I was banded December 30th and I have lost 40 lbs- gained back 4, lost 3... I have very little restriction after 2 fills and my doc puts the band in empty. I am hungry all the time, just like I was never banded. My first fill was 4cc's and my next one was only 1 cc! My doc just does 1 cc at a time and says it can take 6 months to get any restriction! I wish someone had told me that before the surgery- I probably would have chosen gastric bypass!

Anyone who has been through this and has encouraging words, please help! I'm so frustrated!!!!:wink:

I talked to my doc about this yesterday. He agrees it can be frustrating int eh beginning, but says that the struggle you have before you hit the sweet spot (where you lose consistently) helps you modify your own behavior, and in teh long run, lap band people keep off the weight much better, and have healthier lives than bypass patients. He said to focus on two pounds at a time, never more. Don't worry about the ultimate goal, worry about the next two pounds.

I was banded Dec 22....and have lost about the same as you...42 lbs, I had no restriction after my second fill and head for my third fill on the 11th of April - thank god! Its been a lot of will power...but honestly it has been worth losing those 42 lbs! So keep your head up!!

Just make sure to watch what you eat, eat healthy and exercise until you get to your sweet spot.

Hello, I was banded on dec 29,2008.I am about where you are. I am very happy with my loss. As I have struggled for many years. I have had 2 fills also.I am due for another fill in april. It was my understanding that we are to expect to lose 1 to 2pounds per week. I have times that the scale will not move also. I have times when i am very hungry too. I think maybe I need a little more fill.Give yourself a break and don't get on the scale for at least a week, follow your plan and do your exercise. Then if you are truly not happy with the result maybe talk to your dr. or nutritionist. I think our bodies are trying to adjust and will catch up. I think your loss is spectacular:thumbup: keep up the good work! It is a challange but worth the work! If you have any other questions or accomplishments let me know. Your friend from Ky.:wink:

My docs are as conservative as yours. Very frustrating, but you WILL get there. You have lost a lot of weight, congratulations. I had my 4th fill this AM, 0.5cc to equal 6.5cc and I now have major restriction, maybe too much. At the 6cc mark I started to feel the restriction, maybe you will too. I wish you the best during this tru Bandster Hell.

Mimi

I"ve had 2 fills and am at 4.1ccs in a 10cc band. I feel some restriction but I know I'm not to my sweet spot yet. The average person with a 10cc band will hit their sweet spot somewhere around 6.2-7.2. But on my first fill (there was .6cc left in my band after my surgeon tested it for leaks before putting it in place), they gave me 4 ccs -- and at first, it was tight but I could drink BUT WITHIN AN HOUR I couldn't even swallow spit and they had to remove 1cc. I have since had .5cc added. Trust me, you don't want to have that experience I had with my first fill. It was terrible. I'd rather "sneak up" on my sweet spot than try to steamroll it and end up with too much of a fill.

Well said, Cathy.

Mimi

I must say I have fallen off the "band wagon" as I have not been to this site since August.

I am at 6.5 CC in a 10 CC band and have very little restriction (occassionally if I swallow my food whole I get stuck :wink:)

This can indeed be frustrating, I have gained back 10 lbs of my 50 lbs weight gain and completely hate myself. I am taking the initiative to go for another fill on monday but hate that I have let it get this far. I am embarrased that I havent been committing to my band the way I should and this shame has put me into the mindset that I want to loose what I gained before I go back to my Dr and admit failure (it sounds so stupid as I type it).

Hang in there and I hope you hit your spot soon. It is frustrating past the point of tears to go through all this to only feel you will never acheive your goal.

You will get there. I just had my second fill. I am at 5cc in a 10cc band. I am not at my sweet spot, as with others, I can more than I desire but I use a liettle will power and exercise. I have been at the same weight for 3 months and I am ok with it. I have lost 60 lbs since June 18, 2009 when I had my surgery. But I only have one fill of 0.5cc and my second yesterday. I do not mind the slow weight loss or the plateaus, I want it to come of naturally as to not have the hanging skin and need more surgery. So far things are good, so take your time and you will get there. I am still looking for my sweet spot as well. You are not alone. Hang in there.