Thee-O

I would be more concerned on healing right so you can get your exercise on. Just be patient, focus on your habits changing and not purely on restriction. You are doing great so far. Just keep going.

It all depends on your body and sex. Men can eat a bit more but on average I see women eating in that calorie frame. I myself eat around 1500-2000, depends on how much activity I am doing. You can see what is a good range for weight loss for you by using www.myfitnesspal.com. A lot of people on here use it. It works really well.

Sounds like you are in a good space. All you have to do now, is just change things up a little. If you aren't exercising, now would be a good time to start. I haven't had any fills yet, and while I may have some in the future, I like knowing now that it isn't just the band doing the work, that I am doing what I can to make it happen for me. You can do it. Just focus and keep motivated.

I am djtheeo on there. Please feel free to add.

I agree with you that this person needed to see a doc before they put on 25 lbs. I see that you have lost primarily from restriction and that is how the lap band is really set up for. I just use my tool differently. I will tell you though, even though I have never had a fill and I don't have a ton of restriction, one thing that I don't do, thanks to the band is snack constantly. I eat, I get satisfied (sometimes even full) and then I stop eating for hours. So in that respect, it has helped quite a bit.

Totally agree with you Sanction. I think it is so easy to try to let the band do it all for them (and for some people that works), however that doesn't change the behavior in my opinion. Losing weight regardless of surgery or naturally is about a lifestyle change and it is about choices. Just because you have a piece of plastic in you shouldn't change the fact that you need to make better choices. You still need to work at it, fills or no fills.

While I cannot speak for the person who posted I will tell you this. I am also without a fill, I go to my doctor at my regular appointments and he is happy with my weight loss with out the fills thus far. I figure I have this band in me for life. There is plenty of time for fills. I do find I have restriction, probably not the best of it though, but I do get stuck from time to time so trust me, I can feel the band. I decided to lose weight through exercise and giving up most carbs and processed foods. While I know I could have done this without the band, I am still very happy with what the band has done for me more in my mindset, then in actual restriction.

I also suggest you visit your doctor. I haven't had any fills yet and had surgery almost 7 months ago. It might be time for your first fill or it might be time to increase your activity. Are you working out? I suggest that you start looking into doing some exercise to keep the weight loss going.

Over 6 months out. over 50 lbs lost. No Fills. The way I feel is that you have the band inside of you for the rest of your life, there is plenty of time for fills. I would prefer to do the hard work on my own and know that if and when I need some extra help that fills are available. While I don't have any fills, I do feel restriction, not severe or major in any way, but it is there. I think the best thing for me is that even without fills, it has helped me stay full for hours. I don't do a lot of snacking in the day. I keep my calorie intake at about 1800 to 2000 calories a day and I work out about 5 days a week. I also eliminated rice, potatoes and bread from my diet. So far this has worked for me. I also use Myfitnesspal.com and just for a Fitbit which is awesome. If you are losing weight without fills, just keep doing what you are doing. Good luck on your journey.

Glad to see so many of you losing weight without the need for fills on the short term at least. It is inspiring me to keep the path of increased exercise and better food choices. By doing that, and along with the lap band I think that is truly the recipe of success.

I personally think it is to soon to say the band is a failure. I do agree that you might want to increase your calorie intake a bit as your body may be in starvation mode and there for holding on to every pound. You really have only the band for 3 months now. I say circle back with your surgeon and see what they might do to help. Don't look at this a failure yet, look at this as fine tuning your diet, exercise and band in harmony so that you lose weight correctly.

I think it would be a good idea to try it out to get your head in the game. However most tend to be like the poster above, and treat the last few weeks before surgery as a one big last meal. But yeah preparing for you new life is always a good thing.

In my opinion this is where the good habits come in. The things we are told by our surgeons and RD's are not just for restriction, but also for proper weight loss and weight management. Just keep that in mind. I have lost over 50 with no fills and really just by following their rules regarding proper diet and exercise. You can do it, and this honestly is a good way of testing yourself and your overall habits. Man, if I can't eat fruit I don't ever want restriction! lol

Excellent results!! Way to go

I agree with checking in on the weight about once a week. Especially if you are lifting weights and building muscle than the improvement in the inches might be bigger than what you see on the scale since muscle is heavier than fat. Being obsessive with the scale isn't healthy in my opinion, but yes, you should always be accountable.

