Hi Everyone,

I was banded on July 22 and had my 1st fill last week. I am a little frustrated because I have not really lost any weight. I do not feel like I have been banded at all! I am honestly trying to eat the 4 oz. portions every 2-3 hours, but I am hungry before it is time for me to eat again and I get mad and eat. I got the band to help me as a tool to weight loss, but my tool is not working...My fill was 5 cc's and the doctor told me that 2 cc's usually hang out in the tubing & the rest are actually in the band. Shouldn't SOMETHING be happening?? Please tell me that I am not one of those people that the band doesn't work for! Am I just being a paranoid newbie?!?

HELP!!

First of all relax.

Don't worry. This isn't a quick solution. This is a journey and sometimes the journey starts a little late. No big deal. Things you can do to help you get the weight loss started:

1) Exercise. I know. A lot of new bandsters don't want to hear that. I mean if I wanted to exercise to lose weight, why did I have surgery? Well, the benefits are amazing. Increased energy and decreased stress to name 2. Also, the more exercise you do, the less you have to worry about sagging skin issues. You want to lose the weight in a good way. Losing it slow and with healthy food and exercise will help you keep it off long term.

2) Count your calories. I use (along with a lot of the others on this forum) use MyFitnessPal.com. This helps you keep you accountable about your food choices.

3) Don't stress. My weight loss has been slow with the band. But steady. I have lost over 36 lbs so far in a 3 1/2 month period with no fills. There have been weeks where I wouldn't lose anything but since I was working out so much, I was losing inches and gaining muscle. Just keep doing the right things and you will get to your goals.

Good luck on your journey

I agree with Thee-O.... this is a journey and a way for us to eat the right way with a tool. I can tell you one thing my doctor told me is that you need to eat or drink 60 grams of Protein a day. The protein keeps you full.... Plus I am only allowed to eat three meals a day and my protein shakes....

You might want to go the nutritionist for help with your diet. The band helps the reduction of over eating but it does not fix your reason for self destructive action.

Hi Everyone,

I was banded on July 22 and had my 1st fill last week. I am a little frustrated because I have not really lost any weight. I do not feel like I have been banded at all! I am honestly trying to eat the 4 oz. portions every 2-3 hours, but I am hungry before it is time for me to eat again and I get mad and eat. I got the band to help me as a tool to weight loss, but my tool is not working...My fill was 5 cc's and the doctor told me that 2 cc's usually hang out in the tubing & the rest are actually in the band. Shouldn't SOMETHING be happening?? Please tell me that I am not one of those people that the band doesn't work for! Am I just being a paranoid newbie?!?

HELP!!

I agree with everyone that has written. I was very upset to begin with, because even though I was doing everything I thought I was supposed to, I did not feel that I was losing. FIrst - write down everything you eat. I use Fat Secrets, but a lot of folks use My Fitness Pal. I know that Fat Secrets is smartphone compatable, I don't know about My FIttness Pal. It take so little time to punch it in.

ALSO, keep track of all of your exercise - again, both programs allow you to do that. Exercise is anything but resting or sleeping - so look them up in your program and record the calories. The math says, that if you're expending more calories than you take in, blah, blah, blah. BUT, it is fickled; I know sometimes I will lose two pounds in a week, others, I won't lose a thing. AND I AM DOING THE SAME THING!

So, Jensjourney, please keep the faith. If you're not exercising - do something - like Water aerobics or water walking (my personal favorites). They are easy on the joints. You have a huge support system in the banders, so we are with you, and want to know how you're doing.

I too have been hanging at the same weight, but you have to know that if you keep eating the correct food and portions along with exercising ...IT WILL COME OFF! It is hard to be patient, but give it some time. I really agree with the comment about more Protein. It really helps with the hunger for me. Also,try and get excited about exercise, it makes a world of difference.

good luck!