I've had 2 fills and I'm still not losing . I lost 15lbs. in the first 2 weeks after surgery. I'm feeling really depressed. I hope the 3rd fill will be a charm.Time is passing I had my surgery 1/4/05. I thought I would have been a little further along. Feeling like a failure.PLEASE HELP NEED ADVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks in advance for your support. Monica

Hi Monica,

We feel your pain, we really do. Loads of people have gone through exactly what you're going through. The advice is pretty much always the same: back to basics.

You've had two fills in the two months after surgery, which I'd think is a bit aggressive. Are you very restricted? Or not at all? Are you getting tiny little amounts each time? Why do you think you're not losing weight? Do you have specific issues that need to be addressed, like an ice cream habit? (Oh no, wait, that's mine. Oops!)

1. Protein first. Start your meals with the hard Proteins and leave the carbs for last.

2. Log your foods in a journal. Try www.fitday.com if you haven't yet. It really helps to get a great look at what you're taking in!

3. Water, water, water. And more water.

That's about it! If you're not doing any one of these things try adding it to your routine and see if it helps. But let me say also that this is NOT a race, and losing 15 lbs since Jan. 4 means you've lost more than 5 lbs a month so far. And that's right on target.

Hi Monica,

I wanted to say to you that I understand and it took my kind but oh s-o-o conservative Dr. a total of 8 fills and 10 months to get to restriction. He was so concern that I not be over filled that I did not loss but 10 lbs durring the worst of it for 6 months. The issue was that he loved & only trusted his fluoroscopy. In other words that which he could "see". He thought that I had restriction verse going by the numbers. I have the larger band and I think it has something to do with it. But if he had just gone by the "numbers" which showed that I was not lossing and not going up in uniform fill volume increaments. So when he was on vacation, I was ginally given a 80% fill level (8cc in my 10cc band) by the PA who had been with me through this process and knew I would come back imediately if there were problems. It was a risk my surgeon, who felt he knew more than me, was unwilling to take. However, since my last fill on 27 Jan, I have lost 12 lbs. I still get hungry and I still have to eat little, excersise much and drink Water even if it hurts in order to lose...but I am telling you, it's like night and day with restriction.

So please don't get down. Keep focused on two things. 1st, it's about time not if - you will not fail your band. And secondly, A special verse helped me understand that no matter what, Christ was for me in all things. I want to share it with you. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus througout all gererations, for ever and ever! Amen.” –Ephesians 4:20-21

May God bless you and give you peace and joy.

Always, Judy

Monica, how tall are you? If you're following all the Bandster rules and still not losing, it could be that you have a much lower BMI than most of us. Do you know how much fill you have? Best of luck to you! Sometimes it just takes some "fine tuning" to hit the right fill amount for you. When you're getting your daily waterload in, be sure and not drink w/your meals or at least 1 hour afterwards.

Monica- I would love to hear of your follow-up to everyones questions. I am learning still & see alot of posts from bandster who are not losing as fast/much as they would like. Than I see others give advise & ask questions to try & help get to the problem BUT I never end up see the resolution.

Please let us know how your doing & if there is something that you think may be the main reason(like the fill isn't enough) or not enough water or drinking while eating maybe. You can help teach someone like me who is yet to be banded. I appreciate your help. Thank you & Congrats on your weight loss so far !!! Its wonderful!

Hello all I'm trying to reply to your questions. But the forum keeps earasing my reply.And I have to keep logging in again this is a test let's see if this works. Monica

To jellybellyband I really think your name is good. It brought tears to my eyes when I read your response. On how long it took for you to get restriction. I'm glad your on your way keep up the great work. Thanks for your support. Monica

Hello all thanks for your responses. It's a good feeling to know your not alone and that people care! I'll try to answer the questions now ok lets see. I was 223lbs. when I started I'm 5'2" My BMI was 40. I lost 15lbs in the first 2 weeks. I've had 2 fiils I have 2ccs in my band now . I have a little restriction. I"m having another fill a week from Wed. Hoping this on is the charm. I did have a little problem with ice cream and chocolate but it's better now. I'm trying to drink enough water. I don't drink with my meals. I do wait 1hr after meals to drink. I'm going to try to excercize more.I do try to eat my protein first or with my salad.Hope this helps all advice is welcomed and appeciated. Good luck and the best of Health to all Thanks again Monica

Hi Monica,

I was banded the same day as you!!! I also have had 2 fills I have the larger band that holds 10cc...I was filled 4.2 the first time and then 1.2 the second, just last thursday...I also do not feel any restrection...I am hungry in a couple of hours and Not just that I feel hungry but my stomach strart to growl and even hurt...I also get a lot of gas...I am also feeling a little depressed especially when averyone asks how much i've lost and I tell them that I haven't lost anything since the actual banding...I've lost 10 pounds since this started...i started at 240 and I am 230 today....Anyways good luck to you and please let us know how you do on the next fill.....

Mari Ann

I know how you all feel, it is really discouraging, but you have to remember that because we don't have as much too lose the weight will come off a lot slower. It is frustrating for me because I sure expected to lose a lot more than I have. I was banded on Nov. 4, 2004 and the 23 lbs I've lost was all lost in the first month in a half, so it has been awful not having any other weightloss. (I even put 5 lbs back on) I have had three fills but had not gotten to that sweet spot, as of my last fill I have started to lose weight again and am feeling pretty good. I have lost about 7lbs since my fill two weeks ago and that's wonderful. I have 30 lbs to lose to get to my goal and it is taking forever, but I have to remember that this is not a magic wand, it will take time. But I desperately want to get to my goal, my husband has already handed me the money to get my tummy tuck and body liposculpture, but I can't use it until I get to my goal. So hopefully this fill will do the trick, now I just have to get off my fat butt and exercise excercise. WEll good luck to us all.