My surgeon mandated I lose weight before surgery - as may be the norm - and I lost, and lost and lost and lost. I was the smallest person he's ever operated on at 144 lbs. I thought for sure I'd never see my weight above 145 lbs again. Boy was I wrong. I have had my band since October of 2008 - been in and out of his office for fills and unfills and am not seeing results. I won't lie, I have considered seeing a bypass or sleeve doctor to have this modified because I'm feeling hopeless. Friends who have had bypass one year after me are skinnier than I am. Not sure how much frustration I can handle. Nobody seems to understand and I am hoping to get some form of support or wisdom from you guys.

Any suggestions besides go in for another fill? He's reluctant to fill me as I get tighter around "the time of the month" and it's hard to get stuff down.

I will note that I do have PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) that makes it hard to lose weight as well as a thyroid problem I'm still working on getting balanced. (I have heard the medications I am on for depression do not aid in the slightest to lose weight either...)

I've been traking what I eat on sparkpeople.com and honestly, I don't know how I'm not losing. The Jillian Michaels 30 day shred is what I'm working out to. My last resort is to sign up for a 10K and do it by my birthday 9/12. I was a cross country runner in jr high and high school until I blew out my knee. I'm hoping I can do it again because I am just at my wits end!

Wow- sorry you are having such a rough time. It must be so frustrating to be trying so hard and not loosing weight. I don't know if a fill is in order or not. Varying your calorie intake and workouts may spur some weightloss. It's about tricking your body into shedding that fat. Hope this helps and good luck.

I am SHOCKED that your doctor still banded you at 144 lbs. WOW! I'm sorry that you are going through all this. It sounds like you are really working out hard - are you sure you are getting enough calories? Hang in there, love yourself, and keep focusing on healthy habits - water, exercise, portion size, etc. and maybe that will help you lose the weight. I wish I had better advice ((((hugs))))

I too am EXTREMLY suprised the doctor banded you at 144lbs! How tall are you?! I understand the frustration though, but I, personally, would not even consider gastric bypass with only 40lbs to lose...and would have to question a doctor who is willing to perform the surgery at your weight.

Hang in there, they say it's harder to lose those last few lbs.

I am stunned that a Dr. would band you with so little weight left to lose. The surgery itself is traumatic and will cause a weight gain between the IV's and such. You may not be getting enough calories. How many calories are you taking in, how many grams of protein? I would find it difficult to believe any one would do somthing as drastic as a full gastric bypass for so few pounds to lose.

While I am certain you are frustrated, my thinking is that you are not taking in enough calories/protein grams to get an effective 1-2 pound per week weight loss.

Have you discussed this with your nutritionist?

Wow, I am also stunned. I can only guess that you are self-pay, which usually finds a way to do anything. I am just amazed that you lost all your weight without the band, though I don't know where you started.

Now that I have a band, I do understand that without it, were I myself ever to get to 144, I'd be certain to gain it back, so I do get the logic there.

I almost think that your weight loss issues at this point could best be addressed on a standard weight loss board like obesityhelp where you can get the finer tips you are looking for in terms of exercise, etc. to get you closer to your ideal shape and weight.

Most of the posters here at LBT seem to be working on fitting back into the normal world, not trying to look like Jillian Michaels.

Any doctor who performs gastric bypass on someone who is within a normal weight range should have his license revoked.

I have to agree,, at 144 i would not have still had the surgery and i know my dr would not have done it..

I am thinking perhaps you are not eating enough and that is why you are not losing.