OK - I'm going to say it I HATE MY LAPBAND!!!!!!! (LONG)

Oh Jewels! I'm so sorry. I remember when you were beginning your journey and how motivated you were.  I'd be lying if I didn't say I haven't had 2nd thoughts, but being self pay I've GOT to make the band work.

I don't have any words of advice but I do hope things get better soon.

Have they looked at your band under fluro?  Is your band maybe not positioned well?  Are you on any meds that cause weight gain or fluid retention?  Is there another band doc in your area for a second opinion?
Hang in there... this must be terribly hard for you...hugs and good thoughts being sent your way!

The band isn't for everyone. Some people really need the malabsorption component to lose the weight. Get a second opinion from another surgeon.

Unfortunately, what I'm about to say is very redundant.  However, everything that has been posted is true.  No one on here may have the magic answer for you.  Please feel comfort and confidence in knowing that there is strength in large numbers.  With all of the support you're getting, the numbers are in your favor!  I'm sorry you've been crying.  I'm sure you feel really down and out.  I'm not banded yet, but will be soon adn will be encountering the same issues as you and everyone else.  Please keep the faith and remember that you can come to your friends here, when needing strength, comfort, or words of encouragement. 

Everyone here is 100% behind you!

Jewels...  we are band sibs...perhaps we are really band twins because I'm right there with ya!  The most I lost since the band was 27 pounds and that was back last July.  Since then I have gained and lost the same 10 pounds over and over again.  I have no advice.  Dare I say it...I don't think the band works for everyone!  And it stings when people imply (or come right out and say) that you (meaning I) have failed the band.  I'm not ready to have another type of surgery yet.  But maybe that is an option in the future.  Just wanted to say you are not alone!

I'm so sorry that you have been struggling.  Especially when you are exercising and dieting.

Do you want to try something?  I know lots of band people, from my surgeons support group, and he has us all on a low carb diet.  It is very similar to Atkins.  People that follow it are quite successful.  We have to stay below 30 carbs (total carbs not net carbs) per day but we don't have to count the carbs in non starchy veggies... which is mostly green veggies.  We have to follow the band rules... protein first, no drinking calories, no drinking with meals...you know the routine.  He says to do 3 or fewer meals per day, but I have always had a couple of snacks... just don't graze throughout the day... that can make calories add up without even realizing.

Now with low carb diets, you have to stay on track every day. It has to do with body chemistry and ketosis, but your success is based on the low carb diet and a day where you go over the carbs it will set you way back.  Atkins refers to 'cheating' (by eating carbs/sugar/etc) as the 'Kiss of Death' for the diet.  If you are interested, try it for 3 months being 100% compliant so you can get true results.  I thought of carbs as poison... and even used Ketosis strips from the pharmacy to test my urine to make sure that I was burning fat (ketosis is when you burn fat for fuel since there are no carbs to burn) if they turned pink every day I knew I was on track and not consuming any hidden carbs.  You mentioned that you are able to stick to things really good... like how you eliminated bread and soda.  You are half way there!  Try to find substitutes for the time you want that candy bar or school snacks.  If I crave salty I usually have a handful of nuts, and I like something sweet after my meals, so I usually have coffee with cream and splenda.  Maybe once or twice a month I may have a little Carb Smart Icecream, but I have to be super careful not to keep it in the house.

If I can help in any way feel free to pm me.  My loss is starting to slow down, but it is because I have started adding healthy carbs... just because I want to be a rebel and have some carbs, but as soon as I am ready to start losing again, I will lay off the oatmeal to get my carbs back in check.

Where do you get the Ketosis strips?  Are they just somewhere in the store or are they by prescription?  I'd love to hear more about it.  Also, I'm not really eating any veggies right now because I've focused so much on protein.  Another thing I haven't had since surgery is a salad - I was hearing such horror stories about lettuce that I've been afraid to go there!  Is there a book I could reference for the diet information?

Good Morning! 

The Ketosis strips are by the diabetic supplies, no prescription needed or anything.  Just ask the people at the pharmacy and they will help you locate them.

I do good with salads but I cut up the lettuce.  You can make good taco salads with ground beef, cheese, lettuce, and a little sour cream and taco sauce... maybe add a little diced green onion and cilantro just no tortilla chips... I like the BBQ salads with ranch and no croutons from local BBQ places.

I don't do as many veggies as I should, but I am still working on it.  I do eat fat, becaus on a low carb diet its ok to eat a little fat, usually low fat stuff has more carbs because for flavor they substitute more sugar.  Last night I cut up a piece of bacon and fried it up.  I didn't drain it and there wasn't that much grease anyway this time, but if there is a lot I would usually drain some.  I then added some cut up green onion and a bag of coleslaw mix (cabbage and carrot),a few shakes of black pepper, and a couple of splashes of soy sauce, and tossed it around then took it off the heat so it wouldn't get too soggy.  It was really good.... and I am not like I said a veggie fan.  It was sort of like the insides of an eggroll!  You could do this with ground beef too with good results.

Good luck, and keep in touch.  If I can help you get this thing working I would be really glad to!

The Atkins diet book gives a lot of good info, but it goes by net carbs... My surgeon makes us count total carbs until we get to goal, then we slowly get to add carbs in again 1 food at a time.

Take care!!

Kim

Thanks so much for your suggestions - I am for sure going to try the ketosis strips - I think that would help give me a daily guide as to how I was doing.

WORK OUT, HARD AND OFTEN   It makes all the difference in the world.  I started out weighing 338 lbs, lost 50 in my 6 month supervised diet and just 20 since surgery in November.  If I had not been working out at least 3 times a week I would have gained 70 pounds!  Beleive me if I can do it ANYONE can!!  Oh and I still dont have any restriction either...............

Dont get mad or aggrivated, just get moving and give it a chance to work.  As I have seen a million times its not a magic bullet, its a tool.  Take control of it, dont let it control you!

God Bless you, trust in HIM and theres nothing you cant do!!
Renee