hi am am due to have my first fill in 2 days time and i am slightly embarrassed to go back as i suspect i have probably put on a few pounds since getting the band 6 weeks ago, so far i can eat normally just as normally as before so i haven't lost anything, please advise me, is this normal-ish? is there anybody that has had a similar experience or knows of this. please help.................................

Other than temporary restriction from swelling, you won't have any restriction from your band yet. Not until your first fill. You are supposed to be able to eat normally, and eat almost as much as before surgery. Are you practicing not drinking with your meals? Try to watch your portions also. I am getting my first fill today. I was banded March 20, lost 14 pounds during the first 10 days, and nothing since. Once I healed, I felt hungry all the time as before, wanted to snack as before, and the only thing that causes me problems is eating a sandwich. I suspect it's because it is so hard to take the tiny bites they recommend. Practice cutting your food into tiny bites, and don't expect much weight loss till you start getting fills. Are you exercising every day? That's important, too. Good Luck!

Sadly it is very normal. Infact many of us refer to this time as "Bandster Hell". I know it is hard but you need to try your best to follow as many of the rules as much as you can through sheer will power until you start to get better restriction with your fills.

OK I can hear some of you now, I've said it thousand times myself. "If I had the will power to follow the rules without restriction then why would I need the band?" For me the reason why I needed the band was because, yes I can lose weight on nothing but will power for short periods of time but I've never been able to maintain that weight loss. But now with the band I have a tool that when tight enough makes it easier to lose without will power but more importantly makes it possible for me to maitain my current weight without the herculian efforts needed pre-band.

Try to hang in there it will get better.

You are totally normal. Your band isn't even working yet. It is just installed but not working, because you haven't had a fill. I lost 12 pounds in the week after surgery, then didn't lose one more pound for two months. I really didn't start losing decently until I had my 5th fill (7.5 ccs in a 10 cc band) So don't panic! Just get your fills regularly and make it your goal to find restriction. You will get there!

I lost 10 pounds in the week after surgery, then I didn't lose one more pound for four months. I'm waiting for my third fill and really hoping I start losing decently . My body is reshaping all by itself. Thank goodness it is. I actually have No time to exercise and hope to have time when schools over. So don't panic! Keep an eye on what your eating and in time WE WILL ALL be thinner.:-)

I had one fill and was getting discourage because I have only lost 3lbs, since then. I was exercising and hurt myself so I haven't in a couple of weeks. Its good to know that it takes more than one fill to have more sucess.

Wow, reading these posts is really what I needed today..makes me feel more "normal" lol. I lost 14 lbs the first 2 weeks, but not 1 lb. in the 2 weeks since. I try to eat such a sm amt, and chew slowly but get soo hungry, especially at night the way it used to be. The only exercising I can do is while sitting so I know that doesn't help. I'm due to have my 1st fill in a few weeks and really hopes that helps me, cause I just get so down. Anyway, TY everyone for sharing your story

The original post is a year and a half old. I wonder how Laura made out.

I wonder how Laura made out too. There've been a few other posts that I've wondered about.

Teryn, I am having the same problem. Just had my first fill and it feel like nothing. Its .5 cc. I am going back for another one on the 20, so it should help. I'm hitting the gym really hard but I did put back carbs in my diet so maybe that is it. First 2 weeks I lost 13 pounds and now that I am back at the gym and lifting weights again, I have put back on 2. What a strange cycle we go through. Thank the stars for support groups...its so nice to know I am not the only one going through this.

Yes that is normal. Ittook me 5 months.banded 12/23/8 and am down 55 lbs.exercise is a must. Progress slow.