I was banded on 6/22 and I've had two fills since then. I feel very little restriction! I've lost a total of 7 pounds. I'm going in next week for another fill. I'm just so frusterated with my lack of progress. I'm doing boot camp 3-4 days a week and trying to eat less. Sometimes I feel my body is full but my head is hungry. Does everyone feel like this at the beginning?

I'm thinking why did I spend $15,000 on this and it's seems to be all will power!!

Hi- I'm sorry to hear your so frustrated- I see how it can be. Are you following your diet as instructed??? I find that it really matters... I have a friend that has only lost 20 pounds in almost a year, and she is also frustrated, but she snacks all day and not always healthy... she does work out at the gym almost everyday, but I truly feel her snacking constantly has a lot to do with it- she also regurgitates a lot- I think from overeating.... is any of this happening to you? Maybe you just need to find the right tightness.. I just had my first fill and it is really different- my doctor started with 5cc's and put fluid in and out while I drank to see what was comfortable yet still restricting- has your doctor tried this? If not I would ask your Doctor to this. Good Luck and hope it gets better for you. I work out and walk a lot also- which I really think has helped... hope something here helped you- keep me posted on how you come along.

I was banded on 6/22 and I've had two fills since then. I feel very little restriction! I've lost a total of 7 pounds. I'm going in next week for another fill. I'm just so frusterated with my lack of progress. I'm doing boot camp 3-4 days a week and trying to eat less. Sometimes I feel my body is full but my head is hungry. Does everyone feel like this at the beginning?

I'm thinking why did I spend $15,000 on this and it's seems to be all will power!!

Hi Nina,

Trust me I know that frustration! I was under the impression that when I had surgery I would have a certain amount of restriction and the doc and I would work to get to the sweet spot. I had surgery 05/21/08 at my one year I had only lost 21 pounds I was so disappointed I could not even be glad for the progress that I had made. Then I got real with myself, I had honesly changed from a couch potato into a gym rat. I was eating garden fresh food and eliminated 99 percent of the fast food from my diet. The reality is, it simply takes time to lose weight, not just Water weight but actual pounds. I face the fact that I may not get to goal for another full year and I am ok with that because I have healthy habits, no longer skip meals and generally want to be successful at this. So again it takes time.

I really thought by the 5th or 6th fill I "should" be there...did not happen until 11th fill :biggrin:. I was one appt away from ditching my doc and running off to Mexico to get a "proper" fill. After all I had spent so much money, time and energy all for what??? I know for what now, so I could lose pounds and inches slowly under a doctors supervision. Remember the band is only a tool, you still need to eat right and exercise that's it. Continue to see your doctor and communicate well. I am sure you will find success, congrats on your band and your new way of life.

Lana:thumbup:

Keep getting those fills and keep focused.. Remember that it didnt' take 3 months to put on the weight. You made the right decision and will be successful! You also are gaining so much muscle from your exercise. Try taking your measurements each week and rely less on the scale! BE PROUD OF YOURSELF! Could you do boot camp before??? Look for non-scale victories!!

I was banded on 6/19 and still have only lost 8 lbs since surgery day. I swear sometimes I forget I even had surgery because I can still eat alot (of course not nearly as much as pre-surgery). But on Tue I had my 3rd fill. Now I am at 7.4cc's. I can barley eat anything. I finally feel back on track. Only 1 scrambled egg for breakfast, 4oz of a protien shake for a snack, half of a smart ones frozen dinner and some re fried beans for lunch! I couldnt eat more if I wanted to. I have not ate that little since my 3rd week post op! I asked the P.A. who does my fills what the average amount of cc's is to start feeling restriction, she said about 7 or 8. She was definatly on target. You WILL get there. It might take time but once you are up to 7 or 8 Im positive you will feel a big difference. The tightning in you throught, a little bit of pain when the food goes down makes you want to chew your food until its mush. Good Luck and remember... we chose banding for a reason... Its not an overnight fix like gastric bypass but you have more control and it will take longer... and you can still it anything and not get dumping syndrome:eek:.

Head hunger is really the challenge. The band is a tool but we all can find ways around it. Even after a year I have to fight the "head". I have always been a stress eater. I find exercise helps a lot. I am at the gym 6 days a week. Once I work out I do not want to ruin the calorie burn by eating crap. Yoga also helps. Get your fill and dont give up.

Thanks everyone for you positive answers. I'm feeling better. I have to just keep telling myself that it takes time. I only have 4cc's in my band and maybe I am one of those people who needs 7 or 8. Today I started REALLY watching what I eat and not snacking at all. I recently lost my job so being home all day isn't easy.

Amanda - it's good to know I'm not the only one. I can't wait to feel the restriction you're feeling. Until then I'm working out at boot camp every day and watching what I eat.

I didn't do this to myself to fail and I won't. Thanks again to everyone for their support. I'll keep you updated!

It's really great to have a place to go to where people understand. I try and talk to my mom and she just doesn't get it and I guess I can't expect her too.

Thanks :smile2:

I think untill you get filled 3 to 4 times you dont really lose much.. I wouldnt worry tho.. I was stuck at 20 lbs and now since the last fill I have lost like 10lbs