Right after surgery, everybody looses weight...lap band or no, we are on a strict post-op diet starting with Clear liquids and slowly progressing. Who wouldn't loose weight? And yet people give credit to the band.

At this stage, the Lap Band is doing nothing, IMO....it was installed and nothing more.(there are a FEW EXCEPTIONS...very few)

And let's face it...people who have much to loose, will loose more than the next person not quite so heavy.

So when someone says "I Lost 50 lbs, blah blah blah, the next person should not feel bad only loosing 10lbs.

I know people who could loose 50lbs if they skipped dinner! (only joking)

There are people here who start at 400lbs and loose over 200, and people who start at 225 and only loose 75....so which is more difficult?

So don't let the #'s intimidate you...it's all relative.

I had my first fill 4 weeks after surgery, and it was 4cc's....after that, I began to gain weight because it also the time I came off the post-op diet and began eating normal food again. DUH!

That first fill did absolutely nothing.

Had my second fill of 2cc's, 4 weeks after that, = 8 weeks from surgery.

The band began to do something....I didn't loose weight, but I did not gain either.

All this time I was being told and reminded to count calories, measure portions, stay away from certain foods/drink, etc...ALL the things I could have done (and have done) without surgery, the time and anxiety put into preparing for this, not to mention the $$.

Talk about Frustration!! I felt it was a big Rip Off!

Came back 4 weeks after that, = 12 weeks from surgery for my 3rd, (and final) fill. THAT one put me over the top.Pushed me off the edge!

Could not keep anything down. Feared I was going to be malnourished, etc. I was free falling!

Many people would have gone back to get it taken out, get back within their comfort zone......but my Dr. (who knows ME and not YOU) talked me into sticking it out, talked me into slowing down my eating, choice of foods, all those thing etc, etc.

Also said if I did get that last (small) fill removed, it would put me back to where I was after my 2nd fill...did I want that?

I'm glad he did...it took weeks - months for things to start to find that groove, but it did all start to fall in line.

That elusive "Fine balance - Harmony" where the band performs splendidly. The true "Green Zone"

I quess my point is, this thing DOES WORK, but it is not going to work immediately...it is adjustable and it takes time, sometimes with trial and error, to get it right.

And it is not just the band that gets adjusted along the way...we too have to get adjusted to the Lap Band. And that is key to success.

Lap Band Surgery will "Change Your Life" but you have to ready and willing for change. And that can be very frustrating and take some time. Even though my last needed fill was 12 weeks from surgery, and the weight began to steadily and consistently come off, a year later I was still learning lessons, Life changing lessons...most times the hard and unpleasant way. Did not mean the band is at fault.

I'm 4 years out, and I can do something right now, this moment, that would cause a very negative reaction with my band. Does not mean my band is at fault...it means I just did something I should never do...simple, yet it did take time to learn the difference.

If people told me 4 years ago what and how little I would be eating today, and still be healthy and full of energy, I would have said they were blowing smoke up my you know what.

And yet here I am at that place, and to tell new people this, would be accepted the same as I would have 4 years ago.

This is the internet, and 1000's of people come and go here all the time. And I have read people's posts about frustration and feelings of failure (many of which are way pre-mature...give it a chance) when in fact I sense they are not willing to accept change. (still talking about pizza and cheese burgers, etc? Really?)

Not all, but some. There are people who legitimately have problems, complications. But we, strangers on the internet can ever tell what is going on.

They can't understand why they keep getting stuck...There's something wrong with their band...maybe there is, and maybe it's not the band....no one on the internet can tell for sure.

That is why it is best, IMO, it's best for people to simply share their own experiences, AT ALL LEVELS, good and bad, positive and negative...

Ok, it's 4am on a Sunday, I'm rambling on with my morning coffee before heading to the gym at 6...nothing more, just rambling..and pehaps ranting.

Edited January 11, 201511 yr by B-52

Thanks for the information! I started my 2 week pre-op diet today and I have some insight for the future. Thanks again!

B so good to be reminded of how this thing works. There are plenty of comparisons between us and it can mess with your mind . I am one of those who lost a good amount at first then it slowed to a trickle but I weighed 198 when I started and I'm now 127. but it has take me 2 years. I have a goal of 115 but not worrying all the time about it. I have had 4 fills each one small and the last one 1 cc made me feel I was too tight, had some sliming and stuck episodes frequently but not because I was too tight It was because I had develop bad habits like eating too fast and eating crap I shouldn't be eating. so I've developed a new attitude and am eating slower and healthier. As much as I liked food before the band, I love being healthier and thinner better.

Good post

My doctor just told me today, Not to get hung up on the losing weight part, basically stating a lot of the same things you just said. Everyone is different. Plus it's more about Learning how to eat healthy, portion control, it's a Lifestyle change he said it's like learning how to eat all over again. I agree I am way more aware of my food now of what I choose to eat, I never take less than 20 mins to eat It's a total lifestyle change FOR MY LIFE and For my Lifetime. I understand that now.

I understand the lap band is a Tool to help me achieve that

Thank you soooo much for this post as I just recieved my band Feb 25th all was going well with the weight loss then the first fill came and it feels like I never had one.. Feeling frustrated not loosing anymore additional weight I headed to the gym and realizing I need to practice my patience here... I am so glad I read your post to reassure my self and to relax!! ????

Thanks Again for Sharing!!!!

Issy