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I got my surgery 5 months ago and since then Ive had 4 fills. I'm currently at 6.5 cc's. I feel no restriction and no different as to before surgery. I've lost 30lbs but I feel its only because I've really been pushing myself and began running 4 miles up steep hills 5 days a week and I limit myself on portions but find myself feeling hungry often. I got the band as a big aid in helping me lose weight but its saddening to feel like its been useless for me. I cut off so much food out of my life and changed my eating habits on my own. I feel like I can lose track at any moment and gain weight again. My bands max is 10 cc's and I was told average weight loss is 10lbs a month but that hasn't been my case and I'm starting to feel anxious and helpless. Anyone else out there experience my same issue?

I hope this leads to medical professionals receiving more education and development around issues of obesity. This may also have positive outcomes in terms of legal protections against discrimination. I do have pause over what I'm sure will be a new onslaught of companies pushing commercial weight loss products for the sake of a buck. But such is the way of the world. I guess my last thought is that so far the conversations I've read/heard seem to be missing the power of "and". I agree our culture needs to move to a more body-positive way of viewing and treating each other and fat shaming must end. At the same time we also need to feel empowered to be our healthiest possible selves (and this is about individual responsibility as well as systemic change around things like mental health, socioeconomic status, access and food deserts). I have to believe there is a way for us to improve ourselves at the individual and community level.

I have struggled with my weight since I was 22. I had always thought I was over weight, looking back I wish I could smack my younger self... I has healthy and beautiful and had no idea. I am not a self loathing person. I do not look in the mirror and hate myself. I look in the mirror and realize I am slowly killing myself by the weight I have put on over the years. I feel tired most of the time, I have back, hip, and knee problems because of my weight. I am 5'6 and 270lbs which my body was not built for. This is the heaviest I have ever been. My weight has always fluctuated...I lose weight, keep it off for a while, then it comes right back on, usually bringing extra friend pounds with it. Anyone else who has experienced this, knows how depressing this can be. It has gotten to the point that I not longer care to work out, I don't really want to do anything, I have become lazy and sedentary. My boyfriend is an outdoor person who loves to hike and fish and move around and I want to do those things with him but I have a really hard time keeping up which makes me feel crappy. I had looked into gastric bypass surgery a long time ago, but the side effects were not worth it to me. Then my best friend had the gastric sleeve and told me how much better it was. She had her surgery in March and I have waited to see how she reacted to the surgery, how her body handled it, what she went through, her struggles and her successes. She has lost 90lbs since March, looks amazing, is happier, healthier, and more active. So I sat down with her and talked about the process she went through and all the steps that she had to do. I contacted the same doctor and have already met with him, set up my support group meetings, set up my dietician appointment, and will be calling to schedule my psych evaluation. I am so excited and anxious to get this ball rolling. I am ready for a new healthy life. I am ready to learn how to eat to live and not live to eat. I am excited about how this will effect my energy levels, how I can lose enough weight that I will no longer have chronic back, hips, and knee pain. I am also excited about how I will look. Anyone who says looking better is not part of why they want to do it is lying! LOL. It should never be your main reason and you should never do it for someone else. My boyfriend did not encourage or talk me out of it when I was making my decision. He told me he would support me either way but would not sway my decision. Now that I have decided to go through with the process he is with me every step of the way. He will be going to support meetings, appointments, and anything else I need.

Cterika1 sorry so slow to respond...just noticed this! Yes my surgeon places the ports on the left chest wall it's just slightly above the breast like a life-port or portacath would be placed. His theory behind it is it is easier to access and can be anchored better so there is less of a chance of chance for complication with port movement or flipping. I can feel my port easily if I look for it but so far with the weight loss it isn't visible at all and it's a low profile port.

I realize I started on this journey at a lower weight than others, but still unhealthy for my height and body type. My profile picture is from the day of my surgery. I never set a number goal for myself going into this. Instead I decided I would continue to lose until my health issues were resolved. My surgeon and the nurses at my insurance company agree with me and like this approach. I hope it is effective and I'm not going about this in a way that will prove unsuccessful. I was never one to be too concerned with the scale, more concerned with the way I was feeling. When I started getting sicker and sicker, I knew I had to take action sooner than later. I am glad to see so many mentioning their health issues are improving.

It Does Not Take Much To Be Successful At Weight-Loss!! It Takes Everything!! Happy Sunday!! Love All Of You!! Keep God First and Everything Else Will Fall Into Place!!!(Sharon)

You've built it up once, you can again. Lapband surgery or anything else will make it harder for you because you are forced to take a break. I broke my tailbone skating, then my foot straight after, and was unable to do any cardio for close to 6 months. It's one of those things. In fact with the band surgery it was an easier recovery than broken bones because I was walking again within a week, and cycling within 2 weeks. On the aside, I think if you enjoy exercise pre-band, you'll kill the whole weight loss thing post band. Those who do best with the band, imo, are the ones who utilise the satiety that the band gives them alongside exercising.

