Restriction, but scale not moving..need advice please!

Hi there,

So I'm scheduled for another adjustment next week. I'm debating  the trip. 4 hours one way really makes one think about whether or not one REALLY needs that appointment.

So for the first 4 months, I dropped 10 pounds a month, no problem. Since then, it's slowed down. However, my weightloss does fit into the "typical" results averaging 1-2 pounds a week and I'm happy with what I've accomplished so far. But the last 4 weeks, I've only lost 2 pounds. So I'm starting to question whether I need to get down there for a fill or if it's just me not giving it my all.

I think I have good restriction, I know I have restriction for sure. But after reading a few posts here, I'm wondering if I'm still holding on to some stupid food issue because I've been telling myself I don't want more restriction than I have now. But..if I'm real with myself, I'm eating about a 1 1/2 cups of food per meal. Give or take..you know how this band works. Sometimes it's only a cup but average, I eat about that much.

Is that the right amount? Should it be less? Should I shoot for 1 cup or less a meal? I don't want my weightloss to stop..I'm not done with this yet. So does that mean that I give up that extra 1/2 cup? I get stuc****asionally, probably about once a week at least. Never anything brutal, just uncomfortable & usually results in a PB.

Here is an example of my menu yesterday. Please tell me how that compares to yours & what your honest opinion is.

AM-Coffee
10am-Protein Shake mixed w/ WW vanilla smoothie mix.
12pm-1/2 a tuna sandwich which means 1 slice of wheat bread w/ tuna and a whole apple.
3pm- Balance protein bar
6pm-sunflower seeds at daughters softball game..about 1 serving
730pm-ground beef mixed with refried beans & a little cheese. 1/2 of a corn tortilla. Total about 1 1/2 cups of food.

About 6 bottles of water.

I go to the gym at least twice a week, I'm running on the treadmill, 2 miles. Well, walk, run, walk, run type of thing.

So I do think I'm following the rules still. I had company a couple weeks ago & probably  bent those a little w/ cake & celebration but overall, I'm a good girl.

That's it..So I know nobody is me or my dr but I'm just asking your opinion. How does that compare to you? Do you think I might be holding out cuz I still want to eat?

I have 6.2cc's in my 10cc allergen band. I just wonder if maybe I should get one more little tweak or not. Cuz really, when you ask me why I don't want to, my answer is cuz I don't want more restriction than I have. But now I'm thinking that means that I still want to sit & enjoy a meal.

I hope all that makes sense & I didn't go on too long. I'm just on the fence today & I'm looking for a little guidance.

Thanks everyone!
Renae

Hey Renae!

Sounds like you are being honest with us which is great.  My clinic's suggestion is not to eat more that 1 cup at a time and only three meals per day, no snacking.  Like you, I typically eat about 1 1/2 cups per meal and have to work on my snacking.

I am sure part of your reasoning for not wanting another fill is the fear of being too tight, especially when you have to drive 4 hours each way.  I have to drive 2 hours to my clinic and don't look forward to having to repeat that drive if I end up too tight. 

You are still losing so I wouldn't get too worked up about things yet.  I know we all want to lose as quickly as we can but our bodies sometimes have to catch up with us.  Remeber with the band we are expected to lose 50% of our excess weight the first year and 25% during the second and third year.  Sounds like you have done excellent so far. 

Hi Amy,

Thank you. You made me realize 2 things.

1-I've never had a nutritionalists help. I went to the lady pre-op & talked to her & she was a flippin moron. I totally lost respect for her in the first 10 minutes. She was going on about how I'll have dumping syndrome & I'll need to eat a lot of applesauce. I was like wha??? I knew from my research that she was way off so I had no desire to go back to her. So yeah..I've pretty much made the choices on my own, I think that is a key point here. So thank you for sharing what your clinic recommends.

2-No snacking. I guess that has become a part of my daily routine, always with the snack at 3pm. Good point.

So thank you so much. That's why I came here. I just couldn't take the mental debate anymore! I appreciate your feedback.

