So i am 4 weeks post op...... my food intake is cut in half and i have not lost a pound. my total weight loss is 11 lbs and i go in for my first fill tomorrow. is this normal??? Please help.

Hi Chrisshell,

Since I got the band a week ago, I've lost just 1lb. And my pre-op weight loss was quite slow, compared to what others have reported. It seems from reading the posts on here that weight loss post-surgery can vary from 10lbs the first week to next to nothing, so it's really hard to guage what is normal.

I'd be interested to see others' opinions on this as well.

-vangirl

I lost very slowly. Try not to compare yourself to others. I would see people with the same surgery date as me losing twice as fast.. but I just kept following the rules, and finally it started being more consistent after my first fill. In the weeks immediately following surgery I was barely getting enough calories, focusing mainly on my protein. It was only after I started eating MORE that I began to lose more weight. I also read that many docs do not even expect you to lose ANY weight until you've had your first fill. I felt better hearing that.. I hope it helps you too.

My whole experience has been very slow. I lost about 15-17 pounds during the first two weeks post op. I am now almost 5 months out and have only lost a total of 27. It is very frustrating. I will just continue to press on. Hang in there.

I lost 17 pounds the first 2 weeks and my first fill is the 15th of dec. but again everyone is different and keep your head up and eat the right foods!:sad_smile:

A lot of people actually gain weight between surgery and their first fill. Most surgeons have their patients focus on healing the pouch from surgery during this period, which is also why most bands are installed without any Fluid. It's like you have the equipment installed, but it's not yet operating.

With each passing fill you'll get more and better restriction. Depending on your surgeons approach to fills, it may yet be months before you have a satisfied level of restriction. Don't get discouraged and stay focused. Once you get to your sweet spot with the fills you'll find it's all been worth it.

Brad

any weight you lose is better than gaining you didnt gain all at once and you wont lose all at once i was banded june30th2008 starting weight was 270 and now im 221.4 ive lost 27 pounds since since havent gain anything back its been six beens i think thats great

I lost 10 pounds pre-op and 20 pounds post op. Was banded 11/11/08. My first fill will be right before Christmas.

I do have to ask--are you walking or doing any other exercise? I have noticed that if I don't walk, then I maintain around the same weight. Whereas if I walk 20-30 minutes at least every day or two, then I steadily lose weight. Just a thought. If you're not walking/exercising* regularly, try adding it in. If you are already, disregard this.

I will say though that the first 4-6 weeks after surgery are first and foremost about healing. Try not to stress too much if you're not losing that much yet. It should get better once you have your first fill or two.

* Please note: only do whatever walking or exercising that your doctor has cleared you for. For instance, I have been cleared to do whatever amount of walking I want, but I'm holding off on other forms of exercise until my surgeon clears me.

I am 5 months out and have lost 17 lbs according to their chart - I do not look much thinner - I do feel better but I am frustrated at how slow a process it is - I guess I shouldn't complain since I am down but I guess that is why they tell you in a year you may only lose half of the weight you need to lose. I am going to keep going but wish it would come off faster. Also, I got a fill the Monday of Thanksgiving week and I think I can eat more now than I could before the fill - tight in the mornings but by dinner sometimes can eat more than I should be able to but still a lot less than I used to so I guess that is a good thing. Thanks for listening.