Hello all, my name is Erica, my reborn date was Sept 19 2010. I started at 236, went down to 137 and now in at 146... I stalled after a year but was happy with it. Now I am worried because the weight is creeping back on me... suggestions ? Help? Oh. I had a bypass..

my nutritionist told me about a guy that did a "farewell tour" of all his favorite restaurants - including several goodbye stops at Golden Coral buffet - and gained 30 pounds in the month before surgery.... so just forget about the A&W - tomorrow is a new day. Just don't do a farewell tour and you will be ok!!! LOL

This article just came through on some newsletter that I am subscribed to.Apparently waist to height ratio is more important than BMI when determining health risk. Whtr: The New Determinant Of Health Risk | LIVESTRONG.COM After reading this I'm stuffed! There is no hope, as a natural apple I may as well give up now. I am 5' (153cm) and have a waist measurement of 32"(81cm).According to the calculator I found Waist-to-Height Ratio this gives me a ratio of 53.3. This puts me in the overweight - close to seriously overweight category. So what is the problem you may ask? Well my BMI is 22 - well within the normal range. When I saw my Dr last week I was told categorically that I must NOT lose any more weight. She says I can't afford to as I will be too skinny. She was probably looking at my legs - I was wearing leggings (Aus size 6). So what do I do.How do you lose weight from 1 area and not the rest. As far as I know there still isn't any effective way of spot reducing. When you lose you lose all over and have no say in where it comes off. Maybe the only solution is lipo or a tummy tuck! LOL.:smile2:

I'll tell you what my Doctor sister told me when i was scared of the pain before my band. She said the pain is going to be a whole lot less than the pain of your first heart attack if you don't do something about your weight. For me that all brought it into perspective. I hurt, but that's what the pain meds are for. Tried to cut back on the second day, that was a mistake. Finally just took them for about a week, and then started cutting back. Remember though I had complications with my lapband removal, so I had more pain than most. Just don't be a hero and take the meds if you need them.

In the past I have dropped to 1000 calorie diets and lost a lot of weight. But I worked out a lot and found I was very light headed at the end. Oh, and I was FAMISHED all day long. I was doing 6 small meals, no carbs or ANYTHING with sugar after 2. This from a girl who has 1 large meal a day eating habbits! My metabolism didn't know what to do! It was a fantastic plan, but with my lifestyle it was very hard to follow. I do a lot of business lunches and dinners... plus I found it very difficult to eat after noon because I got so busy at work. I see the Dr. for the first time next week for prelim testing for a hopeful operation later this spring. I feel really out of control with my weight gain right now and need to work on getting control between now and then. Would any of you reccommend that I go on a liquid diet before surgery?

I was one of the fortunate ones - I really didn't have much pain, hardly any gas pain, was able to tolerate liquids and have had no problems with any food. I only took the pain killers at night after the first day or two to help me fall asleep. I walked the night of my surgery and kept walking as much as possible. Sometimes I think I can eat too much but I am losing fairly steadily. I am 3 months today and have lost approximately 56 since about 2 weeks before surgery. I do exercise at least 2-3 times a week with weights and walk at least 3-4 days a week. I was so nervous about the surgery that I almost cancelled the day of but am so glad that I didn't change my mind. Only thing I would do differently is to have the surgery sooner. My sleep apnea has disappeared and I feel so much healthier and more energetic. Best of luck to you...hope everything goes well for you

I'm a little over two weeks from my surgery date and I'm reading a lot of stories about people in pain. How bad was your pain? How bad was the post-surgery diet? Is your weight loss worth what you've gone through to get to it? Would you do it all over again if you had the chance?

4 months out and own 82 pounds. He'll yes I would do it again! Even if I didn't lose any more weight from now I would do it. I have ended 4 pills and maybe 3 more this next month.

I would just go to your surgeon appt-psych eval was easy-they do a quick 20 min one on one-question and answer-to make sure you are not too crazy.LOL.. no it is just a personal interview-then you have to take a questionnaire- mine was like 500 questions-no joke-but the psych eval was easy. with the insurance just make sure you have the weight history and letter from pcp so your surgeon can send it all over at once-then follow up two weeks after it is submitted if you have not heard anything by then.

