Solid Food and the Weight Loss Stops

[karenci]

Hoping other experienced bandsters can help me out here! I had such a great start. With a BMI of 37 and 65 lbs to lose (according to Dr Miranda) or 80 to lose (according to my jeans and wishful thinking) I started strong. Lost 10 lbs on the pre-op diet and another 12 during the 3 weeks of liquids. But then real food came back. . .and the weight loss has screeched to a halt. I feel a slight restriction, I am able to eat somewhat less than I used to if I eat slowly, chew thoroughly, etc and am keeping to 1200-1400 calories a day through careful monitoring and choices. Still some head hunger and cravings but hanging in there, hoping for more help with the fill(s). Exercising a minimum of 30 minutes a day, usually closer to 45-60 min. But at 193 lbs I should be losing weight and it has just stopped. Is this normal? Will the weight loss start up again after I get the first fill or is this going to take awhile?

Highest weight: 221

Pre-Band: 215

Pre-Surgery: 205

Current: 193

[EcMjawad1]

Well I am right behind you with food on my horizon in a couple of days...from what I have read on this forum..this takes awhile...and major exercise will be involved..like 45-90 minutes 6 days a week...that's the part I will most likely have to work up to..I tend to be lazy and talk myself out of it..the food I think I will be able to handle..it's the compulsive eating I have problems with but the band is helping there already..I have my first fill in May...so my biggest goal now will be to keep motivated and carve out some serious exercise time for myself..I figure onceI get down to 200 I will have to call in a trainer of some sort..for now it's my Wii fit, aqua aerobics, and AM yoga..Good luck..I'm with you..it will be interesting to see what feedback you get on this question.

[jhawkchick75]

Yeah hate to be the bearer of bad news but that is very typical. I lost around 10 pre op and around 12 on liquids and gained 6 of the 12 back between solids and my first fill. My doctor was actually really pleased and told me many gain it all back. Once I got that first fill and got active again it started slowly coming off and after the 2nd fill came off a lot quicker. I was nice and steady after that and now this last 10lbs just doesn't want to budge. But i'm keeping at it!

[mandyfsc]

I've had one fill so far and still feel no restriction- which I hear is completely normal. However, this means I have to be even more mindful of what I eat. I keep track of all foods and exercise in www.myfitnesspal.com. It sounds like you are doing that too, so just be patient. My goal is to lose 2 pounds per week which is a healthy loss. You will never be able to keep losing the same amount you did on liquids. Those liquid diets are for a term for a reason. You are doing great! Just keep with it and stay motivated. Join a weigh in group, or an exercise group to compare with others and to keep you motivated. Remember WE are own worst enemy here. So we need to rely on each other more and more. Stay strong- you've got the will-power, now prove it!

[bogiesmom]

Yah, sorry to burst your bubble but honestly the weight will come off but at a much slower pace now. After liquids I have been averaging a pound a week for 4 months straight and i am on my 4th fill with great restriction. I do weight watchers and excercise for 30 minutes a day/4-5 times a week. I can live with a pound a week (52 pounds in a year). BTW, the month of January was a complete plateau for me where I did not loose anything for 28 days straight. I was at 172 pounds in January and it turns out that was a "set-point" for my body, which was a weight that I had been at previously in my life for a long stretch of time.

[mandyfsc]

Yah, sorry to burst your bubble but honestly the weight will come off but at a much slower pace now. After liquids I have been averaging a pound a week for 4 months straight and i am on my 4th fill with great restriction. I do weight watchers and excercise for 30 minutes a day/4-5 times a week. I can live with a pound a week (52 pounds in a year). BTW, the month of January was a complete plateau for me where I did not loose anything for 28 days straight. I was at 172 pounds in January and it turns out that was a "set-point" for my body, which was a weight that I had been at previously in my life for a long stretch of time.

"Set-point"- I've never heard of that. Wow, that makes sense though. It must have been tough to push yourself over that. Good job.

[bogiesmom]

"Set-point"- I've never heard of that. Wow, that makes sense though. It must have been tough to push yourself over that. Good job.

It was at the time, I felt like I was going crazy. After I learned about the "set-point" theory about 2 months later though the light bulb went on and i was like, "OHHHHHHH! That's what happened to me in January!" Since then i hit another set-point at 165 but took it soooo much better since I knew it was what it was, just a little vacation due to my body celebrating at that comfy weight. I knew sooner or later the celebration would be over and I would start moving again.

[karenci]

Thank you SO MUCH for the feedback, I was so worried that I was doing something wrong! On top of that, I told ONE person I was getting the band and now every-freakin'-one-I-know knows about it and I am about to kill the next person who tells me 'oh, you look great, I can tell you're losing weight, must be so nice to just get surgery and have it all fall off. . ." ARGH!! OK, I am not about to chew my arm off or anything, but this is still not easy. I'll keep toughing out with help from all of you - thanks!!!!