Lost 10 pounds in 6 days

I had the Lap Band performed on June 29th, 2009 - since that time I have lost 126 pounds, but recently, even though I am eating more food, I continue to lose weight. When I saw my doctor on April 1st, she said I could lose 11 more pounds over a period of 3 months, but the weight continues to fall off, regardless of what I eat (she's going to scold me when I see her later this month, but I am trying to do as she said).  I have to force myself to eat because I am never hungry, and if I accidentally skip a meal, I will lose 1-3 pounds that day.  I am concerned that I may end up malnourished or underweight if this continues.  It makes no difference what I eat, the weigh continues to fall off.  I had a complete blood workup and everything is normal; no cancer or HIV.  I do have a goal of 140 pounds (currently 166) at 5'9, so should I relax about this until I reach my goal weight?

[James G Beckerman, M.D.]

If you testing has come normally and you feel all right, it may be reasonable to see where your weight settles - I imagine you won't lose much more.

[xocruz]

You are very brave to do this procedure but remember that it is a controled procedure.  The band can be monitored and it will be very important to schedule weekly visits with your doctors office, make sure to log the times you eat and what you ate.  Fax this information to the physician and make sure that it's followed up by an office visit.  

My best regards and I wish you meet your goal.  Remember that reaching your weight goal is only the first battle.  It's how you see yourself in the inside that matters also.  

Many times we eat out of emotional blocks, you stated that your doctor has not found physical problems.  Look closely at your life in general and see what occured that was out of your control.  No other comments or opinions matter, its what you feel that does matter, therefore, you know what will need to  be delt with.  This will be the hardest problem to face but you will be surprised at the answer.  Also what might no matter now doesn't mean that was not important then.  

I will share with you my personal problem:  I purposely almost gained 80 lbs because most men that approached me had sex in mind after the third date, or the sexual comments about my bust or but, at the time I was 105-115 lbs, 36-22-36.  Trust me I looked great,but after years of dealing with the manner most men approached me was not worth me looking like I could run for Mrs. Universe in the bathing suit program or Sports Illustrated cover.   When I gained the weight I found out that I went from a size 3 to 16 but my curves remained even therefore, my so called problem did not change and I realized I put my health at risk.  Now, I would do anything to loose down to 140lbs but I am having so many problems.  What I walked away with is that my curves are my curves and I have learned to love them and had to learn to walk away from disrespectful men when the interaction became more then plain friendship.  

I realise my problem may not seem traumatizzzzing but at the time to me it was.  We change habits within three weeks and must always replace them with other habits.  

Look in the mirror and answer that questions you have been avoiding.  You will be surpirsed that it could be major or by now might be usesless but in the end change is change.

[jandd]

Thank you for your comments - yes, it can be disconcerting for men to pay attention and only seem to have sex on their minds...it happened me when I was big and it's even more common now that I am slimming down.  I see my doctor once a month and the Lap Band people every time I drop 20 pounds, so I will be seeing them soon.  They are sort of astounded; they say they have never seen anyone drop this much weight this fast.  I don't think it's unusual...IF you do what the doctor tells you to do.  I think that most people with the Band have such incredible food addictions that they test it, push it, and if you do that, of course the result will not be all that you hoped for.  My doctor asked me if it doesn't get easier the longer the band is on, because you get used to eating less and eating things that are good for you.  The hard and honest answer is that it gets more challenging every day.  It's been so long since I was able to just enjoy food...I am more obsessed with it than I was when I was fat.   I hope that you are able to reach your goal - it is terribly difficult (food comes in endless delightful varities and it's available EVERYWHERE), but the reason I did the band was for my health, which has improved tremendously - no more high blood pressure, no more cholesterol issues, no longer borderline diabetic.  I do not regret having it done, it's just frightening to know I will never be able to eat a normal meal again.  Milk, soup, juice and that is all.  It makes me sad sometimes...especially when I'm out with people and the waiter asks me what was wrong with the food...since he can't see that I've eaten anything off the plate (2 bites doesn't show and they always think I didn't like the meal).  I liked it...looking at it, smelling it...wishing I could eat it.  Good luck and thanks for your insights.  :-)

[xocruz]

Let me see if I am understanding you correct.  You are only allowed to eat Milk, soup and juice?

I can see how you are loosing weight quickly, its mostly liquids you are eating.  Please talk to your doctor seriously only so that you can eat minimal amounts but what about fish and chicken or turkey, that is healthy.  Vegs/Fruit are also important.  Of course small amounts.

My best wishes for you.

I saw my doctor and they think they have narrowed it to Sleep Apnea and it really makes lots of sense.   My biggest chanllenge is sleeping and I should be getting a mouth guard soon.   I am logging my weight, exercise and food intake.  I see him in six weeks and hopefully I will have lost some weight and kept it off.



I

[jandd]

I can eat anything I want, but solids HURT and I throw them up more often than not.  My band is proably a bit tight, but with on 20 pounds to go I am going to suffer through until I reach the goal.  I do take multivitamins, iron, B12, calcuim, soo I think I'm getting everything I need to remain healthy.

I hope that the mouth guard helps with the sleeping.  I have found that the slimmer and healthier I get, the more trouble I have sleeping - too much energy!  Good luck and God bless.