Alright, I had my band 5/14, and one fill 4 weeks afterwards. I have not lost any more weight than the weight from the first week (14 lbs) I am really starting to get frustrated. I'm walking, and eating less than I used to, but I have no restriction, so can still just eat when I want. Obviously, I wouldn't have needed this surgery if I could have controlled that, so I feel like I've wasted my time and money, and I'm getting very irritated, frustrated, just plain pissed off every time I step on the scale. I guess I could use some encouragement from some of you who have success stories with a similar start. I would really appreciate it. Thanks! Kris.

I'm in the same boat, no weight loss since early April, but I haven't gained either, so I'm ok with that ! My 2nd fill is July 17th, it is my understanding that it may take several fills to get to the sweet spot !

I was banded on Feb 13th & have lost 32 lbs, but i also know i need to move more.....Good Luck !!! Jan

I am going to start off by saying I am no expert but I have lost a little weight while waiting to be banded. Here are some tips that have helped me moved the scale

1- limit carbs. I don't have a specific target, but I don't eat bread, rice or Pasta. I eat whole wheat small tortillias in the South Beach sandwich kits.

2. limit sugar. I don't eat any junk nor do I eat fruit (I know that is not so healthy, but it has helped me)

3. drink plenty of Water

3. Move everyday. I workout at Curves 4 times a week. 3 times a week I walk 2 miles

4. I think this is the most important step - track what you are eating. I use the Daily Plate.com. It has belp me understand what sodium can do and how much Protein I am getting. I also try stay around the 1200 calorie range. Sometimes I do indulge in wine - but I make up for it the next couple of days but limiting my calories.

I know you are frustrated - but hopefully you will discover what will work for you and the scale will start moving.

Hello and I was banded March 14th 2008. I too was very frustrated in the beginning . My Dr only gives fills every 6 weeks and not much at a time. As I have seen on here ,I guess it is all Dr's preference and how they feel the band should work for you. At my first fill pretty much I was like wow I can still eat the same as I did before the surgery and my weight was not coming off like it did pre-op and right after surgery. I was at a stand still. I am loosing inches now. Which the Dr explained that this is good.You are on a higher protein diet so you can gain muscle which weighs more then fat. She also told me do not let the scale rule you keep up what you are doing. I too do a lot of reading here I see a lot of people say it takes a while to get your sweet spot in your fills. So even though frustrated I hung on. I have received my second fill a few weeks ago. I now have 2.6 in my band. I notice a change already and have slowed down eating a lot. I guess the fills they say there is no set science to it. So if you go in and say look i can eat what I could before and I am hungry then they will give you more then someone who is getting full and staying that way. I also started walking , I found this is the key. I am feeling good once again. Loosing some more pounds. I didn't believe this would work either. I was like you. But keep your head up. It will come.

the band doesnt do all the work you have to do the protein first thats what helps i lost 15 pds before the band and ive lost 7lbs the first week of having the band i cant wait till i start getting fills and actually eating real food besides liquids

Thanks to all who responded. I've seen other posts with similar issues. We KNOW all the rules and catch phrases about the band not doing all the work and what we SHOULD eat. However, the fact remains we all did get the band to help us, so when it's not (yet), it's extremely frustrating. My guess is, if you're one week out, you're still managing fine, but by next week, you'll be wanting to eat your keyboard like the rest of us. At any rate, Hang in there folks............in another year we'll be so much better off than we are right now. I think I'm going to start going to my docs post-op support groups..............maybe you guys can do the same.