Question:
Assistance!!!!!
I am post op lapband 4/28/08. So far I have lost 25 pounds. I feel I should have lost more. Part of my problem is that my brain still wants bad food, but I know I should be eating healthier. Sometimes I eat, and I am still hungry 2 hours later. I go back for my 3rd fill in 9/03/08. My sister says I need a fill to reduce my hunger. I hope she is right because I need more control. I do have better control of my eating, since the surgery, but I wish I had the full feeling I had after I initially has the surgery.Sometimes I wish I would have gotten gastric. Any suggestions, please help — savoy7658 (posted on August 17, 2008)
August 17, 2008
I had a RNY so I can be much help except to say that I know some in my
support group that have had Lap ands have gone back for more fills, more
often to make it more dificult to eat much at a time. They are frustrated
from the progress they see By Pass Patient make, but you need to do all you
can to be sucessful with the choice that you made. I know one lady that
has lost 90% of her weight with a Lap Band. She told me tht she insisted
her doc do the fills evertime she had a promblem losing for more than 2
weeks. I wish you the best of success and I can tell you that Gastric
By-Pass has it bumps on the road to success as well. I am happy with my
choice to do it, but it is not all roses either.
— William (Bill) wmil
August 17, 2008
I had lap band 4-16-08 and I am down 45 pounds and lots of inches. I
understand about the hunger, but my doctor told me to be alert as to what
hunger I am, head hunger, or hunger hunger. The head hunger gets me but
not as much as it used to. I have had two fills and I have 5ccs in my
band. I just saw my doctor the 6th of August and he said I was doing great
and if I start getting hungry (all the time) to call and come back so I can
have another fill. My surgeon said it takes 3-5 fills (at first) to get it
right and don't get disappointed or decouraged. Different people requires
different amount and what works for one, might not work for the other. I
don't cheat very often, but my doctor says everyone does it but if I want
something, eat some of it and the craving will be gone and don't do it very
often. I don't and stick to the diet and exercise program that is for me.
I do water aerobics 3-4 times a week. I am happy about my weight loss and
the clothes that I can get into. Just remember to see if it is head hunger
or hunger hunger when you eat. Good Luck
— dyates2948
August 17, 2008
You are doing great, remember we are striving for a slow, steady long term
weight loss here. I have also noticed that there is something about that
3rd fill that really hits the "sweet spot" with a lot of people.
They really get a significant amount of restriction to where they can eat
very little and be completely satisfied.
Also, a very important word that should now be number one in your
vocabulary is "satisfied" or "satiety". Get rid of the
word full. Eat until you are satisfied, not full. Especially when you get
a lot of restriction, if you eat until you are full, it might be painfull
and cause sliming and vomiting.
I know exactly where you are coming from in wondering if my decision for
LapBand was the right one... I started at 402#, I have lost 135# so far and
have a ways to go. I think of how much closer I might be if I had done a
different surgery. But then, I remember why I chose the Band as it was the
right surgery for me and my long term goals. That is what it is all about,
long term success and life long health. If you can keep that in mind
rather than immediate success... you'll do great.
I also recommend avoiding weighing every day. Once a week or only at your
doctor's office on the same scales helps as well as weight can fluctuate so
much.
When you are hungry, really stop and think if it is head hunger or physical
hunger and note what you are experiencing at the time. Is it meal time,
are you depressed, stressed out, bored, lonely? Decide what it is and deal
with it appropriately and if you are hungry... eat protein and veggies.
Also, a big thing for me was to finally learn and buy into the fact that
food is for fuel ONLY! It is to keep me alive and healthy and can't ever
cure any of my problems. I have a before picture laminated that I carry on
me at all times and on the back it says:
Food is for fuel... only. Am I really hungry or is it something else?
Deal with issues.
Cut yourself some slack, you're doing great. 25# is a lot. Go to the
grocery and pick up that much in bags of dog food or potatoes.... IT IS A
LOT!!!! Don't sell yourself short.... you're doing it!!! Keep up the
great work.
Good luck,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
August 18, 2008
You are currently experiencing what is known as Bandster hell :-) The time
between surgery, healing & adequate restriction with your fills.
Absolutely normal. 25 lb is actually very good. Give it time. Once you hit
better restriction you will do much better.
Donna
banded 4/19/07, lost 98 lbs so far
— Donna O.
August 18, 2008
Hi Janice. You're doing great with your weight loss - slow and steady wins
the race. I was banded on 4/29/08 and as of 8/15/08 I am down 41 pounds -
- I was hoping for more, but when I think about it, that's a good weight
loss in 3 1/2 months - better than I have ever done before in that time
frame. Before my first fill on 6/26/08, I was constantly hungry and as I
like to say "I could clear out a buffet table" with no problem!
So my doctor filled me 2 cc - - that fill worked for a couple of weeks and
I lost 8 pounds - but for about the last three weeks, five pounds came back
on and I was so upset. My next appointment was this past Friday, 8/15/08
and I had only lost three pounds! So I got another fill of 1 1/2 cc and it
has done the trick. Believe me, you don't want that full feeling - you
want the satisfied feeling. Are you slowly and enjoying your food? Are
you getting enough protein to sustain you? We can't compare ourselves to
bypass patients - they are two different procedures. We may not lose our
weight as fast, but in the long run, our total weight loss will be similar.
Keep up the good work! Nancy
— Monte57
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