Hi! This is my first post, but I've been 'stalking' the page for months, LOL! I was banded on March 29, 2013. My doctor required a 2 week pre-op diet that I started on March 14, 2013. I lost 12 lbs on the pre-op diet and have lost another 16 lbs in the 2 mos after surgery. I was off work 6 weeks and since I've been back, nobody even notices the weight loss! I was expecting to have lost more than 28 lbs by now, but how isn't a 28 lb weight loss noticeable? I feel like such a failure! The dr put a little bit of fluid in my band during surgery, but removed it after 9 days because I dehydrated. I got my first fill on May 7, 2013 and will be getting another fill at my next appt on June 17, 2013. Is this normal weight loss or should I have lost more by now???

Also, I forgot to mention...I feel very little restriction. I can eat large bites of food without chewing 25-30 times. I gulp my water and have none of the sliming or pb'ing I've heard about. I have no problem swallowing bread or any other food.

Everything you have written is totally normal!

You might not feel restriction for a bit, but it's all normal!

I think your doing great!

Btw, it took losing 40 lbs before people noticed

I think 28 pounds is fantastic. If you've been stalking the boards (like I did) then you've surely noticed that people lose at very different rates...so much of it is your own body chemistry. And if you are doing all the right things then eventually the weight will come off.

As for the eating. I'm 6 weeks post op and also can eat pretty much whatever I want and don't have to chew to mush very often. I'm trying to practice doing it anyway, but it doesnt' always happen. Again, from reading the boards I hear that most don't find that restriction green zone until 5-6 fills in. (I'm a newbie so anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.)

I'm also impatient for "more" to happen faster and then I remember the thought that it took me 10 years to get to this size. If I can drop half of what I want to lose in a year I'm doing AWESOME.

Thank you Lapbandster! I thought I was doing something wrong. Baby steps...I'm in it for the long haul though! Thanks again!

Thank you LapBandAnna! You're sooooo right. It took me years to put on all of this extra weight, I can't expect it to miraculously go away overnight. I've been practicing my chewing too, although sometimes, I forget. Even though I stalk the boards, for some reason I thought that my first fill would take effect immediately and cause me restriction! I've seen people post that it can take up to a month to even feel a little restriction after a fill.

I got banded March 19th and my weight loss and feeling of restriction (or lack of) and fills etc are almost identical to yours. I have been frustrated too. But, sounds like we are right where we should be.

Hello and welcome! One of the hardest things for me was to learn not to compare my results to anyone else's. Everyone loses differently, exercises differently and certainly eats differently. I think I'm a slow loser too, but I'm ok with it because I know its working for ME. Best wishes to you!

Robbswife, I guess we are progressing like we should be! Hopefully, the frustration will go away when we make it to the green zone. It's good to talk to other people who understand what we're going through!

Hello Steph04! Thank you I'm slowly learning to not compare my weight loss to anyone else's. I just started the Couch to 5K app, so maybe that will help with my progress. Best wishes to you on your journey as well!

Your doing GREAT... your right on track... just take it one day at a time.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Thank you so much Tomander! These replies are really helping to ease my frustration. WAY TO GO on your 156 lb weight loss!!!

the band is not going to result in rapid weight loss like the bypass or sleeve.. however the norm is 1.5 to 2 lbs per week (per my surgeon) sometimes I lose the normal, sometimes it's less.. I also think the less you have to lose overall the slower.. I have another 35 lbs to lose but it will come off and stay off I am confident.. I eat like I am supposed to and hope I am going to be successful... keep on your path it looks like you are right on track.

Yes - you are right on track! I had surgery on 3/25/13, and have lost 25 pounds total (which includes what I lost on the two week pr-op diet). Do I wish it was going quicker....YES, of course But when I average it out, it's about 2 pounds per week, which is a "healthy" rate of loss.

Try not to get too hung up on the large amounts of weight you read that others have lost. Everyone's bodies are different, and depending how much weight you have to lose, depends how fast it comes off in the beginning. I believe that the more weight you have, the faster the initial pounds drop off.

PS: You haven't posted any information on your profile; surgery date, weight, etc. That info will help us respond better to some of your questions

Thank you Sharpie! My surgeon says that slow weight loss is best, but I guess I was expecting a miracle. I want to lose 100 lbs in all and I know I'll get there! You're doing GREAT! Good luck on your last 35 lbs!!!

mrsinto...thank you! We were banded close to the same date and our weight loss is similar so far. I'm learning to navigate this page and will post profile info ASAP! 72 lbs to go! Good luck on your weight loss journey!