Happy, But a Little Disappointed (I think!)

[MyGenesis]

So I go to my surgeon (who I pretty much love) for my 6 week follow up today... I am expecting him to tell me that we will begin restriction soon....cause that is what gererally happens...Right? I tell him I am getting hungry between meals; that I am eating larger than suggested 4 oz servings; that I have had no probs with any food I have tried...He says "keep up the good work"! His logic was sound...I have lost 25 lbs in 6 weeks, so no complaints there...BUT will it continue without restriction??? He said in effect "if it ain't broke, I am not gonna mess with it."

He is all about the protein, so he told me to plot out the time of day that I am getting hungry and do a protein shake (or similar) about an hour or so before that time of day and it will sustain me till the next meal. seems like good advise. Oh, And don't forget the 60oz of water.

He said as long as the foods I am eating are good choices (fish, poultry, veggies, etc.) eat as much as I need to feel full.

THEN he says see you in 6 weeks. SIX WEEKS!

So here I sit pondering if I can continue to make it happen with a band a NO restriction. I am happy...AND a little dissappointed (I think) :elephant: :ohwell:

I hope my next thread does not turn up in "for frustrating times"!!!!

[MoOrLess]

Bonnie - first, CONGRATULATIONS! That's an amazing weight loss in such a short time, considering the first week or two are for healing.

Don't be disappointed - I know - easier said than done. In my own journey it was ME who made the decision - no first fill until I quit losing weight (for me that meant 2 lbs a week!). I lost 2 lbs a week for a long long time. I ended up waiting probably 2 weeks too long, but I didn't have a first fill for a long time after band surgery. I was banded in August and didn't have a first fill until November. Then I had another one in January, and then I think February.

We are all different. I agree with your surgeon - if it isn't broken, don't fix it! He's a smart doctor - I like his idea about a protein shake an hour before HUNGER strikes! I'm going to take his advice - it's solid and makes sense - and I'm almost 2 yrs banded. We are always learning.

Good job!

[Laurel86]

Well, sounds like we have the exact same issue! I lost 25lbs in a little over a month then the weight loss just stopped. But, my doctor gave me my 1st fill 5 weeks after surgery....I didn't feel any difference though and like you, I could eat alot. I went for my 2nd fill yesterday and explained that I am eating too much....he went and gave me 2 fills in one! He says there is now 5cc-7cc in my 10cc band! I can deff feel the difference and lost a pound in less than 24 hrs lol. It feels great to have some restriction! It took me 45 minutes to finish my protein shake and it filled me up for 5 hours! It was wondeful! Just be patient...not all doctors will do what mine did. You are doing awesome! Doesn't the 25 lbs gone feel great?! I know mine did. I lost 2 pant sizes and 1 shirt side cuz of that. =) Hang in there!

[remmi]

I think he makes a good point but I also know it's okay to be nervous. Try for a few weeks and see how it goes. You can do this! Don't count on failure, just keep thinking positive and just see!

I'm in on the 10th. No idea what the scale will say. Haven't weighed since surgery! I'm glad to see you are doing so well - keep it up :)

[Patrick]

You are doing great, so please, celebrate the positive. You need to give this whole process time to work out, remember, none of us gained all of our weight in just a few months, and the best way to get rid of it permanently is to just let it slide off over time. Also, just because you do not feel restricted (or are not in the 'green' zone) that band is in place and is not totally empty. It is already functioning. Don't rush things, it sounds like you are on the perfect pace.

[MyGenesis]

ok...OK :)
You all are sooo the "voices of reason". I just think I was a little let down as I was expecting that the natural progression would be to fill-er-up!

It IS working so I am celebrating that.
>I am down from a "tight 20" in pants to a "tight 16W" (or a loose 18W, I like to say 16 though!)
>I am down from a 3X in tops to a 2X
>I have lost the equivelant of a 25lb bag of potting soil (I carried that to the car this morning...holy cow!)
>I am eating to sustain life and not as my favorite sport.
>I have lost almost 25% of my goal (OMG!)
>Oh yea and I can now use the tray table on the plane. (That was a BIG one)

I do love my doc...and I love you guys for being the voices in my head.
Thanks.

Hey and Remmi...Good luck with the scale next week. I am sure you will be right there as well!

[Want_2_B_Free]

Congrats Bonnie. All great NSV's. Ans soon anough you WILL be in onderland. No need to feel disappointed. Everything is going great for you. Keep it up and keep the tray down. LOL....

