I was banded on 7/9/10 and have not lost a single pound... how long after surgery am I supposed to start losing weight? I have been eating WAY less than before I was banded, but the scale is not showing this...HELP! :smile:

Hey Lorraine,

I have the same questions as you do. I guess we were banded the same day! Congrats!!! I went in for post-op last Tues. and had lost a few pounds. Today I feel like I am carrying a bowling ball because my stomach is so hard. I am sure hoping this feeling goes away soon.

Hopefully we will get some answers as to when we start losing weight. I have read so many posts and it seems like everyone has different experiences. So good luck, lets support each other!!! Where do you live? I am in Monrovia,CA.

Dena

:smile:

I live in Mansfield, TX, I bought a scale the second day after surgery and have weighed myself every chance I get! I have not lost ONE pound...also the surgey center called me the day after surgery but I have not heard anything from them since. I have my first fill scheduled for August 5th. I am feeling like I will be the person who this does not work for :smile: I feel well enough to start working out so I may start with the elipticall tonight. Keep me posted on your progress!

I had my surgery on July 13, 2010...so its been 4 days and I have lost 6 pounds already...were u on a liquid diet right after?

Hi Lorraine! Welcome to LBT and Bandland :smile:

It's best not to get caught up in comparison of other bandsters. Everyones journey is not like anyone elses. I'm the first to tell anyone that! All that matters is that you stick to your plan and let the chips fall where they may.

You are in this fight for life, just take it one day at a time and everything will work out for you.

All the best!

I'm with @LilMissDiva - just stick with it and take it one day at a time.

I was banded on July 7th. I'm not sure doctors properly set expectations about post-op weight loss. If not for obsessively reading these forums, I might have been disappointed too.

Everyone is different, but if you don't put any expectations on yourself over the first 4-5 weeks, and just try to stick with what your doctor tells you.

As far as weight..don't forget about Water weight!

I'm with @LilMissDiva - just stick with it and take it one day at a time.

I was banded on July 7th. I'm not sure doctors properly set expectations about post-op weight loss. If not for obsessively reading these forums, I might have been disappointed too.

Everyone is different, but if you don't put any expectations on yourself over the first 4-5 weeks, and just try to stick with what your doctor tells you.

As far as weight..don't forget about Water weight!

Ah the dreaded water weight. Oh how I loathe thee! :smile:

Really though, there are so many factors that go into not posting a great loss from week to week. That's why you just have to work it, don't lose hope, don't lose focus.

Time passes, pounds drop and inches fade as long as I'm sticking to the new way of life.

I don't think most bariatric programs prepare people for the first three months post op - especially considering the endless threads similar to this one.

While everyone's journey and experiences vary, a few things are VERY common (except a rare case here and there). People feel very restricted right after surgery and most experience at least some gas pain/discomfort. When the surgery swelling subsides, the hunger returns with a vengeance. Then satisfactory restriction occurs from fills (1-5). But because of fill schedules, this can be many MONTHS post op, which leaves the bandster demoralized.

Everyones fat loss may vary, but those first few months really require a tremendous amount of will power to achieve results. Extraordinary results will require an extraordinary effort. The band is not much of a helpful tool at first, but once the restriction comes it becomes an invaluable tool.

Keep your spirits up! Keep a positive attitude! And last but not least, KEEP YOUR BODY MOVING and EXERCISED!

Good luck!

Brad

I don't think most bariatric programs prepare people for the first three months post op - especially considering the endless threads similar to this one.

While everyone's journey and experiences vary, a few things are VERY common (except a rare case here and there). People feel very restricted right after surgery and most experience at least some gas pain/discomfort. When the surgery swelling subsides, the hunger returns with a vengeance. Then satisfactory restriction occurs from fills (1-5). But because of fill schedules, this can be many MONTHS post op, which leaves the bandster demoralized.

Everyones fat loss may vary, but those first few months really require a tremendous amount of will power to achieve results. Extraordinary results will require an extraordinary effort. The band is not much of a helpful tool at first, but once the restriction comes it becomes an invaluable tool.

