4 months no weight loss! Please help?

[LarraineM 6]

Please don't give up on yourself,keep trying everything........

Oct. buddy I was banded on the 10/15 , don't lose heart. There are many here that are here to support you.Hearing that you are ready to give up hurts in a big way,real deep and I don't even know you. But I really do know,:biggrin: you are just like me

[happy2lose 0]

The newer bands seem to take longer to reach good restriction. This is when will power comes in. If you want to lose weight before reaching good restriction you must eat less, move more and focus on eating Protein.< /p>

[jr64044 0]

I am somewhat in the same boat as you. I beat myself up every single day because I know I'm eating more than I should be. I still eat significantly less then before the band, but def more than desired. I haven't been a snacker up untill this last week or two so I usually have a Protein Bar, a shake or a 100 calorie pack if needed. However, my dr told me not to count calories, just to make good decisions. Well From being a previous hard core dieter on every diet you can imagine, it's hard to do that. Its hard to not count them or worry about them. But with me eating bigger portions than necessary I feel I may have sabatoged myself. Don't get me wrong, I still look up nutritional values before I go out to eat somehwere, and I still make good choices. I went in for my last fill (5ccs in a 10cc band) and I had lost 11 lbs in 4 weeks so the didn't give me a fill. While I should have been excited I knew deep down I probably needed one. I have only lost between 6-8 (scale fluctuates daily it seems) since then so in 5 weeks. I called to move my fill up a week becuse im terrified of gaining anything. I feel like I keep hving to give myself pep talks and I shouldn't be, its becuse deep down I know Im not giving it my all. So I go in a for a fill today, and starting off tomorrow I am back at this 100% I need to drop another 20 by Xmas :thumbup: I hope anyway. So you are not alone, for some odd reason that helps i think to not feel like a faliure and your the only one having these problems. Good luck to you, you can do it :drool: :tt2:

[trishtlc 0]

He told me NOT to take any Metformin after surgery. The only med I take is Levoxyl for thyroid so I can't even use that as an excuse. I have just been eating way too much and believe it not it came crashing down on me today. I went to bed sick of overeating. I woke up still stuffed to the brim and feeling like the old days (like having a heart attack) Ugh! THAT'S IT! for me. I bought some Progresso Soups (they were on a huge sale yay) and I have my Protein Drinks so I'm sure of getting all my Protein per day. My doctor requires 80 grams of protein per day. Thanks!!!

[happy2lose 0]

The Soups are good but solid Protein will sustain you longer.

Don't beat yourself up, just make a few changes.

Here is my sample daily menu:

Breakfast: 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt sweetened with a little Splenda and vanilla extract and 2 teaspoons granola

Lunch: 3 piece chicken selects from McDonalds dipped in buffalo sauce

Exercise has been a vital part of my success. I recommend you find some form of exercise and make it a daily routine for at least 30 minutes each day

Dinner: Whatever my family eats, I just eat much less (approx. 1/2 cup)

At night I eat popcorn and in the morning I have a cup of coffee, otherwise, I drink my Water all day.

[trishtlc 0]

You guys have all helped more than you know! I, too, feel I'm not giving it my all. believe it or not I have the exercise down. I take a morning walk with the dogs that's about a mile. I do 1 mile on the treadmill and a Ball Exercise Invigorating the Spine for flexibility. About 2 -3 times a week I go to the gym at night (really late). But everything in my family revolves around food. We meet over buffets. I plan ahead of time what I'm going to have and when I get there it goes out the window. :thumbup:

I made a pact with this site last night that it started then. Last Night! Of course, after I ate everything in site. I've cleaned out the pantry and today is the first day of a new day. I have a fill scheduled for next Thursday and I will work hard to get down to where I was when I went in last time.

Thank you all so much! Scout! Thanks I guess my mistake was NOT checking out these boards a long time ago.

Trish

[untfluter 3]

I wanted to let you know that first, what you are going thru is completely normal. For a lot of people, it takes several fills before they feel restriction...and it also isn't uncommon for it to loosen a week or two after you have gotten a fill. Don't get discouraged... second... I too was taking Metformin along w/Actos for my diabetes prior to surgery. After surgery, my surgeon's nurse, who is a certified diabetes educator, had me stop my Actos and cut my Metformin in half. My fasting blood sugars are generally in the mid 90's to low 100... my A1C did go up from 6.3 prior to surgery to 6.5 after surgery.. BUT... I wasn't taking one of my meds and cut the other in half.. I was perfectly fine w/that and so was my PCP.... feel free to email me if you have any questions.. untfluter@comcast.net

Good luck!!

