It seems we're all playing "follow the leader" with our journey. We were all excited with anticipation, then somewhat disappointed roughly 1 month out... and here we are over 3 months later.

Just wondering how everyone else is doing? How many fills? How much have you lost? How many cc's in your band? Are you happy, or still in the "Bandster Hell" phase?

Personally, I'm finally liking the band. I was NOT a big fan at first (felt as though it wasn't working at all!). After 3 fills (5.5 CC's in a AP Small band), I finally feel content. I'm slowly losing, and I'm confident I'll pick up the pace after my next fill (2 weeks). It was long and agonizing waiting for restriction - but, I can honestly say the "sweet spot" is within view.

I hope you're all starting to make nice with your bands too!

:smile:

I had my second fill January 10 and I'm still a bit too tight, but with good food choices I am going to stick with it. That means a lot of Soups, chili, oatmeal for Breakfast, and soft foods, but at least I am not hungry.

I'm still thrilled with the band and weight loss rate. I figured since I had less than 100 lb to lose it would be a slow journey, but except for the month before my first fill, I have been losing pretty steadily. I started out with a goal of 150, but now I think I can get down to 140 or even 135. We will see. I don't really set hard and fast goals because then I get discouraged if I don't hit them.

The one thing that amazes me is how food has lost its allure. I watch ads on TV for food and it doesn't tempt me at all any more. I think it was the pbing I did right after the second fill; most food = pain, not pleasure to my mind now.

I still eat too fast, which is usually what causes me trouble. When I eat too fast I miss the signal to stop and end up in the bathroom. No pbing for the last four days, so I think I'm past the worst of it.

For the first time since I was in my 20's I think I may be a "normal" size person in a short time. What a thrill!

I'm still hungry and just hanging in there waiting for my 3rd fill Jan 29. Right now I'm doing weight watchers with my daughter. Haven't had any problem eating anything (unfortunately) I feel bad when I see some people have lost 40# or more. I can't even lose the 3# I gained over Holidays. Hoping my day will come.

SHORT SWEET AND SIMPLE..

that is how i'll make it.

i have posted various times on this forum regarding my frustration with my band and lack of weight loss and emotional struggles.

now, already..i am eating to live a lot less than living to eat. i really don't care what i eat anymore (except making sure it is low cal and protein)..i no longer drool at food commercials..i no longer have my fast food meal planned at 7 a.m. in the morning..actually..i don't even bother with drive thru's anymore.

my sweet's cravings have decreased dramatically. and so has my eating. i had a 3 inch sub last night with toasted wheat bread..and could not finish it... (well..i took 3 bites too many..and those 3 came back up..lol).

so, i'm finally losing weight. 10 lbs down ...i'm now at 216. (226 was surgery weight).

i would say that i am just now at the point to learning to listen to my body and not take those extra bites..not gulp my drinks..etc.

I LOVE IT!!!

...ok..so my posts are never short....lol

I'm still hungry and just hanging in there waiting for my 3rd fill Jan 29. Right now I'm doing weight watchers with my daughter. Haven't had any problem eating anything (unfortunately) I feel bad when I see some people have lost 40# or more. I can't even lose the 3# I gained over Holidays. Hoping my day will come.

i was walking in your shoes 1 fill ago. it will happen. i had gained from my surgery weight..and felt the same way about the 40+ lb loser's..lol. it will happen ..promise..take it from someone who wanted to rip my band out and hit my doc upside the head with it.

Hello, congratulations to everyone..I have lost about 38pds so far..banded Oct 12th... I had my first fill 2 weeks ago 3.8cc's....I still eat very normal just not as much as I used to eat...I do try to walk 3/4 of a mile to a mile 5 days a week now..that helps too...

:lol:Hello, congratulations to everyone..I have lost about 38pds so far..banded Oct 12th... I had my first fill 2 weeks ago 3.8cc's....I still eat very normal just not as much as I used to eat...I do try to walk 3/4 of a mile to a mile 5 days a week now..that helps too...

I am still in bandster hell, I guess. Gained back some of the original weight I lost Post Op, slowly getting it off. Have had 2 fills, go back Mar17, I think. It is just so cold outside (I am "not" a winter person) but am trying to get in some walking daily (walk to metro each afternoon instead of riding shuttle, 20 mins). I leave home at 4:45am and get back home about 7:15pm, so lunchtime is when I really get to do anything. I am not discouraged though, I knew it would take work on my part and I am improving. My worse problem is stress at work, then I eat everything in sight. I emptied my desk of all junk food and keep some diet popcorn to gobble up when things get hairy. I do have some restriction, hoping my next fill will hit the sweet spot. Good luck to all of us.

Dont worry hatmama.... it will take time...I wished I had of already lost more myself but after surgery I had constipation issues very severe then I had pains in my chest after that so I didnt even get my first fill until 2 weeks ago...but I learn something new every week...about the band... I do not snack at work at all now and if I do I have a half of an apple... night time is my worst..I loved to snack at night.... I think maybe after another fill you wont be able to snack like that...I ususally have a shake for breakfast/ensure... then lunch apple then another shake and a small dinner...I quit smoking as well so its been a double whammy for me.... You will find the right fill spot soon...Good Luck....

Congratulations to all !!!

I was banded on 10/25/07 - lost 25lbs before the surgery and 35lbs so far after the surgery. My first fill was on 12/5/07 - 3cc's in a 10cc ap band. Second fill on 1/16/08 - 2 additional cc's. Finally feel some restriction now, not at the sweet spot yet but at least it keeps me from overeating. To date I have only had one pb episode when I ate baked chicken, believe me I never want that to happen again.

So far the hardest thing is eating slow, no drinking 1/2hr before and 1/2hr after eating.

This was the first Christams holiday that I lost instead of gaining - isn't this band journey great !!!!!!!!!!!!

I was banded October 8th and so far I have lost 40lbs. I have had two fills so far. I currently have 7cc's in my 11 cc band. I am currently eating about a cup and a half of food. So I could be doing better if I really buckled down. I lost 7lbs between thanksgiving and Christmas, so I stayed away from the treats pretty much. My biggest thing is exercising. I really need to get my butt in gear. I know that if I start moving, I will drop weight even faster. I have my next fill valentines day, and maybe that is when i will hit my sweet spot. Right now I can eat most anything, but will get stuck on bread and meat sometimes. But I have not pb'd yet.

I was in for a fill today. Not as much in my band as we thought-leaking? anyway I have 1.2cc in now in total. I feel good restriction- hopefully it will hold. My original goal wt was set too low. The nurse said 141 would be the ideal wt. for me. think they are right. I have changed my ticker and that means I'm safely past my half way point! Everyone is starting to notice now and I feel it.

As of today I have lost 41 pounds I have a 10cc band with .6cc's in it. As for restriction I only have it in the morning. after that I drink protien for my snacks and eat protien rich meals. It seems that I lose weight in spurts I'll go a few days with no weight loss then lose a bunch for a couple of days.

SlimerJim

That's how I loose my weight also, in spurts. I'll loose 2 or 3 pounds in a day or two and then nothing for a week or two. It can get a little frustrating. Sometimes when I go down that two or three pounds, I find that in a couple of days I go up a pound. What I really need is a fill. I've only had one, maybe next month they'll give me number two. Can hope anyway.

I was in for a fill today. Not as much in my band as we thought-leaking? anyway I have 1.2cc in now in total. I feel good restriction- hopefully it will hold. My original goal wt was set too low. The nurse said 141 would be the ideal wt. for me. think they are right. I have changed my ticker and that means I'm safely past my half way point! Everyone is starting to notice now and I feel it.

it absolutely amazes me at how different we all are. i have 6.5 cc's in a 10 cc (not counting the 3 cc primer), and i'm going for my 4th fill Saturday morning.

i'm finally losing (10 lbs total), but i can still eat more than 10 bites..so next fill here i come.

I have 6cc in a 10cc band as well. I am probably loosing at a slower rate (I was banded on 10/08) but I am afraid to PB. This fear keeps from being too aggressive with my fills. I even cancelled my last fill appointment and will probably cancel the one scheduled for 1/28.

I have really changed my eating - even though I can eat everything (brad, rice, etc) I am choosing much smaller portions. I am also not eating past 6pm NO MATTER WHAT. This is a huge change as this is when I consumed many of my calories in the past -6-10pm each night.

Slow and steady - I love my band!