Am I unreasonable?

I had my band on 6/21.  I had my first fill about 2 1/2 weeks ago.  I have lost 26 pounds.  I realize I should be happy about that, and I am, but I must admit I expected a bit more.  I haven't been eating things I shouldn't; in fact, I am only eating about 600-700 calories per day.  I'm working on getting in more because I don't think that's enough, but I don't understand why the weight isn't coming off faster.  15 of the 26 was in the first two weeks.   Also, I'm still having trouble with getting stuck frequently.  I am eating slowly and chewing well, but I keep having trouble (thus the low caloric intake).  For the last few days, I've had a very mild stuck feeling that won't go away. Any thoughts?

You are doing amazingly well! When in your life have you lost 26lbs that fast? What you dont know yet..is that weight isnt likely to come back. I had the same pattern. I lost 17lbs right out of the gate...then I lost a pound here and a pound there. Now 72lbs later......I look back and wonder what the heck I was impatient about? I think we get in our minds that we had SURGERY for goodness sakes! That means it was drastic and we should lose a 1/2 of ourselves overnight. You are right on track you just dont know it. You are doing great. edit: I would talk to your doc about the getting stuck part. If you are chewing pea sized bites...slowly and are still stuck...you might need an unfill.

Thanks so much.  You are ABSOLUTELY right.  I expect dramatic results since I went to drastic lengths.  I appreciate the reality check.  You look amazing, btw. I am hopeful that you will read my more recent post as well.  I believe it was you that helped me with this before.

HI, I was banded 6/13/07, I have experienced that  stuck feeling too, I do just take a few small drinks of water to get things moving down, But my stuck feeling is when I first start eating and I think it must be because I'm hungry and I'm not chewing good enough and have probably taken too big of a bite, I'm not giving my meal my FULL attention.  I swear I was just talking to someone else about this yesterday. I have not lost any weight for like 3 weeks, I honestly think my body is in shock from surgery. The person I was talking to had surgery at the same time as me and is the same weight an height and we have both stalled out at the same time. I know it will happen because I'm pretty good, Not an angel, But I'd say pretty darn good and I know in time it will happen.  We all need to just have faith and patients and we will be moving down. Good Luck, God Bless, Lyndee

Thanks.  I'm sure you're right.  Hopefully, the shock to my body will wear off soon and the weight will come off!  I'm getting frustrated.

Just a few thoughts. I have found (and I am still in the learning curve) that if I do not get about 1000- 1150 calories a day that my weight loss slows down really slow. I think my body is scared of starving itself so it just stops the weight loss cold. I am just tomorrow 4 months out and I have lost 44 pounds. I eat alot of protien all the time. I try to keep things to do any nervous snacking (a total no-no) that are protien/low fat stuff like cheese and lunch meats, cottage cheese, egg salad etc.. Jello has been my savior as have the sugar free creamsicle and fudgsicle type pops. As for getting stuck? I have some of the same problems. I can eat something one time and then try it the next day and it does not work. I am careful about my bite sizes and chewing. I went thru this again this evening. If you get any good ideas I would love to hear them. I have had trouble ever since my way too tight fill last month. That is something I do not want to go through again. I was miserable. Becca

I think you're doing amazing!  I certainly wouldn't complain if I were in your situation (I know, we all have our own opinions on this and you're entitled to yours). You're probably not getting in enough calories and, possibly not enough water, either.  If you don't take in enough calories your body may move into starvation mode where it conserves any calorie you give it (there are many scientific theories on this -- some say it exists others say it doesn't so, technically, no one really knows). I'm concerned about you and the others mentioning getting stuck frequently.  I had restriction from the very beginning and I never would describe myself as getting stuck frequently -- or very often for that matter. What are everyone's food choices?  Are the meats tender and moist?  The bites small?  Is everyone really chewing well?  I was able to eat a sub sandwich post op without too much trouble (now, with better restriction, I won't even think of going near one, lol). Could you all be irritating your stomas and not allowing them to heal and for swelling to go back down before you irritate them again?  Maybe you're actually not getting in enough fluids and you're dehydrated? Since you, Hope, are saying that you've had a mild stuck feeling for a couple of days, I'd give your surgeon's office a call on Monday if it doesn't go away by then.  Something else may be happening and it should really be checked out. Lori

Thanks so much, everyone for your support and ideas.  I'll call my surgeon's office Monday to discuss the mild stuck, which is more of an irritation than painful sensation. Again, thanks for all your support.

Hi!  We were banded on the same day and I have lost very similar to you...22 pre-op and 23 post op so far...I'm also recently eating things I shouldn't and I had my first fill  last week!  But I'm being patient with myself because I am still in the learning stage.  My doc said that a good weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds per week, so we are doing great so far!!!!  Remember, it took years to put it on, now it will take time to get it off, even with the band.  Your body will plateau in defense of weight loss, but then you'll lose again...Good luck and we'll see you around! Eden

Hello. I just wanted to share what the nut. told me .....she said that as you go through your fills, you will eventually reach your full weight loosing capacity.  Another words yes, you lost up front, and that was contributed to the swelling, thus a smaller hole into the lower stomach.  As that swelling goes down, you start being able to drop more food in...therefore slowing weight loss.  When you get a fill, you may experience a peak in weight loss again due to swelling, and then plataeu.  After you have hit the fill that is right for you, you will be a lossing machine.  Because that hole will be small enough for just enough food.  Yes, 1-2 lbs /week is what I was told, but it should be consistant.  I think the trick would be not to be obsessive with it.  It will only drive you crazy.  After reading this, it sounds obvious....but I guess you had to be there at my nut appoint because it makes so much sense coming from a professional! LOL. I guess you have to imagine your stomach is a funnel, and you keep downsizing!  Good luck and don't get down.