Hello my name is Lauren I had my lap band surgery on August 2nd 2013 and I started out at 212 pounds, I am now 163 I have lost 49 pounds and I have no fluid in my band. Why you ask? Well it's a personal choice based on the motto if it's not broken don't fix it. I have been consistently losing weight every week since my surgery and have found no real need to get any fluid. I have been to my check ups regularly and my doctor says I'm doing amazing. Yes I still have restriction and no I cannot eat whatever I want. I do not eat any bread or pasta if I do its SMALL amounts and it's either toasted bread or angel hair spaghetti cut really really small. I eat small portion sizes and I eat slow. I used to base my entire day around food and would eat what ever I wanted when ever I wanted it. I now eat to survive. I eat what my body needs for fuel, I no longer eat for fun. I used to live for being able to go out to eat I loved everything about it. I still love it but for different reasons, now I get excited about getting dressed up and feeling amazing, I challenge myself to leave the restaurant feeling good and not stuffed and I ALWAYS get to go boxes. I HAVE to exercise, it makes everything better. Depression runs in my family and I have to keep motivated. Doing just 20 minutes of weight lifting or cardio changes my entire mood. I am a nursing student so I am highly stressed out so it helps with that as well. I am 18 pounds away from my first goal and I'm feeling great. Lap band has changed my life in ways I never could have imagined, from big things like not having to worry about someone asking if I'm pregnant to small things like wearing a white t-shirt it's just amazing. Maybe one day I will get to a point where I need/ want a fill but for right now I like everything just the way it is. If you have any questions or wanna talk about anything feel free to message me im a very open person!

congrats to you and thank you for sharing

what a wonderful post..

I'm 13 months banded with no fills. I also have restriction even without a fill and I also think don't fix what ain't broke. If I find myself hungry too often down the road, I'll talk to the doctor at that time. And no...it's not plain willpower. I've dieted enough to know the difference.

Way to go!!! Congratulations.

Thank you all! I'm just taking it one day at a time.

Hi Lauren!Congrats! you are doing great

I was banded in May 2011 and had my first fill in June 2012. My surgeon had put 1.5 cc into my band

during surgery, because he says, patients need to feel their band from the start.

I lost more than 100 lbs during that first year.

My surgeon insisted on adding another 1.5 cc because, he says,when one loses weight, they lose also the fat around their stomach and the band becomes loose, like a belt.

During the second year I gained 10 lbs. Now I neither gain nor lose weight. I'd like to resume my journey, but I'm no loger so motivated as I was at the beginning.

Maybe with the help of all of you I'll manage to arrive at the normal range..Who knows?

Wow Lauren that is amazing ! I hope I am lucky like you where no fills are needed for a while.

Hey Lauren, that is so great. I say, rock your band to your own best advantage. It is your tool, make it work for you! If your band is getting it done for you as it was installed then it is perfect for you.

Thank you all! I'm very happy with the way things are and am very thankful for the way things have turned out. It is possible to make the lapband work with out the fluid. I think everyone should do what works best for them.