I am about 3.5 months post op and having a hard time finding my stride. Somedays its so easy then others its like I do not have a band. I only have about 4cc's in my 10cc band... my doc is a big fan of the SLOOOOOooooooowwwww fills once a month. I feel like I am using all my willpower right now to have small losses which is fine, but I want to know some tips from all you veterans on how to stay the course, what I can look forward to to keep myself motivated. Anyone start out slow then hit their stride? I know this journey is different for everyone I just need a little encouragement and advice. What is your secret to success? How many fills did it take for you to get to the "not hungry for 4-5 hr" stage? Was there a time when you were finally feeling the band kick in and got over the mental worry about failing? Thanks for your help!

I have been banded 18 months. I swear by a lowcarb/lowfat/high Protein diet. It's tough until you get restriction. Hang in there, you are probably close I would think. In the meantime, I suggest you concentrate on eating the right foods, even if the quantities are larger than they will be once you have restriction. The other piece of the puzzle is excersise. It's got so many benefits, just one being weight loss. Start out slow and gradually increase your intensity/jduration. I started out with a medium paced walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes. I now jog for 30. I have consistently worked at increasing my speed or duration. I just increased my speed so I went from 40 min. to 30. Over the next week or 2 I will work on getting back up to the 40. If you can afford it, a good trainer is money well spent. I do weights with one 4 days a week. Not only does she make sure I am doing the moves correctly and know when to increase the weight, it really holds me accountable. Even if I don't feel like going, I do because I spent the money. Also, there is something about working out that helps with food choices. You can do it!

I am about 3.5 months post op and having a hard time finding my stride. Somedays its so easy then others its like I do not have a band. I only have about 4cc's in my 10cc band... my doc is a big fan of the SLOOOOOooooooowwwww fills once a month. I feel like I am using all my willpower right now to have small losses which is fine, but I want to know some tips from all you veterans on how to stay the course, what I can look forward to to keep myself motivated. Anyone start out slow then hit their stride? I know this journey is different for everyone I just need a little encouragement and advice. What is your secret to success? How many fills did it take for you to get to the "not hungry for 4-5 hr" stage? Was there a time when you were finally feeling the band kick in and got over the mental worry about failing? Thanks for your help!

First of all, I love the saying under your name!

Secondly, I suggest you go to the topic title of success stories. I just discovered it today, and it is sooo encouraging! Many mention times they went through like you, so I think you will be able to relate....and see and believe "this too shall pass." Good luck to you! You are going to do great!

I am about 3.5 months post op and having a hard time finding my stride. Somedays its so easy then others its like I do not have a band. I only have about 4cc's in my 10cc band... my doc is a big fan of the SLOOOOOooooooowwwww fills once a month. I feel like I am using all my willpower right now to have small losses which is fine, but I want to know some tips from all you veterans on how to stay the course, what I can look forward to to keep myself motivated. Anyone start out slow then hit their stride? I know this journey is different for everyone I just need a little encouragement and advice. What is your secret to success? How many fills did it take for you to get to the "not hungry for 4-5 hr" stage? Was there a time when you were finally feeling the band kick in and got over the mental worry about failing? Thanks for your help!

Good for your doctor on doing the slow fills. I know it's frustrating, but when you are a year or two out, you will realize how easy you had it adjusting to new eating habits and not having lots of stuck episodes. My doctor has taken me up slowly too and I've had an easy time adjusting.

There's no real secret to success.. what I did was to weigh & measure my food, try to eat lean & green (wasn't perfect, but did it MOST of the time), keep a food journal, and move my body more than I did before surgery, and keep going back to my doctor for check ups even if I didn't need a fill.

I found that I'd need a little nudge in fill (.2cc or .5cc.. that's 2/10ths or 1/2 of a cc) every 20 to 25lbs of loss, or a clothing size. You want enough fill that your appetite is suppressed, but not so much that you can't eat a wide variety of foods.

And as I got smaller and better at exercise, I found more and other ways to move my body. For me, I can't keep doing the same things and expect results.. I have to change it up.

One last thing, I don't know how much you have to lose, but remember that those who are larger tend to lose faster. So, try not to compare your rate to others.