Hello, today is the 5th day after my surgery, other than the surgicial wounds , how do you know that the band is working? When dose the swelling go, and when can you expect to see changes on the scale?

Right after surgery, usually the band is empty or else a very small amount (depending on your surgeon). My surgeon goes the empty band route. The reason behind this is to allow your body time to heal and recover. Therefore, you will have little to no restriction at the beginning. Focus during this time on following your doctor's orders and learning to chew properly and portion control. This time is very much a mind over matter. In other words, you are the one working during the first part. However, even afterwards, you will still be the one working. The band is just a tool to aid you in your process. It doesn't have an on or off button, so you will learn to work with your band.

As far as changes on the scale, again everyone is different and so will lose at varying rates. At the beginning, I had rapid weight loss during the liquid and mushies stages. Once I began solids, the loss slowed down to a steady pace.

The best of luck to you on your journey to a new you!!

I lost 10 pounds in the first week, then it stopped. It takes most people 2 - 4 fills to notice the help of the band. Before that it is just hard dieting. It is called banster hell by many and I would agree. I am 8 weeks post opt and now at 5.6 cc and finally feel like I have a band. Before I could eat anything and felt hungry alot. I followed the rules best I could and ate small meals slowly. But it was hard until the band started working for me.

Once your swelling goes down, dont be suprised to feel like you have not even had surgery. It is disappointing and frustrating. But once though banster hell, the weight will starting falling off. If I could give you any advice, I would tell you to follwo the rules best you can and put the scale away for at least one month. You will drive yourself crazy the first few weeks. At least I did. I finally put it up and decided to only weigh at Dr appts until I got to green zone. Best of luck.