Thanks so much for both of your insights! It is really helpful. I was wondering if you have a problem getting in to get a fill or see a doctor? The waiting is really doing me in. I haven't been tight enough to stop eating. Maybe this next one will be the charm. I wish I could feel the rest of the time like I do the 2 days after the fill. It feels terrific and I am almost euphoric but that fades in about 6 days. I read a lot of the posts from here and everyone seems to be doing great. On average about 10 pounds per month. That's all I want. I started at 233 on the date of surgery and right now I weigh 230 and it's 4 months later. You have been a great help for me.

And SCOUT My doctor told me to stop taking the Metformin after surgery. My blood sugar hasn't gone down at all. So even that has me worried. Take care and keep writing.

Trish

[trishtlc 0]

Happy to Lose --

Does that 1/2 cup help you? Right now I can eat an entire meal although I only put like 1/2 of what I usually would. The problem is that after I eat (and I eat slowly) maybe 1 hour later I'm hungry again and my stomach is churning. I do prefer to cook whole foods like chicken, fish, Ground beef and turkey with some fresh veggies grilled. I understand also about the liquid type diet. I was just going to do it for a week or 2 to get a good start and start feeling better. I actually feel sick today. I can't go to any of the meetings because I'm the only one that hasn't lost anything. There are people that have lost 100-200 pounds within 8 months (Gastric bypass) and most people with the band have consistently lost 10 pounds per month. I'm ashamed to show my face because I don't know any of them and the first thing they want you to do is introduce yourself and tell how many pounds you've lost. The last time I went I was sooooo embarrassed to say 8 pounds after 3 months. :thumbup:

[trishtlc 0]

Hi JennaBoo -- Interesting! That would have made me upset not getting that fill. That means you're working on strictly will power! That's great! Also, you seem to be able to get an appointment. My doctor doesn't like to schedule appointments any closer than 3 months apart and when you call they are full! This past time the Physician's Assistant did the fill and scheduled me 2 months later which is next week. I'm happy now but a month ago when I was trying to get in they said no. I'm so glad to hear that other people are having my problems. I don't really have anyone to talk to about it because basically nobody was wanting me to have this done in the first place so now they sort of say "eh, something else that's not working". I think I'll look to all of you nice people for support! And thanks so much. I'm committed again.

Trish

[happy2lose 0]

Happy to Lose --

Does that 1/2 cup help you? Right now I can eat an entire meal although I only put like 1/2 of what I usually would. The problem is that after I eat (and I eat slowly) maybe 1 hour later I'm hungry again and my stomach is churning. I do prefer to cook whole foods like chicken, fish, Ground beef and turkey with some fresh veggies grilled. I understand also about the liquid type diet. I was just going to do it for a week or 2 to get a good start and start feeling better. I actually feel sick today. I can't go to any of the meetings because I'm the only one that hasn't lost anything. There are people that have lost 100-200 pounds within 8 months (Gastric bypass) and most people with the band have consistently lost 10 pounds per month. I'm ashamed to show my face because I don't know any of them and the first thing they want you to do is introduce yourself and tell how many pounds you've lost. The last time I went I was sooooo embarrassed to say 8 pounds after 3 months. :thumbup:

Before I had good restriction I would get down on myself because all the posters on here were eating so little and I didn't feel any different then before surgery. It's okay if you have to eat a cup to a cup and a half until you get more fill. Just follow the band rule of Protein first, then veggies, then fruit.

I recommend that you not be afraid to go to the meetings and tell the truth. I guarantee you that everybody there will understand what you are going through and want to help. The band is not a magic wand, it is a tool and you are still trying to learn how to use this tool. Stand up and be proud of yourself for having the courage to fight your obesity.

[RebeccaJ 0]

This is such a hard thing to do that it really makes me laugh when I hear someone say, "You did it the easy way....you paid someone to make you lose weight." That is just not true. Even though I paid for the surgery and went through all the hoops and things to get the band, I still have to do a lot of work on my own.

When I started trying to lose weight on my own last January, I weighed 419 pounds. I couldn't get around and was having lots of trouble with everything. I started consciously trying to lose, and did pretty well. In March, I decided to see about weight loss surgery. I went to the seminar in April, and spent the spring and summer getting ready. I also lost more weight, although I was so large no one could really tell.