Keep your spirits up! Keep a positive attitude! And last but not least, KEEP YOUR BODY MOVING and EXERCISED!

Good luck!

Brad

Brad-

WELL SAID!!!!!!!!!!

I think it matters if you were on a pre-op diet as well...meaning - I have been on a 2 week, very strict, protein supplement diet. I have lost 14 pounds as of this morning (hoping for one more pound by tomorrow - surgery day!). Considering how strict and limited my diet has been and the fact that I can advance to pureed foods after 24 hours...I do not expect to keep losing at this rate. I'm still going to watch my overall intake of course, but my pureed foods will have more sodium, etc. I only ate between 500-700 cals a day on my pre-op. One day, I decided to make some chicken broth (from a cube)...the next day i actually gained a pound. It was from the sodium in the broth. I'm going to try and still lose before restriction sets in, but know that it will take pure willpower until the band can start helping. I've been able to lose well on "regular diets" in the past, just could never keep it off. I figure by the time I'm ready to start gaining again after dieting, the band will be there this time!

I think it matters if you were on a pre-op diet as well...meaning - I have been on a 2 week, very strict, Protein supplement diet. I have lost 14 pounds as of this morning (hoping for one more pound by tomorrow - surgery day!). Considering how strict and limited my diet has been and the fact that I can advance to pureed foods after 24 hours...I do not expect to keep losing at this rate. I'm still going to watch my overall intake of course, but my pureed foods will have more sodium, etc. I only ate between 500-700 cals a day on my pre-op. One day, I decided to make some chicken broth (from a cube)...the next day i actually gained a pound. It was from the sodium in the broth. I'm going to try and still lose before restriction sets in, but know that it will take pure willpower until the band can start helping. I've been able to lose well on "regular diets" in the past, just could never keep it off. I figure by the time I'm ready to start gaining again after dieting, the band will be there this time!

A lot of the weight lost during the pre-op diet is the result of lost fluids and emptying of digestive tract. Once sufficient restriction is achieved post op, one hopes to settle into a 1 - 2.5 lb per week rate of loss. With wise nutrition and exercise, an optimal amount of that will be fat, while protecting your lean muscle tissue.

Brad

Hi, Got banded 12 days ago, haven't lost a bit, but I taking the long term view. Don't worry, good luck

I was lucky enough to have restriction post op for awhile and lost a good amount of weight, about a pound a week. my first fill was supposed to be 3 weeks ago but my doctor told me I was doing so well and we agreed to wait... big mistake! For the last two weeks I've been crazy hungry but working out like never before. I've gained 2 lbs since the last time I saw the doctor and while I'm embarrased to go see the Dr. with a gain, I know I need the restriction. the difference between restriction and non-restriction is simply amazing! On the plus side, the exercise is kicking in because I've been losing inches. Anyway, I was lucky to have restriction immediately postop but not everyone is so lucky. Many rely on pure willpower to lose any weight, plus immediately post op you are filled with fluid the hospital pumped you up with. I think as long as you are honest and follow the plan to make changes in your lifestyle, you will succeed.

I was banded on 7/6 and have lost 15 lbs. I'm just finishing my liquid diet and am starting pureed diet.

I began to lose weight quickly and dramatically immediately following surgery and this went on for months.

However, I didnt have to do a preop diet soI hadnt already exhausted the "easy 10" kgs that most people can lose in the first few months of a diet. And I have a 4cc band. In my experience based on observations here, these bands may have higher incidences of slippage hence the arrival of newer designs, but they are WAY superior in terms of finding good restriction immediately. I never crept up on a sweet spot, I had it from the word go in that every level of restriction was perfect for me at the time and I lost weight very very steadily.

Don't compare yourself to other bandsters, I drove myself crazy doing that. I had no restriction for 6 months and gained and lost the same 4 lbs over that time. I finally got enough restriction that I lost 10 lbs in the 7th month and have lost between 1-5 lbs a month since then. It was so frustrating and still is at how slow I am going.