Hello all... I am posting because I am very discouraged. I am 4 weeks post op and have only lost about 10lbs. I know this is good for 4 weeks but I am hungry all the time! Before being banded I would eat 2 BIG meals a day... no snacking or anything. Well, now I am eating too many times a day, yes they are smaller meals but I am eating so often that I can't lose weight. My first fill is not until Sept. 28, and it's stressing me out. I know it takes time and after the first fill I should eating less, but I am so upset. I feel like this is just another "failure" at weight loss. I know, how dumb am I? I KNOW IT'S GOING TO WORK IN THE LONG RUN, but why do I doubt it? I keep having people ask me, "Well how much did you lose now?" They think it just comes right off and it's almost upsetting because I feel like they are looking at e like a failure. Thanks for listenting to me, I needed to vent!!

Average weight loss at restriction is 1-2 lbs a wee. You are already there at 4 weeks and 10 lbs. Your doing great. Until you hit your happy spot with restriction you will be eating more times with smaller meals to get you full.

I am 12 weeks post op, 30 lbs lost and after 2 fills have 6.75 in my 10 cc band.

You are right on target. Are you getting in your protein FIRST? That will help fight the hunger. As for the other people, don't let them put you down. Explain that this is a tool for weight loss not a magic wand. Tell them that you have a long long way to go and you'll let them know how much weight you have lost when you're ready to tell it. Please don't give up....you can do it.

Your still in what is refered to as Bandster hell. You will be fine. It took me 14 months to lose 26 pounds. If I only concerned myself with the scale then I would have given up, some weeks you may lose pounds other inches and then others nothing at all may happen. The important part is developing healthy habits.

Its all right that your hungry, its normal. Just eat...try to make good choices but this is not about starvation or even deprevation its about learning how and why we got here in the first place and then fixing the behavior that caused the gain.

Take me for example, the scale says I have lost 26 pounds, but I know I gained muscle and I look amazing. I look like I have lost about 80 or 90 pounds because I exercise.

This is not all about one thing, its about many things.

rememeber this is a journey, and it will only be as hard as you make it. Good luck! Lana

Amanda, your doing great for 4 weeks, your body is STILL healing, let it. As far as the hungry part, are you eating protein first? Drinking all your water every day? This is a great time to start using what you've learned about lap-band eating, but don't beat yourself up. Keep to your portion control, add or keep to your exercise routine and the weight WILL melt away.....be kind to yourself.

Don't let 'other' people regulate how you feel about yourself, this is YOUR journey NOT theirs. You will succeed!

I used to spend some summers in Carlisle when I was young, had family with a dairy farm outside of town :-).

Amanda,

I understand because I too felt the same way and I wish I had posted my frustrations and had someone to tell me not to waste my time worrying about the scale and other people's perception of my success or failure.

Please focus on following the rules that your doctor gave you and start some physical fitness activity.

Hang in there...I and many others are testimonies that the scale will manifest your success in due time.

Amanda, I am in the exact same position as you. I was banded 3 1/2 weeks ago. I have lost 7lbs. It is frustrating and I have also been hungry. I have found that grabbing a Protein shake or a scoop of Peanut Butter will generally curb my hunger AND give me some protein. I understand what you mean about telling people that you have only lost 10lbs. I feel the same way you do. When they ask, I always tell them my total weight loss since I began the surgery process (31 lbs). This sounds much more impressive, and it is a reminder to me that I have come a LONG WAY. If I say that I have only lost 7 lbs since surgery, I feel the need to throw in the disclaimer that my surgeon told me not to expect any weight loss until after my first fill. Mine is Sept. 23, by the way Good luck!

Meredith