When I had my surgery done, I weighed about 370 and I had my surgery on August 31st. I had my first fill on October 29th (3 cc's) and could not eat anything solid for two weeks. The doctor took out 1 cc and I can finally eat again. I am hungry sometimes, but I think my stomach has shrunk a lot. I don't even try to eat the bad foods because I know that is what got me into this mess in the first place. I have not had any gains yet, but I know they happen to everyone. I try to really watch everything I eat and make the best choices possible.

I don't want you to feel bad about yourself, because you took a positive step in having the surgery. Now just continue trying and you will see success! Each person is different, so it is hard to replicate someone else's actions and results. Just take each day one at a time, and I will keep all of us in my prayers so that we can be more healthy, happy, and live life to the fullest! Take care, and good luck!:thumbup:

[trishtlc 0]

Rebecca! That is fantastic! You are doing great! And you are working on it. You are an inspiration and I am doing better today. I need a few days to clean out my system and then start to eat regularly (but waaaay smaller portions again) and I WILL do it! Maybe I thought this was the easy way out, too. But I didn't think it would have to be 100% willpower either. I can't wait until next week when I get my fill. I'm glad it's before the holiday dinner, too. Hopefully I won't be able to eat very much at all!! :thumbup:

[trishtlc 0]

Before I had good restriction I would get down on myself because all the posters on here were eating so little and I didn't feel any different then before surgery. It's okay if you have to eat a cup to a cup and a half until you get more fill. Just follow the band rule of Protein first, then veggies, then fruit.

I recommend that you not be afraid to go to the meetings and tell the truth. I guarantee you that everybody there will understand what you are going through and want to help. The band is not a magic wand, it is a tool and you are still trying to learn how to use this tool. Stand up and be proud of yourself for having the courage to fight your obesity.

Thanks a lot! I think I will start going after this fill. Although they only have 1 a month. Maybe I can find a group closer to my house, too. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm going to work at it. Keep in touch?

[Barble 0]

Hey Trish, I know how you feel. I had surgery 9/18/09 and have had one 3cc. fill in a 9cc band. I had restriction for that day only. I can eat as much as i want, large bites go down and i can guzzle Water. I try to eat healthy food and limit myself to one cup of food and eat slowly. But some days I have about 1 1/2 cups, then I feel guilty. I miss the full feeling I used to have. I have my second fill next week also, another 3ccs. My doc is letting me schedule fills every 3 weeks. Another Doc at my clinic does fills for his patients every 2 weeks. Call the manufacturer of your band and see what they recommend for frequencies of fills for your band. I would be pretty angry if I had your doc and would try to find another doc for fills. :angry:Ask him the reason why he wants you to wait so long in between fills? I'd like to hear his reasoning? If he's too busy, maybe he could recommend another doc that can accommodate your needs. Good luck to you. I'm sorry your doc is not working for YOU.

[trishtlc 0]

Hey Trish, I know how you feel. I had surgery 9/18/09 and have had one 3cc. fill in a 9cc band. I had restriction for that day only. I can eat as much as i want, large bites go down and i can guzzle Water. I try to eat healthy food and limit myself to one cup of food and eat slowly. But some days I have about 1 1/2 cups, then I feel guilty. I miss the full feeling I used to have. I have my second fill next week also, another 3ccs. My doc is letting me schedule fills every 3 weeks. Another Doc at my clinic does fills for his patients every 2 weeks. Call the manufacturer of your band and see what they recommend for frequencies of fills for your band. I would be pretty angry if I had your doc and would try to find another doc for fills. :angry:Ask him the reason why he wants you to wait so long in between fills? I'd like to hear his reasoning? If he's too busy, maybe he could recommend another doc that can accommodate your needs. Good luck to you. I'm sorry your doc is not working for YOU.

He was an excellent doc as far as procedures and care are concerned. The problem is that his practice is like a cattle car. He does many, many surgeries every week so with all the people that need fills there aren't enough appointments. When we go in for a fill the physicians assistant gives you a slip of paper on your way out to make your next appointment for 2-3 months.

I know what you're going through. But at least you feel guilty about eating more than the cup. I'm to the point now that I didn't feel guilty and was almost mad because basically "everyone knows this is going to fail, too" attitudes from people. So that sort of brings on a depression. I had my fluids today and my can of reduced sodium healthy choice chix veggie Soup so I'm good for today. Maybe if I get hungry I can just go to sleep! LOL

Thanks for your input!

Trish