Renae

Hi Renae!  First of all you are doing GREAT!  But I do understand the "doing everything right and not losing" theory.  I was there for like 4-5 months...ugh.  My last fill was  mid Janish and I do have good restriction.  I go to the gym everyday I work and I work FT.  I work with a PT also so I know what I am doing is pushing me and are the right things to be doing.  Still nada.  Almost 4 weeks ago I stopped drinking coffee and most all sugar.  I added flavored creamers to coffee....adding toooo much sugar to my diet.  Also I have added many more greens to my diet.  In the 2 weeks that I started this I dropped 10 lbs!  Not only was this 10 lbs, but once I reached my 60 I gained 7 back and played with those same 7lbs for those 4-5 months.  SO not only had I gone beyond my 60 finally but I had gotten rid of those kick around pounds.  I know everyone is diff, but this is what has worked for me.

A sample day looks like this for me, and actually what I plan on eating today

B- steel cut oatmeal with 2 Yves..if you please meatless breakfast patties (2g fat, 80 cal, 11 protein, 2 fiber..for 2 patties) these are AWESOME!!!  and 1/2 banana

L/S- greens with some "naked nuts" unroasted, no salt etc hazelnuts, almonds and brazil nuts

D- A new chicken curry recipe from my ND friend who is teaching me to cook with many more greens than ever

S-sometime...maybe maybe not----veggi chips with jalapeno garlic hummus.
I drink 3-4 750mL bottles of water a day.


Like I said this is new for me but it is working and has gotten me over my hump FINALLY!  I went shopping last Thursday with my friend (I am not allowed to shop by myself b/c I don't get clothes that fit my new me:) and I fit into a 16!!!!  That is down 10 pants sizes!!!!

You have to find what works for you.  If you feel you have good restriction, try changing your eating habits and what you are eating.  See if that helps.  None of us wants to risk getting a fill when we are pretty sure we are at a good level there are just too many risks.

Good luck to you!

Okay..good input. Maybe I need to shake things up a bit w/ my menu.

I was wondering about my carb intake. I think I probably need to evaluate that too.

I'm just so close to onederland..I can taste it! haha

Thanks for your input & you're doing a great job too! Congrats on the 10 pounds..I think it's a direct result of your changes.

It's a journey right? I'm glad I can come here to get some real advice.

Renae

I like to track my calories .. I count everything even the tablespoon of olive oil I used because things like that can add up. Maybe make sure your using sirlon instead of ground beef .. might save you some calories there (and better for you) .. make sure your reading lables.. including fat..

your doing great tho.

I make sure to make my meals plain.. they aren't boring but I make sure to get my all nurtrients from whole foods nothing processed... I cut out all the frozen meals and I eat a lot of chicken and green beans...

Hey Renae,

Every clinic is different on the dietary guidelines

I am alloed 2-3 oz protien and 1/2 cup veggies or fruit. I cannot do more thatn 2-3 oz protien because it sets on top of my band and does not digest so sometimes I end up sick at my stomach. I am full with that most of the time. Yesterday I did eat more veggies.

I would ask for a small fill if you think you need it but make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Are you following the Lap band dietary guidelines. Are you feeling deprived/hungry.
 
I do not want any more restriction right now. I just have to learn to eat correctly. I am doing low carb again and do better with this and my body feels better. I have pre diabetes and when I eat more sugar/carbs I eat everything in sight.

Tamara

I don't think it is a sin to want to enjoy a meal.   

The only thing missing from your sample menu seems to be veggies.  If you say that you can eat 1.5 cups of meat/beans/tortilla for dinner, perhaps all you need to do is instead eat 1cup of meat/beans/tortilla and half a cup of broccolli. 

You also mentioned that you are exercising two times a week.  Do you think if you exercised 5 times a week that your weight loss would pick up without having to make more restrictions to your diet?

I'm with Skelly...you need to bump up the work outs to 5 days a week if you can. Even if that means a walk on days you cant get to the gym. It made all the difference in the world in my loss. I would also limit those carbs...like the bread, rice, pasta and potatoes. Hang in there! -Nikki

Okay, you all make such great points. Thank you.

I think I'm gonna push that appointment out a couple more weeks. I'll get back to basics, give myself a true evaluation & see how it goes.

If after that time, the scale is still being stubborn, I'll go. But for now, I'll push myself a little more.

Thank you everyone!
You rock!

Renae