Hello all, I am Kathy too, from the Kansas City, MO area. I was banded on Apr. 9th and so far have only lost a couple of lbs and am discouraged. I see on this website how people are losing a ton in just a couple of days. I am scheduled for my first fill on May 16th but my Dr. only adds a little at a time. Can anyone give my advice. I have followed the liquid to soft to try philosophy and right now I am trying whatever I want to eat. Last night had fish and veggies without a problem. Just ate too much and really felt full. Couldn't throw up, wouldn't come back up to relieve my too full feeling. I think I am just having trouble with my mind and my portion size right now.

Please, I will take any advice. K

Hello all, I am Kathy too, from the Kansas City, MO area. I was banded on Apr. 9th and so far have only lost a couple of lbs and am discouraged. I see on this website how people are losing a ton in just a couple of days. I am scheduled for my first fill on May 16th but my Dr. only adds a little at a time. Can anyone give my advice. I have followed the liquid to soft to try philosophy and right now I am trying whatever I want to eat. Last night had fish and veggies without a problem. Just ate too much and really felt full. Couldn't throw up, wouldn't come back up to relieve my too full feeling. I think I am just having trouble with my mind and my portion size right now.

Please, I will take any advice. K

Hi I am from St. Joseph MO and glad to hear from you. Heck, the post op time is for healing. I actually gained as I was not "filled" for 8 weeks. Dr. Ortiz did my surg in Tijuana and Dr. Malley does my fills. Dr. Ortiz said wait and heal for 8 weeks so that is what we did. Now I do think Dr. Malley normally fills his own patients at 4 weeks post op. So I got a slow start and dealt with it and you will start losing soon enough so don't freak out just yet! Healing is important.

I know you are discoouraged but this actually your healing time. Trust me the band works just give yourself time. You will start losing.

Hi Kathy, I'm Carol from Kansas City. I had my 1st fill yesterday and so far I'm liquid for another 24 hours. I feel hungry, but maybe its just nerves. I haven't lost much yet either. I have lost only 16 lbs since March 12. My surgery was March 20, with Dr. Nirgo. I hoping this fill helps. Before the fill I could eat almost anything I wanted. Waiting to see if tomorrow is anybetter when I get to have my mushies back. Hang in there, I know we all are able to do this.

Looks like I found some fellow KC banders, and am feeling discouraged, also. Banded 2/27/07, lost 12 the first 2 weeks, then 3 more by the end of the month, then gained a couple the next month. I have been able to eat whatever I want, and more than I think I should. Had my second fill today, and am hoping this does the trick.

Also posting this message to see if my ticker works :-)

Think I got that ticker working now....

Please be patient.....it will take time but you'll get there! I was banded in K.C. by Dr. Malley on January 18, 2007. He doesn't put a fill in until 6 weeks after surgery.....longest 6 months ever!!! The first fill definitely helped but the next 4 weeks seemed even longer. After you lose a chunk of weight it takes your body a few weeks to get caught up. I haven't lost anything for the last 3 weeks, it's hard to wait but it's also necessary! Don't sabatoge the work that you've done.....a woman's body does crazy things with fluid retention so weighing everyday is not a good idea if you get discouraged quickly (I used to be this way, now I know it fluctuates a lot throughout the month!). Good luck and hang in there!

Please be patient.....it will take time but you'll get there! I was banded in K.C. by Dr. Malley on January 18, 2007. He doesn't put a fill in until 6 weeks after surgery.....longest 6 months ever!!! The first fill definitely helped but the next 4 weeks seemed even longer. After you lose a chunk of weight it takes your body a few weeks to get caught up. I haven't lost anything for the last 3 weeks, it's hard to wait but it's also necessary! Don't sabatoge the work that you've done.....a woman's body does crazy things with Fluid retention so weighing everyday is not a good idea if you get discouraged quickly (I used to be this way, now I know it fluctuates a lot throughout the month!). Good luck and hang in there!

Sorry about that....meant to say longest 6 WEEKS ever!!

You're right; I have changed from weighing everyday to every 3 days; that helps a lot! Then I also know what you mean about "fluctuating through the month" - I've learned to pay no attention to the scale at all for 5-7 days each month. One of the hardest things for me to do has been not drinking anything while I eat, especially since I got to the point where I can drink diet soda. I know it affects how much I can eat, I just need to use my head more to stop eating sooner, if I really want the fluids with my meal.

Not having any luck getting my ticker into my signature; guess I'll go to the other thread for help on that one.

Thanks for your words of encouragement!

Hi Carol, my surgery was also with Dr. Nigro, on February 27th. I had my second fill today, and think it might help quite a bit more than the first fill did. Judy is my NP, or PA, or whatever they're called, that does my fills. I love how almost everyone in the office is banded, and it is encouraging to see their success. Have you been to a support group meeting yet? I keep forgetting to get it on the calendar and end up remembering the week after! Planning on making the next one, though.

No, I have not been to a support meeting, didn't releize when it was this past month and missed it. I also live north of the river and its a 45 minute drive out there. I will try to go this next month. I would be fun to meet some of the other bandters. Maybe we should start a thread for KC bandsters. It would be nice to put a face with names and have local support. Have you start excersizing yet. I need to have some motivation on that front also. I now they have a excersize room, but again it so far away. Judy did my fill yesterday.

Hey all,

Thank you so much for replying to my post My first fill is scheduled for May 16. Did I say that already?? But I am not losing very quickly at all. I want to put a ticker on my signature too, but I don't know how. I made one just don't know how to do it. Just wanted to say thank you to those of you who posted for me. I hate feeling discouraged it just isn't me. I like feeling positive and excited for what is to come. I just get this feeling it may not work for me. Kathy

I didn't feel restricted until fill #3, and I watched others losing. All I can tell you is that we are all different and we all go through stages. Your stage is called Bandster Hell. It will get better. For now, just learn as much as you possibley can, and practice it when you are able.

Another Kansas Citian here, well Independence. I go to Dr. Malley and just had my 3rd fill last Monday. I can really feel restriction now.

As everyone else has said, let your body heal and get used to your new tool. But don't go crazy and eat everything in sight even though you may be able to.

It will happen for you, just let things take the proper course. Good luck.

My doc says not to worry about losing, until first fill....this is a time to heal...I have lost 24 lbs, but have started slowing down...I do not weigh everyday...the numbers make my crazy...I will get down if I don't lose...so I wait several days and then weigh....also....I measure everything I eat...1/2 cup is all I can have at each meal...that is it...no more, no less...but I always measure....

Di

Another Malley patient here........ finally in bandland! From what I understand my first fill will be in 5 weeks (June 1) Just today my tummy started rumbling but I still have my post op swelling which is giving me some restriction.....

I'm in Leavenworth.....