I was banded 5/9/05, everything went great as far as the surgery. I basicly have no restriction. I'm eating as I was before my band was placed. I have lost no weight. I'm feeling a little discouraged, I read of people being banded and losing from the start. I have to tell you I'm wondering if I'm one of the ones that the band won't work for. I go for a fill on Tuesday (6/14) and sure hope this helps. I know it can take anywhere from 3 to 5 fills to get to a proper level of restriction. I guess I need to know if there is anyone else that has been through this. Am I the only one that has not lost weight untill getting filled???? Please share your experience and if you felt like I do now. Thanks.

Patty

EVERYONE else has this problem, Patty. It is absolutely the most common complaint of bandsters, that before their first fill they don't feel like they're banded at all.

So yes, you are normal. No, you are not alone. And NO, you are NOT a failure!!! You have not even begun your real banded life yet, so you can't possibly be a failure.

Come back and let us know how the fill goes!

Hi Alex,

Thank you so much, that does make me feel better. I'll keep you posted on my fill(s), I will probably need several. This really is a long process.

You have done fantastic on your weight loss! Congratulations. I cannot wait to start losing!!!!!

Patty

Patty...

Remember right after yoiur surgery you really only have the band on the stomach. Without a fill most have no restriction. Dr don't fill at the surgery date due to swelling of the stamch area where the band is. If you had swelling you would have had restriction and it would have gone away as the swelling goes down. If you had no or very little swelling then your wide open just like before the surgery.

Wait till you get into a few fills and see if you are still discopuraged. I'll put my money on the fact you'll be happy

Patty, the first six weks is about healing , do not worry if you do not lose weight.I was told by my Dr. that any weight loss duirng the pre fill stageis a bonus. The band is designed to be filled to lose weight there are some of us who were fortunate to lose weight during the 6 week post op phase and some do not, this does not mean you will be a failure or theband will not work for you. Hang in there it will happen and the band will work for you. You do have to do your part though

Good Luck

Right. The band doesn't work until it's properly adjusted, so just concentrate on healing right now and stay away from the scale! LOL Some folks lose during the healing phase, some don't and some even gain and all 3 scenarios are completely normal. Don't worry about it. Just worry about following your surgeon's instructions.

Nancy

Hang in there Patty. I can only agree with with the others have said. Once you get your first fill, your real journey will begin.

Some folks lose during the healing phase, some don't and some even gain and all 3 scenarios are completely normal.

I agree. Of course, we all hope we're going to be among the lucky ones who lose weight during the first weeks -- but whether we are or not is almost completely beyond our control. A lot of people lose or gain many pounds of water in the weeks immediately after band surgery. I know it's hard to be patient, especially if you've had to wait a long time to get your band, but hang in there. You are totally normal. Your band just isn't in working order yet -- kind of like a new car that hasn't had the engine installed.