It’s been six months since my surgery. I’ve had three fills totaling 6 cc’s and I’m still learning how to live with my band. This is my experience so far:

I’ve lost 58 pounds without real difficulty, just making good food choices and putting the fork down when I’m satisfied. This once seemed laughably impossible, but it’s really pretty simple with the band.

I’m off all medications and my sleep apnea is gone, as is the searing heartburn I used to get. I have no body aches and pains, no shortness of breath. I have the energy of a teenager. I’ve had to buy a new wardrobe because I’ve shrunk out of most of my clothing. (And I’ll have to do it again before it’s all over.)

I’m learning to be content with smaller meals, but I don’t feel restriction. I keep my portions sensible but if I wanted to I could (and have) easily consumed huge meals. Maybe I’m not technically in the “green zone” but I’m losing weight fairly consistently. I might do better with another fill but I’d rather be too loose than too tight, and my doctor agrees.

It’s not all roses. I still screw up and eat too much sometimes, but I no longer beat myself up for it. My head still gets in the way and I have to check my automatic thoughts every day. My weight loss has slowed some and I’ve faced some frightening plateaus. In these times I think, “This is it, it was too good to be true, the ride is over and the weight will come back.” But it doesn’t. I get up every day and do what I’m supposed to and eventually - in a few days or a few weeks - the scale shows a loss again.

I have absolutely no regrets. If I didn’t lose another pound I’d be happy with where I’m at today. I still need to lose another 40 pounds. I’ve decided to relax and not worry how long it takes. I’m confident that if I keep my head in the game and a positive attitude, I’ll get there in time.

If I had one piece of advice to leave the newly banded, it would be this: Relax, don’t be too anxious, and don’t view this as a sprint. Success will come. It takes time, but it’s worth every minute. Enjoy the ride!

Thanks for this post, I am almost 7 weeks post op and have only lost 24lbs. But my head is staying in the game this time, which is awesome. Congrats on your success thus far!!

I love your 6 month update. You have such a positive attitude and you will reachvyour ultimate goal with your new way of doing things. Congrats to you. MelVan

Awesome post! Thanks so much!

Kyime-Lou- that's almost 3.5 lbs a week, that's awesome!!!

First congrats on your success. I think that you are doing so well. I too didn't feel restriction for quite some time, but managed to lose an average of 10 lbs a month. I think much of it is in our heads. I still struggle with head hunger (2yrs out). And I still have sweets - just something small everyday so I don't feel I am depriving myself.

You are doing fantastic.

3.5 lbs a week is better than average! Congrats!

That is very good advise. I am 6 weeks out of surgery and have lost close to 20lbs... Every morning the 1st the that pops into my head is "GET ON THE SCALE!!" I finally had to hide it in the closet...

Congratulations & thanks for your post. I'm not banded yet, looking at late Sept, but your post gives us all things to think about.

Nice summary! Thanks, i am almost at 6 months out and have had alot of the same feelings, concerns, and motivations!

This is an inspirational thread. Thank you so much. I was banded August 18th and it is funny how I already obsess over not losing enough weight. I have lost ten pounds and logically know that is good considering i am still healing. I think i forget I couldn't lose a pound before. Ha ha. I will keep at it and stay positive!