Remember that the 1st 6 weeks is really for healing, and that should be your focus. The weight loss is a pleasant side-effect. Please don't worry about this at this early point. Start practicing taking the long-term point of view, don't rush things, and stay focused on health. I promise you will be happier and healthier, and you will lose weight. This is not a race. You are doing great, don't jeopardize it by getting in a big hurry. Good luck! Cindy

Hi thanks so much for your reply. I have some good news but first of all I wish you good luck with your diet programme...keep the point and be strong! Now I went to see another surgeon and I have shown him my three xref...he recon the pouch is regressed so surprice surprice I do not have to take the band off and as you may well understand I am very very happy...In seven years i had the band filled just once..but i have found oput that before 2003 they used another kind of band initially it was 9.75cm wide (sorry about the centimeters) but then after 2003 they started to use an 11cm one. they used to fill the 975 with 2,5ml during the surgery and then later on...with the 11cm they initially kept it loose for filling it in different stages. now my type il the 975 so it's basically smaller in diameter and that means less chances to contain the pouch if there...now I have been really lucky although as you I must come back to a diet...but honestly I am so happy that in few months if the pouch will disappear the band can be filled and I could start loosing weight again..... I hope you will have a nice holiday andd do not worry there's always time to lose weight! when you have a band the most important thing is not to overeat or at least contain quantity...because the dilation pouch is quite a common side effect and can cost you the need to remove the band... All the best freddie

Hi- I thought I would post an update to my June post on this thread. In July I had my band removed. It's not the outcome I wanted, but my doctor felt there was too much scarring to give me another one. Since then, I've regained quite a bit of weight and I'm almost back at my starting weight pre-band. It's so hard... I'm now investigating the gastric sleeve. All this and I'm still pro-band. However, I do suggest that before having the band or any other WLS that you research this in depth. I subscribed to the Obesity-related medical journals so that I could read the studies coming out about the various WLS methods. Don't rely upon these boards for your statistics. Speak with your surgeon and read the medical reports for yourself. My surgeon cooborated what I've read in several journal articles that complication rates for bands are as high as 25%. And a good number of patients will require intervention at the four or five year mark and beyond. If you are a long-time bandster and experiencing complications or weight gain, please don't hide out from your doctor. Please get evaluated. Wishing you all the best~

I used to think I was having a stroke when I worked outside in the yard. But so far this spring -- when I cut the grass, I barely break into a sweat! It's one of the great benefits of weight loss as far as I'm concerned. Elizabeth 8-28-03 -45

No, I went to Mexico for my surgery, self pay. I wrote 10 cc on the paper, I knew what I had. But when she put in 3 cc fill, when the barium didnt go into my stomach, she decided I didnt know what I was talking about and must have misunderstood, so she took almost all the fill out, so gave me a usual fill for a 4 cc band. Im sure the fill doctor is a nice person and she only does fills on Saturdays because she knows how it is to get banded in Mexico and have trouble finding a fill doctor. She doesnt take you until after you have been banded for at least 5 weeks and then our schedules didnt match, so Im on my own until sept 27th. She was banded herself in Mexico her husband said. She does the whole thing, fluor and barium swallow, and got worried because 3 cc I was too tight for and its not too tight for most with a 10 cc band. So she decided my surgeon had said the band was 10 cm across in diameter, not a 10 cc band and took out way too much of the fill. My surgeon recommended a 2.5 cc fill for the first fill. Im just in a panic because of the cruise coming up. Will power aint going to cut it and I can eat anything, there isnt any food I cant eat because of my band so far. I was also hoping that my clothes would fit better, they still look too tight to be attractive on my cruise. Im insulin resistant so losing weight is hard enough for me. Just feeling all around frustrated tonight.

Hi there, I read how desperate you are, but I am also confused...your signature, if I read it right, shows you have lost quite a bit of weight. 291/245/165 That is wonderful. Have you gained the weight back? I also agree with Sue, do you need a fill? Is your Dr. helping with your problem? If so change drs. I did! My surgeon did a great job, but I wasn't getting the support I felt I needed, so I found a different dr and couldn't be happier. Good luck, Joanie :sneaky:)

Me too. I ws banded in Oct 07 and have had no weight loss. I had my 4th fill (taking me up to 6.75mls in a 10cc band) last week. Last night I was saying to my friend that I was convinced that the band was not working for me and then this morning I could not even drink my coffee. I have struggled to eat or drink anything all day. I am not panicking yet as this darned thing is so fickle it may be back to normal in the morning, if not then I am going to enjoy this restriction while I can. Its a bit scary though don't you think?

I think I'm too tight right now, but I'm not sure if I should wait it out or go get a small unfill. I'm having a hard time eating solid foods and I'm PB'ing several times a day. After my 2nd fill (1.7) I had good restriction for a few days and then I was hungry again. I went in for a 3rd fill and they explained to me that as I lose weight the band will get looser and I will need adjustments. They were able to increase me to 2.2 and they even checked me with the fluoroscope. I was ok at first but now I'm having more trouble eating. I'm wondering if I should stick with the theory that as I lose weight the band will get looser on its own and it'll all work itself out. I've been too tight for a couple of weeks now. Has anyone else gone through this? What did you do? Also, I need to update my weight loss ticker. Can anyone tell me how to do that?

Thanks for the replies and words of wisdom. Im trying to make the appropriate steps to get another doctor rite now. Its so frustrating to here of everyones success and their experiece with their first fills and I havent had one yet. Its really pissing me off but I am proud of myself because of the weight I have lost with no fills.