I am not losing anything. I have absolutely no restriction other than my head telling me to stop. I get my first fill on Jan. 21st. I guess it's a good thing I've not gained the weight I lost before surgery but still this waiting game is really getting to me.

Anyone else in the same place I am?

Just tread water and do the best that you can until you get there...and you will get there, it just seems like eternity those last couple days. Remember the big goal, a week is nothing! You can handle it and you'll do great. Good luck, I'm cheering for ya!

I was in the same boat for a while. I felt like the band was never going to work. However after my second fill I feel restriction. Be patient, it will work eventually. Be prepared that your first fill may not offer much but at some point you will reach that "sweet spot" Best of luck!

I am not losing anything. I have absolutely no restriction other than my head telling me to stop. I get my first fill on Jan. 21st. I guess it's a good thing I've not gained the weight I lost before surgery but still this waiting game is really getting to me.

Anyone else in the same place I am?

I hate to burst your bubble, but a fill will not start the weight loss. It may restrict your ability to overeat at one setting, but since the consensus is that it usually takes several fills to hit the sweet spot, the first fill will give you a small restriction.

You will be able to beat the band if you are determined to do so. I hope you are not. What you need, IMHO, is a box of tools, not just one. Some of the other tools you need is an exercise routine you like and can follow, a diet plan that you can not only tolerate but enjoy, that is high in Protein and Vitamins and low in carbs and sugar, and a system of accountability. This system can be private or public, but should count your calories, measure your portions, record your exercise, and document your weight. This system will teach you what normal is suppose to look like.

I have had my band about 7 weeks, had one fill, feel no restriction yet, and eat about any kind of food. I exercise 5 to 6 days a week for 45 min to 1.5 hours. I journal all my food. I record my weight.

My co morbidities are all almost gone. No more diabetes meds, only half my BP meds, way reduced sleep apnea. And I have lost 49 pounds since the seminar. The band did not lose that weight, I did. The band is a reminder tool. I am so glad I have it, but I lost the weight, not my plastic friend.

Could I have lost this weight without the band? The answer is maybe so, but I would not have been as determined and would probably give up eventually and regain it and more.

So, If you are waiting for the band to remove weight from you, I have to tell you you will be waiting forever. If you have the band, use it to remind you to change your life, quit the bad behavior, get up and move, and transform your life. You will enjoy the results. You will feel better, look healthier, get to see results in clothes and in your skin, and your self esteem will rise because YOU succeeded. No thanks to the plastic, it will be all about you!!!

Good Luck...

TJ

Edited January 15, 201016 yr by tarajim

Well said Tarajim.

I am exercising. I am going to have to disagree with you that a fill won't help. I have the realize band and have no restriction whatsoever. My dr doesn't put anything in it until the first fill at 6 weeks. If I wanted to lose fast I could lowcarb and do it right now. I got the band to be a tool not a quick fix but it does serve a purpose. Where did you get the idea I was determined to go around the band? Are you possibly on the wrong thread!? I have no desire to go around the band I just can't wait to have restriction of some sort so I won't have to continue feeling hungry nonstop. Everyone gets the band for restriction so I don't really know where you are coming from with your post. I don't have any diabetes or blood pressure issues. I just big eyes and portion control is a major issue. I am what my dr refers to as a perfect candidate based on how I eat and what I eat normally.

Anyways... Thanks for responding but your post really seems off base.

I couldn't wait for my first fill too. However I was very dissapointed- no restriction. I have read on this forum people taking up to 5 fills before restriction happens. Just want you to be aware of this. Hang in there it will happen! Best of luck!

I have had one fill and one partial unfill.. My appetite is very very small now .. My biggest problem(s) .. Pork and beef.. I PB everytime I try to eat either of these .. Anybody else have this problem??

Anyways... Thanks for responding but your post really seems off base.

I suggest you re-read it and try not to be defensive. He is giving you the facts, warning you of some of pitfalls and congratulating you on coming as far as you have.

I suggest you re-read it and try not to be defensive. He is giving you the facts, warning you of some of pitfalls and congratulating you on coming as far as you have.

I agree, he may not have been on point with some things, such as you wanting to go around the band, but much of it is worth rereading.

I agree, he may not have been on point with some things, such as you wanting to go around the band, but much of it is worth rereading.

