Struggling

[MrsSmith]

Tomorrow it will be 5 weeks since my band was fitted and really feel like I'm struggling.
Have only lost 9lbs since the morning of my op; went into hospital at 16-9, came out a day later at 16-11 (!) and now 16-0ish
I know you shouldn't compare results with others, but it's hard not to be disappointed when so many people have lost so much more.
Nothing put in my band when it was fitted and have to wait another two weeks until my first fill and even then apparently my surgeon only puts a very small amount in each time. Have no restriction, so v hungry.
Also have some discomfort which had started over the last couple of days, just on the top of my ribs on my right side and some pain in my back on right side also today.
Know it's a long journey and know I need to be patient, but worried that it's not going to work out :-(

 

[MrsPill]

Big hugs Mrs Smith.
Apparently (so my nurse was saying) the new protocol for fitting bands is that they don't fill at all during surgery but fill it slowly afterwards which is supposed to stop the problem of overfilling and all the side effects of that ( slippage, pouch dilatation etc). I was the same. I've had 2 fills- one at 6 weeks(2ml) and one a week later (2ml). If I want any more in they will only put 0.5ml each time. Everyone feels this 'restriction' thing at different levels of fill so your first fill might do it...or it might take 10 times. Its a slow process and I can see how you would be anxious to lose more now...but it will happen. Although I have lost a lot to start with, I'm a lot heavier than you so I guess this might make a difference. And remember, everyone says that you feel hungry until the band is filled. Its a long process..its not a quick fix...& you have this for life so just relax xx.
Someone(Miss Hungry) said on another thread that restriction isn't so much about food getting stuck as feeling full on smaller portions of dense food and thats something you have to sort of work out. Its wierd!
If you're worried about any pains, I'd talk to your provider.
You'll be fine-honest!

 

[Macy moo moo]

Hi mrs smith
I totally know where you're coming from. I'm 4 and a half weeks post band and I've only lost about 8 pounds since. I too am finding it difficult to tell if I'm full or not. I've been out for my 1st meal tonight and had a goats cheese tart salad which I ate slowly and chewed loads but got frightened I was eating too much. I had to stop myself eating after I'd had half of it but I would have liked to have finished it off. I'm booked in for my 1st fill next week so hopefully I might feel a bit different after. It's nice to share our worries on here. Take care and we'll get through this together!

Sent from my iPhone using WLSurgery

 

[MrsSmith]

Thanks, think I just needed a bit of reassurance, sure I'll get there in the end.
It is a big life change though, isn't it, so I guess it's not surprising that it all takes some readjusting xx

 

[MrsSmith]

Hi Macy,
You did well to stop half way through your meal, that's another one of my worries...that I've been eating too much at each meal.
I'm on My Fitness Pal which is really helpful and having about 1000 calories a day on average, but think that pre-op I would have lost more on this kind of diet?
You are right though, we WILL get through this and make it work.
Thank you for your support xx

 

[Mazza]

Hi

Not many surgeons fill the band during the op - most will just remove any air and allow it to settle in.

Sorry to dissapoint you but you will still feel hungry, I have reached my goal have good restriction etc but I do get hungry. The trick is recognising real hunger vs head hunger.

You are right about not comparing yourself to others but I also understand your frustration.

I would advise you so soon post op to stick 100% to the post op diet guidelines you were given but if you feel real hunger have something. Try to stick to low fat, high protein etc.

Try not to get into the habbit of eating things because you can and you will be fine - slow and steady wins the race! xx

 

[MrsSmith]

Thanks Mazza,
I always look for and respect your advise on here.
The two things that I think are the hardest are; telling head hunger from real hunger and getting used to leaving food on my plate.
I think it is just going to take time to relearn the bad habits that I have built up over the last 43 years.
It definitely is a learning curve!
Thanks again xx

 

[Mazza]

It certainly is! but you will get there

Thanks for the nice comment too xx

 

[Durhamlass14]

I second the compliment Mazza's guidance is tops!!!!

 

[Miss hungry]

Tomorrow it will be 5 weeks since my band was fitted and really feel like I'm struggling.
Have only lost 9lbs since the morning of my op; went into hospital at 16-9, came out a day later at 16-11 (!) and now 16-0ish
I know you shouldn't compare results with others, but it's hard not to be disappointed when so many people have lost so much more.
Nothing put in my band when it was fitted and have to wait another two weeks until my first fill and even then apparently my surgeon only puts a very small amount in each time. Have no restriction, so v hungry.
Also have some discomfort which had started over the last couple of days, just on the top of my ribs on my right side and some pain in my back on right side also today.
Know it's a long journey and know I need to be patient, but worried that it's not going to work out :-(

Please don't worry, on my first week after my band I gained a pound and then since then I've lost 1-2 lbs a week with the very occasional 3lb. And here Iam nearly seven months down the line and those small losses have added up to 4 and half stone off.
Also the niggly pains are normal, I had port aches and pains for ages. Of course do check with your provider if worried.
I think we all worry that we might have done the wrong thing or that the band just wont work for us sometimes but before you know it you will have lost a couple of stone and you'll be flying!
Good luck xxxx

 

[MrsSmith]

Thanks Miss Hungry, you have done so well and look fantastic.
Think you are right about the slow and steady weight loss mounting up.
Have just worked out that if I can just lose 2 lbs a week between now and Christmas, then i'd be 14 stone which would be a dream as haven't weighed that for 5 years.
I'm definitely going to focus on that as a target and do more exercise and take more care about what I'm eating.
Thanks again, enjoy following your progress, it is giving me hope! xx

 

[Roseyforsurgery42]

I think you guys are going to do fine...I think it's the norm to feel like this after op,....I got my first fill and have great restrtn...I was ditto, so hang in there you will really feel alot better afterwards...Good luck with fill and being banded..xoxo

Sent from Rosey!

 

[jen007]

Take things slowly, wait for your 1st fill the weight will come off! xx

 

[The Chopster]

It's hard I know - I am not doing very well compared with others. I have lost just over 2 and a half stone since May (haven't updated stats in a while). But i know that if I hadn't got my band I would have put weight on since then and I am feeling much better about myself as I am wearing size 18 rather than a 22. You don't reaise that it is mainly will power that keeps you going until you have reached your sweet spot and I only reached mine after my third fill about a month ago so keep at it