I'm looking for some comments on how people did in the first few months. Initially, with the pre-op diet, and being newly banded (May 12) I lost weight pretty quickly. (about 25 lbs by my one month point). My loss had slowed, but then I had my first fill. My doc requires a 24 hr liquid diet after a fill, so that seemed to help me lose a few lbs quickly. A week after my fill I was down by another 6 lbs -- but then I hit a plateau! (I really don't notice much difference w/this fill either).

So, I am now about 7 weeks out and my weight hasn't changed for about 2 weeks. I'm frustrated. I guess I thought the loss would happen more quickly in the beginning, and it scares me to think it's slowing already. I asked the doc about another fill now, but he said I should wait a bit longer. . .

My next appt. is not for 2 1/2 weeks. Did anyone else have plateaus so early on? Is it just a matter of getting more fills?

Thanks,

Lisa

I didn't really start losing until this May when I FINALLY got restriction, and I got my band last August. Further my doc says that for many of his patients, loss (except that preop stuff) doesn't really happen until at least 6 months post op. Prior to that he wants patients to heal really well and adjust mentally to having a band.

In fact unless a person gets aggressive fills or is the rare one who feels restriction with just the band alone, early on the band is just "there" and any loss is due to old fashioned dieting and toughing it out, with not much help from the band.

In the first 3 months, I lost about 10lbs. a month, for a total of 30lbs. Now at 4.5 month, I am still only at a loss of 35lbs. I believe that most of my plateau is my own fault though. I have been snacking alot and eating things that I shouldn't. So starting yesterday I went back to my three meals, breakfast being a protein shake and no snack. I thinks this should get things going again, I guess we'll see. Also, I thing alot of peoples weight loss slows once they start regular food and then it picks back of a bit after you get the restriction you need. Good Luck!

Oh! I just started a thread pretty much about this exact same thing! I lost about 30lbs pre-op/post op up until my first fill which I had about 3 weeks ago now...and since then, I haven't lost any weight! I feel like I am able to eat more than I should be able to and it is very very frustrating. I don't go back in to my specialist until September 9 so that makes it worse because I feel like I should be losing weight!! Hopefully it is normal and I'm not just a freak lol Sorry I don't have any advice, just know, that your not alone!

RestlessMonkey- Thanks for the info. My doc didn't quite tell me that, so I was unsure. So, I probably just have to wait until eventually my fills help my band to work correctly. I do feel like the last few pounds I lost were just due to good 'ol diet and exercise - like you said! If only I could master that! I'm struggling to keep from gaining any back now. I guess it'll just take more time to get this weight off.

TeganRheana-- WOW- we ARE both in the same boat! My surg was only a week after yours, our weight loss is about the same, and our first fills were around the same time. Hopefully we'll both get things moving again soon.

You don't see your doc until Sept? Can you plan a visit sooner? I see my doc at end of July. . . I'm just frustrated. Even though it's only a few weeks, it feels like a lifetime. Learning not to turn to food is hard enough, so I guess I get a bit of anxiety over things (like not losing weight) and I'm trying to learn how to deal with it! ha ha

Lisa

TeganRheana-- WOW- we ARE both in the same boat! My surg was only a week after yours, our weight loss is about the same, and our first fills were around the same time. Hopefully we'll both get things moving again soon.

You don't see your doc until Sept? Can you plan a visit sooner? I see my doc at end of July. . . I'm just frustrated. Even though it's only a few weeks, it feels like a lifetime. Learning not to turn to food is hard enough, so I guess I get a bit of anxiety over things (like not losing weight) and I'm trying to learn how to deal with it! ha ha

Lisa

That's awesome Yeah, I can't get an appointment sooner which is annoying, he is so backed up with appointments that was the earliest I could get. I know exactly what you mean about such a short time, feeling like a lifetime....I am starting to really struggle now with controlling how much I am eating (although it is is still way less than I used to) and of course what I'm eating....I am hoping that when I get my next fill I will start to feel more restriction again, I miss that full feeling!

i was banded on april 6 09 and i have lost 55pounds(25kg)...im happy with my weight loss so far

My experience pretty much mirrored yours. I'm averaging about a 1 lb every 3 weeks now, but it seems to come at once, then levels out for a few weeks.

I was banded on 2/11...only lost about 10lbs per-op. I'm 5 1/2 months out about have dropped about 80lbs so far. The last month has been rough though, since I needed a fill and had to wait 3 weeks for it...which caused my loss to slow, then had some dental issues that sidelined me for a few weeks...but I'm back on track and still very happy with the results.

I lost 16 pounds in the week-long pre-op diet. I was banded on March 3 and have lost 54 pounds altogether (so 38 since banded). I seem to lose for a couple weeks and then plateau for a couple weeks. I'm just coming off a plateau now and hope to lose 5-7 pounds in the next couple weeks. I do have quite a bit of restriction though, with only 3.6 cc's in my band and hope to hit my sweet spot with the next fill.

I'm noticing those plateaus during my "monthly visitor" and notice that I eat more during that time too. I just keep exercising, really watch what I'm putting in my mouth and try to keep my mind off the scale. About the time I get really frustrated is when the plateau seems to end.

I was banded the same day as you and i have lost 25lbs and i see that you have already lost 31lbs so i think you are doing great. I also have hit a slow period but i am just going to not think to much about it and just keeping doing what i am doing and i know it will pass.

I was just banded on June 11th and so far I have lost 27 lbs. My doctor wanted me to do the full 2 week post op liquid and I just started pureed almost two weeks ago. I see my doctor on the 24th of July for a first eedfill. I am getting hungerier more often so hopefully the fill will help for a while.

I've lost 25 pounds in 3 months. I lost 20 pounds in the first month, but only 10 since. That may be about to change because I think I'm almost at the sweet spot -- just had my 4th fill (up to 7 cc's) and am starting to feel it. I just graduated to jogging (1 minute jog, 2 minutes walk), so maybe some weight will start to come off.

Hello! I just had my first fill today (7/7/09). I was banded on 6/8/09. From my surgery date til today, I've lost 20lbs and 16 inches. It brings me to a grand total (including pre-op) of 33lbs lost. I am sooooo proud of myself! :biggrin:

Thanks for the responses- everyone seems to be losing really well. I guess plateaus must be normal. It's just a scary thing, since before the band I was always in a plateau!!

I feel like I'm eating really healthy, but I might have to start tracking my calories just to be sure.

I'm hoping this plateau is just because I'm in need of a fill, and then the weight loss picks up again.