[MyGenesis]

Seriously Monte, that was a huge one for me..."Keep your tray table in the upright and locked position"...hells-bells, I could'nt get it in the down and horizontal position.
That was a good day :)

[remmi]

I love the NSV!!! Good for you Bonnie! And yes, those 25lb bags are HEAVY!!! When you look at it that way, there is no way you can be disappointed :)

I went to Curves tonight...only bought a 3 month membership for now and we'll see what happens in the fall! Lookout scale, here I come! I can't wait to tell you! Love that you are doing so well...it's inspiring!!

[MyGenesis]

I am thinkin you will have a big scale victory...Wed right?
Are you eating 'real' food yet?

[bmooney364]

Bonnie I feel your pain, I had surgery on May 15 and lost 19 lbs. My surgeon told me that he would give me a fill , but I would just start vomiting which neither of us want so I would also need to wait for a month and another visit. I was happy, but a little worried I would need a fill before then. I went back yesterday and my port is infected so I have other concerns right now. I am on antibiotics and hopefully the infedtion will heal if not I will have to have the port removed and another one placed. Either way I don't see a fill in my future any time soon. Good luck to you.

[MoOrLess]

Bonnie I feel your pain, I had surgery on May 15 and lost 19 lbs. My surgeon told me that he would give me a fill , but I would just start vomiting which neither of us want so I would also need to wait for a month and another visit. I was happy, but a little worried I would need a fill before then. I went back yesterday and my port is infected so I have other concerns right now. I am on antibiotics and hopefully the infedtion will heal if not I will have to have the port removed and another one placed. Either way I don't see a fill in my future any time soon. Good luck to you.

Sorry to hear about your infection and issues with the port....saying prayers that this heals up and fast!

[remmi]

Hey Bonnie...how's it going? I was seriously thinking about what you went through as I was heading in for my 1st appointment today. I was ready to say NO fill. But I had no idea how much was even in my band.

So...the nurse sucked out what was in there and I was at 3ccs. She said she would put me to 4, but I said 3.5 was enough for me. I think it makes sense to keep going strong for now and add more as needed (as you did). I've lost 45 pounds!

We are doing this, aren't we?! It certainly is a great feeling :)

[MyGenesis]

WAY TO GO!!!! AND WAHOO FOR YOU!!!! 45 lbs. I would keep the same course as well.
I have NO restriction. Just the band. I feel like it is going to be a struggle as i can eat and I am getting hungry...and for me that is a bad combination. We'll see though.
How do you feel? are you eating food?

[MyGenesis]

Bonnie I feel your pain, I had surgery on May 15 and lost 19 lbs. My surgeon told me that he would give me a fill , but I would just start vomiting which neither of us want so I would also need to wait for a month and another visit. I was happy, but a little worried I would need a fill before then. I went back yesterday and my port is infected so I have other concerns right now. I am on antibiotics and hopefully the infedtion will heal if not I will have to have the port removed and another one placed. Either way I don't see a fill in my future any time soon. Good luck to you.

Port infected...Oh MY! How did you figure that one out. and how did that happen?
More importantly, how do yu feel now?
Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.
I am loosing with no restriction. I am really watching Calories, Fat, Protein and Carbs very closely though, and it is a bit of a struggle. we'll have to wait and see. I do have to say that I feel really good and so much healthier and have had none of the negative effects of eating just about anything.
Good luck feel better!

[MyGenesis]

Ok Gang...
So had the flouro fill today! Went up to 3 cc's (too full) backed out .5 cc's. Just right!...sooo total is 2.5 cc's It looked like restriction to me. Doc was happy, so I was happy too :)

I am just looking for a little control...cause what good is a band with no restriction???
Training wheels off...Headed to the goal line!

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Bonnie.. you're doing a fantastic job!!! I haven't flown since my surgery, but in Oct when I head out to Boise we'll see how the table on the plane fits. I'm kind of waiting to see how that works.. that truly will be an NSV for me. Thanks for bringing that up.. I hadn't thought about that before. :)

[remmi]

Glad all went well :)

[MyGenesis]

Bonnie.. you're doing a fantastic job!!! I haven't flown since my surgery, but in Oct when I head out to Boise we'll see how the table on the plane fits. I'm kind of waiting to see how that works.. that truly will be an NSV for me. Thanks for bringing that up.. I hadn't thought about that before. :)

Hi Donna;
Truly I travel so much that it was really an embarrassing thing not to be able to put the tray down... Thing is...I think that I lost most of my 30+ lbs from my butt and that has had the end (haha) result of my being able to sit back againts the seat further. My tummy has not had such great results yet...still a great NSV....its the little things. Oh yeah, and the seat belt fits!