The reason I was being defensive is not because why he sai is untrue but it had nothing to do with what I was talking about. It didn't for the convo at all. It was like it belonged on another thread or something. Sometimes people accidentally do that. I have had more than one window open before and done it a few times on other boards. LOL

Yeah it was great advice but none that I needed to hear particularly.

Well I am praying that my first feel gives me some restriction. Anything would be better than none. If I didn't have scars I wouldn't even know I had the surgery right now.

Ohh and wii fit plus is so much fun!! If you don't have it try and get it. Works up a sweat and tells you how many calories you are burning etc.

Pardon all the typos. I am posting from my phone and it likes to change words for me

sometimes.

What does "wanting to go around the band" mean?

I hate to burst your bubble, but a fill will not start the weight loss. It may restrict your ability to overeat at one setting, but since the consensus is that it usually takes several fills to hit the sweet spot, the first fill will give you a small restriction.

You Generic "YOU"will be able to beat the band if you are determined to do so. I hope you are not. What you "Read "Anyone"need, IMHO, is a box of tools, not just one. Some of the other tools you need is an exercise routine you like and can follow, a diet plan that you can not only tolerate but enjoy, that is high in Protein and Vitamins and low in carbs and sugar, and a system of accountability. This system can be private or public, but should count your calories, measure your portions, record your exercise, and document your weight. This system will teach you what normal is suppose to look like.

I have had my band about 7 weeks, had one fill, feel no restriction yet, and eat about any kind of food. I exercise 5 to 6 days a week for 45 min to 1.5 hours. I journal all my food. I record my weight.

My co morbidities are all almost gone. No more diabetes meds, only half my BP meds, way reduced sleep apnea. And I have lost 49 pounds since the seminar. The band did not lose that weight, I did. The band is a reminder tool. I am so glad I have it, but I lost the weight, not my plastic friend.

Could I have lost this weight without the band? The answer is maybe so, but I would not have been as determined and would probably give up eventually and regain it and more.

So, If you are waiting for the band to remove weight from you, I have to tell you you will be waiting forever. If you have the band, use it to remind you to change your life, quit the bad behavior, get up and move, and transform your life. You will enjoy the results. You will feel better, look healthier, get to see results in clothes and in your skin, and your self esteem will rise because YOU succeeded. No thanks to the plastic, it will be all about you!!!

Good Luck...I meant it

TJ

You Said:

I am not losing anything. I have absolutely no restriction other than my head telling me to stop. I get my first fill on Jan. 21st. I guess it's a good thing I've not gained the weight I lost before surgery but still this waiting game is really getting to me.

Anyone else in the same place I am?

My post was in the correct place. My point is simple. You will lose weight if you work at it. You have to change. You have to work. You sound like you are waiting for something to take place that will cause you to lose weight. Your head is the most important weight loss tool. You can use it now.

I am in exactly the same place as you. I have no restriction either. I am losing weight because I am working at it. The band, when filled to a "sweet spot" will help remind my head to stop. For now, My head is doing all the work and I am losing weight.

I did not mean to imply you were going to go around the band. What I meant to imply is that if you only rely on the physical properties of the band at restriction, and allow your head to not be in the game, the band can be defeated. I do not mean you will do that, just that it can be done.

Good luck with your WII fit. I hope you lose ALL you want to in the time you plan too...

TJ

What does "wanting to go around the band" mean?

Ice cream, Yogurt, Cream Soups, Sugary liquids, all go around the band (Actually, thru it quickly).

There's a lot of good information to be taken from this post and its replies. i too have been waiting for my first fill and for the past 6 days have been able to eat double what I am supposed to. I'm not going to say I gave up nutritionally or exercising wise but I certainly have been discouraged in exercising portion control because I thought the band would "do it for me". Today I ate out for the first time since being banded and was quickly schooled in band101. Thinking my band didn't work or ... maybe isn't even actually in me (some sick joke on surgery day) I choked down a plate of salad entirely too fast and got the over eats sweats followed by wtf pain and a overeats coma. I've never felt any pain like that (thats saying a lot, I just had surgery less than a month ago!) and quickly acknowledged and respected my band.

I'm saying all of this to say, it's alright to rely on your band...thats why we went under the knife and risked our lives, but it's also imperative to exercise our self control. Don't question the band because thats when you get in trouble, yes restriction will be AMAZING but we've got to figure it out for ourselves too. If not we will end up hurting ourselves if not now...maybe later when we underestimate or give up on our band.