I started off with a 36.0 BMI. I am now 31.0 and have lost 33 pounds in 6 months!! I feel like that I should have lost more by now. Does starting off with a lower BMI make it harder to lost more? I started at 230 and I am now 198 but have been 200-197 since December 5 it won't go any lower!!!! What do I need to do to get this weight loss started again! Switch my routines up? Eat more?

What is your level of restriction? I was a low BMIer so I had to self pay. For me restriction is I am full and satisfied on 1/2 to 3/4 cup of any food and if I eat two more bites I am miserable...I have 8cc in a 10cc band and have been in maintenance for a couple of months. When I was losing I lost about 6 pounds a month when I had good restriction. Yes, it goes slower if you start off less obese.

You are averaging 5.5 lbs per month. That's awesome! Bansters can expect 1-2 ponds per week. I was a low BMI Bandster. I lost an after of .75 per week. But it was not steady. I had many long plateaus in there. As long as I kept focus on my eating habits, the weight loss would start again.

I have restriction but I do not measure out my food I have been eating a lot of slider foods lately cause I know it won't get stuck I really need to slow down in my busy life and use my band right I know all that I do know that I am always under my calorie goal but I do not eat a lot of protein i don't like meat so I'm constantly having to look for protein other places and it gets difficult so I get hungry fast and easier and that causes me to binge eat which is a no no!!! I guess I'm in denial thinking the band will magically make my fat disappear! Thanks for the replies!

I would say your weight loss is well within the expected range.

If you are stuck then take careful note of what you are eating - maybe you have become complacent and sneaked in a bit more than you think, or increase your exercise.

I lost on average about 7 - 10 lbs a month, but I was actually exercising quite a lot. I was cycling about 20 miles 3 times a week at 55 rpm. I also ran and walked everywhere. I started with a BMI of 35 at surgery.

I agree that losing when your BMI is lower can be slower, but you can speed the loss up a bit if you really want. It works the same way big or small - less calories in than you expend.

Also being lighter, it's often esier for us to exercise. Take advantage of that!