I had the surgery May 28th. I have been eating normal foods now for the last 3-4 weeks, and will get my first fill in 2 weeks. I can eat now like before surgery , except that I have to be very careful to chew and chew and not swallow anything to big as it is really uncomfortable when it gets stuck. This slows me down and I usually get tired of eating before my plate is empty. And my food gets cold!

I started this process at 300 lbs a little over a year ago. I went into surgery at 285 lbs, partially from the 2 weeks of liquid diet prior to surgery required by my doctor. Another 2 weeks of mostly liquid diet and then mushies after surgery got me down to 277.

I have been able to keep my weight to under 280, but was wondering if I should have lost more, or do most people gain weight before the first banding?

One very positive about this process so far is that food has lost its attraction to me. All the work of being careful to eat only soft foods, and chewing it to death, and the anxiety of swallowing something not chewed enough and the ensuing pain almost makes you long for the liquid diet days, when everything was so simple.

It's very normal not to lose much if any during this period. My doctor told me to do the best I could, but not to be surprised if I gained. Weeks 2-5 after surgery I was up and down the same 3 pounds, actually was down 3 pounds when I went for my first fill.

Hang in there, it will get better and you will see the scale move. This period before you get restriction (and it may take several fills to get there) is bandster hell for a reason. Just go by your doctor's directions re: portion size, food choices, etc, and it will pay off.

It sounds as if you are doing great! Keep up the good work!

Edited July 8, 200917 yr by bambam

You sound like me!! I was banded on June 16th and have not had a fill yet, though I know I need one cause there is like no restriction. I am able to eat most anything, but slow. I was 253 when I started my 2 weeks pre-op liquid diet. I only lost 8 lbs pre-op and lost 12 lbs within the first week and a half post op on liquids. When I started soft foods a week ago, I gained 3 back. I was told this is normal due to your body actually getting food. Most people dont lose after surgery much. I was told this "bandsters Hell " period is for healing not weight loss. After a fill or two, when we get restriction, the weight loss will be more consistant. Looks like youre doing good though! They say this is the worst period of time! Hang in there!

I was also banded on the 28th of may and I am right there with you, the last 2 weeks have been up a # down a #, up 2 #'s, down 1 # and so on. I was told to expect this and I get my first fill today so I am hoping this makes the scale start moving down again. Hang in there!

I didn't lose much. I had 5 weeks in between my surgery and 1st fill. I probably lost about 7 lbs in between. I lost 5 from being on the liquid diet for 2 weeks and then for the mushies and the transition back to solids i didn't lose anything and then I finally lost about 2 lbs and went for my 1st fill.

you sound just like me I was banded 6/19 and I can pretty much eat anything as long as I chew it wicked good. My first fill is July 21st.

I lost 12lbs after 1 week post op and so far just one more additional lb. As far as I have heard lots of people are having the same problem they arent loosing anymore. We need a fill! as far as gaining I only notice it when I get crazy and weigh everday but if I weigh once a week it pretty much stays the same.

Thank God, we are not alone!!! I was beginning to think I was doing something wrong or my band isn't going to work. My husband and I were also banded on May 28, 2009. So, glad we have the day in common with other. We were banded in Mexicali, Mexico.

We both have lost a little over 20 lbs, but that was between the pre-op diet (thank god it was not liquids like so many others doctors have put them on, but it was still tough) and the post op clear liquid phase. Since then we haven't really lost anything. We have been up and down on the scale a pound or two, but cannot get past that point. I knew after 2 weeks or so that we needed a fill right away. We are scheduled for July 13, we just have to pray that they can do it in the office without fluro. Did any of you do it without the fluro? How did it go? Lets all hang in there together, till we get our fill!

My fill was done today in my surgeons office without fluro it was much easier than I anticipated and I can defiantely tell the difference. I was given 2.5 cc... they said it would calm down in a few days and then I could gauge how much I really could eat and decide if I need another fill in a week or so.