Can't seem to get past 70 lbs.

I have lost just over 70 lbs in the one year since my lap band surgery (10-4-05). I find myself binging because I haven't been losing! I know I shouldn't. My doctor has been no help at all. He just gets madder each time I come because he wants his patients to lose 100 lbs. by a year and I haven't. So I am a failure to him. I am not on any medicines for depression, but I am wondering if this could be the problem. I have another 55 lbs to go to goal and am afraid I will never see it. The doctor told me I am to each a small piece of fruit for breakfast, small lettuce salad for lunch, 3 oz. lean meat and 1/4 c. vegetable for dinner and that is all besides my 64 oz. of water. Any help? I have to see the Dr. again next Tuesday and am dreading it.

Ummm....I add up your daily foods at 375 calories(60/fruit, 100/salad(high for lettuce alone),165/meat(55calories per ounce),and 50/veggies....how do you survive on that???? I'm not going to give you advice on foods/exercise, but I will let you know that I wouldn't stand for my doc to get mad at ME just cuz his sales/advertising might be skewed due to one patient not being "perfect". If you are following the program(whatever he gave you in the first place), your body might just be slow OR there could be a metabolic/medical issue. Maybe he should be more concerned for your continued health, not his statistics. Sorry, that's the Mama Bear coming out in me. Good luck and best wishes, Julie

I am also hypothyroidic. I am on medication for that. I have a tread mill and walk 1 3/4 miles at least once if not twice a day in 35 minutes. the problem is I CAN"T stick to what he says. Therefore, I find myself eating things I shouldn't be.

Have you met with a nutritionist lately? I found that my nut was better able to guide me with a food plan than my surgeon. She and I found a good balance of what/when to eat and she found out my preferences and triggers...we worked through it together to find my right "fit". Also, every time I wanted to find "something" in the kitchen, I dumped water down my throat...usually would help, at least for me. Julie

I am also hypothyroid. Maybe it's time to get the levels checked again. I find that if I'm hyper my appetite goes through the roof and if I'm hypo I could eat nothing but celery all day and still gain weight. Good luck...gotta go...Lost is on! -Anne

Vicki, 70lbs is quite a loss! I know you'd like it to be more, but look how far you've come so fast! I think what he's telling you to eat is way too little. It also isn't providing you with nearly enough protein for the day. If I was trying to only eat that I'd probably be reaching for everything else too b/c its just not enough to sustain your body. I think meeting with a nutritionist is a great idea. Good Luck to You! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

I don't like to disagree with your MD, but...... Try 1200- 1400 calories a day. Of this make sure you consume 60 gms of protein a day. Stay away from all white carbs, rice, bread etc. Drink your 64 oz. Do this for two weeks and see where you are. How is your restriction level?

Whatever you do don't get frustrated or mad at yourself. And your doctor has no business getting mad at you either. It sounds like he is only interested in his own statistics. You probably need the assistance of a nutritionist and maybe even a counselor or psycholigist familiar with patients who had WLS. Just because you had surgery does not make for an instant miracle and you will never be interested in the old foods ever again. It took a long time to put on the weight (for me 50 years). So after one year post op. while I have lost a great deal of weight it does not mean that I don't think about food or even have foods that were downfalls for me in the past.I hit that miracle 100 pound mark in late August and have been going up and down with the same 3-5 pounds ever since. I know why. Its because I am not doing what I did to get me to that point. Your doctor's food plan does not sond realistic. You need to have protein and more that 300-400 calories per day. You will starve yourself of nutrients otherwise. You need to be proud of what you have accomplished so far and talk to someone who can help keep you focused. And either find a new doctor or tell this one to ease up! Good luck!!

The doctor has my band at 2.8 and he said he won't go any tighter. They just called to set up my appointment for tomorrow and I bowed out. I can't face him. I also made an appointment with my psychologist tomorrow morning. I hope I can get some help. Does anyone have a band this tight or tighter? He also said maybe my pouch was stretched. Is it possible to get this shrunk again? Thanks for all your ideas

"He just gets madder each time I come because he wants his patients to lose 100 lbs. by a year and I haven't. So I am a failure to him." That's abusive, and you should NOT tolerate that. You *PAY* this man, and he should be *SERVING* you, and *HELPING* you - not getting angry with you because his stats are off. Now - you *do* have some emotional eating issues that you need to work on, since you are binging, and that is something I would recommend that you talk to a therapist about - someone who has experience with eating disorders. WLS at best only fixes your body - you have to work to fix your head as well. Could you be depressed? Yes, it's possible, but before you go seeking to medicate, try seeking to RESOLVE the issues that are/may be making you depressed. You've lost SEVENTY pounds - that's fabulous. When was the last time you lost 70lbs in a year?? Probably never. So celebrate what you HAVE done, and use that positive energy to push you on towards your goal. As for his advice on eating, get him to write down a meal plan for you, and put it into Fitday. If it's not at least 750-800 calories, then you need to question him about how many calories he thinks you should be consuming. Now, with a lap band, you don't have the malabsorption that RNY'ers and DS'ers do, but you STILL need 60g of protein a day for good health. Have you had bloodwork done? How are your protein and albumin levels? --BT