Banded on 2/22, 2 fills since then and not losing any weight; every office visit is the same, are you eating very small portions 3 times a day, getting any exercise, bla bla bla? The seminar I attended that piqued my interest in this to begin with "sold" me on the concept of being able to eat a small amount and feel full for 5-6 hours afterward, which is why I bought into the surgery but it hasn't happened. I'm not a successful "dieter". If I would or could have limited my portions and worked out 5-6 days a week, I would never have been fat in the first place. I think I've been conned; anyone care to comment?

At this point, you are still not receiving the full benefit that the band will eventually give you. I went for my fourth fill today, and am hoping I might finally have some real restriction now. I have a really strong will, and am very competative, so I've been losing weight despite being hungry in the evenings. At this point, you really aren't much better off that you would be on your own. It will get better, but it's not a magical device. You do have to work with it. Make better food selections, and get out and take a walk every day. I've recently increased my walk to 3 miles a day. Yes, I have had to miss a few TV shows, or record and watch later, but that's a small price to pay. Even when I'm tired and grumpy after work, I force myself outside and WALK. When I'm finished, I feel so much better! I'm miserable when I miss my walk now. Just get out there and do something. Do you have a dog? If so, take him with you on your walk. If he enjoys it, too, that's all the more motivation to get yourself going. Start slowly, and I think you'll be surprised at how much you enjoy it. You don't have to join a gym or buy expensive equipment to get exercise.

I was banded 2/28, and I've lost 49 lbs as of today. I've never been able to diet either. The most weight I've ever lost in my life was 20-25 lbs and as soon as I stopped the strict diet I was on, it came right back. I plan to lose another 140 or so too.

Anyway, the band isn't a magic wand. I do find that I have to work at this, but I don't mind because it is actually working for me. I refuse to screw this up because this isn't just about vanity or something. My life depends on me losing weight. However, for the tool to work, you have to have proper restriction so I'd keep bugging your doctor for fills until you have it. My doctor, fortunately, doesn't do the 1 or 2 cc's at a time for fills, he fills under fluro until he sees restriction happen. I got 3.2 cc the first time and had great restriction.

You have to be willing to work with the band. You can't just eat anything you want because you have a band and expect to lose. There are times when I'm hungry and I've already eaten enough or it isn't time for a meal so I try to drink some Water and ignore the hunger. That doesn't happen a lot because I let myself eat enough to be satisfied and account for the calories.

I wasn't conned, I doubt any of us were. My surgeon made it clear up front that this isn't easy and you have to follow the band rules and make a lifestyle change.

It may help you to read the information on the pages here about how fills work and about how the lap band works in general. This isn't a miracle cure, it isn't a quick fix and it does require lifestyle changes. As you get more fills you begin to feel full quicker....I am 6 months post op and have had 3 fills and only now am just beginning to notice the difference. It may also help you to reread any information that was given to you at the seminar or by your surgeon about the lap band.

Exercise, drinking Water, getting your Protein in, chewing food and eating slowlyare all an important part of weight loss with the band. If you feel you hae been conned it may help to voice these concerns to your surgeon.

Banded on 2/22, 2 fills since then and not losing any weight; every office visit is the same, are you eating very small portions 3 times a day, getting any exercise, bla bla bla? The seminar I attended that piqued my interest in this to begin with "sold" me on the concept of being able to eat a small amount and feel full for 5-6 hours afterward, which is why I bought into the surgery but it hasn't happened. I'm not a successful "dieter". If I would or could have limited my portions and worked out 5-6 days a week, I would never have been fat in the first place. I think I've been conned; anyone care to comment?

None of us have been successful dieters or we wouldn't be at the point of exploring surgery. I have lost at least a thousand pounds over the last twenty years, unfortunately I haven't been able to keep it off for any period of time.

When I first started exploring the lapband, many of my friends told me just to limit my portions. That has never worked for me. I was skeptical but from what I have read and heard, most band failure is "user failure" I have talked to many people who have bands but have not changed the things they are eating or they eat up to six or eight meals a day. The band isn't designed to work that way. I eat low calorie, low fat foods, and high Protein foods and I am losing just fine. I don't feel deprived, and I am not usually hungry. When I am I can usually pinpoint some stresser that makes me believe it is head hunger and not real hunger. I make sure I drink at least 64 ounces of liquid every day.

I'm sorry your band hasn't worked well for you.

2 fills says jack about your level of restriction. Are you restricted? Doesn't sound like it, but do you have any indications of it?

Is that true? Staying full for 5-6 hours after eating? That's amazing. I was not told that, it was more like 4 hours max of just not being hungry really, not full per-se.

I'm not a good 'dieter' either but I think you need to give it some more time. When you get to the right amount of restriction, you will be forced into compliance and hopefully for you the weight will start coming off.

Do you know how much your fills were? Also, what size band do you have?

I have a 4 cc band with a total of 1.9 cc fills, and that puts me in a pretty good spot. My husband has a 10 cc band and has three fills totalling 7 cc, and he can still eat more than he should. Proper fills geared to each individual is what makes this thing work. Don't give up yet!

Sorry for being stupid but what is onederland?

Under 200 pounds. Into the 100's I can hardly wait.

Sounds like you don't have restriction yet. Time to go back.

And yes, you will still need to choose to eat healthy foods in small portions. It's just a heck of a lot easier with proper restriction. Trust me, you'll know when you're there!

I think I've been conned; anyone care to comment?

Just wondering how you are going now?

Hope everything is going better for you. Take care. I know you will get that sweet spot soon