5 months from my surgery date on May of 2011 and 50 lbs lighter so far.

Great post and congrats on your success!

I went in for a follow up this morning with my Bariatric center. I weighed in and I have now lost over 50 lbs since my surgery on May 13th. I have had no fills (still no fill today), PA asked how I was doing it and explained my diet and exercise schedule. She was very proud of me and seemed to be happy with the way I am losing weight and suggested that I get fills when I am ready or when the weight loss is slowing, but she says to continue down the path that I am taking. She liked my behavior over restriction ideas and is in full support. So far so good. When I originally had the lap band I wanted to lose my first 50 lbs by my birthday (11/16), so I was able to beat it a couple of weeks early. Now the next goal is another 15 lbs by NYE. Wish me luck! Next scheduled appointment is in another 3 months. Feeling great!

The band didn't just do everything for you. You did a lot of the work. You changed your patterns and habits. You created life long lessons. The band is a tool, but you can continue the journey with out it. YOU can do this.

5 months in today. No Fills. I see my doctor the end of this month. I lost 40 lbs before surgery and another 42 after. The weight loss is gradual and I like that as I feel that is the best way to keep the weight off long term. For me, I wanted this to be a test of my will power rather than just forcefully limiting myself via lapband. I wanted this to be a lifestyle change and I wanted to change my behaviors forever. I do feel restriction. I have got stuck a few times which SUCKS! But I am also eating a lot less and a lot healthier than I used to. I stopped eating Rice, Potatoes and Bread. I cut out junk food and fast food. I work out at least 4 times a week. I am more active and have more muscle. I have lost a lot of inches. Went from a size 50 waist to a 42 and that is starting to feel a bit saggy. I went from a 4xl to a 2xl. Will I get fills in the future, probably. I am not "anti-fill" or anything like that, but to me the hardest part was getting my head right and the lap band seemed to help me with that. I think for me. I look at the surgery itself as my rock bottom in my food addiction. It really affected me that I let myself go to the point that surgery needed to be involved. That only encouraged me to really focus on my health and make long term changes. Everyone one is different and this is how I feel about things. thanks for reading.

What feeling don't you like? You are doing great!!! You are losing inches. You are healthier. You are a little less then half way to your goal in only 4 1/2 months? That is great!! I don't think you are looking at all the positives that have occurred in that time span. I had the surgery in May and I have chosen to have no fills so far. I figure we have this band in for life, so if I want some later, that is fine. I am focused on changing my lifestyle with better food and lots of exercise. That is the hard part. Fills are the easy part. To me you are doing great and I am sorry if you feel like your failing but getting ready to do your first 5k doesn't sound like failing to me.

Hi Melissa, I also suggest you take your husband with you to see your surgeon. That way he can ask any questions he may have regarding the surgery. Talking to the staff and the surgeon will hopefully put him at ease. I am a diabetic and this surgery has pretty much eliminated it. I don't have to take the meds I once did. I feel great. I have lost 40 lbs before the surgery and another 42 so far after the surgery on May 13th. It was the best thing I ever did for my health and honestly this procedure is one of least evasive weight loss surgeries around. You have nothing to worry about but to help you and your husband feel at ease I suggest you do your research and try to have your surgery done with a Center of Excellence. Good luck to you and I wish you the best.

My typical daily meal: Breakfast: Yogurt Parfait with Granola Lunch: Trader Joe's Packaged Salads. Today I had the Super Spinach salad that had Spinach, Quinoa, Carrots, Cranberries, Chickpeas, Edamame, pumpkin Seads and a Carrot Ginger Dressing (SOOO GOOD) Dinner: Grilled Cajun Salmon and Aspargus Snacks: Jamba juice smoothie. 16 oz berry Fulfilling with Energy, whey Protein and Extra banana. I also love the Think Thin Protein Bars. So good. I also take in about 100 ounces of Water a day.