Has anyone ever started out with no or super slow weight loss and then something happens? I'm wondering whether I'm at the right fill level or if this is ever going to work for me. I've only lost 20 lbs since being done on July 16th. I have had a second fill - last month I gained 3lbs. I go to the gym almost every day and work out really hard. I don't know what else to do, plus I have these ugly scars to remind me of what a failure this process has been so far.

If you can eat more than 1/4 cup of food you need a fill. I always start my day with a protein shake so I can get enough protein in. Also, try to have your calories stay between 800-1200, 1000 is even better. Good luck.

thanks, I think I need more in my band. Do you have enough energy eating so little, you're not hungry?

Yes I have very slow weight loss also. you are doing better than me. had my surgery June 26th 07. stating weight 214 as of today i weigh 203. i have had 3 fills. i have a total of 7.5cc in my band. i go back on hallloween for my fourth fill. i have not gained any weight. but boy this is slow. my last fill did give me much more restriction. but like Julie said if you can eat more than 1/4 cup you may need a fill. i hope this next fill puts me at the sweet spot. dont give up. i know im not.

ok this thread is making me nervous!!!! I haven't had a fill yet, I go on Nov 3. But I stopped losing weight a month ago & I keep hoping that when I get my fill that I will start losing again. My DH will kill me if I paid for this surgery & if I only lose 18.5 lbs and 10 of it was on the pre-op diet!!!

Hello. I just got home from my surgeons office. I told him that a lot of people on here say that if you can eat more than 1/4c. of food at a time, you need a fill.

He said "that is completely ridiculous." He showed me a book of balanced meals to live by after banding. The meal examples were: 2-3 oz. chicken or fish, 1/4c. mash. pot., 1/2 cup side salad w/2 tsp. oil based dressing, etc. etc. The meals to live by were clearly more than 1/4c. of food.

My doc. said that somepeople might enjoy being so restricted that they can only eat a 1/4c. of food at once but for people to be using that as a guide to decide if they need a fill or not is unjustified.

---I just wanted to let you know what my doc. said.

I have also heard on this forum that 1/4c of food is a myth. As far as your weight loss is going, keep in mind that if you are working out as much as you say, you are building muscle and muscle weighs more than fat. Instead of weighing try measuring. I have lost 20lbs, but I haven't gone down a pants size yet, but I do notice my upper half has lost significant inches. Get out you tape measure, I'm sure you are probably loosing inches and getting toned!

I agree that 1/4 cup is too little. My dr gave me a diet similar to yours. He also said that the first 6 wki are more for healing than losing weight, so dont get discouraged if you lost 10 or 15 lbs at first then slowed. If you get the proper norishment keeping your caloric intake between 1200-1500, you will begin to lose weight again. Good luck. :)Laura

I'm gonna call today for another fill. I don't think I've gained muscle, I've been working out consistently for over 3 years. I know I'm eating less but I still see the scale creeping up. I think I have a weird body - it becomes so efficient at burning calories that its frightening. How can someone burn over 700 calories on an eliptical machine, eat under 1500 calories, have a supposed BMI over 1600 and not lose weight?

I'm just discouraged, I had this idea that the surgery was going to work right away, that I'd be losing fast because I work so hard but I must not be at the right fill level yet. I've read other threads about how people are embarassed because everyone knows about their surgery and keeps asking them how much they've lost and I can totally relate.

Thanks for your feedback, I'm trying to stay positive!

Well for me, I had my surgery 9/5 and I haven't losed a single pound since my surgery. I haven't been working out, but I haven't been over eating either. I go for my third fill today and I have been doing this for the last 3 mondays so wish me luck!!

just FYI - I got banded on sept 12 and lost 20 lbs -- most of that was in the first 3 weeks!!! I just had my first fill last week and my DR told me I *** CATCH THIS **** wasnt eating enough!!!!! I went hoe, ate more then I have been and low and behold - I lost 5 lbs!!!!! Dont knwo why - but it worked. I guess I had to kick start my body out of that "starvation mode".

If you have been working out the same way for 3yrs maybe you need a fitness change up. Sounds like your body is used to your routein and is storing your calories instead of burning them. I once again say get out the tape measure.