ok, i know that i haven't been banded a long time but im a nervous nelly.

I was banded like a week and a half ago and have lost about 2 lbs total. I figured being on the Clear Liquids diet for the week alone would have had me lose more than that! Is this normal? Did you guys lose very little weight in the beginning too? Is it because I haven't had a fill yet?

thanks!

ok, i know that i haven't been banded a long time but im a nervous nelly.

I was banded like a week and a half ago and have lost about 2 lbs total. I figured being on the clear liquids diet for the week alone would have had me lose more than that! Is this normal? Did you guys lose very little weight in the beginning too? Is it because I haven't had a fill yet?

thanks!

Sarah,

I felt the same way. Then I calculated how many calories I needed to maintain my surgery weight vs. how many needed to maintain my goal weight of 140. I was dismayed to find that it's only somewhere around 300 calories a day...not enough to even lose 2 lbs per week. However, if I drop my calories down to 1200 per week, that gives me the 500 per day I need to lose that 2 measly little pounds.

Keep in mind too that it's not immediate. You may have been on clear liquids for a week and a half, but what'd you eat the week prior to that? Another consideration is how many calories in that liquid? Additionally, your activity level (calories expended) may have dropped as a result of postop recovery. Are you just as active now...or less so?

Bottom line is that our loss or gain comes down to simple math -- calories in vs calories expended.

Remember, this is a band...not a bypass. Our weight loss will be slow and gradual and most (there are exceptions) people really don't start losing until they've reached restriction...which, depending on how soon and often you get your fills, may be months...if you let your doctor set the schedule.

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I only lost 3.5 pounds my first week after surgery. Then a few weeks later lost 8 pounds in one week. I think they may add saline to the iv they give you post op. So hopefully you will see a big number down the road. Hope it's soon!

Hey Sarah! I'm 4 days post-op and just had my first check-up last night.. I too haven't lost anything since surgery. The dr told me not to worry as long as I am getting enough walking in, because I'm still holding onto fluids. Don't worry (I know it's hard not to!) We can do it!

Well I think it's what we expect once we get banded. That the weight will just magically fall off? Or at least I was hoping. But I loose weight slow. I always have and it looks like now that I have my band it's no different. I'm down 21 lbs and I had my band placed November 12th. So I'm trying to be ok with the slow loss. I am most days until I see a post where someone who got banded the same day as me has lost twice as much weight! But I know I'm eating well and doing everything I can for me.... that's all I can do and I'm happy with any loss. I feel great and I know in the long run it's going to be worth it.

I think my greatest joy now is eating and actually being full after only half the food I would normally eat. Sometimes less than half! To me that's an accomplishment in itself!

Due to complications, I started with an empty band. I just had my second fill yesterday and am not sure if that did anything. My point is that I haven't lost much since surgery but I know that is the way of the band. Until you get to your "sweet spot", after several fills your weight loss may slow or stall all together. I am just happy I haven't gained any weight. Being on this forum has really helped educate me to this fact. Take care and hang in there! It will happen for you soon enough!!!