OK I AM A LITTLE CONFUSED I HAVE LOT 18 LBS SO FAR I WAS BANDED ON 6/7/04 MY FIRST FILL WAS ON 7/10/04 OF 4CC AND TODAY I WENT FOR ANOTHER ONE AND SHE FILLED IT UP TO 5CC SO IN TOTAL IT'S 9CC DOES THAT SOUND LIKE ALOT ? HAS ANYONE OUT THERE GOING OR HAS GONE THOUGH THE SAM THING? NOW I FEEL THE RETICIONS BUT IT'S LIKE MY WEIGHT DOES OR IS NOT COMING OFF FAST ENOUGH I STARTED OUT WITH 218 LBS BEFORE GETTING BANDED NOW I AM AT 200 LBS

Where were you banded? What is an average day's menu for you? How much water do you drink a day?

Julie - you have to remember that you are in this for the long haul. You have only been banded fior a short while. It will happen but not over night. I have had a total of 4 fills - been banded since Nov 25th, 03 and I am just now starting to feel the level of restriction that others are or have been feeling. Everyone is different and goes at their own pace. Some may loose 3 lbs a week others may lose 1 lb a week or even still someone else may loose 1 pound every other week. It really doesn't matter except for the fact that you are loosing weight. We are all in this together and some more than others know what you are going through. Don't sweat it- it will happen. But in the meantime that's what this group is for.......you will find more than enough support here if you ever need to talk or just need someone to listen!!!

I'm guessing you have the Swedish Band because of the amount of fill that you are getting.

I go for my first fill next Friday, as of right now, I don't feel like I have any restriction, but hopefully will notice a difference after my first adjustment.

As a friend of mine said, it didn't take overnight to put on this weight, and it's not going to come off overnight either.

Hang in there!

I have the Inamed Lap Band

I had surgery on 4.6.04

I have lost 44 pounds of this morning

I have had 2 fills so far and I am at 2 cc's.

9 cc's sounds like alot...what kind of band do you have.

9cc's for me and I would be totally closed up. I have pretty decent restriction right now.

What are you eating in a day? Hard Proteins work better then soft they stay in the pouch longer and keep you satisfied longer, junk food goes through the band easy with no restriction. Do you drink with meals or shortly afterwards?

JULIE- You said in your post " she filled it up to 5cc's so does that mean you are at 5 cc's or did she add 5cc's on top of the 4 cc's?

18 pounds in a little over 2 months is damn good! Maybe Dont focus so much on the scale and you will see results. I only get on the scale once a week and believe me I was addicted to that scale hopping on it every morning getting discouraged but when I changed that habit it seems to be working with a steady weight loss of 1-3 pounds a week since April.

Also sometimes it may take a few days to a week for your fill to kick in, I know for my first fill it kicked in after a week. We all feel your frustration and confusion...we are all there or have been there or will be going there.

The band is not a magic wand..it is a tool to help us and it DOES not make the dicisions of food for us..that is where we have to do the work. Food choices make the biggest difference in restriction for me anyways..somedays I'm tighter then other days. My band is very fickle! But I love my band

hang in there Julie , you will see results

Hi Julie,

Like Michele, I'm thinking that your total fill is now 5 ccs, not 9--even in a Swedish band 9ccs would be a lot right out of the gate. You've only been banded a short time and there is plenty of time to find the right level of restriction that will work for you.

I agree that 18 lbs since early June is wonderful! That is very quick loss and while it may seem to you like it's stopped what's happening is that your body is taking a breather. It's not natural to drop 9 pounds a month and that pace can't be sustained safely.

And last, may I point out that you're what is called, in our circles, a "lightweight." You may very well lose weight slower than someone who started out at 300+, and that's normal, natural, and nothing to be worried about. Just work on not comparing yourself to others and appreciating your journey as the unique one that it is.

Relax, you're doing great!!

I see that you got the fills very quickly. I had to wait 6-8 weeks and 4 weeks in between. It takes time so be patient this is not a magic bullet. This is a tool. You will get to where you feel full with little food and stay that way a while. I am a slow loser. 276-226 its been a year. 50 lbs works for me. 1/2 lb or 1 lb average as it has held true overall works in the long run and spares the skin flop. Frustration and impatience was my middle name. Now I'm me. I'm not sweatin that scale everyday. I exercise regulay and eat what I have became accustome to eating which is the same as before mostly except a lot less. I still have to diet. I have to watch what i eat. I can't eat icecream and pies to lose weight. Band or no band. You made a decision to change at all cost and now you have the tool to do it.

Good luck.

Julie,

First of all Happy Birthday (saw you on the list). Secondly I live in Montrose, just a little north of you in westchester. I was banded in New rochelle on Oct 1st and I am having the same problem. Are you lsoing weight now? I know your last post was a while ago. I am really getting discouraged. I lose 13 pounds in the first week. Now - nothing. I'm eating about a cup of food three times a day. What am I doing wrong?

Sorry you are going thru this. I was banded in June as well and have lost 15 pounds. I'm losing about 1/3 pound a week. My band is half full (2.2cc in a 4cc band).

I know when I don't see the scales move...it's my soda and candy. Don't shoot me.... I still have soda and eat candy from time to time. But isn't that so opposite of what I'm trying to achieve...weight loss? You bet.

But I'm happy to say my addiction to food is getting better and I'm in more control now that I used to be. So for me, the band is working...keeps me in check.

Just take a look at your intake and ensure it's 100% nutritious...if it's not...don't eat it.