During the first meeting with the doctor he said something like don't waste the first 6-8 months or so with the band because that is when you will loose the most weight. I didn't question this because I related it to weight watchers where I lost 62 pounds and a lot of it was during the first six months and the rest took me two years.

Now that I am thinking of what he was saying I don't know that is what he meant or I just heard it wrong.

The question here is did you all lose a great deal of weight the first 6-8 months and then it really slowed down?

I sure wish I would have questioned him and not just assumed what he meant was what happened to me at weight watchers.

Would you all tell of your experiences with loosing weight the first 6-8 months compared with after that time.

Or if you have any ideas what he really meant.

Thanks I write down as much as I can when I talk to the doctor but next time I think I am going to take a tape recorder.

I know I did not describe this very well. I guess what I really want to know is did you all lose the greatest part of your weight in the firs 6-8 months.

Thanks

Well I guess you can say that the first 6 months you lose the most but not for everyone. I am hoping not, because I had many months of not finding the famed "sweat spot" which took me 3 fills and 6 months to find and then I felt like I had restriction and stopped feeling hungry all the time. I've lost a little more than 1/2 of the weight that was estimated I'd lose.

Do you have someone else like a nurse you work with that can answer ALL your questions ....I didn't ask my doctor much but the coordinator >>>I hounded. I would write them all down and MAKE sure they were answered@! Best to you!

I love my band by the way and you will too. It's no cake walk though...as I said here today...the band ain't for sissys, hypocondriacs and the impatient. It changed my life though..for the better. It all depends on where you start. I had a so called lower BMI below 40 when I started and I was almost 50. Two factors than slow weight loss. If you exercise daily, make sure you get the fills when you need them and don't eat ice cream or carbs that go down easily....you will definitely lose ALOT in the first 6 months. I took my time and for me it was better ...on the body I think too. Either way you are gonna see a difference. I'm happy for you...you will be here in 6 months showin off too! :wink:( best to you!!!!

I think he's thinking of bypass actually. During the first months they drop the most...malabsorption is at it's height (over time the body, to a point, compensates for that) and the new stomach is at it's smallest. That's also when they are most likely to have dumping syndrome, if they do have it. (some have it early on but then "lose" if after a period of time)

The band, however, is different. Since it is essentially only restrictive, and because it takes some that long (or in my case LONGER) to obtain good restriction, some don't lose any during that time frame or even gain.

The NP at my surgeon's office said "Many of our patients don't even start to lose until 6 months out so don't get impatient".

So, I think your surgeon was confused...mixing his surgeries. The band, with it's restriction, is supposed to provide slower weight loss but long term...with patients still losing 3 years out (or more).

This, at least, is what my surgeon, the 2 books I bought from Amazon and read, and my internet meanderings bears out.

Yup, I think Restless is right.

If anything, losing weight with the Band CAN be the SLOWEST in the first few months, because many people take a LONG time to find their sweet spot. Not always, but often.

Which is the funny thing about the band....it is SO variable. It works and behaves so differently for so many people, that it is really hard for doctors and other patients to say "It's gonna do THIS at THIS point in time" .

I do think he was referring to the Bypass.

HH

Although it can be slow till you get restriction, I think the general principle is right.

This is when your motivation will be the highest, your dedication to your new lifestyle the strongest, and your determination to succeed burning the brightest.

I'd say for me, the first year was the best.

Four years out, I am maintaing really well. But I have nowhere near the same amount of discipline and dedication I did and I feel on many levels, my body has adapted to the band, I have learned how to eat with it and my tastes have changed as my body's way of sneaking in calories. I would really have to DIET to lose weight now, whereas in that first year, I lost it pretty effortlessly.

i think i t all depends on how quickly you gain proper restriction. im a little over 5 months out and have lost all but 15 pounds of my weight. but everyones band and body are different. there are people who get it after only a fill or two and others it takes a while for. but just because it takes you awhile to gain restriction dosent mean it wont happen. just ask restlessmonkey, it took her a long time to get to the right spot but she toughed it out and is now doing extremey well with her band. there can be a lot of trial and error involved in gaining restriction.( a definite drawback of the band) it also requires al ot of follow up care for fills. if thats something you are gonna have a hard time you might wanna weigh your other options before making a final surgery decision. good luck