I am hoping to save enough frequent flyer miles to join in the festivities in Boise...not sure It will work out this time though. we'll see I would love to hug all of my new friends.

[Want_2_B_Free]

Hey Bonnie, keep up the hard work. 30 lbs. is no drop in the bucket. That was all you.

[MyGenesis]

Hi Monte...
The thing is that the 30 came off in the first 6 weeks...now back and forth and back and forth with the same 3 lbs. This is the point I get to in all my weightloss success and failure routines...frustration / plateaus lead to not paying attention (or not caring to pay attention) and then the up/down turns into up-up-up ever so slowly!
I had to get the restriction soon or suffer the pain and agony (to coin a phrase) of going in the wrong direction AGAIN!

NOT GONNA HAPPEN THIS TIME...SHE SAID! And then I got the sailine...You can probably hear my stomach gurgling all the way to OC...Mushies today...so far so good!!!!

[MyGenesis]

OK so Remmi inspired me to get back on and share...(as well, to respond to you Kristina)...It has been a while since I have reported on myself!

Sooo, as I look back on my thread I see that I have been complaining about plateaus my whole life...and this time is no different. Although i have lost almost 50 lbs (and trust me I am not complaining about that!) It seems my body is retailiating and still wants to hold on to every ounce. I am still at a total standstill...I may go up a pound or 2 and then down a pound or 2...Have not been able to break through to Onederland for almost 3 months!!! AGHHH! Good thing is that I am not going up.

I am at good restriction...maybe slightly tight, as I can't make any mistakes with chewing or choices or I pay dearly. I have started going to a support group. I invested again in more high quality protein shakes, like in the beginning. I have tried a day on liquids...and I am excercising.

Here's the thing...I have been unemployed since mid August. It is only now that I am realizing how physical my job was and how much excercise I actually got 5 days a week. It wasn't particularly strenuous work...just in perpetual motion on my feet 7-8 hours every day. How may "calories-burned" does that translate to? Apparently LOTS. I don't know how to replace it right now. I keep walking...just not enough to relpace 7 hours worth! Light weights and Core-ball circuit added in for variety and on bad weather days!

Oh and I had vertigo for almost a month...Almost forgot that. The upshot of that is that you cannot move your head...up-down-side-to-side without your world spinning. So really did not excercise nearly as much as I should have. (Hummm!) That has finally been better the last 2-3 weeks. YAY!

I really think I need to get back to work soon or not only will I be poor, but, I will be poor and FAT. Not going there!

I do keep coming here for support and one of these days I hope to announce "one-derland"...New Job and Oh yea...goal. Such a tough journey these days!

That's all for now. Thanks for listening!

[remmi]

See...you know what needs to be done. You are aware of what is and isn't happening! Once we admit it out loud it helps! :)

[newlifeat57]

Bonnie, there are many of us that are there where you're at. My advice.... Don't give up. Like Patrick's signature says... " never never never Never give up!!" I get to that place where i want to give up, and then I come here and remember that I've given up many many time over my lifetime. I am not going to do that NOW!! Soooo Don't give up. Keep on pluggin and keep coming here to get support and encouragement.

[Want_2_B_Free]

Hi Bonnie-we are hear for ya. I haven't been posting as much as I want to, but I will again in the future. Have a good one.

[MyGenesis]

Thanks for the encouragement....
I will not give up....I did not get this band to get half way to my goal. I will get back into the swing of things. I promise.

I just find it funny...(not the haha kind) that the first half of the weight came off soooo easily... and the second half just wants to make me work soooo hard to get rid of it.

[christie]

Hey...I thought I was the queen of plateaus! I'm so like you. I have good restriction, but my body just LOVES to hang on to its calories. I guess we're meant to be survivors! I figure that I'm just going to be a slow loser and I'm going to have to shake the tree and change things up in order for this to work for me. I am not one of those who the weight just seems to fall off of....so sad.

[MyGenesis]

Hey Christie...
All I keep hearing everywhere is "Calories IN...Calories OUT" HA I say. That can not be the answer. Our plateaus are evidence of that. I was eating more and excercising less in the first 4 months than the last 3...Hummm...Think I should eat more???
I will let you know if (when!) I discover the secret (and then I willl get rich... LOL!)

Hanging in there with you....ho, ho, ho!