I need a kick in the butt!

[Barbie Girl 2]

I had my surgery November 4th. I've had three fills, I might actually be too tight, but I'm not have an unfill. Meaning, I am limited on the type of food I eat(gets stuck), but I'm concerned about the quanity I can eat (sometimes up to 12 oz). I've lost about 42 lbs total. I've only lost 6lbs since January. So it came off very fast at first, then almost nothing. I exercise my booty off, 3-6 times a week! The dietician's only advise is to weigh my meals before I eat. Well, dietician, I would in a perfect world, but I work 60 hours a week and am a mom of two boys... 6 and 10...fun ages! Needless to say I eat out alot. I make good decisions, most often Soups because their safe. But, I'm not going to lie and say that I'm always good. I haven't had any breads, read meat, or fried foods since the surgery. I was a stress eater and still am. The lapband can't fix everything. I'm asking for anyone whose been at a serious plateau to give me some advise. I'm at the point where I'm discouraged. Obviously, I've asked the dr office for help and got absolutely nothing that was of any use. I just want to note that I am not the person who asks for help, it takes a lot. I love the band, my life has changed so much, but I really want to need to loose the rest of the weight.

[Big Momma is Shrinking 0]

Barbie Girl...just wondering why you are eating Soups? My surgeon has told me that once I get to the regular food stage then I need to be filling my pouch with real foods. Soups and slider foods are not going to keep you satisfied.

It sounds like you have a VERY busy life, but you don't really want all the work you have already put in to slip away. Can you get things ready to eat ahead of time so that when you are in a crunch you already have something handy. There is a place here in Houston where you can get real, health food prepared by a chef and packaged ready to eat. Maybe there is something like that in you area that would be a better alternative to fast food.

Good luck to you!!

[Bobbie155 0]

I eat Soup 5 days a week but I always have some sort of Protein with it and It sticks with me for a long time. Maybe you need to change your work out. Don't do the same thing every day. Also maybe you need to eat foods with more calories, your body needs food to burn so if you get a small unfill like .5 cc it will help. Good Luck

[SunnyRachel 7]

Hi, Barbie Girl!

What I love about this forum is the great amount of sharing that goes on. What I don't like though is the natural internal reaction we have to compare ourselves to everyone. Forty-two pounds is awesome!!!!! But I can see why seeing no actual scale movement since January is frustrating.

I was banded on November 4th too. I am still not fully adjusted to my band yet! I feel like I'm still learning and getting acquainted with it. I have had two fills so far. I'm at my personal capacity, I think.

Since the second fill, which was so very little, less than 1cc, I have had lots of stuck moments. I keep going back to my doctor's advice though, and that's not to turn to slider foods to avoid the pain of solid foods.

I thought I was taking small bites, but I realize I need to take micro bites now. I'm still learning. You and I are still new at this, and we'll get it figured out.

I think others have already given you good advice... look at the positive signs of the change in your life. You say you haven't had fried foods -- well, there's one big great accomplishment!!! Right? Someone else mentioned getting good foods prepared in advance that is healthier than the quick bites. There's a great idea! I've started going into supermarkets and buying their hot chicken and stuff like that instead of as many trips through the drive-through windows. If it's not old-lady-coupon day, you can get in and out of there pretty quickly! I have also made up larger batches of chicken or tuna salad so that I can just plop them into a plastic container with maybe six Ritz crackers and shove it in a lunch box. I'm still working on vegetables...but little steps at a time, right?

What's hard for me is getting the right amount of calories. I think I don't get enough, but I'm working on it.

I feel really good. I try not to look at other people's lost weight as a challenge to me...but as encouragement that I can do this too. I get happy about my pants falling down, and I'm excited when an old shirt or sweater comes back into use that I couldn't wear before..

Can you make a list for yourself? Can you write down all the good things that you have gained so far and all the good changes you have made? You are not supposed to feel like you are on a diet. I believe you are supposed to feel like you are back in control. If you are fighting yourself, then I think you can simply step outside of it for a moment and really look at the big picture. The answers will come to you clearly, and a little experimentation, you know, hands-on learning with a different approach, will surely get you and your band to be good friends for life.

I wish you all the best!!!

Edited April 11, 2009 by SunnyRachel

[Barbie Girl 2]

Barbie Girl...just wondering why you are eating Soups? My surgeon has told me that once I get to the regular food stage then I need to be filling my pouch with real foods. Soups and slider foods are not going to keep you satisfied.

It sounds like you have a VERY busy life, but you don't really want all the work you have already put in to slip away. Can you get things ready to eat ahead of time so that when you are in a crunch you already have something handy. There is a place here in Houston where you can get real, health food prepared by a chef and packaged ready to eat. Maybe there is something like that in you area that would be a better alternative to fast food.

Good luck to you!!

I am eating soups because I'm aprehensive to eat much else. I've even been stuck on a baked potato!

[Big Momma is Shrinking 0]

Barbie Girl,

Have you talked to your Dr about this? I could be wrong, but I'm guessing you didn't sign up to eat Soup the rest of your life. There should be something your Dr can do to help you live comfortably with your band. I know the idea of an unfill sucks, but maybe that is what you need (just a slight one) to allow you to eat foods that are going to get the scales moving again.

Best of luck to you, I hope things start working better for you soon!