SValentino Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 Hi Everybody. I've been incommunicado for a while. Into my isolation thing. But I logged on today to see what's been going on. I was banded 6 months ago. I"ve lost 30 pounds (only) and have not had any loss in two months. I started to lose hope and believed for a while that I was right, I will never lose the weight. Then I realized that even though I really did believe I would not be successful in losing the weight and I don't know what it feels like to be thin, I thought why not try thinking I could be successful and lose, even if I don't believe it. Pretend. Does that make sense? Even though I've never been thin and really don'tknow what it looks like for me (or feel like), maybe I could pretend. One thing I know for sure: Thoughts become things. No wonder I'm still fat and not losing despite this great tool of the band. I've deep down believed that I won't lose the weight even with the help of the band. So maybe if I begin to visualize , change ... I have been unemployed for over two years, and in spite of that, I cashed out my measly 401K to have the surgery done. The hope of losing this weight was worth sinking my last penny into it. I've been feeling so disappointed and angry with myself for not helping the band more to get me to where I think I want to be. I'm not afraid to be thin. If anything, I'm terrified of letting myself down once again. I defininately eat less and drink much more water. I exercise, tho not very much. I have MS and have been guilty in the past of using it as an excuse to not move more. I can do more. I eat junk more often than healthy food. I'm a food addict, band or no band. I don't overeat. Just eat the wrong food. So duh, no weight loss; right? I've avoided the forum so I wouldn't read about others who have been successful. How low is that? Anyway, thank you for letting me vent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrty835 Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 I say congrats. And you have been very successful in losing the weight, 30 lbs is great. Just stay foucused and you will continue to lose weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbynnoel Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 (((((((((((((((((((Valentino))))))))))))))))))) Hugs to you. I haven't been banded yet, but a few years ago I was a weight loss consultant for a nationally known company. I learned a lot about plateaus and how the body reacts to stress. I DON'T think my theory is proven, but I believe whole heartedly that stress can affect weight loss. I posted something about 2 months ago that was called "100 reasons to ignore the scale" you might want to check out. It will make you feel better. I just also posted something to someone with the same concerns a few moments ago. Someone a few months ago posted something called "Stop and live your life"...that is excellent reading too. What I believe (and I'm sure I could be wrong) is that if you wake up every morning and tell yourself that you eat and act like a thin person, eventually you'll believe it...and when you believe it (or should I say the "more" you believe it) the more you'll emulate the principals needed to get to goal. Negative self talk can really cripple us. Trust me, I've been there. Hugs to you. Think positive. (And the phrase "I'll positively fail" doesn't count. j/k) I BELIEVE IN YOU! You will get to goal. I've got my nickle on you. xo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myskinny Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Sometimes we all feel this way. I read an article that said "you will not be the 1 in 100,000 people this doesn't work for. Work the program and you will lose. It isn't that hard if you out your mind to it. You can do it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAMMIE Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 I've avoided the forum so I wouldn't read about others who have been successful. How low is that? I READ ALL THE TIME BECAUSE I THINK THAT KEEPS ME ON TRACK. IF I SEE SOMEONE THAT'S BEEN SUCCESSFUL, THAT JUST KICKS ME IN THE ASS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mona-camille Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Hi Everybody. I've been incommunicado for a while. Into my isolation thing. But I logged on today to see what's been going on. I was banded 6 months ago. I"ve lost 30 pounds (only) and have not had any loss in two months. I started to lose hope and believed for a while that I was right, I will never lose the weight. Then I realized that even though I really did believe I would not be successful in losing the weight and I don't know what it feels like to be thin, I thought why not try thinking I could be successful and lose, even if I don't believe it. Pretend. Does that make sense? Even though I've never been thin and really don'tknow what it looks like for me (or feel like), maybe I could pretend. One thing I know for sure: Thoughts become things. No wonder I'm still fat and not losing despite this great tool of the band. I've deep down believed that I won't lose the weight even with the help of the band. So maybe if I begin to visualize , change ... I have been unemployed for over two years, and in spite of that, I cashed out my measly 401K to have the surgery done. The hope of losing this weight was worth sinking my last penny into it. I've been feeling so disappointed and angry with myself for not helping the band more to get me to where I think I want to be. I'm not afraid to be thin. If anything, I'm terrified of letting myself down once again. I defininately eat less and drink much more water. I exercise, tho not very much. I have MS and have been guilty in the past of using it as an excuse to not move more. I can do more. I eat junk more often than healthy food. I'm a food addict, band or no band. I don't overeat. Just eat the wrong food. So duh, no weight loss; right? I've avoided the forum so I wouldn't read about others who have been successful. How low is that? Anyway, thank you for letting me vent. I hear ya buddy! It CAN be very difficult to come here and read everyone's successes when you aren't seeing them yourself. I haven't lost much either, 40 pounds in just over a year. It IS very discouraging and you can't help but wonder why you are alone when others are losing. Believe me, I have had my share of disappointment with this band. I've been to SEVERAL doctors about it and it all seems to boil down to 2 things: 1) I am in menopuase and 2) some people just lose a lot slower and I am in both. Although my weight doesn't seem to change, my clothing sizes do. I FEEL better. I still eat what I like, but much less. Can't figure out for the life of me why the weight isn't flying off since I am eating so much less. And to see everyone else lose so much so quick can be maddening! But, I refuse to give up! As long as I don't gain anymore then I am happy. Not 100% happy, but 50% happy so I still think the whole thing was definitely worth it. I recently joined a gym and am working out VERY hard, not just walking a few miles a day like I was doing, but actually following the plan they gave me. I