Slow weight loss

HI all I am so frustrated today. This was my first week back at work and I felt like I starved most of the week, I would eat my breakfast & lunch and be very full at the time , I waited my 30 before I would drink anything and still with in about an hour my stomach is growling . At the most I have been having about 500 calories a day and that would be the very most . I finally broke down and weighed today thinking I would have lost maybe 4-5 lbs but have only lost 2 lbs for the whole week. Doesnt that seem really low weight loss for starving all week long ???? grrrr... I had first said I would only weigh once a month so as not to be discouraged but broke down today and weighed just to give me self a boost more than anything and man did that back fire.  I have even been walkinig my 30 mins a day religiously.

Any suggestions or help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED I am very new at this and dont want to feel like this is how it is going to be. thanks  Connie

Connie im not really that informed about the band so i cant give you a yes or no answer but from what i do know i think that is about normal for the band isnt it? Check with someone that knows it better ok? Please dont compare your weight loss to what someone with the RNY does as yes it is a lot faster but you will lose just keep up the good work....Hopefully some of the banders will have better answers for you than me   just wanted to encourage you to keep working ....Jan

HI Jan ok thanks for your help :-) I appreciate it.

I researched the band before choosing to go with RNY, so that's about the limit of my experience with it; but I do know this, it could be your body is in starvation mode with only 500 calories - even RNYers can get that.  What I suggest for any post op (regardless of surgery type) is to shake up and vary those calories a bit - don't eat the exact same number of calories, carbs and protein every single day  and vary your exercise too.  You need to vary that to keep your body guessing and that scale moving in the direction you want it to.   However, I would never recommend going below 500 calories - I'm talking about going above that; unless you are a brand spankin' new post-op and can't get in any more than that - which is perfectly understandable, but after those initial few weeks of healing, your body needs some calories for energy.   So try getting in more calories than 500 this week and see how that does.  Are you drinking protein shakes at all?  I know you have the band, but you are still losing and protein shakes would be good for you too. 

HI Traci thanks , yeah I am doing some protein but it is not real high in protein so I am going to go shopping today and find something else.   I will deffinatley try your suggestions with changing things up and see how that works . thanks for your help Traci

Connie, I recommend the protein shakes.  I have one for breakfast and it really fills me up adn holds me for about 4-5 hours.  I have had two fills and still need another, but the shakes in the morning at least get me started on the right track.  The one I make has at leat 400 cal and 50 gram of protein.  Check the Lap Band board for some great shake recipes.  it was about a week ago that post came up.   And just so you feel better, my weight loss has stalled after I went off liquids because I don't have enough restriction.  I will get better, I know it will, and I will lose again! Tina Band - 8-6-2007

Connie, I just found this on the Lap Band board in a discussion of slow weight loss. I am pasting directly from the post. These are the things to re-assess: 1. intake - we need to be at about 1200-1500 cal a day (women), and have a fill that keeps us physically satisfied with this smaller amt of food. Also, no LESS than 1200 cal a day. 2. 80-100 oz a day of no-cal fluids 3. No liquid calories - no juices, protein drinks, sodas (diet or not), etc. All easily sabotage loss. The band only works with SOLID protein. The one exception is nonfat milk- we can have 1-2 glasses a day, including that used to moisten a good fiber cereal in the morning, for the calcium in it. Also, a few protein drinks are ok in the brief times we are on a fluid rest after Band touble. 4. Good exercise - this means much more than a walk 3x a week, Ideally, we need 45 min  of good strength training and 45 min of cario , both 3x a week, This will burn good calories and build s bit of good muscle,  which burns fat more effieciently 24 hrs a day. THis is VERY impt , both for loss and for maintenance later. 5. Attention to the nutrition needs - much more than just protein. Fiber, good carbs, omega 3's, calcium - all are important for good loss and good health. Track religiously in www.dailyplate.com and use only the resipes that provide nutrition info.We can't know if we are meeting our calorie or nutrition goals if we don;t have this essential info. 6. Hard work on the reasons we choose to overeat and hurt ourselves, preferably with a good therapist. Others find good success using Guided Imagery for lifestyle changes and a healthier relationship with food. Guided Imagery was a huge helpo for me, both in my initial loss and in my onging maintenace now,, for close to 4 yrs. THis area is probably the one peoople neglect the MOST. If we don't find the REASONS we are overeating to the point of harming our health and killing us, and then learn better ways to meet those needs, then there is little hope for lasting loss. We ALL have food "issues." 7. Keep a good fill level. Most peoople need several monthly fills to get to the intial good level. Never put off getting to a good fill level as soon as reasonably possible. But, still, never get more fill when you ar having any trouble with the current level. That is only begging for trouble, which may require an unfill and starting all over again with fills. There is a bit of "tough love" here, but I believe you are asking honestly for help, and need an hinest answer. I cover a lot of these needs in my Band Guide, if you'd like a copy - please email me to ask (Not PM, as there is no way to attach it to a PM reply) A good fill is important, but that is only a small part of the success formula. Much has to come from us, and the band just doesn't work well or for long without hard work. Sure wish this wasn't true!   Sandy R [email protected]

Wow thank you so much Tina , that is very helpful. Several things I did not know about in there and I am going to see to if she will send me her Band Guide :-) your an angels Connie

Connie, Don't forget to talk to your NUT at your post op appointment and again when you go back for your one month.  I know it helped me.  Your dr should have given you some guidelines for eating two weeks out...Mine I know had a 6-8 week plan for Lap Banders. Good luck and keep us posted!

HI Tina yes he gave me some guide lines and today is my first day on soft foods. I had scrambled eggs for breakfast so we will see how this goes. :-) thanks again for all of your help