BuffyC413

Yes. It's now been 2 years and 3 months since my surgery and I have lost a total of 70lbs. (From 223 to 153) It took about 6 months before I started losing. It came off slow and steady. The first year after I posted this, it was mainly because it was too tight and I just couldn't eat anything. But, the past 6 months, I've been able to eat and I'm still losing. So, after all this time, I'm finally at that "sweet spot".

Yes, you could still be full. There are times when I can only eat one major meal a day. If I try to eat anything else, I get that "stuck" feeling.

I started a new topic here several months back titled "5 Months Post Op and No Weight Lost". I was banded August 16th, 2010. Each month after, my band was adjusted. By the new year, I was just as heavy as I was the day of my surgery (almost 220lbs) In February, 2011, I had lost 10lbs but, only because my band was too tight and I couldn't eat anything other than liquids without throwing up. They took fluid out and I gained half of it back. At the end of March/beginning of April, I noticed that it felt "different" when I ate. I could eat most anything as long as I chewed it to mush and kept my bites miniscule. I don't know what changed but it was seemingly overnight. So, 7 months post op, I finally started losing weight! I am now going on 15 months post op and I weigh 180. The past 3 weeks, I have not lost anything. They said I should expect to lose 40-60lbs so, I don't know if my body is choosing to stay at the low end or what. I'd like to get at least 10 more lbs off but I think it's going to take another fill which I haven't had in several months. The only explanation I can offer for things changing is perhaps my brain finally gave up on my food addiction. Eating is no longer pleasurable. It takes a lot of time and patience and I don't get any of the joy I got from it before. I don't look forward to it and I don't think "I wonder what I'm going to eat today?" I've managed to talk to a few people who have had little success and are at 4-6 months post op. Is there anyone out there who started losing weight after half a year of being banded, or longer?

Yes, I did. But, "everything" to me is still healthy. I've never been a fan of ice cream, for example. I thought I'd still be able to eat a 6 inch subway sandwich, only less. But, turns out, the bread is a bit too much. I didn't realize that by restriction, you actually had to avoid breads and thicker meats. I thought you could still eat those things and not feel anything internally only the outcome was you'd just eat less of it when you got full quicker. I'm used to journaling what I eat. I did WW a few times and was successful. I'll probably go back on it. That was my plan in the beginning anyways but a friend and fellow bander told me it wouldn't be necessary because the band would take care of that for me. Do ya'll know of anyone else who has gone through this? My nurse said she's seen it before. People going month to month with little weight loss and then BAM! They get the right amount of restriction and it starts falling off. I hope that is the case for me. I can definitely tell a difference after this last fill.

I know it's hard to understand. And, most people do automatically assume that I'm not eating right or eating a lot of sweets. All I can say is that I ate healthily before. I gained most of my weight because of disease and not being able to be active. So, I set my standards low when I got this surgery because of my inability to be active. I doubt I'll allow them to make my band much tighter. I guess I'm willing to live with this tightness level if results happen. I go back to the Dr. in 2 weeks.

My last visit, I saw a different nurse. I could have sworn that at the visit before this latest one, I had been filled to 6.4cc. But, when she took the saline out to measure, she said it had 5.5cc's. I didn't say anything. I wasn't sure if she misread or maybe the last nurse was wrong. I feel the restriction this time around. So, I will see what they measure the next time I go in. I've never heard about the thicker liquid.

Wow. I thought I was the only one! I am 5 months post op and I haven't lost one single pound! I've had 3 fills total so far. The first two, I was still able to eat just as I did before with no problems. This last fill was pretty aggressive. I'm at 6.5cc of a 10cc band and now, I can only eat soft foods. If I try to eat something dense, it gets stuck immediately unless I chew it into liquid form which only makes my jaw hurt and I get sick of eating. It takes me 30 min to eat half a burger. Is this what we're supposed to be doing to lose weight? I've never met anyone else who hasn't lost weight, only had minimal weight loss in their eyes, but to me it's significant weight loss. At 5 months post op, I really thought I'd be 25lbs lighter. I thought 5lbs a month was a realistic goal since I take medications and have health problems. But no. I was 217 the morning they rolled me back for surgery and I am 217 right now. And, I'm so depressed. Even more so than usual. It would be nice to have a lap band buddy to talk to. Especially since we are experiencing the same things. Feel free to email me at buffyclary@yahoo.com.

I am 5 months post op and have had 0 weight loss. I went in for my 3rd fill since surgery and am experiencing the same things. Solid foods won't go down without pain and usually having to throw it back up. Burps and gurgles occur when I eat. But, is this where I'm supposed to be? I had a fellow bandster tell me "yes" on FB. If I don't lose weight this month at this month restriction, could it be that I'm probably the only person who's had Lap Band and not lost any weight??

I had surgery August 16th, 2010. I weighed 217lbs before going into the operating room. Today is October 15th and I still weigh 217. I left the hospital with 4cc's and had my first fill 6wks post op. I'm now 5.5cc's. My band capacity is 10cc's. I'm very frustrated and wondering why this isn't working for me? Will gastric bypass work? Has anyone here been through similar circumstances? <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">