It's all clear to me now......

jenX1174

This was my reply to someone's previous post, and I thought it was important enough to post as it's own topic. I'm hoping it might help someone who finds themselves in the same situation I was in:


I had the Lap-band 2 1/2 years ago, and it's filled to about 6.5-7 cc's. I have a fair amount of restriction -- which I'm thankful for since it keeps me from overeating. Also, I don't have that constant empty, gnawing feeling in my stomach when I start exercising and following a healthy diet.......BUT, I only dropped the initial 30 pounds and gained 10 back. I have come to realize after a year and a half of struggling with it, the reason I couldn't lose any more weight was because MY CALORIES WERE TOO LOW!! The nutritionist was telling me to aim for about 1200-1400 calories a day, even with exercise! So, that means 4-5 days a week I was only getting about 600-800 calories (except for days when I strength trained which meant I was getting about 200).

NO WONDER I WASN'T LOSING ANY WEIGHT! :mad:

I had no idea that this was the reason why, and no idea the damage it was doing to my metabolism.

After several failed attempts to get my weight off, I decided last Thursday to give it another try and use this website for some guidance. I've read a few informative posts about calories and exercise, and it all clicked. I've lost 2.4 pounds in days! I understand it's most likely water, and the few pounds I'll lose initially are likely to come back before I see any "real loss," but again, I just know that with my previous attempts (after the initial 30 pounds) resulted in only maybe a 4 pound loss in 3 months.:frown:

So, now.......while I have what I feel is a little bit of help from the Lap-band, most of the hard work is going to come from determination and discipline. I am not trying place my complete lack of success on them--- I certainly bear responsibility-- but I just wish I had better education from the nutritionist at my surgeon's office.