My lapband was placed January 2016 so just over a year ago and I've lost 5 pounds. I easily have 80 more to lose and I'm feeling discouraged. I feel tightness in my chest when I eat but have a hard time feeling full or satisfied. I've had my band a little tighter than it is now, then got a defill cause I wasn't keeping much food down. I just feel discouraged... I thought this would be the answer for me. I do track my food but I'm more hungry than I expected to be (could just be emotional hunger) but I find it way too easy to eat sugar. Just wondering if anyone has had a slow start then found success?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Can't help you with the sugar you'll need to stop that and follow your diet plan, but maybe you need to try a bit more fill, smaller increment than last time.

The band worked for me for 4 years and then caused me a lot of issues so I ended up revising to RNY.

Does your bariatrics team have a nutritionist? Might be time to have a chat with them if so. Be honest with yourself, log your food and exercise accurately, and see what your Dr thinks for next steps. Good luck to you.

I count calories, eat low carb and high protein, and track everything. If you eat bread, potatoes, rice, cake, sweets, etc lap band or not you are not going to lose weight. You have to change your habits. The lap band is only one tool. Sorry not a miracle.

Hi Banded Gal, I had a lot of trouble getting to my "sweet spot". I'm banded 10 years in March. I lost 120lbs in 1 year.

Some of the problems I had were of my own making (I kept too tight sometimes trying to lose weight... a VERY BAD IDEA.)

The main thing I did was journal my food (everything... bites, licks and tastes as Weight Watchers calls it), exercise and talk with other bandsters. Protein was #1 priority. Also My dr told me not to go low fat. Rather full fat is more satisfying and just watch the portions. I couldn't eat in the morning so I did Protein shakes (I still do use protein shakes ). Also a big mistake I made after I lost most of my weight was to rely on ice cream. This caused me to have a terrible sugar addiction of which I'm dealing with even now.

Talk to your doctor and/or nutritionist so they can adjust what you're eating.

Not sure if this is helpful but that's what I did. Let me know if you have any other questions

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

One last thing... when I took my calories too low I stopped losing weight. My body was holding onto every calorie it could

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I second the above advice.

(Banded12/06) lost 90 lbs and kept off.... but lots of self work !!! Exercise and protein... and that dang sugar. The less I have the less I crave... but the world isn't perfect and neither are we

Smaller fills might help... but not too tight... that is no way to live long term.

I know seeing a therapist helped me. Perhaps you want to think about that?

This is certainly a huge life style change.

And I still make protein drinks or eat a quest bar to keep my protein up. I do drink water and exercise a couple of times a week. I actually split a personal trainer with a pal. I have to show up. I paid!!! They are waiting!!

Good luck. Think about why you got your band and recommit yourself if you want things to change!