ok, here goes. I was banded on 2/26/10. I did a 1 wk liquid pre-op and a 4 wk progressive post-op (liquids, pureed, soft, and regular). From 2/19/10 I have lost 25 lbs - total. Before my 1st fill on 4/5/10, I had gained 3 lbs back, but have lost ihought t. This is really wearing on me. I thought it was not supposed to feel like a diet - but I am conscious every time I eat. :confused: I know I have overeat at times, so I deal with the guilt as well as the fear thtat I have stretched my pouch out to the point that it is ineffective. I have felt resistance before so that makes me feel like if I did stretch it out - I didn't stretch it out to the point that it did not function at all.

So people:frown::confused:......please tell me how your first few months went cause I am starting to feel defeated.

Don't feel defeated. I've been told that sometimes we can gain weight before the first fill. You're not going to have restriction this early in the game, and I don't think you can stretch your pouch.

These are all things I've read here. Sounds like you're right on track. Hang in there!

Debbie

it takes time to adjust to change. Had your read all of the information on the band? Until you have restriction you either just eat what you want and know you are potentially not going to lose, or you decide to make use of that time.

I don't have much restriction at all. I choose to work because I want change. So i can only give my experience.

ok, here goes. I was banded on 2/26/10. I did a 1 wk liquid pre-op and a 4 wk progressive post-op (liquids, pureed, soft, and regular). From 2/19/10 I have lost 25 lbs - total. Before my 1st fill on 4/5/10, I had gained 3 lbs back, but have lost ihought t. This is really wearing on me. I thought it was not supposed to feel like a diet - but I am conscious every time I eat. :thumbup::confused: I know I have overeat at times, so I deal with the guilt as well as the fear thtat I have stretched my pouch out to the point that it is ineffective. I have felt resistance before so that makes me feel like if I did stretch it out - I didn't stretch it out to the point that it did not function at all.

So people:frown:......please tell me how your first few months went cause I am starting to feel defeated.

Your weight loss works out to around 2.5/3 pounds a week - more then the expected average as claimed by the band! So that's good.

Maybe it feels like a diet and you are feeling guilty because you see yourself repeating old habits (Read OVEREATING)??? Are you measuring your food? I think its really important early on to actually learn what a serving size actually should look like. You won't have to do it forever, but I think it was one of the keys to getting me to drop 130lbs.

The resistance is going to change over time- and sometimes afterwards - for instance on days when I dont get in enough Water I am much tighter. PLEASE DONT COUNT ON RESISTANCE TO DO IT ALL!!

You are also undoing years of learned behaviors and feelings - Rome wasnt built in a day!

Good Luck.

At first you may feel restriction because the area around the band is swollen. As the swelling goes down the less restricted you may feel. Then you will be able to eat more and even may gain a little weight. This is a lifestyle change. It will take time and lots of trying to get you lifestyle just where you want it to be. Make small changes at a time and keep trying. It may take a few fills before you feel restriction again. Just having the band doesn't mean you will lose. It must be adjusted properly and you have to follow the guidelines. The band won't stop slider foods like ice cream, so it does take some changes.

I have the problem that if I can't do things perfectly I will give up. Do you think that maybe where you are at right now? Keep the ultimate goal in mind and remember if you keep trying success will come. You won't fail if you never give up.