haven't weighed myself because I am too afraid to see the number but I am absolutely losing inches and I feel so limber and so good. I can bend over so easily now. Everything is so much easier. Why am I telling you all this? Because I know how you feel. I know EXACTLY how you feel. I know how hard it is to hear people tell you - "just keep at it", or "it will work if you do it right" or "my weight is flying off" (no offense intended). I know people mean well and try to encourage you, but I also know how horrible it feels when nothing is working. Not every person will lose like everyone else. But, you still shouldn't give up. I've read somewhere that it can take up to 2 - 3 years for it to work on some people. Look where you would be if you didn't do it? And, 30 pounds is nothing to sneeze at. I just don't want you to think you are alone, because you are not. I also don't want you to give up, because then you will be giving up on life and you don't want to do that! Keep your thoughts positive and try to think yourself thin. See yourself thin, act thin, dress thin, think thin. Be thin! It may take a year or more, but don't stop trying!!!!!! ((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValleyGirl Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 I'm not trying to be negative (and God knows I hope they are wrong) but when I went to an info session for lap band a few years ago, they said that "most" people will lose 60% of their excess weight and keep it off. Some more, some less, but that is the average I was given....and not through Dr. Ortiz, either. He may have different (better) stats. At the time I thought, "I'm okay with that....even if I get to 200 and stay there and not gain another pound, I can deal with that....I just don't want to keep gaining and gaining and gaining and find myself 40 years old and over 300 pounds". Well, here I am at that 60% loss (from 256 to 200 in about five months) and I'm starting to freak out. Is this it? Am I done? I WANT IT ALL OFF!!! I want to lose that last 40 pounds so bad but the scale is not moving, up and down the same few pounds for a few weeks. I'm wishing that I never heard that darn statistic. Have I subconsiously stopped my weight loss having this info in the back of my mind? Anyway, I'm sure I'm not making you feel better. Sorry. I just thought I'd share my thoughts on this. Mona is right, though. Imagine where we'd be without it! Scary thought. The scale might not be going down but it's not going up either. I can see how simple it will be to maintain once at goal. Trying to get to goal is going to be the hard part. I hope some people who have will chime in and provide words of wisdom for all of us! Take care. Sabrina:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrandNewDawn Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Yes, I knew about that 60% of excess weight loss statistic going in and told myself I would be happy with the 60% weight loss but now that I am there, I am not so happy with the 60% statistic. I have been reading a book by a different doctor about the surgery and his book says that from a statistical standpoint, most studies suggest that a good result is defined as the patient losing at least half (50%) of their excess body weight. He then says that from the surgeon's perspective, a good result is usually measured by improvement in obesity-related health problems. In the patient's viewpoint, a good result can be defined as almost anything. He says that results are determined by perspective. He has many patients who are less than satisfied with their results. He says the reasons range from "I'm not losing fast enough" to "I expected to lose more" to "I thought it would be easier than this" or "No one told me I could not eat the things I like." It is an interesting read, his practice focuses on what he calls a comprehesive program that includes dietitian/nutritional support, importance of exercise, psychological assessment and support, support groups and lifestyle change/changing your thinking. I am not trying to be negative either. But, I read about people on these boards who lose fast and then plateau. I myself have been plateaued around 60% for several months now. I read about the people who lost a ton of weight really fast but then those same people disappear from the boards and we do not hear "the rest of the story", are they keeping off all of the weight? Where did they go? Why? I am not on here very much anymore. Right now I am focusing on eating healthier, walking 45 minutes/3 days a week, and changing my thinking about food. This book has really opened my eyes to an overall program and I know personally for myself, my lifetime of bad habits when it comes to food are not going to be changed quickly. I agree with Sabrina, getting to a lower goal is going to be the hardest part, especially maintaining once I get there. Good luck to everyone, I wish everyone much success. Dawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiley Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 I have read the 60% statistic as well. However, I have never really set a specific goal weight as I have no clue I would look like or what size I would be if I were 142 pounds as an adult. The last time I weighed 142 I was probably in 5th grade. Instead of setting a weight goal, I decided to set a clothes size goal. My goal was to wear 12's before my tummy tuck and 10's after. Before my TT last week I would have been wearing 12's, had I purchased them. I tried them on in stores, but continued to wear my 14's instead of buying new ones. Mom and I went shopping yesterday, but I didn't really try on any pants because of my bruised and swollen bum that will continue to shrink as the swelling goes down. I did buy some tops for both summer and winter because they were very cheap and all of them were a size medium. Don't let yourself get caught up in the 60% weight loss statistic. I had about 4 months when I pretty much plateaued around 200 lbs. which was around my 60% mark. Use this as a time to review the basics of the band and determine to be stronger than your scales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SValentino Posted May 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone's comments and encouragement! I'm really not alone and I am so greatful to all of you for helping me realize that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leahwebster Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 yes, Life is very much won or lost in the mind. That is whay God stresses the importance of faith. My dod use to say Mind over Matter. What you think you will become. I know from experience that the kind set of a person will greatly affect the outcome. In faith.... If we eat like a little person we will become little. If we run lik a fast person we will become fast. If we exercise like a strong person we will become strong. If think like an Achiever we will Achieve. Success Start in Faith and In the Mind This is why being around positive people, and a peaceful environment promotes balance and health. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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