Had surgery Oct. 2009, was so excited for a new chapter in my life. Did really well before and 3 months after surgery. For whatever reason, I only lost about 15 lbs. during that time. I was starting to get really concerned, but hadn't really had much in the way of fills. I currently have about 5.5 cc in a 10 cc band. I have never really had any restriction. I started @ 232 and have been at @ 215 since last November. I have improved many of my habits, and really have cut back on portion sizes. But, I can eat way more than I should be able to.

I know I still eat too many carbs. This band has done nothing to help me with the willpower challenge!

Have to say I am very depressed about this and haven't been on this site in a long time. The people close to me who know I've had the surgery are also disappointed for me. I thought by this time I'd be down @ 60 or more pounds. I think my fill doctor considers my lapband surgery a failure for me. Don't think I can go much tighter as that tends to lead to other problems.

Glad for those of you who have had success. I just really can not believe this didn't work for me, or that I didn't let it I guess.

Why does your fill Dr consider your surgery a failure at only 5.5ccs?

I am currently at appr. 6.5ccs in a 10cc band. I started feeling restriction somewhere between 5.5 and 6ccs. I have had several fills since usually around .25 or .50 ccs at a time. Usually after losing around 10 lbs which causes my band to loosen up slightly, and I won't hesitate to get another one when I need it. Sometimes only a tiny fill can mean the difference between no restriction and good restriction.

You shouldn't be giving up. Get another fill and another one after that if it doesn't work. This band is intended to work with adequate restriction. Without it it is just a piece of plastic.

So consider this posting of yours as a restart. Do a 14 day preop diet to purge the carbs from your system and then move to mushies, and finally whole foods, don't get fooled Next, check your restriction, IF you need more, get a fill. Don't be duped into thinking that you have no restiction if you are eating mostly high cal/high carb slider foods. Dense protien will make you feel full and should keep you from experiencing hungar for hours at a time.

Good luck!

You have to work the band for it to work for you! Go back in for a fill. If you can eat too much, you need more Fluid.

Why wait? Do stand around being disappointed-- do something about it!!

Please don't quit! So you lapsed and didn't use the tool....now you can start afresh! The band isn't a cure all - and it won't necessarily give you willpower all in itself...but it helps you to feel fuller and not be hungry. You still have to make better decisions on what you eat. To me it sounds like you definately need to get a fill --- if you haven't ever had restriction then you can't expect to lose weight as your band isn't able to help you without the true restriction.

Hang in there - we are here to cheer you on! You can do it!

My doctor thought my lapband was a partial failure too because i was not loosing like others did initially. But after getting multiple fills finally i felt the restriction n started loosing. I lost 52 lbs in over a year now but I have to change a lot of things.......but finally it worked! Try changing eating habits, do more exercise n get a fill n see if that will jump start ur wt loss. I am on new directions liquid diet now to jump start my wt loss bcoz band by itself was not helping.

I agree, don't give up. I've just started this journey, but when I was having my teaching at the doctor's office before surgery, the nurse told me of 1 of their patients. He had had his band for 1 year and lost zero weight. But, he didn't follow their plan.

She got him going again, getting the fills, going to appointments, support groups, etc, and he has now lost almost all his weight. So it is doable!!

I currently have about 5.5 cc in a 10 cc band. I have never really had any restriction.

I think this says it all, from all that I have read, you have to have some restriction for it to work for you.

Get a fill and definitely journal what you are eating.... I always think, "Gee, I'm really not eating much..." but when I look at it in black and white, I realize I'm taking in way more than I thought.

And get exercising- that will help with your weight loss and your depression.

Good luck,

the LAP-BAND® is a tool! you must use it in order for it to work. get a fill or 2 if needed .you need restriction for the band to work. if you eat to much you should have pain or froth. next you need to work out more. your body get use to your workout step it up you will loose weight. also you must get your head around it .your failing the band it not failing you rember it a tool use it it works it like a stool it has 3 legs to stand leg 1 LAP-BAND® leg 2 exercise leg 3 is your mind think positive go to your support group it works best of luck scott

Please don't give up! I go to my physicians office and see the PA every 4 weeks. Sometimes I get a fill - other times just a weigh in and a talk with the nutritionist. It makes a world of difference when you reach restriction. I am there, but still need a little tweeking. If your fill doctor is not working with you - find a new one! Good luck on your journey!

Hey there, fellow October 2009 bandster. I had my surgery the same time you did. Honestly, I didn't even start feeling restriction until fill #4. It's a funny thing, that restriction.

You can't give up! That tool is still with you, use it to your advantage! If your fill doctor has a problem, then get another. It's amazing how .1 or .2 ccs will make a difference. The whole point of restriction is the portion control--without it, like a previous poster mentioned, it's just a piece of plastic.

I'm so sorry you've not been able to utilize your tool the way you should have been this past year. But it's still there. Don't give up! You can do this!!!!

I agree with the rest of the posters, I lost about 40 lbs year one but never was at restriction til now. Now believe me I'm there and it makes all the difference. Not hungry, losing weight and moving forward. Please work with your doctors you ARE NOT a failure it just takes some of us longer than others!

Edited August 25, 201015 yr by bristlecone

Had surgery Oct. 2009, was so excited for a new chapter in my life. Did really well before and 3 months after surgery. For whatever reason, I only lost about 15 lbs. during that time. I was starting to get really concerned, but hadn't really had much in the way of fills. I currently have about 5.5 cc in a 10 cc band. I have never really had any restriction. I started @ 232 and have been at @ 215 since last November. I have improved many of my habits, and really have cut back on portion sizes. But, I can eat way more than I should be able to.

I know I still eat too many carbs. This band has done nothing to help me with the willpower challenge!

Have to say I am very depressed about this and haven't been on this site in a long time. The people close to me who know I've had the surgery are also disappointed for me. I thought by this time I'd be down @ 60 or more pounds. I think my fill doctor considers my LAP-BAND® surgery a failure for me. Don't think I can go much tighter as that tends to lead to other problems.

Glad for those of you who have had success. I just really can not believe this didn't work for me, or that I didn't let it I guess.

I am sorry that your success has been so limited. Do yu attend support groups? They really helped me learn how to use the lap band to achieve my weight loss and to keep it off. If you have the time and inclination take a look at this article about using your band atLap Band Rules Or How I Use My Tool

and see if you can get some insight and maybe you will not be so quick to give up. There really is hope. Let me know what you think.

I felt just about no restriction at 5.5 CCs. Couldn't stay away from fast food, etc. It was a nightmare.

Now, at 7 CCs (in a 10 CC band), it's like the difference between night and day. In my opinion, if you don't have good restriction, you don't have a band.

Have you had more saline in your band previously and had it removed? I agree with the previous poster's suggestion about getting fills in small increments, if you're concerned about other problems.

Good luck and don't give up!

WOW Thanks for the advice and all of the supportive comments. I was exhausted yesterday when I posted! Very demanding job, and trying to get the kiddos ready to go back to school.

I will heed your expert advice and get more fills until I start seeing the results I "deserve". I will update you all b/c I feel re-inspired and wonder why the heck I procrastinated on some of this.

Two good things though: my fill doctor (he really is an okay guy) doesn't charge me anymore - initially, he was charging $250 so that was a challenge. When he asked why I didn't keep coming back, I did tell him it was a financial challenge b/c I also self paid for the surgery, etc...

Also, I used to have terrible heartburn all of the time since my first pregnancy 12 years ago. That went away right after surgery and has not returned.

Time to get back to "me" and get the ball rolling! Thanks again for responding, I really do appreciate it!