Ok I was banded a year and half ago (Apr 2011) ... I weighted in at 283 and I am now down to 217. I've gotten down to 210 and over the last few weeks have gotten careless in my eating habits and have gained a few pounds. I get frustrated because I know the band works different for everybody but I see people reach their goals in 6 - 9 months. I do believe not rushing to get the weight off has helped with the excess skin but I'm so ready to get to my goal weight of 185! I have basically no fluid in my band (1.8 cc in my 10 cc band) I can't manage a fill more than this because it makes it really difficult to get my food down. Like the title says I'm just feeling some type of way ... I have recently moved overseas also in support of my spouse so I don't have all the wonderful amenities that I'm use to in the states. So excusing has drastically deceased but fresh fruit and veggies are dirt cheap so cooking has gotten easier. :-/ I guess I just needed to vent!

I know how you feel I have a friend that got her surgery done 3 months after me and reached her goal weight at her 1 year mark... I have had mine for almost 2 years and am still 15 away from my goal and it is not moving granted it came off fast in the beginning but its def frustrating to see other people there and yes when you have the band we know the mistakes we make I know mine is drinking my calories rather then eating but I also know her faults and they can at points be worse then mine but she dropped it so much faster and didn't really work out and still doesn't but her weight doesn't move... I on the other hand have been killing myself working out at this point and I am getting nothing... my weight has not moved either! its def not fun but like you said everyones body and band are different! I guess all we can do is continue to try... watch your calories... workout... talk to your doctors... ask ?s... ask your dr if he/she has any suggestions... I sure would like to know if there is anything else that would help!!!

Why arent u able to tolerate more than 1.8cc's?

That could be the greatest issue. There is a little expected discomfort when ur eating and feeling full but shld be tolerable.

But Besides following the diet they give us, what has your surgeon/nurses/staff recommend u do next?

I felt no restriction at 3/10 but now at 4/10 i eat jst a little less with every fill.

You may get severely swollen after a fill up to 3 weeks but some people just are like that. Sometimes you just have to be on liquids for a longer period but you have to learn how to eat with your band after a fill.

Hi there, so great you lost that chunk of weight before your overseas adventure -- 66 lbs. or so is a big suitcase to not have to carry around anymore! Maybe you can become an exercise freak in your new environment -- I am hoping for that for myself, that I will think about exercise instead of food. Keep us posted! Get that band working for you!

Okay when it comes to the fill ... I've noticed that meat/ protein will just not go down and when you struggle with protein you reach for other things that will. I have been able to get up to 2.4cc but I don't think it's a much about the fill as most people make it. I know people who have lost very well and with no fill.

Just an update ... I hit the ground hard and decided to push it hard until I hit my goal. I'm happy to report I'm down an additional 7 lbs!