I am just over a year post op and have never heard of anyone like me. I am four pounds to goal. I can't be the only person who this has happened to and I would love to speak with anyone who has ever heard of this before.

Thanks for the help.

Theresa lost 70 pounds with no fill. Where has she been?

Thanks for the quick response, DeLarla. I have lost 83 pounds and still have all of the restriction a year ago. Odd, huh?

Thanks for the quick response, DeLarla. I have lost 83 pounds and still have all of the restriction a year ago. Odd, huh?

Maybe Odd, but definately fortunate! Good for you! I have heard of this phenomenon and it makes perfect sense that it's possible, but you are the first poster here (that I know of) that is so close to goal with NO fill! WOW!

So, what's your secret? In other words, how/what do you eat?

I'm almost a year post op and have not been able to afford a fill. I have restriction sometimes on my own though, but have still only managed to lose about 30 pounds.

Congratulations to you BTW. That's awesome!

You know I was curious when I started thinking about the surgery if everyone needs a fill or not. I wondered...do you not start losing weight till you have a fill or what? I think that is great. I haven't had the surgery yet, but would be thrilled if I could lose the weight without a fill. You must be doing something exceptionally well.

Kathy and Kelly....although I'm grateful I haven't had to work for restriction by getting fill after fill, my journey has not been a piece of cake...lol. I actually eat very little at each meal. I stay around 1100 calories per day and do a little exercise routine I made up myself. I still have issues with spitting up if I am not concentrating 100% on what and how I'm eating. But this has been a Blessing in my life.

God bless you!

Well, I hate that it's reassuring to me that it hasn't always been easy for you.

Good job though. Sounds like my kind of plan. Eat less, exercise a bit more, concentrate, focus on the positives.

More scoop though. How much exercise? Do you eat 3 meals a day, add in Snacks or no? What's a typical daily food intake?

Kathy, I pretty much track every morsel on FitDay. It's my personal accountability. I do, however, save 100 calories or so every once in a while for a glass of wine...lol. I usually eat 1/2 Protein bar in the morning, a little while later I will have a few ounces of whatever kind of of protein I've made for my family the night before. For lunch, I have a healthy Soup. I am married with family so I try to make healthy meals, but my kids and husband still eat carbs so I still make carbs, i.e. potatoes, noodles, Pasta...but only eat a teaspoon or two. If I don't have at least 50 grams of protein per day, I'll take a Protein shake. If I want a sweet, I'll eat a couple of junior mints. It satisfies me. I drink alot of Water.

I think, because of the restriction I have, I am disciplined for the first time in my life. I've often thought to myself that a band was wrapped around my head as well as my tummy.

Sounds like you definitely have restriction, even without a fill. I'm 2 fills out and there's still nothing that has caused me to PB or slime. (although I got close one time with a boiled egg)

I think that's great -- no worries on being too aggressive with your fills, etc.

Congrats on almost being to goal!

Molly....thanks for the kind words....God Bless you on your journey.

Kathy, I pretty much track every morsel on FitDay. It's my personal accountability. I do, however, save 100 calories or so every once in a while for a glass of wine...lol. I usually eat 1/2 Protein Bar in the morning, a little while later I will have a few ounces of whatever kind of of Protein I've made for my family the night before. For lunch, I have a healthy Soup. I am married with family so I try to make healthy meals, but my kids and husband still eat carbs so I still make carbs, i.e. potatoes, noodles, pasta...but only eat a teaspoon or two. If I don't have at least 50 grams of protein per day, I'll take a Protein shake. If I want a sweet, I'll eat a couple of junior mints. It satisfies me. I drink alot of Water.

I think, because of the restriction I have, I am disciplined for the first time in my life. I've often thought to myself that a band was wrapped around my head as well as my tummy.

Cool, thanks for the specifics. It helps me to compare with what I'm doing. Which is eating a good bit more than you I'm sure. I have been stuck on the same 2-3 pounds for a good few months now. I had a second fill and I definately feel more restricted by HOW I eat, not so much by WHAT I am able to eat.

Thanks for the encouragement. Here's my new plan. I talked with a "skinny" and asked how she maintained her healthy weight and she said she wakes up eating and winds down by the end of the day. Nothing to eat 3 hours before bed. She gets plenty of rest, too. Soooo, I'm going to bed a bit earlier than I'd like (working on getting 7-8 hours of sleep instead of 5-6 hours) and eating an egg for Breakfast, a Lean Cuisine (or other frozen dinner) for lunch with a Granola bar (170 calories), an afternoon apple but I'm finding I need more than that, then dinner with nothing but coffee after dinner...no Snacks or dessert. I'm hoping I get off of my plateau. I'm working on seeing the 180's now.

I'll go to FitDay and come up with a stricter menu for myself. I'm pretty good about getting in my water but that could also use some improvement. I'll often sub Crystal Light, which isn't horrible, but nothing is better than clean clear cold water. And lots of it.

Sigh. It's hard. It's dieting! But the band actually makes it work. That's the hope part of it! You are fortunate that you feel the band is wrapped around your head, too. Many many many of us still struggle with the head part.

Well done. I appreciate the info. I hope someone else with NO FILL!! posts here and you can trade experiences. Anyhow, thanks for sharing with me!

Personally, I do not view it as a positive to have that sort of restriction from the beginning and never have it let up. In hindsight, a person with that kind of restriction would have been a good candidate for a VG band. I like the idea of having some flexibility in restriction. There's no option of an unfill if one develops reflux later on down the line, for example.

Personally, I do not view it as a positive to have that sort of restriction from the beginning and never have it let up. In hindsight, a person with that kind of restriction would have been a good candidate for a VG band. I like the idea of having some flexibility in restriction. There's no option of an unfill if one develops reflux later on down the line, for example.

Good point, I was very swollen post surgery and had nowhere to go since I hadn't had a fill yet. I had to suffer through until I lost enough and had enough time to heal that the swelling went down and I was less restricted. It was a tough time. Took about two weeks to straighten it out and I didn't get my first fill until 3 months out.

However, in jao's case, I believe she has managed to make what she has work for her. At this point, her chances of developing reflux are only increased if she actually got a fill, ya know? She is able to lose weight and stay focused and diligent with probably the same amount of restriction I have after 2 fills. And I'm not too tight.

IMHO, I thinks it's more of a testament to her working the band. The way it should be. I'm a bit envoius and proud, can't you tell

I knew a girl who lost 60 pounds without a fill I guess it depends on your anatomy maybe all that was needed was the band by itself

Flower, wish you friend a good journey for me. Sixty pounds without a fill is great. Have a nice weekend!