At First I Regretted It, Now I'm In The Sweet Spot!

[wannabethin2012 12]

Hey everyone! I got my band back in June 2012. I had never had any surgery before and wasn't sure how I would feel afterwards. I unfortuntly had all the side effects ie. Constipation (from the pain meds), horrible shoulder pain, and so on. I stuck to my liquids then mushies but didn't really lose any weight during that period. Only 1 pound when I went to my first fill. Then no weight loss till i got up to the 5.5cc range. I was scared to tell anyone I had the procedure because I had no results for months. Then as soon as I felt a good amount of restriction, the weight has been falling off ever since!!! I love my decision to get the surgery and I am finally happy with my body. Still have a lot to lose but the mini miracules are amazing, crossing my legs, no need for an afternoon nap, no crazy cravings/got to eat now feelings, fitting back into old clothes! If I have any advice to give to new bandsters is to not get discouraged in the first few months after surgery with slow to 0 weight loss, a lot of people including myself didn't start losing until the 5.5cc-6cc restriction.

[MissE44 27]

OMG I love you for saying these things I have been very discouraged. I have lost very little I am trying to eat smaller portions and healthier and excerising and nothing is different. i was think why the hell did I do this. I knew the band was not a

Miracle but really no differnce. I got my second fill today and i am at 5cc so I am hoping it starts to work more.

Thank you for giving me hope.

[TexasSoccerMom 26]

Thanks so much for posting, I have almost the exact story as you. I also was banded on June 18th, 2012 and until my last fill, I would lose a pound or two, but nothing very quickly. I am now at 5.5cc and things are kindof just clicking into place. I now have very realistic expectations of the portion size I will eat, I find myself not hungry a lot of the time and have now lost 31 lbs and am feeling so much better physically. I still have a ways to go, wanting to lose 60 more pounds, but now I feel it is doable.

[Skyvic 226]

So true!!!! My weight loss was more in second year. The first year was adjusting to a new lifestyle change. Healing, rest, learning, nutrition, and moving just walking was my focus. As I'm getting near the end of the second year, I'm reflecting and glad that I went slower with my weight loss...I still got there and only about 20-25 pounds to goal. Fitting in a nice loose size 12 now ( very different from a size 24!). Yes good advice...think of this as a journey of hills and valleys. Not always easy but do enjoy the little changes because they all add up. And eventually it works out great!

[tanomano 4]

Thank you, all of you for posting. I got on the scales today and had gained 2 pounds. Stood there crying . My first fill was 26 Oct and thought at least some weight would shift but never thought I would gain any. Maybe I need to wait for my second fill to see any loss

[MissE44 27]

I was told by my nurse that gaining some times can be expected until you reach the green zone. I think this is called bandster hell and what some have mentioned on the forum. Others will still say "well if you eat right and excersise you should still lose" but I was told things wont be what you expect until the "sweet spot" and this is what i am hearing in this discussion. I know that the band is a tool but right now it feels like there is no diffrence what-so-ever and i was discouraged thinking why did i spend all this money. So I am hopeful i will get there and things will fall into place too. More importantly talk about these things on the forum it seemed no one went through this it was like that had the surgery and boom they lose all this weight and love it and life is wonderful. i think a lot more go through this period of adjustment.

[SinCityGal 43]

Hey everyone! I got my band back in June 2012. I had never had any surgery before and wasn't sure how I would feel afterwards. I unfortuntly had all the side effects ie. Constipation (from the pain meds), horrible shoulder pain, and so on. I stuck to my liquids then mushies but didn't really lose any weight during that period. Only 1 pound when I went to my first fill. Then no weight loss till i got up to the 5.5cc range. I was scared to tell anyone I had the procedure because I had no results for months. Then as soon as I felt a good amount of restriction, the weight has been falling off ever since!!! I love my decision to get the surgery and I am finally happy with my body. Still have a lot to lose but the mini miracules are amazing, crossing my legs, no need for an afternoon nap, no crazy cravings/got to eat now feelings, fitting back into old clothes! If I have any advice to give to new bandsters is to not get discouraged in the first few months after surgery with slow to 0 weight loss, a lot of people including myself didn't start losing until the 5.5cc-6cc restriction.

Thank you so much for posting this......So AWESOME & I'm so excited for you!

[Lannae 46]

I feel the same way, I did lose some weight but it was more after my second fill that I started to lose more..To bad they could not just put in 6 cc right off the bat, lol..but all in all, keep going forward, learn the rules, and follow them best you can!!! wish you all the best!!! I am so happy with how things are, I dance everyday!!!

[taijos 17]

What os tje green zone? I remember my doctor mentioning this, but can't remember what he said.

[Beautiful Butterfly 1]

Hey everyone! I got my band back in June 2012. I had never had any surgery before and wasn't sure how I would feel afterwards. I unfortuntly had all the side effects ie. Constipation (from the pain meds)' date=' horrible shoulder pain, and so on. I stuck to my liquids then mushies but didn't really lose any weight during that period. Only 1 pound when I went to my first fill. Then no weight loss till i got up to the 5.5cc range. I was scared to tell anyone I had the procedure because I had no results for months. Then as soon as I felt a good amount of restriction, the weight has been falling off ever since!!! I love my decision to get the surgery and I am finally happy with my body. Still have a lot to lose but the mini miracules are amazing, crossing my legs, no need for an afternoon nap, no crazy cravings/got to eat now feelings, fitting back into old clothes! If I have any advice to give to new bandsters is to not get discouraged in the first few months after surgery with slow to 0 weight loss, a lot of people including myself didn't start losing until the 5.5cc-6cc restriction. [/quote']

Thank you for sharing, going through this now.

It has been difficult.

[Rojasanoll 920]

I'm very close in my fills even though I only have 4.5cc in a 14cc Allergan band. I'm losing close to 2 pounds a week and that's when my doctor wants me. So I believe next time I see him in December, he will not give me anymore saline solution.

But, I'm not complaining and I'm close to no hunger at all.

[wagmore 2]

Thank goodness for this! I'm 9 weeks out and so frustrated... Still no loss or restriction. I'm at 6cc with a 10 cc band, and they tell me I have a very small esophagus so will probably need a fairly full band. Another fill in a few days. I'm wondering what 'restriction' even feels like?! Will I detect a big difference? Anyhow thank you posters for this ray of hope. I've been questioning my decision to have the surgery.

[nvnoemi23 18]

Awesome thread! I too have been losing hope- especially around the holidays ... No restriction whatsoever - 3ccs in my 14cc band.. 7 wks post op

[lexx 20]

Hey wannabethin2012,

I completely understand this! I was banded on Aug 20 I have had 2 fills I'm at 5cc in a 11 cc band. I have lost 18 lbs. I just had the second fill last week and haven't lost a single pound exercising 4 times a week and sticking to the rules. So I'm very glad to hear at some point the weight should be coming off because I'm starting to get very discouraged!

[MissE44 27]

Here is to tomorrow another fill to bring me to 5.5cc in a 10cc band I am praying this is the sweet spot becuase I am like most of you....discouraged and not losing wondering why I did this. Kepp you posted I have faith that this is it.