before the surgery. I only end up in a lot of pain and vomit if I have eaten too fast and my esophagus fill up with food, but otherwise, I feel no difference in the portion size that I can consume.

Am I the only one going through this or is it common? What am I supposed to feel when I eat? I thought I was supposed to get full faster and on a smaller portion, but it just doesn't seem to happen.

[Jonnycat1 0]

Hello Netti. I'm getting banded on January 2nd, so I don't have any first hand experience. Congratulations on your weight loss! That is an accomplishment worth celebrating. But from what I have learned through all my research and with talking with numerous people is that you need to go in and have your doctor thoroughly unfill your band to evaluate how much is really in there. Once that is known, it can be refilled with greater accuracy. Guessing and making a mistake like that is an inexcusable blunder on the part of your doctor in my book. This is a science, not a guessing game. You need to be sure to be your own advocate in the health care game and tell your doctor what you need rather than let them "guess" as to how much is really in there.

My second word of advice to you is that you need to be mindful of the foods you eat. Making nutrient dense choices in your foods will make a world of difference. French fries, no matter how many you eat, is an eating pattern of the past that needs to change. Rice, while not entirely bad for you, is probably not the best thing to eat if you have a choice between that and some easy to digest Protein in the form of a Meal Replacement shake or piece of broiled chicken breast.

I recognize that my current eating patterns are going to be a thing of the past, and am beginning a Medifast plan up until I get the banding done in January. I have to do something to jolt my metabolism and get as much weight off as I can until then. My eating habits change now, and will never be the same again. Occasional treats for rare special occasions is totally acceptable, but please remember that you are on a weight loss journey. High calorie, nutrient poor foods are not something that you should be including in your new way of living. Remember the goal of this surgery is not a "miracle tool" that will solve your problems while you continue to eat the way you used to. It's just a tool with which to make better choices and live a healthier lifestyle! You've gotten this far! Keep up the good work, and I know you'll be successful!

[Shamrockgirl60 1]

Nettie you are doing fine, how many fills have you had. I was at a plateau and had my first and second fill, now going for my third one next week. As you lose the band becomes loose and you can eat more. Best to check and have a fill or make appointment for one when the plateau starts.

I am at one now..I actually gained 1 lb. for last week's Thanksgiving dinner. Been trying all week to shed that pound and one more. No such luck. Hope to see it gone by tomorrow morning.

Don't be discouraged. My doctor and NP want me to lose between 8 and 10 lbs. a month. They are quite happy with that.

[WannaBSkinnyB 0]

Netti I'm with you. I was banded on November 19th. I know it is not as long as you have been. But it seems like I am still hungry and can eat anything I want still. I am wondering if this was huge mistake. I feel not different either other than the scares on my stomach.:whatchutalkingabout

[Shamrockgirl60 1]

Hey it's only a month for you WBS. Call for a fill and follow all the doctors and your nutritionists advise. The band is a tool not a miracle. You get out of it what you put into it.

[kirajh 0]

First thing you have to realize, is that the band is NOT a magic fix. It is a tool and as such, you have to learn how to use it. My doctor told me that 8-10 lbs per month is a sign of success. It took about ten fills before I had any restriction. I had to watch what I ate, chew well, drink lots of Water and EXERSIZE, EXERSIZE, EXERSIZE. The band will not do the job by itself. You get out of it, what you put in it.

[Shamrockgirl60 1]

First thing you have to realize, is that the band is NOT a magic fix. It is a tool and as such, you have to learn how to use it. My doctor told me that 8-10 lbs per month is a sign of success. It took about ten fills before I had any restriction. I had to watch what I ate, chew well, drink lots of Water and EXERSIZE, EXERSIZE, EXERSIZE. The band will not do the job by itself. You get out of it, what you put in it.

Amen sistah.....

[kimmyv 0]

Annette-- I was banded a week before you and i have only lost 12-15 lbs. I only weigh in at my fills for the most part so I am not exactly sure of my weight at the moment since I haven't had a fill in 3 weeks. I am also a low bmi patient so I have expected my loss to be slower.

That being said--- I have had 3 fills and my 4th is next week. You've had only 1? And you don't really know how much is in there. I felt ZERO restriction until my 3rd and I definitely need more.

Also--since day 1 after being able to eat solids I have been told by my doc to only eat 4oz at a time--3x a day and nothing more. This was to teach me Portion Control, what hunger feels like and to be able to gage if I need more fills. The goal is to be able to go 5-6 hours with out being hungry. I am at about 4-5 depending on what I eat.

And that's a big thing too. I HAVE to eat 3oz of a more dense protein-like chicken or steak or pork. Otherwise I get hungry much quicker. But I wouldn't know that unless I was sticking to the portions...... I am not going to lie-- I have cheated and ate more before I had any good restriction. I also sometimes don't make the best choices. But it is 2-4oz of a bad choice--not a whole bag. Also---I was told to take at least 30 minutes to eat 4oz with NO liquids 30 min before or after. I literally have to lay my fork down between bites. Taking the 30 minutes to eat REALLY helps me-gives your body time to send the full signal. When I eat faster I don't feel as full

We're in the learning process Annette!!

hang in there-- GET A FILL!! :tongue2: