This is kindof motivation for a newbie. I have hit a wall and want to know when I can expect to get going on this thing. I haven't had a fill yet. Thanks in advance.

Right away?

After your first fill?

Second fill?

Third fill?

Fifth?

Sixth?

Great Question....I can't wait to hear the answers.....

hi

i started to really lose weight when:

1.i stopped weighing myself every day

2. i started exercising 4-5 times a week

3. journalled my food on sparkpeople.com

4. i drank at least 64 oz Water.

the fills were a part but not the whole reason for my loss

Hey,

Well since I am just 10 days post op I would have to say right after surgery, I'm interested to hear what the old timers say!

I lost really really reeeeeeeeeallly slowly for the first 3 months after surgery. Around the fourth fill I started to lose more consistently. Restriction helped a lot - so did increasing the exercise though. But the fills really really help!

It's always been slow for me, but not slower than average. Some people lose more quickly than others. I've always been a slow loser, but I am more concerned with keeping the weight off for good than how quickly I lose the weight. I am expecting my last 27 lbs (or more if I decide to lose more) to take another year (since I just started grad school). I have lost more consistently since I started strength training; I've been exercising 5 days/week the whole time, but only recently started strength training. That has made the biggest difference.

I lost 12 lbs. right away and now nothing for 3 days but I am sure it will kick in again soon. I was banded on 1/15/08. Sometimes it is hard for me to read some of these boards with the people that hate their bands and some getting them removed etc..... I want to stay positive!!

Bren

I lost really fast at first. Now that im 16 months out from being banded its taking much longer to drop the pounds!

I am 2 weeks post-op. I also had a 2 day pre-op diet. So far I have lost about 19 pounds, so I would say I have begun to lose weight right after surgery (my band has not been filled yet). My doctor said he wasn't surprised. Since I am still on soft foods and protein supplements only, he expects a rapid weight loss until I am 6 weeks post-op. At that time, I start eating regular foods, and get my first fill. Then we are aiming for 1 - 2 pounds per week .

Kel omg!!! That is fantastic on how much weight you have lost. I know you must really be proud. I know this will be a life time journey and I am ready for it. Has it all been pretty positive for you??

Bren

YES......its been nothing but a POSITIVE expierence for me from the get go. The hard part for me now is the realization that without plastic surgery to remove excess skin i dont know if i will ever be able to reach that 200 lb loss mile stone!

Kelin- you were exactly the inspiration I need. I really wanted to hear from people who have been in this for some time. I know we all lose weight in the beginning, but I loved hearing your story. Would you say it took a fill or two to get in a groove or were you losing from the get go???? Thanks so much.

I started losing right after surgery, but that is because my surgeon required a 30 day clear liquid fast.

I also started 'really losing' when I hired a personal trainer.

I only really lose when I put my mind to it, eat clean, and exercise my buns off.

2 pounds from goal.

Brick girl.........you and i are the same age! I have the VG size 11 band im currently filled to 9.6 ..... Ive been very conservative with my fill amounts, ive had a total of 8 so far. I read this site religiously and came to the personal decision that id rather not encounter any of the problems that come with being overfilled. So my fills were in very small incriments. Fortunatly after each one i was able to feel restricted enough to lose a considerable amount of weight before i lost the feeling of restriction. Ive only ever had to PB twice since my journey started, never have expierenced reflux or any problem whatsover. Good luck with your band!

I have not been the best example, but I have done alright. I will lose for 2 months then stop for a month and then start again.

I have a friend that has not done the right things she is down about 60lbs. she was banded in may 07 also. If she starts to work out and eat clean do you think she can lose the other 45 lbs she wants to lose? Is it too late to use it the right way for her? I told her it is never too late, but what do you think?

Kel my doctor said wait 2 years because some skin will form back around your bones but not sure when you have that much weight to lose. I do know my gf got her surgery covered by insurance because of repeated yeast infections and a hernia that developed because of the weight/skin pulling on her stomach. I would try for that!!

good luck keep me posted

Bren