My surgery was April 18th and up to that point I had lost about 20 lbs. Weight loss after surgery was right around 7 lbs. My first fill was May 17th (2 cc's) and I had no restriction. So now I am slowing gaining weight. My second fill was June 14th...and I got 2 cc's more. Still no restriction. I feel so frustrated. I feel like I have lost my momentum with my weight loss journey. I'm gaining weight, have no restriction and don't go back until July 12th. Is this what is known as "Bandster Hell"? When am I going to feel restriction? I could kick myself for telling people I was getting lap band, because they are looking at me like "well when are you going to lose weight?" Is anyone out there experiencing this? Please help...need support!! Thanks!!

It took me 4 fills to feel ANY kind of restriction, however I always showed a weight loss. My advice is always the same, consistency over time will win the race for you!

Also....I always ate like I DID have restriction.

_{Thanks Highland. I know I need to be patient. I am trying to make good food choice....no bread, no carbs, more protein, more veggies,but without any restriction my portions are larger, hence weight gain. I feel like I am battling myself right now....and losing (not weight but the battle).}

It took me 4 fills to feel ANY kind of restriction, however I always showed a weight loss. My advice is always the same, consistency over time will win the race for you!

Also....I always ate like I DID have restriction.

I agree with highland i took me at least 4 fills to feel any restriction but i also made sure i didnt put on weight by journalling what i eat and how many calories i burned exercising .. create a deficit and u wont gain weight, if its harder to curb your eating then up your exercise if its hard to do that then curb your eating maybe ask for a quicker appointment ..

One thing is my fills dont kick in for 2 to 3 weeks so be patient too it may come and sneak up on you

I lost 10 lbs every month about 2lbs a week and until I got on this site never realized other people didn't, maybe mine was just mental, but I believed I couldn't eat more so I didn't. I ate what they told me I could eat and stopped when I felt full, often leaving some on the plate,,, I always ate protein first and was so tired from chewing that I just stopped.

I am glad I didn"t know about bander hell.........But everryone is different .

I feel your pain. I'm 2 1/2 years out now and over 100 lbs down, but my band didn't start helping till 5 mths post op and 3 fills. I ate like a trucker till then. Except for my 4 week post op liquid diet, I ate just like I did before the surgery - hence not losing any weight. Thought I'd failed yet another diet. Then at my 3rd fill, magic happened. When I was able to eat the next day, I took 4 bites of chicken, 3 bites of a baked potato, and a couple of bites of green Beans. And I'd had enuf. Ended up taking most of my meal home with me and saving for about 4 others meals. Over the next year or so, I lost most of my weight. After 2 1/2 yrs, I've kept most of it off. I say most because I had a slip last month and they had to unfill me and I've gained 8 lbs. But I will get back on track and lose that 8 + the extra 9 I need to get to goal.

You can do this! Restriction will come. It has to, right? I wish I had followed the rules after my surgery - measured portions, ate lo carb, etc. But I didn't and it still worked. Good luck to you!

Marci

Yes you are in bandster hell unfortunately. Until you do have good restriction you're left to your own willpower. I have always religiously measured my food (no more than a cup total per meal) as well as logged what I ate in an app called Lose It. I firmly believe those two things are the only reason I have lost consistently since surgery- because I ate bandster sized portions before I had restriction and continue to monitor my calories, fat, Protein, and carbs.

Before I had good restriction, it wasn't easy. I'd finish my cup of food and still be hungry. But, I still stopped eating because I knew it was crucial to weight loss. Now, I normally can't even finish a whole a cup of food. The restriction made a huge difference.

I know right now it's hard but it does get easier. You may want to measure food and count calories in the meantime if you want to lose even without restriction.

Best wishes.

