I need some opinions - ThinnerTimes

eight91121 · 07-07-2008, 02:19 PM

Hello all.

I have ben faced with a question of myself for the last 4 weeks or so. I want to ask other peoples opinions as to what they would do, and / or what they think of the situation.

History:
I got a lapband back September 6th 2007. I weighed in at 400 Lbs. Since then I have been exercising, eating right, and tracking calories, protein, and fiber religiously. I track my weight weekly, Wednesday Morning.

Each week the weight loss has varied, some weeks, I lose alot, others I lose average. Twice since then I actually put a pound on (couple months apart from each other) (possibly water, as my diet didnt change those weeks). For the most part I am very ordinary, and typical.

My goal from the beginning has been 230 Lbs. I weighed that back when I was younger, and in very good shape. So I though this would be a good starter goal for me. I weighed in last week at 239 Lbs, and am now faced with an actual reality of reaching my goal.

The question I have is related to the end goal, and where to go next.

I look ok. I have lots of extra skin, and due the the rapid weight loss, my body hasnt really caught up with skin tightening, and the sort. I am not satisfied, as a RED personality we typically never are satified, also seaking for the better numbers, and the better looks, and exhausting ourselfs to reach goals. I am exhausted. I am releaved at the outcome of 9 Lbs to go. I would like to lose another 30 Lbs, and then reasses my situation at that point, possible set new goals then and lose more. I feel like I should, when I hit my goal of 230, change my stats, and start over with a new goal, and shoot for the new number of 200. I dont want to be a quiter, and am so very close to 200, it wouldnt be too much harder to continue.
On the other hand I am exhausted, my band is tight, slightly unconfortable to eat, and my body just isnt keeping up with the loss. I feel that a good option is to take 3 months off. Take my fill out and focus on eating right, and figuring out how to keep the weight off without the aid of the lapband thru diet and exercise. Take some time to let my skin catch up before losing more. Along the way I might even enjoy a hamburger, as I am a lapband induced vegitarian.
I feel if I take a couple months off, and catch-up and psychologically heel from the stress of the diet and the sorts I will feel like a quiter, and regret it. Course I could always go and get filled tight again, and work on achieving the new goal. But at that point I could eliminate that whole process by keeping my fill, and conitnueing to work at it till I hit the new goal.

(Another note, The lapband is a tool for life. People should use it the rest of their lives to maintain balance, and assit them in eating the volume they should eat. It isnt a quick fix, as I have been treating it as one.)

My question is that. Where is the balance. I have been having a very difficult time decided which direction to go. I have tried to get my wifes opinion about this, and also friends opinions, and they just dont seem to understand my problem. I figure people who also are in my shoes can and do know what I am going thru, and could offer up some advise on the matter, Pros vs Cons.

Any help would be greatly appeciated.
Thanks.
Paul

Godsblessedme · 07-07-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

that a good option is to take 3 months off

while i'm not a lapband patient i would say why take it off? keep using that tool which by the way you have done FABULOUS i see alot of failures with lapband and its so refreshing to see someone succeed and do it right.

i wouldnt even think about getting it off, maybe just have fills less frequently or less cc's in it

eight91121 · 07-07-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godsblessedme

while i'm not a lapband patient i would say why take it off? keep using that tool which by the way you have done FABULOUS i see alot of failures with lapband and its so refreshing to see someone succeed and do it right.

i wouldnt even think about getting it off, maybe just have fills less frequently or less cc's in it

I would definatley never have the lapband removed. I was just thinking have having my Fill removed, still leaving restriction, just not as much, which leaves me needing to eat more frequestly the right kinds of foods.
Thanks for the supportive encouragment.

SDeRossett · 07-07-2008, 03:40 PM

Paul, 1st of all let me say CONGRATULATIONS on a job well done.

If I were in your shoes, I would consider going the distance. You are so close to your new goal.

As you've lost almost 200 lbs, IMO I don't think your skin will ever catch up with out a little help from some plastics, but you're young and I could be all wet here too.

I think maybe after you reach goal and maintain it for a while then I would consider releasing a little pressure off the band and see how it goes from there. I would think you would have to be very careful not to fall back into old "bad" eatting habits. BUT.... this is your body and ultimately YOUR decision. You are the only one walking in your shoes, who knows how you think, feel, what kind of control you have etc., so again, this is a personal choice that only you can make. What ever your decision is, just remember the TT family is always here to root for you and cheer you on. Best wishes in what ever you decide to do.

Sharon

BabyNicole · 07-07-2008, 04:57 PM

I'd like to say congrats too! Now, I'm not a band pt., but read up a lot on it, as I was going to do that surgery originally. I'd suggest that you keep up with the great work and get a slight unfill if the band is too tight. I wouldn't go the "taking time off" route just in case you fall into bad habits. Then you may not want it refilled.

Skinny Boy · 07-07-2008, 05:16 PM

Paul, what a great accomplishment. I previously had a lap band and found it very easy to "break" it and overeat. I would be very careful in regards to changing your strategy on how you have been loosing your weight.

Certainly you do not want to go back to old ways of eating and start regaining weight.

I would think that I would want to continue until you reach your final weight and then start replacing your wardrobe. Not something you would want to start purchasing now and then lose another 30 lbs and have to purchase more clothing.

