I was banded 9/6/08, no fill. Went for first fill in beginning of October and they put in 4.5ccs. I was starving and can't believe I didn't gain any weight back (started at 240 lbs, post-surgery, etc was down to 223, at first fill was 215).

Went back for 2nd fill 2 days ago and was down only 2 lbs. (after 4 weeks). Not sure how the nurse practitioners math works, but he said I'm now at 6.2 ccs, although he said total I'm at 7.5 ccs. HUH? Not sure if that means that's what he added on top of what was left? Didn't get it at all.

Regardless, I'm now back home (I live in So Cal but had surgery with Dr. Ren in NY) and once again, I'm still hungry, scavenging for food, as opposed to that sweet spot I had post-surgery when I was swollen and couldn't even think about food.

I'm SO frustrated!

The nurse practitioner, who does the fills, actually wrote me a prescription for phentermine for the "tough times" but hello!! I had this surgery so i could use this tool to my advantage; if I wanted drugs I could have taken them without the surgery!

I just don't get it. I don't have much more room in this band. Maybe it's all head hunger? But seriously, for the three weeks after surgery, I couldn't even be around food, I was so full. 1/2 a cup of Soup felt like an entire thanksgiving dinner.

Maybe I'm just expecting too much, but I'm terrified of being completely disappointed and having this not work.

Any suggestions?

Edited November 12, 200817 yr by ohpuhleez
Misspelled "discouraged" in my title. How discouraging is that ;)?!

Oh please--hang in there. I was banded June 23rd and I didn't lose any weight until the last 2 months and now I have lost 17lbs. It took 3-4 months to get my fills right. The first fill nurse said she had put 5cc into my 10cc band but when the doctor checked it there was no fill in there. Then he put too much in and I had to go in for 2 unfills. Finally I got to a good fill and I am finally not hungry anymore. Be sure and stay on top of your fills and ask the doctor to pull all the fill out and put in the correct amount. You might have to be rather assertive. Good luck. You made a big decision for yourself don't get discouraged many of us have been exactly where you are now.

Hey-- I was banded a little after you but a question-- when you say you are hungry and scavaging.... It is because you are craving food and eating? I have "head hunger" and crave stuff but when I think about it--I am not really hungry. Ask yourself--does it taste good enough to feel bad about eating it? Usually not. I REALLY have to stick to 3 meals a day only, 4oz at a time and drink water or tea thru the rest of it. I got my 3rd fill today (haven't updated yet) and lost nothing since the last one. DEPRESSING. But-- in the grand scheme of things I have lost over 10lbs in 2 months. Not gained. And I am getting the right habits into play while I try to get the restriction. I am trading eating food to restricting food as my addiction and am happy about it. I make sure when I eat it is worth it. For instance-- 3oz steak and 1oz spinach or zucchini. 3oz pork roast and 1 oz asparagus tips. Now..... I haven't lost alot but I knew from the get go that I would only be losing 1-2 lbs at a time due to my low bmi. I have started the couch to 5k program this week to boost the exercise and loss--hope it works.

Tell them you are hungry and no restriction-- try to stick to an eating plan to get your cravings etc under control so you are not eating all the time. We have to train our minds and our bodies. DRINK LOTS OF WATER OR TEA (no sweetener etc-- I personally think fake sugar is the same as real).

Thank you so much for responding!

I've probably not been drinking enough, I bet that will help - and yes, I think it must be psychological hunger that's getting me. I just remember so well that sweet post-surgery feeling of not even thinking about food, and my NP said, "That's the sweet spot we're aiming for!"

And of course haven't found it since.

But you are so right - it's all so new and so early. I definitely am NOT giving up - what choice do I have? I've come this far !!

Thank you THANK YOU for posting, you've both really boosted my spirits more than you know!!

I am D,d and sad too. 3 fills, have no restriction.

I started on Jenny Craig last week to help me get portion and calorie control. I go to Curves and use the CurvesSmart program 3x a week. On non-Curves days, I've been walking at the park.

Another fill scheduled in 3 weeks, but I'm afraid I'll lose too much on Jenny Craig and that he won't give me what I need. (more fill)

Hang in there D,d, and sad. I'm rowing the same boat, but I'm DETERMINED that I'm going to lose my obese body and gain some frickin' self respect - whatever it takes!

(We are probably in the last bit of bandster hell, and bandster heaven is right around the corner)

hang in there!

But plus side (SIDE, not size !!!) Look, you're down 54 lbs - that is an INCREDIBLE achievement!!!!!!!!!! Yes, we're headed out of hell - look, anything has to be better than where we started, right :thumbup:?

I got a good point:D I would love to be down 31 lbs:) I say you rock, and keep at it!!! You will reach goal before you know it!

Let's see.... if I were in your shoes this would be where I would be today.

Surgery Sept 6

1st fill October 18

2nd fill November 15

1st pound lost November 20th.

Wait!!!! You are ahead of me as you've lost 50 some pounds already.

I wanted to put it this way so you can have some perspective. I was banded then 1st fill 6 weeks later, then second fill 4 weeks after that. That's when I got restriction and began to lose weight - slowly.

So, take a deep breath and exhale.....know that your first pound of weightloss is supposed to come the week you get restriction.

Don't have restriction? Keep going for fills until you do.

And fooey on the pills. You eat like you should until you get the lapband system kicking in - restriction.

Good luck and hang in! Weightloss will come!

Edited November 13, 200817 yr by lapbandtalker

Hang in there, I was banded June 24th and last week, after my 5th fill I FINALLY got to the point that this is working. I was starting to wonder if it ever would. I don't think I am quite at "restriction" but I do feel full and am now loosing weight.

You all rock - thank you for some MUCH needed perspective!! It's so easy to get caught up in all of this, I forget that it's all a process, and that sometimes processes slowdown (or stop) but that doesn't mean things won't get going again.

Thank you thank you - and I really hope to be here for all of you have the way you have for me - thanks :thumbdown:.

I just want to add that you have two more people in the same boat as you.

My dear friend who I met on this board and I are going through the same thing. I just called her tonight.

My surgery was 9-10 and I started pre-op on August 25th. I've lost 36lbs since the 25th but in the past several weeks I find myself wanting to eat more, checking out the kitchen more than I need to, etc. etc.

I had my first fill two weeks ago and nothing.

So we hang in there until we get the proper restriction. It will happen. I believe that.

Sandra

Glad you posted! Wow, we're really on almost the exact same timeline!

I realized today that part of my eating issue stems from boredom - when I'm not really fully engaged, eating becomes my "go to" activity. Today I threw myself into a project (work is slow, and I work from home) around the house...all of a sudden it was 5pm, I forgot to eat lunch, and it was time to get the kids.

3 oz turkey burger and a bite of mashed potatoes and I was done for the night.

TINY STEPS :thumbdown:!!