HELP! I am not losing weight!

I had the Lap Band surgery in December 2010.  I have not lost a lb.  I have, in fact, gained 5 lbs.  I am not restricted in my eating! I can eat any and everything.  I do the protein shakes and work out.  However, my eating is NOT restricted.  I need help and support.  I am so unhappy as I feel that I the surgery did NOT work for me.  I drink the Nectar Protein and try to cut back .. I am always hungry.

I believe I have 6 ccs of saline in my band.. shouldnt I feel some restrictions?  I have not gagged, vomited, etc.. I can eat anything.

Please help and let me know if anyone has experienced this. 

zpearle

You might just need more fill. Have you discussed this with your surgeon?

Why are you drinking protein shakes this long after surgery? Generally speaking, you're going to feel more satiety when you're eating solid food, not liquids.

Just because you can eat anything and haven't had negative symptoms like gagging, vomiting, etc. doesn't mean you don't have any restriction. You say you're always hungry. Do you mean physically hungry? How long do your meals keep you satisfied? If you're hungry, you should eat...but that doesn't mean pig out, either. For my first two years or so as a bandster, I was hungry a lot too, and I dealt with it by eating small meals and snacks every 3-4 hours. That way I didn't feel deprived and kept my blood sugar steady, my energy high, and my metabolism stoked up.

Are you eating breakfast every day? Getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night? Do you have any medical conditions, or do you take any medications, that might affect your weight?

And just because you can eat anything doesn't mean you SHOULD eat anything and everything. Are you making good food choices most of the time? Emphasizing lean protein and complex carbs (veggies, fruits, whole grains)? Avoiding high-sodium, high-fat snack foods? Avoiding fast foods?

Did your surgeon or nutritionist give you a weight loss eating plan to follow? If not, ask them for one. It's their JOB to help you lose weight.

Have you tried keeping a food log so you know what's really going in your mouth every day? Studies show that people who keep food & exercise logs lose more weight than people who don't.

Jean

I agree, protein shakes should be off the menu by now, they will not fill you up and only add calories to your day.  There's a great site called http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/meals/ that I used for the first couple of months to track all of my eating.  It really helped me see what I was eating and where I needed to cut back.
Another thing I did was I would pre-plan my entire day's food the night before.  I would package everything up and presto, a day's worth of food at my finger tips.  That way I was prepared and I didn't end up snacking on "extra" items.
You might want to talk to your doctor as well, with six ccs in the band, you should be feeling some restriction. 
Battling hunger happened in the mind for me as well as in the stomach.  I found that my cravings didn't end just because I had the band in place.  I still battle my cravings at times.
Good luck! 

Protein shakes are a big no no. It goes right thru your lap band. If you can eat what you did before your lap band in not correct. I have had mine for 4 years and have lost my weight I can still only eat about 5 ounces. I would go back and see your doctor or choose a different one. Good luck

I know how frustrating it is not to feel restriction.  I also had surgery in December, and felt like the surgery didn't work for me either,I was feeling terrible here I was 4 months out and havent lost any weight, but this last fill which put me at 6.5cc I suddenly felt some  restriction.  I still dont get full on a cup of food or stay full for hours but if I take my normal bites I feel it and a couple of times its gotten stuck and come back up.  I feel better knowing its finally starting to happen - have I lost yet only the initial from the surgery but I know it will start soon and you're at 6cc's so  its coming for you too and soon - My lapband buddy has major restriction and she has less than 5ccs.  They keep telling me we are all different and our organs are different sizes - you and I are just some of the ones it's gonna take more to start feeling it.  

Stay positive, my Dr says they don't expect us to lose weight until they get us to or close to our sweet spot.. Good Luck

Thank you for your input.  I do have to make better choices.  I was hoping that I would feel some restriction which would assist me in my eating less.  Currently I do the protein becuz I am always hungry and try to drink protein to feel some fullness.  I obviously have a eating disorder and was hoping i would be feeling levels of fullness so that I would lose weight.  I am currently having a hard time making good food choices and limiting my eating.  Sigh..

I will try another fill as well as TRY to make better food choices!!!  I thank you so much.. I am so discouraged currently and feel exhausted working out with NO results. 

Zpearle

Try eating your protein rather than drinking it...you might stay fuller.

hey hun, dont get discouraged! I didnt lose any weight till atleast 2 months after and it was slow for a long time until i got my sweet spot! I have 10cc in my 11cc band. It took that much for me to be restricted.. It takes everyone different. Make sure you eat your protein, and take your vitamins. Even ify ou dont have the restriction yet, until you do measure your food and put it on a small plate so it looks big.  Make sure you eat very slow and chew very good and dont drink when you eat wait atleast 15min before to 45min after! You shouldnt really be drinking much protein shakes you should be eating actual protein (dense foods is how the band works) If you do drink protein shake, make sure the carbs are half or less than the protein. I drink Isopure and its 0carbs and 50g of protein. Remember that the band hun is a tool. You have to do some of the work yourself.  Eat pretty good, dont give up everything you love just make healthier choices. Workout, and eat your dense foods, dont eat and drink** (Cant stress that enough) . Small portions, and dont eat in front of tv or anything, make sure eating is you and food time!  you can do this dont give up! Oh and if you dont have restriction go get a fill, it can take a lot for some.. it did me!

Need anything let me know! 

I too had my surgery in December. I refuse to ask how much I have in my band. Not something I want to think about all the time. I had my 3rd fill last week. I get restriction for the first week & then I think the swelling goes down. I get my fills under flouroscopy. My doc asked how I was doing & I told him I could eat a rubber shoe if I wanted. He said the band was loose. What the heck, I understand the process but I have to pay for all these fills. I have lost hardly anything since surgery. We're in the same boat. I hear people say "just cuz you can eat a lot, don't." HELLO THAT'S THE WHOLE REASON WHY I GOT THE BAND, IT IS A TOOL AND IT SHOULD WORK PERIOD. Well I'm taking it slow and I do believe I can make this work, I haven't gained any weight.

eating too much got us to the size we are. Yes the band should help you feel satisfied for 3-4 hours .. if it's not then you need a fill but it won't restrict you from eating.. you can eat when your not hungry with the band.. the band is not around our heads though I wi**** was.. I can mindless snack when I'm really "not hungry" we have free will with the band and I think that's the hardest part .. I know it can get frustrating we have to adopt changes to succeed long term.. ask yourself hard questions..

Am I hungry or am I eating to eat..
Do I feel full ?? Since we ate such large portions for a long period of time it takes us longer to realize or fullness level.. esp when we eat 4 ounces your brain is like that's so little but you really have to ask yourself am I satisfied.. or do I want more to want more.. I'm not saying its easy it's NOT but it is a process...

I find myself not raiding the cupboards if I eat protein, a few bites of veggies and a few bites of whole grain..  this keeps me full.. and if I need a snack I reach for a piece of fruit..