Hey guys and gals. I am 1 month and 11 days post op. I have only lost 17 pounds. I lost 16 pounds the first 2 weeks after having the band put in while I was on the clear liquid diet. Since then, I have only lost 1 pound.

Is or has anyone else had this problem? I am really getting frustrated and starting to wonder if the band has stopped working for me. Although I dont, I could still eat just as I did before being banded. It's like I'm not even getting full. What's going on with my band?

I have already had 2 fills and have a total of 5cc in a 9cc band? My last fill was on the 25 of this month.

Some people it just takes them a while before they feel restriction. I have a friend who didn't feel it until she reached 8.5 or 9cc. Just keep your doctor posted and stay after them to give you a fill if you are eating too much or getting hungry between meals.

Hang in there, you'll get it!

The band isn't working YET....

until you get fills, most people (me included) don't feel any restriction whatsoever. My surgeon told me it make take 4 (or more) adjustments to get things "right". So for now; the band is there, I'm healing, but I can eat essentially what I ATE prebanding.

Remember, it's a tool, and it's not bypass. Slow and steady wins the race. Just follow your surgeon's guidelines and as you gain restriction you'll feel full on much less.

In fact, my surgeon said HIS aim for the band for me is that I CAN eat any food, but will be satisfied with WAY less and stay full for up to 5-6 hours. It will be up to me to make healthy choices.

So you are doing fine! :thumbup:

The band isn't working YET....

until you get fills, most people (me included) don't feel any restriction whatsoever. My surgeon told me it make take 4 (or more) adjustments to get things "right". So for now; the band is there, I'm healing, but I can eat essentially what I ATE prebanding.

Remember, it's a tool, and it's not bypass. Slow and steady wins the race. Just follow your surgeon's guidelines and as you gain restriction you'll feel full on much less.

In fact, my surgeon said HIS aim for the band for me is that I CAN eat any food, but will be satisfied with WAY less and stay full for up to 5-6 hours. It will be up to me to make healthy choices.

So you are doing fine! :thumbup:

Im not sure if you are thinking I haven't had any fills yet, I have had 2 already and they aren't working. I have 5 or 5 1/2cc right now. I just called my doctor and they are going to get me in for another fill but this time they are going to do it under the fluoroscopy to make sure nothing is going on while I am being filled. I also ask if maybe the band wasn't up high enough on my stomach (a friend of the family had the band done about 8 months ago and brought that question to my attention over the weekend. Anyways, I'm now sitting here waiting for the Nurse to call me back with when and where I will have my 3rd adjustment.:thumbup:

Thats some fast fills but I still think my answer is spot on. How large is your band? (how much can it hold) how much were your fills? As my surgeon said (and I've learned from reading this board!) many many times it takes 4 OR MORE fills to get restriction! So be patient. Your doc is doing what's necessary; it's a process! You're fine! :thumbup:

Thats some fast fills but I still think my answer is spot on. How large is your band? (how much can it hold) how much were your fills? As my surgeon said (and I've learned from reading this board!) many many times it takes 4 OR MORE fills to get restriction! So be patient. Your doc is doing what's necessary; it's a process! You're fine! :thumbup:

My band can hold 9cc and I have 5cc in it right now. On my first fill I had 3 1/2 put in and on my last fill I had 1 1/2 put in

Just keep working with it. Remember the band is a tool, not a magic cure. IT takes time. I'm still completely unfilled. I can eat major amounts it feels, but really I can't. I get so stinking hungry, but then it's BAM I have to stop. So there is some restriction.

Wait before you panic that the band isn't gonna work for/with you. Give them time to get it right. Good luck :thumbup:

teri

I am at 5cc in a 10cc band and I can still eat small amounts of any food that I want. That said, I can not eat large quantities of any food that I want and get full on much much less food than pre-band. I understand that you are frustrated. I feel the same way at times. But, in perspective, you have lost 17 lbs in 6 weeks! That's 5 lbs ahead of the 2lb a week max that my surgeon wants. You are probably feeling more hungry now because the swelling has gone down in and around your stomach and therefore you may have some less restriction. As others have said, this is a slower process but from your stats, you're doing well. Some weeks I have stalled but then make up for it by losing 4-5 lbs in one week. Just stick with it and wait for your next fill. :thumbup:

Be patient it takes time for the band to work. I had 5 fills before I hit a good point for me. Keep on going back for fills untill you hit that point. I felt the same way you are feeling. I thought this band is never going to work for me. I was so discourage. But my last fill was the one that worked. I had lost only only 13 pounds since I got the band until my last fill 2 weeks ago and I am down another 10 pounds. As soon as I feel I loss the restriction I will go for another fill.

Diane

I had the exact same problem. I lost 18 pounds immediately after surgery. I thought "finally" something that works...and then BAM! the honeymoon was over (have only lost 4 more pounds in 2 months). Currenlty I am 5 months post op and had my 4th fill today. My surgeon did it under fluoro too. Everything was where it should be. I asked him the very same questions you have and he told me that it takes time. Everyone is different. Some people hit their sweet spots in 4 fills, some in 8. He is a slow filler too. My first fill was 2 ccs and have received only 0.5 ccs since. Today he gave me a little more than 0.5 (just over 3.5ccs/ 10cc) and I could have kissed him! I tell him every time I go in there that I feel no restriction and every time he tells me to be patient. Now I am extended that advice to you. It's not bypass, this is a slower process. Just be patient. The weight will come off.

I lost 25lbs my first month and was stuck for the next 2 months.

For me, I think my body just drops a lot of weight and then likes to just sit at that weight for awhile to make sure I'm really okay to lose some more. What helped me was to keep in mind they say you should only lose 1 to 2 pounds a week with the band. You are already WAY ahead of schedule.

Next, my doctors office told me that usually people do not see substantial weight loss until 5 or 6 months out. They would tell me every time I'd go in, "Don't worry it will happen if you are doing what you are supposed to do". And it slowly has!!

Remember to have patients! You didn't gain this weight overnight, you can't expect your body to drop it all overnight either. :cool2:

Best of luck!!

My husband had virtually no restriction until he hit 8.6 in a 10 cc band.