Dear Kathylynn, You should start pretending that you have restriction! The 1st thing I did while on my pre-op was start eating off a salad plate. I, also, never use a full size fork. It is good practice to use a toddler fork and spoon. I now use a salad size fork with my salad plate and even when we celebrate holidays, such as Thanksgiving, I stick to my small plate and fork. Next, only eat what the surgeon's office or the nutritionist advised. If they told you to eat 4 oz or meat the size of a deck of cards, do it. I guess I am a lucky one, as I can only tolerate 5 cc of fill, period! You, eventually need to change the way you think, as well as eat. Sorry if this is coming off snippy, just trying to be of help! Karen

Kathylynn, I feel your pain. I just had my third fill on Thursday and I still don't feel restricted. I am on track with weigh loss but I feel that's only because I am exercising everyday.

Took me 6 months to get restriction. If you have not done so get a food scale. Measure out your solid protein to 3 oz. Some doctors say to then eat 1/2-3/4 cup low fat/cal veggies. My doctor said to eat veggies until full. Yes this is Bandster Hell. Just because you can eat more does'nt mean you should.

I feel your pain. I'm 2 1/2 years out now and over 100 lbs down' date=' but my band didn't start helping till 5 mths post op and 3 fills. I ate like a trucker till then. Except for my 4 week post op liquid diet, I ate just like I did before the surgery - hence not losing any weight. Thought I'd failed yet another diet. Then at my 3rd fill, magic happened. When I was able to eat the next day, I took 4 bites of chicken, 3 bites of a baked potato, and a couple of bites of green Beans. And I'd had enuf. Ended up taking most of my meal home with me and saving for about 4 others meals. Over the next year or so, I lost most of my weight. After 2 1/2 yrs, I've kept most of it off. I say most because I had a slip last month and they had to unfill me and I've gained 8 lbs. But I will get back on track and lose that 8 + the extra 9 I need to get to goal.

You can do this! Restriction will come. It has to, right? I wish I had followed the rules after my surgery - measured portions, ate lo carb, etc. But I didn't and it still worked. Good luck to you!

Marci[/quote']

You have no idea how much I needed to hear this! Thank you so much for posting this! It gives me, and many others, hope and lets us know we're not failures bthank you!!

I feel your pain. I'm 2 1/2 years out now and over 100 lbs down' date=' but my band didn't start helping till 5 mths post op and 3 fills. I ate like a trucker till then. Except for my 4 week post op liquid diet, I ate just like I did before the surgery - hence not losing any weight. Thought I'd failed yet another diet. Then at my 3rd fill, magic happened. When I was able to eat the next day, I took 4 bites of chicken, 3 bites of a baked potato, and a couple of bites of green Beans. And I'd had enuf. Ended up taking most of my meal home with me and saving for about 4 others meals. Over the next year or so, I lost most of my weight. After 2 1/2 yrs, I've kept most of it off. I say most because I had a slip last month and they had to unfill me and I've gained 8 lbs. But I will get back on track and lose that 8 + the extra 9 I need to get to goal.

You can do this! Restriction will come. It has to, right? I wish I had followed the rules after my surgery - measured portions, ate lo carb, etc. But I didn't and it still worked. Good luck to you!

Marci[/quote']

I am the exact same way. Just had my 3rd full and I see a big change in my desire to eat. My desire to work out is greater too. I had surgery April 17th this year. Down 25 lbs (3 lbs this week).

What made you slip? Just curious.

i got my full restriction on my 3rd fill, but it only lasted about 12 days. then it went away. I still had a medium amount of restriction, just not 100% . at my 4th fill the tech told me "sometimes that happens as the saline settles into the nooks and crannys of the band." well i still didnt get full restriction until my 6th fill on june 4th, and now im finally eating small amounts. I did continue to lose weight as i couldnt eat much and i exercise 3x a week. Everybodys different and you may or may not hit full restriction on your next fill (s). This is not to bring you down, just to give you a heads up that it can happen. Other than that problem the band has been very easy for me with no problems. (down 45 lbs in 6 months , so if thats the hardest problem i have , ill take it ! ) Good luck !