I had my lap band surgery on February 20, 2008. For the six months leading up to the surgery, while getting all of the insurance requirements out of the way, I had lost 36 pounds basically starving myself. Since the surgery, I am down only 8 pounds and feel pretty depressed. I even gained a few pounds back last week leading up to my first fill of only 2 cc's which I had this past Friday. The doctor said my band was empty from surgery. I was wondering when I should feel some restriction and appetite suppression. I had liquids for the first couple of days after the fill and am now back to eating normally. My next appointment for a fill follow-up is in a couple of weeks. I see everyone else's great weight loss in the first month and am getting discouraged as mine has been limited and doesn't seem to be getting better with a fill.:wink:

P.S. Can someone tell me how to add the ticketfactory.com ticker to my posts????

Edited March 24, 200818 yr by jbcohenpa
Add P.S.

I too had nothing in my band post-op; as of now I have had four fills and finally got restriction on my third for about two weeks.

Yes, it's tough when there's no restriction, but discipline should be our middle names! You have to continue eating properly, eating only a small amount at a time, (chewing, chewing, chewing!) and do not get off track--that could jeopardize all the good work you've done so far!

Hang in there--your time will come, too! :wink:

*********

PS Here's the instructions I made for myself because I had such trouble making a ticker!

For the Ticker Factory: go in and create your own ticker (be sure to remember your password!)

At the end, highlight everything in the top box (the bb: box), right click and hit Copy.

Then come into this site, sign in and go to My Account on the top. Then go to Edit Signature on the left. Left click in the big box. Then right click and hit Paste. You should see your ticker appear.

Be sure to go to the bottom of the page and click on Save Signature.

When it comes back, you'll see your ticker at the top of the page. (Then to change it, all you have to do is to double click on the one at the top of the page)...

Edited March 24, 200818 yr by make33

You are doing great. :wink:

And no, you probably won't feel any restriction until you get a good fill level.

Remember: 1-2 lbs per week is a normal rate of loss. If you are a month out and have lost 8 lbs, you are on the high end of normal. At this rate, you'll be 100 lbs smaller next February. Won't that be awesome?!!

Just keep plugging away. If you are eating 3 oz of Protein and 1/2 c of veggies at a meal and are physically hungry sooner than 3 hrs afterwards, go in for another fill. Lather, rinse, repeat until you've got decent restriction.

JB,

I had surgery on 01/07/08 and have only lost 10lbs but at least 5 inches. I have had one fill only and I feel NO restriction and feel hungry within 3 hours. I am calling my doctor today to make an appt for another fill. I totally understand how you feel, but it is true, that there has to be some discipline on our part.....remember, than band is only a tool. I increased my exercise and have been watching my portions and increasing my Water intake, but I cant stand feeling hungry. Be kind to yourself...it took you a long to put it on and you have already taken a step in the right direction. Victory shall be yours...start walking 20 min a day if you havent already.....and remember baby steps. Also dont forget that the journey of 10,000 miles is begun by taking just a single step. Good luck!

You are very normal - don't stress out! I lost (somehow) 12 pounds in the week after surgery. I lost maybe a pound every other week until I finally had my 5th fill (7.5 ccs in a 10 cc band) I got to my sweet spot and finally have great restriction and have lost 8 pounds in a month. Remember: Everyone is different and loses weight at a different pace. Many people struggle to lose any weight without proper restriction, which can take 4,5,or more fills. You don't know the whole story when you see weight loss reported on this sight. Some of the people with large losses started out with really high BMI's. Some lost a lot on pre-op liquid diets and are counting those losses. Some are just fortunate to be really fast losers! I'm definitely not a fast loser-never have been. Try not to compare your losses with anyone elses. (I know it's hard) Hang in there and be patient and you will get there! And hopefully I'll be right behind you!