What the??!!

[Seannie 0]

I admit i was hopeing that the band was going to really make me full faster and lose weight quicker. So far It has been 5 months almost to the day (banded on my birthday 10-22) and I have lost 34 pounds. They all came off in the 1st 3 months.I was hopeing to have 50-60 pounds off by now, but have lost nothing since. Not even a pound or two a week?:smile: I have had 3 fills and am at 7cc's in a 10cc band. I can eat a hamburger if I want to! I know I have to buckel down and diet and exercise more but my goodness! I guess the thing is that I feel cheated that I paid for it myself and have nothing much to show for it but some ugly scars!:thumbup: ANYWAY THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT!

Edited March 22, 2009 by Seannie

[BethFromVA 5]

The problem is, you STILL have to do your part. You HAVE to exercise and you HAVE to "diet" -- watch what you eat and the amount, if you want faster results. Never forget it's a tool, not a magic bullet. Eat small amounts and let it satiate you until your next meal, and get moving.

[ThinknHealthy 0]

It is true. You do have to do your part. But it is difficult when you are not feeling the restriction. I can understand that. It is frustrating. I was in a similar situation for weeks. I felt there was nothing I couldn't eat. That period feel over the holidays which made it worse. I was grateful that I didn't gain weight. Sometime in January it was like I woke up and decided that I had not been putting weight loss on the top of my priority list. Whether I felt the restriction or not, I knew I had to step back on the band wagon and get in the game. I went back to the basics, started exercising, and forcing others to work around my schedule instead of the other way around. That was the beginning of taking charge again and losing weight. Add to that another fill and I'm back in the ball game again.

I know it is a difficult thing to accept, but sometimes we have to admit that we are our own worst enemy. Our choices daily represent the importance we place on our goals. At 7 cc in your band, I suspect that although you can eat a lot of things, you are limited in the quantity you can eat. Compare what you can eat now with what you could eat before your birthday. Is there a difference? If there is a difference then something is working. Be grateful that you can eat a wide variety of things. I can eat a hamburger too and I enjoy treating myself to a small hamburger once a week. I can still lose weight if the hamburger is in my rules.

Find another tool to work with your band. I personally use Weight Watchers which works great with the band because it encourages you to keep track of what you eat. If not already doing so, make time each day to exercise. I love to walk and take a 3-mile walk daily or I'll go to the gym for an hour if the weather is bad. Find the right exercise for you. But I believe I'm talking to the choir here. You know what to do. You already have inside you what you need to make it happen, and I'm not just talking about the band.

God Bless!

[BethFromVA 5]

Do you find that you CAN eat that much, or you are hungry for that much?

I ask this because I recently had to ask my doctor what I should be doing food-wise. I felt I could still eat pretty well -- in other words, 4-6 ounces of meat, a veggie, and good-size salad. I asked if I should be feeling somewhat full when I eat, or should I be working more towards eating a certain amount. He said it was the latter -- eat about a cup of food and walk away for 15-20 minutes. If after that time you are still truly hungry, have a bit more. That helped me tremendously since I felt I could eat too much. Maybe try that? Of if you are sincerely hungry, you might actually need another fill.

I think what's hard for us sometimes is knowing if we are really that hungry. Many of us (myself included) got used to eating until stuffed. THAT was full -- way beyond satiated which is what we are to strive for now.

I guess you will have to guage yourself and determine whether it's just that you can eat that much or you need that much to feel satisfied. I can't tell from your post if that is part of the issue.

Good luck, and don't give up. I feel God has given us a wonderful tool here, but the trick is learning how to use it to our best advantage. I hope you can do that. You deserve it.

[kgloverii 0]

It sounds to me like you need another fill. The band won't be so 'hard' when you get to a sweet spot. In the mean time, until you get to that spot, count your calories, choose nutrient dense foods, eat whole foods, shop the perimeter of the grocery store and get out for some exercise. GL!

[Seannie 0]

Wow! I cant thank you all enough for you encouraging words. I can truley say that I have not been doing all that I could to lose the weight. I do walk a few days a week when I can and I dont eat junk food. I do think that I overeat my portions. I just didnt think I would have to follow such a strict diet, that has never worked for me in the past. That's why I got the band. I knew what it was..a tool, but I just thought it was gonna be my salvation. I will take your advise. I also think that I will stay on this site. I live alone and could use all the help I can get. Thanks again!

[Taina009 0]

Hang in there girl am sure it will get better

[BethFromVA 5]

Wow! I cant thank you all enough for you encouraging words. I can truley say that I have not been doing all that I could to lose the weight. I do walk a few days a week when I can and I dont eat junk food. I do think that I overeat my portions. I just didnt think I would have to follow such a strict diet, that has never worked for me in the past. That's why I got the band. I knew what it was..a tool, but I just thought it was gonna be my salvation. I will take your advise. I also think that I will stay on this site. I live alone and could use all the help I can get. Thanks again!

Unfortunately for all but those with amazing metabolisms, we will always have to watch what we eat and exercise. :crying:

I know that eventually many people enjoy whatever they want in moderation, and one day I probably will too, but right now I am doing all I can to utilize this tool to my best advantage. Would I lose weight if I ate how I did before but less of it? Yeah, probably. But I know I'm losing MORE by eating healthy too.

Good luck, and it's good you did some self-analysis. Now you will have to decide for yourself how quickly you want results and then strive for that.

If you have decent restriction, my doctor put it very well -- if you can only eat so much food, you will want to have the best food you can have. Makes sense!