I just got my first fill bill....Without insurance $1700, with insurance (what I have to pay $177) ok I've had 2 fills...that's $354 and not counting what I lost when I was on the liquid diet, just counting the pounds the band has "helped" me lose...2 lbs. I'm 19 years old...it shouldn't be this difficult. I walk for my job...8 hours of walking, standing on my feet, climbing stairs. During the week I clean my apartment, walk a mile across campus to my class. I have for the most part cut out bread. If I eat "Fast food" I get the chicken nuggets. Lowest in calories, highest in protein. No fries or anything bready. My calories per day are between 800-1200. Even the days I "gorge" I never get above 1200...I'm depressed, this was a horrible mistake. I knew it wouldn't work for me...

Did I mention I haven't lost a thing and my band is already at 8cc in a 10cc....?

Does your doctor remove the previous fluid to make sure it is still there before he added more. You should have restriction. At the minimal you need to have another fluro exam to make sure the band is in the right place and working. YOU SHOULD HAVE RESTRICTION. If your MD does not agree. Sounds like you need a NEW MD

I am sorry that you are unhappy with your decision to have surgery but I just wonder how many changes in lifestyle you have made. I also have struggled with my weight my entire life. But I drew a line in the sand when I had this surgery and told myself I would do whatever it took to be successful. I had surgery Jan 08 and at this point have lost 60 lbs. I go to the gym 5 days a week and work out at least an hour and work up a somewhat disgusting sweat. I also journal everything. I only eat out 2-3 times a month. I calculate my calories the day before and keep them around 1000. I do not have great restriction in that I can still eat bread and all the other things many can't, however I limit my carbs to 10% of my diet. Everyday I am hungry but I feel soooo much better physically and emotionally because I refuse to be a fat girl forever. I still want to lose 38 lbs. and there is no doubt in my mind I will get there. I have had setbacks also. I had a hysterectomy and could not go to the gym for three weeks so I gained 8 lbs. I feel so much of this is about changing that inner dialogue we have in our head. This is the first time in my life I have ever felt that I know now I will be thin someday...and that day will be sooner rather than later. It takes a committment from me everyday of my life. If I had the surgery but did not change other things in my life I probably would not have lost much weight at all by now. I know how hard it is and I feel your frustration. I think we just need to remind ourselves why we had this done in the first place and that anything worth having takes sacrifice. Instead of the food my focus is now on how much better I look in my new clothes. To me food is math now. It is all in the numbers. When I go out I enjoy my food and eat what I want but I must limit that greatly because it is a real trigger for me. I wish you much success in your journey and remind you to keep your eye on the prize...a beautiful new healthy you.

blackcherry: I know how you feel, I too was a slow loser. It has taken me over 2 years and I still have 11 pounds to go. 1-2 pounds a week is all you are suppose to lose. I did the same as you, no weight loss one week then a couple pounds the next. If it makes you feel better, most of the people who had surgery the same time as I did, but reached their goal within a year have had to have plastic surgery. My skin has shrank along with my body. At 41 I didn't think that was going to happen. Maybe you could think of the positives that go along with slow weight loss. Good Luck to you and it sounds like many people have given you great advise.