Okay well this is my first time being on here, I posted on obesityhelp.com and found this site aslo. To begin I had lap band surgery on Feb 18, 2009 and started out at 274 on surgery day. I weighed myself and I only lost 16 pounds down to 258. A week after I had surgery I flew back overseas to go back to work the flight was fine. I have had good days eating and bad days. I didnt work out much in the Month of March or Arpril. In March I was still sore I guess because of the flight and my incisions hadnt healed all the way. In April I felt much better but I was doing to much working out because 10 to 15 minutes I felt real tired and winded so I toned it down. I finally got into a routine and got up to 20 to 25 minutes on the elliptical. At the end of April I took on a step aerobics class MWF which last about an hour and doing another 45 minutes later on in the night. I also work out on T-Th for 45 minutes the extra work out is on the elliptical. Even with all this working out I just wanted to know is it normal not to lose. I havent had a fill since my surgery and was thinking that was the reason but I dont know. Does anybody have any answers.

Yes my Texas friend. (I'm from Texas too) A friend and I both had lapband done three and a half years ago, and we know exactly what you are talking about. We went through the same thing. The weight loss is slow, but in time it WILL happen! I was 254 lbs and I now weigh 139 lbs. Yes, you will need a few fills in that first year. I suggest you get it done under fluoro each time so that you will have an adequate fill that isn't too loose or too tight. Another thing I had to learn was that I had to GIVE UP all carbonated drinks. Yeah, give up your Diet Dr. Peppers or Diet Cokes. Once I finally did, it definitely helped with the result. Keep exercise to about 3 times a week. Quit killing yourself. Remember to drink fluids BEFORE eating, and never during or right after eating. Drinking fluids during or right after eating either makes you just throw up or pushes the food on down. I like to think of the stomach and band like an hourglass. Drink first and let the fluid go right on down. When you eat, you want the food to stay in the upper pouch and slowly go down like through an hourglass. If you drink again too soon, you just pushed the food right on down and emptied the pouch too soon. Give it a couple of hours before you drink again. Do this over and over=drink and then eat a little. You will not be able to eat a full meal, take mini meals throughout the day. Actually about 5 a day. Also, if you drink carbonation, you expanded the top pouch with all those bubbles which will just make you hungry and be able to eat more. Therefore, you are just defeating the whole purpose. There are many foods that I have given up, but it is worth it. Sometimes I just have a taste.

Please be patient with yourself. Remember a 10 lb weight loss a month is normal. I think it's time you go in for a fill though. Take care of yourself, eat the right foods, exercise within reason, and love yourself.

Hope this helps...

Stacy

That is the encouragement that I needed I was just getting real discouraged that I've been working my butt off and still nothing. Yeah those bubbles from the soda were crazy NOT DOING THAT AGAIN... Yeah I'm still in the learning of how to get my band to work the best for me and bad habits die slowly but I am making a concious effort to do the right thing. I LOVE MY TEXAS PEOPLE!!! You have really lifted my spirits and congrats on your sucess I can only hope and work my but off to be as sucessful as you have. Thank you so much and if you have any other helpful information please share...

B.

I agree with Stacy. Yes. you probably need a fill. I just had my third, and we're fairly positive I'm in the Sweet Spot zone. (My banding was in early January.) Remember, no one puts a gun to your head and makes you eat bad things. The band offers some controls, but the rest is up to us. I've got recipes on my blog if you need them. Hugs from Florida!

Lena

Thanks for the info Lena!!! I think I get ahead of myself sometime, but slow and steady wins the race. I guess I look at other peoples success instead of focusing on whats going to make me a success. I get caught up but I am learning and I think that will make me successful in the long run learning from my mistakes, and listening to the advice that you and stacy have to give. I've been to your page and you have a lot of valuable information for people to look at. Keep up the good work, thank you for help and best of luck in your journey as well. HUGS from deep in the heart of TEXAS!