I have had the band for one year, six months; and have lost 33 lbs. I lost the first 20 pds in the first three months after surgery; and then stayed at 188 lbs for the next year even though they kept tighteneing.

The last time I went in (january?), my surgeon refused to tighten it anymore as his nurse felt I was getting enough restriction. I am at 6ccs now.

Is it normal for people to lose this slow, and hit plateaus?

How many cc's does your band hold? If you have the standard I believe it is ten cc's. How are you feeling when you? Do you feel full? Are you able to hold foods down? That is what really matters. If not, call the office back and discuss that with them.

I have the standard. I feel hungry every thirty minutes or so. I can eat quite a large portion, just not quickly, and I have to chew thoroughly.

Do people get filled beyond 6cc?

How tall are you? 178 doesn't sound too bad to me!

I'm 5'3 - I started at 210. I really look and feel my best at size eight. I was size eight about 5 years ago, gave up diet pills at that time, and started packing on the weight (and by all signs would have kept going). I've always struggled with it, but the diet pills kept it under control during my 30's.

Anyhoo, I still want to lose more, but I seem to be going nowhere.

Are you working out?

Are you working out?

Yes, since September, so I know some of the poundage is increased muscle mass. I haven't worked out in three weeks tho, the longest since September - probably why I'm feeling so bitchy.

If you are hungry every 30 mins, you need fill. If your doctor won't do it, you need to find someone who will. The band is supposed to help you lose weight, and you should NOT be relying on 'self-control' to get you there. I have 6.5 ccs in a 10 cc band. And let me just tell you, even 1/2 a cc can make a huge difference. Every single person is different. Some people need a max fill level to get that proper restriction. To be honest with you, I think your doctor and his staff are not being supportive in making you successful with your band. You need to have a heart to heart with them, or try to find somewhere else to go for that support. Working out is a VERY SMALL part of your success. Your eating is a large part of it, and right now, your tool is not helping you like it should because your doctor is being unsupportive.

Hold on now one thing I didn't see answered is... What are you eating? Crackers? Chips? Protein? Are u staying away from drinking with meals? I know those are the basics, but it's important to know you're sticking to the rules. If I eat cookies or crackers or popcorn, they go right through for me too. But if I eat protein first I stay full longer.

If you are hungry every 30 mins, you need fill. If your doctor won't do it, you need to find someone who will. The band is supposed to help you lose weight, and you should NOT be relying on 'self-control' to get you there. I have 6.5 ccs in a 10 cc band. And let me just tell you, even 1/2 a cc can make a huge difference. Every single person is different. Some people need a max fill level to get that proper restriction. To be honest with you, I think your doctor and his staff are not being supportive in making you successful with your band. You need to have a heart to heart with them, or try to find somewhere else to go for that support. Working out is a VERY SMALL part of your success. Your eating is a large part of it, and right now, your tool is not helping you like it should because your doctor is being unsupportive.

Thank you, I do believe its time my doctor listened to me, instead of his nurse. Last time I went in, I was fitting into a loose size 14, wearing all black and had heels on and I can't help but feel that they felt the band was working well enough.

But I have a wardrobe with size 6 - 8 clothes; and I can barely fit into a size 12. I really do believe I should be making more progress.

Hold on now one thing I didn't see answered is... What are you eating? Crackers? chips? Protein? Are u staying away from drinking with meals? I know those are the basics, but it's important to know you're sticking to the rules. If I eat Cookies or crackers or popcorn, they go right through for me too. But if I eat protein first I stay full longer.

Yes, I do cheat - and yes that has slowed my progress. I can't believe that there is anyone out there that doesn't. The lap band didn't do anything for my need to eat emotionally, if I were in control of my eating before the lab band, I probably would not have needed it. The band is simply a tool that prevents me from consuming large quantities, and certain types, of food.

I believe in my heart that I do need more restriction.

You and I started at a similar weight and are currently at a similar weight. So...congratulations on the weight that you have lost. I know you're frustrated as I would be and have been during this process. However, after my fourth fill, I have had the restriction that is necessary for me to avoid emotional eating.

I wholeheartedly agree with you about more restriction and possibly needing a fill. I would have a heart-to-heart with my doctor.

My doctor actually told me that my weight loss would be slower because I didn't have a lot to lose.

On my journey, my problem is that when you don't have a lot of weight to lose, it's easier to get complacent or just satisfied. Like you, I wear a size 10/12 and my goal is a comfortable size 8. However, it's hard to complain when I used to be a size 16/18.

Anyway, I didn't pay 13,500 to ALMOST get to my goal...I want to reach goal.

I said all that to say...I understand your frustration:)

Edited June 6, 200917 yr by Delivered
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You and I started at a similar weight and are currently at a similar weight. So...congratulations on the weight that you have lost. I know you're frustrated as I would be and have been during this process. However, after my fourth fill, I have had the restriction that is necessary for me to avoid emotional eating.

I wholeheartedly agree with you about more restriction and possibly needing a fill. I would have a heart-to-heart with my doctor.

My doctor actually told me that my weight loss would be slower because I didn't have a lot to lose.

On my journey, my problem is that when you don't have a lot of weight to lose, it's easier to get complacent or just satisfied. Like you, I wear a size 10/12 and my goal is a comfortable size 8. However, it's hard to complain when I used to be a size 16/18.

Anyway, I didn't pay 13,500 to ALMOST get to my goal...I want to reach goal.

I said all that to say...I understand your frustration:)

That makes me feel better - although I've been banded a year longer than you. I get frustrated and then emotional eat around the band - same cycle I was in before the band. Let me know when you drop some more ok? I'm gathering info for my next appointment with the doctor (did I say he refused to fill me last time? I'm at 6cc).

I had my band done last march and I started at 210. I am now at 180. but I haven't seen my doctor for the past 3 months because he told me I can only consume about 4oz so the rest is up to me. I either want to cheat or stick to the foods he suggests or else. He didn't make me feel happy at all. But he is right I have to stick to high protein foods and away from sweets.

I was going to ask the same question that other asked. Are you eating too many carbs? Are you working out? Are you getting in enought protein? And if you are getting hungry that quickly than yes you need a fill. My Dr. goes by how I am feeling, how hungry I am after a meal. He doesnt go by a number but how the band is work for me. During the months I have not lost much weight I have know why I'm not losing weight. Its those things. Maybe try using a log again, record everything going into you even drinks. Record you workouts. if you are getting in your proteins, working out, drinking your water and not eating too many carbs the math says you should lose weight. The math usually doesnt lie its us that mess up the math by taking in things we couldnt be eating.

Yes, I do cheat - and yes that has slowed my progress. I can't believe that there is anyone out there that doesn't. The lap band didn't do anything for my need to eat emotionally, if I were in control of my eating before the lab band, I probably would not have needed it. The band is simply a tool that prevents me from consuming large quantities, and certain types, of food.

I believe in my heart that I do need more restriction.

I think what you need to do is get serious. You can believe that I don't cheat. I stick with 1000 to 1200 calories a day. It is difficult but if you eat something "bad" you need to minus something else for the day. Counting calories is the only way you are going to lose weight.

I have not been able to exercise for the last month due to an injury. I have still lost weight because I have stuck to the proper caloric intake.

You need about 2k a day in calories to maintain your weight, you go below that and you will lose. There are plateaus but you need to remember the lapband is a tool not a miracle. If you are eating the wrong food you will gain weight or stay even.

Mine is not even adjusted yeat where I have restriction and I am losing on pure willpower