incolorado

Yay, down 2 pounds (really 3, since I gained and re-lost a pound since the start of the challenge!) My fill is totally working now....

I am early in the process, but with this second fill (from 4ccs to 6 ccs) there is no way I could eat that much food. Before the second fill, definitely! So sounds like you do need another fill. Good luck!

I agree - I am just 2 months out, but Dr. Brown is and his staff are great. Highly recommended!

That is awesome! Way to go Amanda! I just got a second fill on Tues, and whoa what a difference! I went from 4 ccs to 6 ccs. Waaayyy more restriction now, so hopefully my scale will start moving too!

Hey Lady! Do we weigh in weekly or just at the end of the challenge? I changed my goal to a more realistic number... Thanks for doing this!

Definitely try to get in for another fill early! You should not be hungry all the time. It is a pain, all this waiting and back and forth stuff. Hope it starts to work for you!

I only have the Jillian DVD, not the Wii one. I was thinking about those 2 for the Wii as well. Hmmmmmmm

Drs. Brown and Metz in Denver also do self-pay for $9900. Very easy to get an appointment with them, and very good nutrition info.

Someone on LBT once said something like "successful Bandsters are the ones who figure out its not 'how much can I eat' with the band, its 'how little can I eat.'" I think this is true. At first, I tested the band, and found out pretty quickly that I could eat way more than I need to. But the band has helped with my cravings and hunger, and that helps me to make better choices and to choose to see how little I can eat, not how much. That said, I would be pissed about no weight loss at all. Seems like you may just need more of a fill. Tracking calories helps too - another thing I resisted for a while. Good luck, hope it gets better.

Bandster hell was annoying, but I think the Pre-op diet was worse. I only had to do 3 days, but it was clear liquids only, no protein shakes. I did not gain during BH, but did not lose much either.

I would schedule another fill. Hey 17 lbs since surgery is great! I am at 25 lbs total, about 17 of those post-surgery for me too.

I just discovered the Wii Fit and the Jillian Michaels Shred DVD - love them both. I also do the Gold's Gym boxing workout on the Wii. Now that it is getting cold (snowing here as I type), I have been doing more running on the treadmill. I am trying to exercise every day!

It sounds weird, but its true - my first fill did not kick in for about a week. Then lasted maybe 2 more weeks, but just very slight restriction. I am back today for a second fill! Actually your rate of loss is great, and just about what most of us are experiencing. Exercise helps a bunch! Try for every day.

I was hungry too after the first fill. Once you start solids it should get a little better. My fill did not kick in at all until about a week later, and I could not tell unless I had very solid food (like meat). But my hunger levels were better. Hope this gets better with solids!

Two pounds a week is awesome! I would be thrilled with that. Great job. I did lose another pound to reach the big 25 pounds lost milestone - in 7 weeks! Very happy about that. Exercising every day is helping tremendously.

OOOOohh fun thread! I am down 24 lbs so far. I can wear size 16 jeans with no muffin top! And without having to unbutton them when I sit down. I can run without pain. I can buckle the belt on an airplane seat without having to go to the very end of the thing. I can wear fitted shirts without too much embarrassment about the back fat or muffin top. My bras are no longer too tight! Way more comfortable. What I can't do: No more binging! Yeah!

I am finding I can keep losing, even if I'm eating more, by keeping my calories under 1200 (would be more for you of course, you're a guy!). The only realistic way to do this without starving is to eat filling foods - Protein, lots of veggies and whole grains. You know the routine. I also stepped up my exercise to every day. We tell ourselves all kinds of reasons why we can't exercise, but I know I can find 30 freaking minutes each day! I mean I spend more than that on this site and blogging, right? (Little pep talk to myself, sorry, starting to get off on a tangent!) This is where the mental strength comes in! I know it will get easier for both of us with restriction. Good luck!

It does get better. I lost 15 lbs in just over one week between the 3 day pre-op diet and post-op liquid diet....Then, Nothing! Took a couple weeks, and a fill, to get things going again. I will say, even with the fill, I do not have much restriction. And left to my own devices, I would be gaining. Exercise is pretty essential, in my opinion. You are doing great, it will get easier!

Friends, just wanted to share that I have reached my first 10% - that is 23.4 pounds gone forever! :thumbup: I have made peace with the lack of restriction for the next week and a half - I'm making up for it by exercising every day and choosing filling, healthy foods. Makes a big difference! Trying to have a salad every lunch and dinner - really helps fill me up.

Good for you taking that 8 lbs right off!!! That's the way to do it! Your first fill should help some...Mine did in the beginning, not so much now.

Nope, they will only do fills 4 weeks apart - at least at this point. Also, I am out of town and have to fly in. So no changing the date, I just have to deal with it for 2 weeks. And hope the next fill does something!

I just ate a 10 oz. frozen meal, about a cup of salad, and another 1/4 cup of grilled veggies. Waaaay more than 6 oz! I am now satisfied, but not overly full. I am 6 weeks out and about 2 weeks from my first fill (4 ccs in 10 cc band). Feels like I have NO restriction. My weight is all in my lower half - seriously I do not have much fat around the middle. Maybe this has something to do with it?

My next fill is 10/28. How much do you have in your band? I just ate a healthy dinner (after nothing but protein shakes and some broth all day). Here's what I had: Kashi frozen chicken and pilaf meal (10 oz., 280 cals.), about 1 cup of salad with low-fat dressing, and 1/4 cup of grilled veggies. In other words, more than I should be able to eat! I was full after that meal (around 400 cals?) but it just seems like toooo much food. I have been exercising several times a week, but I need to have more of a routine - too many days I just get to the evening and I'm too tired (or lazy!) I am about where you are weight loss wise - 20 to 22 lbs lost since surgery depending on the day. Happy about that!:scared2:

I felt absolutely nothing with the water test afer my first fill. Took me like 5 seconds to drink the water. The Dr. said he was surprised. That night after the fill I had a (large) bowl of cream of broccoli soup, and the next morning a regular sized bowl of oatmeal. Did not feel different at all. Then, about a week later, I felt less hungry and was full after a regular meal. (Regular sized - like at least 1.5 cups of food). Now, nothing. Don't feel any restriction at all :scared2:.

Wow 41 pounds! That is awesome! How much have you lost since surgery? Congrats on the 18s! It feels so great to move to a smaller size! :thumbup: