Hello, my name is Bernie and I am in Australia. I had my lap band op on April 6 2005. I am feeling a little upset at the moment about having this done. I think maybe I had unrealistic expectations of what the outcome would be after having the operation. I started at 110.5kgs and am now about 104kgs. I haven't lost any weight in the past three weeks at all. I have had my first fill but haven't noticed any difference in the amount that I can eat at all. I'm able to eat just as much as I did before I had the operation.

My doctor told my that I would lose 1kg per week and would get me down to a certain weight with no problems at all. What has happened???? I'm not losing any weight, I'm eating exactly what I should, I'm only drinking Water, I'm exercising and still I'm not losing any weight!!!!!

I am getting married in August and had set myself a goal for the wedding but now it doesn't seem that I will get there.

I'm so down at the moment. I know lap band isn't a magic wand that will melt away the weight, but it seems the expectations that I had been given aren't going to happen.

I hope some of you out there have some encouraging news for me?!?!?

Bernie,

Believe me you have made the right decision. Yes, the lapband has a slow weight loss but it is better to lose it slowly than rapidly. Remember your spouse to be is marrying you who you are today so they wont care that you did not lose weight by the time you get married. Some folks tend to lose weight right after the surgery and others dont until after their first fill. Hang in there dont get the downs yet. You'll be OK.

Welcome Bernie! Don't worry, you will start losing weight, sometimes it just takes more than one fill to do it. You might want to check your measurements too, when the scale doesn't move it seems like we still lose inches.

Welcome Bernie, finding the right fill is the trick. Many of us have a number of fills before it's the right one. I'd give it another week and if you still don't have restriction, I'd would call and schedule another fill.

Don't give up, it's not magic, but it is a wonderful tool to assist in this journey.

Bernie, I had to have 3 fills before I felt any restriction. Hang in there and It will get better. This is the best decission I have ever made and I am sure you will feel the same soon.

(((HUGS)))

Thank you all for the encouraging words. It's hard when you don't know anyone who has had it done and there's no one to talk to. Thanks heaps!

Bernie- first & foremost congrats on BOTH your upcoming marriage & your Band! Just keep thinking everyday- I am doing more healthier things for myself now than I did before. The scale is not my friend & inches are better than pounds. Keep eating & chewing & double up on an exercise every other day if possible till your big event. You will lose inches- I promise. In the whole sceme of things weight is just a number - it doesn't define us or the love that someone feels for us. So BE HAPPY !!! LOVE YOUR WEDDING PREP TIME - SMILE- SMILE -SMILE- Before you know it the big day will have past. So chin up! Keep working at it & you will succeed! I wish you all the best.

Hi, Bernie, is it possible that you're not taking in enough calories and putting your body in "starvation mode"? If so, it's fighting to hang onto the weight. How about tracking your eating habits on www.fitday.com? It's free and can give you some insight as to what types of food that you're eating, how much, calories, exercise, etc. Are you drinking plenty of water throughout the day, but not with your meals or one hour afterwards? Hang in there! It really does work!