Desparate and Scared

[ISITWORTHIT 0]

I had my surgery more than one month ago and I have not lost any weight in the past three weeks. I went for my first fill last week and was told that I already had 5cc in a 10 cc band from surgery and so she added another .7cc.

I think I can eat alot of food and I am really worried that my band will stretch. I experience PB alot so I am still adjusting to the eating thing. How much food is too much? I was able to eat two slices of pizza for dinner and I am worried. I feel like I am going to fail at this. I was never a huge eater. My problem was my sweet tooth. Does this band mean that I have to be on a low carb no fat diet for the rest of my life? I am definate;y eating alot less then I was pre surgery but I am so frustrated that I was able to lose alot more pre diet than post.

I definately fo not feel like I have enough restriction even with 5.7cc. I do not feel that my appeitie is curbed at all. I am a nursing mother and I am wondering if that has anything to do with it.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[micheleangelina 0]

I'm sorry I don't have any real advice for you since you are further along in your journey than I am. So please take my opinion as just that. Maybe because you are nursing your dr. doesn't want you to feel too much restriction right now? I do think that eating 2 slices of pizza seems like a lot though even if you are nursing. Have you tried sticking with mostly Protein since that is supposed to fill us up and keep us full longest? because you're nursing your situation is probably very different but i would speak to your surgeon and/or nutritionist for advice. Please post again and let us know how you are. Also I wouldn't really worry about weight loss so much 4 weeks out...you are still healing.

[Jodi_620 37]

First thing you need to figure out is why are you PB'ing a lot?...Is it because you are taking large bites, eating too fast, eating wrong foods (does it happen only on certan foods or all types?). If not, maybe you are PB'ing because you are eating too much. You need to stop before you feel uncomfortably full or sick. This is important because not controlling it can cause issues with the band.

Before I reached restriction I could eat about 1 1/2 cups to 2 cups of food three times a day. At restriction I eat about 3/4 to 1 cup per meal.

When you say your appetite is not curbed at all, are you dealing with stomach rumbling hunger or head hunger/cravings? The stomach rumbling hunger will end when you finally reach restriction. The head hunger/cravings will not be controlled by the Lap Band so you need to figure out how to control that yourself.

Because you say your weight problem is mainly due to a sweet tooth then for the best success you really should try to control your carbs as much as possible. You don't necessarily have to do low carb but everyone should choose healthy carbs (fruits, veggies, whole grains) and skip the white carbs (white flour, white Pasta, white rice, sugar, potato). When you do eat these starch carbs, go for the brown/whole grain versions. Even though you choose the brown version still keep portions low and always eat them with a Protein.

Like I said, the Lap Band will not help keep your sweet cravings away but keeping the bad carbs of your diet will go a long way to stopping the cravings. Whole grain cereals with lowfat milk, whole grain flat bread, sweet fruits, dairy are all good natural choices.

If you have eating issues like eating when stressed or bored or uncontrollable food addiction then maybe counseling is needed.

Edited May 19, 2009 by Jodi_620

[sandi1011 0]

hi,

i was banded april 20th...........i have not lost much weight either. actually i gained 4 pound last week.

i feel my portions are small, but maybe not. i can eat alot (but smaller than before surgery). i do not go for my first fill till june 5.

example: went to picnic on sunday had some chicken dip and chips (bad i know) then for dinner had a piece of chicken, about a 1/2 cup brocoli, 1/4 cup potato salad. that was all with in a hour, so as you can see that is alot. when people on this site say they eat a cup of food all day it is very hard to imagine since i can eat so much. trust me when i tell you it has been a real struggle every day.

i do not pb or anything like that, so maybe you are eating to much or to fast.

good luck to you, i just wanted you to know that you are not the only one out there struggling.

[ISITWORTHIT 0]

Hi All

Thank you so much for the information. I am PBíng at almost every meal and it is definately not from over eating because it happens within the first two bites and then I just do not continue eating. Example 1 mini baby bel cheese and a slice of turkey and it all came back up. I think that I need to chew a little longer and not eat as fast. I am gettign there. Thank you so much Sandi1011 because it seems that we were banded around the same time so you can probably relate to me.

Jodi what I am having is definately not head hunger, it is hunger pains, I just wanted to point out that I am probably having this because as I mentioned earlier I am a nursing mom. Either way I really appreciate the advice and I am pretty sure I do not need counselling I was just curious how others were feeling. Thanks

[Jodi_620 37]

hi,

i was banded april 20th...........i have not lost much weight either. actually i gained 4 pound last week.

i feel my portions are small, but maybe not. i can eat alot (but smaller than before surgery). i do not go for my first fill till june 5.

example: went to picnic on sunday had some chicken dip and chips (bad i know) then for dinner had a piece of chicken, about a 1/2 cup brocoli, 1/4 cup potato salad. that was all with in a hour, so as you can see that is alot. when people on this site say they eat a cup of food all day it is very hard to imagine since i can eat so much. trust me when i tell you it has been a real struggle every day.

i do not pb or anything like that, so maybe you are eating to much or to fast.

good luck to you, i just wanted you to know that you are not the only one out there struggling.

I agree with the "1 cup of food all day" comment. I don't believe that 1/3-1/4 cup of food per meal is sensible, necessary nor is it something that I could or would want to live with long term. I think that a lot of bandsters would agree.

I did not restrict myself so severely and my sucess has been great so don't feel like you need to hold yourself up to the 1/4 cup per meal theory.

[Jodi_620 37]

Hi All

Jodi what I am having is definately not head hunger, it is hunger pains, I just wanted to point out that I am probably having this because as I mentioned earlier I am a nursing mom. Either way I really appreciate the advice and I am pretty sure I do not need counselling I was just curious how others were feeling. Thanks

Hope I didn't offend you by mentioning counseling, nothing personal-it is something that many bandsters need and not having a lot of information about your situation it was included in the list of many possibilities.

If it is true hunger, then that means your pouch is empty and additional fills will eventually help to fill you up sooner and keep your pouch full longer.

Proper bandster eating is a learning process for all of us--with a small child you probably have many distractions too so it will take time.

[2livesmart 0]

Don't worry. Everyone is different. I have had 3 fills and I can eat more somedays than I can others. You are on track. I was stuck in a holding pattern fro 3 weeks. It happens. Please don't get discouraged. You will start to lose weight. It takes time. My weight loss is slow (about a pound a week). I am totaling 24 pounds now but it is steadily declining

Have you began exercising yet? I am sure that will help. You are on your way. Keep me posted on your progress.

[ISITWORTHIT 0]

Hi Guys

Thanks so much. No offence taken at all Jodi. Thanks for the support.

Thanks for the words of encouragement 2livesmart. I am actually walking 7KM 4 times a week so I have definately begun exercising. Hopefully something will give. I need to really crack down on the rules and stop eating Snacks. If I calculate my daily calories I know I am less than 1000 so I am sure I will go down but it will be slow. Please keep in touch and add me as a friend. Take care!