Nyn · 07-07-2008, 06:08 PM

Wow, Paul, you have done AMAZING!!! Congratulations on all you've achieved so far.

I am replying because I am in a very similar spot as you, only with the gastric bypass, not lap band. I, too, have lost over 160 pounds since September 2007 and am within 15-30 pounds of where I want to be for the rest of my life. I definitely, completely understand what you are saying about this being a lifelong journey, not just one sprint to an imaginary finish line that we can set for ourselves and move anytime we like. (Heck, I already hit my surgeon's first goal for me -- I guess I could've stopped there!

) Recently, I have made the decision to allow myself to be a little more lax on my daily allowed calories. I spent the 9 months since my surgery (and the 6 weeks before it) being a calorie police officer for myself. But now, a couple of times in the past two weeks, instead of saying "no" to something, I said "yes." Nothing wild or crazy -- definitely no binging! -- but it felt strange and liberating...and worrying. I want to have good habits for the rest of my life, but the diet I have been using these last many months is one for weight loss, not weight maintenance. On one hand, I need to start getting used to a "rest of my life" type of diet, not a deprivation/weight loss diet. On the other hand, am I setting myself up for eventual failure already? I don't think I am, but I DO want to lose a bit more weight. I am worrying about this, I must admit. I am also still tracking every bite on fitday.com.

So here's where the differences in our weight loss surgery come in -- I am making tiny adjustments to my diet without having to consider taking a big step like letting out a band fill. I'm not sure I can honestly advise you, except to say that I can see where you want to stop being in "weight loss" mode and start being in "forever" mode. I think it is possible that you could lose the last 30 pounds without the super-tight fill. Maybe you take the fill out and find that in 3 months you've already lost the weight, just because you now understand all-around healthy eating and that the occasional hamburger won't automatically add 200 pounds back onto your body. I intend to continue with my food diary every single day for the rest of my life since I need some sort of honest monitor on myself. Well, good luck on the last 30 pounds to us both!!

kellyMASS · 07-07-2008, 08:32 PM

I agree with most.I would lessen the fill and see how it goes.You do have a tool for life so adjust as you see fit.Do you feel good? Have energy? Are you eating enough? If not then you need to adjust the band.You are not supposed to be starving yourself just restricting yourself.As Nyn said keep a food journal and make sure you are not over doing it.You have learned how to eat properly and you know what it is to feel full so just rock your tool.I think you already know what you are going to do so go do it!

tsunami27 · 07-07-2008, 09:30 PM

I would say go for that last 30 pounds!! You have already come so close! It would be a shame to stop now, and most likely regret it later!! Btw....when you DO get to 200 lbs (which we all know you will!!) if you wanted to, make it a turkey burger on a whole wheat bun....less calories & guilt...and to me, better taste anyway!!!

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

I can only hope that when I have my surgery (fingers crossed) I am as successful & disciplined as you!!

eight91121 · 07-08-2008, 09:20 AM

Thank You everyone who posted. There is allot to take in.

There is a part of me that wants to lose the last of it on my own, as I have been tracking every bite I take in this last 10 months, and think I could do it. And yes a turkey burger sounds great. But on the other hand I could just take the easy way and leave the fill in and just keep on trekking. I feel like I am leaning towards leaving the fill in, and continuing my journey. But the other is very desirable.

The other thing to think about, as this was brought up earlier, If I don't pull out the fill now, and continue, I will eventually be in a position where I will have to learn life eating without the fill. I only want to get filled if I need to lose some extra weight, but not be a normal every other day type of thing. I want to learn where I should stop eating, and be able to choose consciously to stop eating, and not be forced to stop by the band, which right now is after 4 oz of food. I have plenty of energy, and I get plenty of nutrition. I eat veggies first, and then the other food second. I figure whether now, or later it is inevitable as to having to learn the new me, and how the new me should eat. I mean the band is great, and it has helped me lose weight quickly by not allowing me to eat as much as I psychologically want to , but I have learned what to eat, and what not to eat, and most the time I prefer veggies, and grains, over everything else, I just want to choose now for myself how much is enough, and apply my good eating habits to a real life environment.

Again there are some great posts, and I appreciate what has been given to this point on perspectives, it helps me better understand the full picture by looking objectively, and on a different angle. Any more input is greatly appreciated.

PS there was a note about cheating. I know about cheating, and sometimes on special occasions, I will sip a glass of wine with my meal so that I can fit a taste of everything at the meal, like a tablespoon of each item, but I mean once every couple of months, and I think it is OK, it that type of scenario the ability to indulge in that type of environment is very healthy, and very social. I recall a post on the forum the somebody made that states that Food Is Fuel! and that statement is true, but limited. I analyzed it for a couple of weeks, and decided that it is far to simple to be a full fact. There are three levels of satisfaction in food. There is the fact the food is fuel, and that we require it to survive. There is a social level to food, and also a psychological level to food. The last two can be combined into one, but also in many cases are distinctly different. Each person views those two things very differently, and have personal experiences to back each of those items, but I cant discount the the existence of all three, what do you think?

I tend to think about this stuff too much, but the better we understand the eating disorder, the better we can understand ourselves, and coping with it.