Since being banded, things have been up and down for me. The up is loosing weight and feeling great, and the downs are being able to eat real food and gaining a few pounds. It would be different if I were eating all the bad foods, but I would think having 2 protein shakes a day and fish and vegetable will help me maintain and loose the weight but for some reason I happen to gain 3 pounds within 3 weeks; Not the direction I wanted to go! Anyway had my first fill 3 days ago and I feel absolutely no restriction so I will be going back tomorrow for another fill. I want to begin this journey ASAP because I still have the goal to loose about 25 pounds before Christmas. Anyway wish me luck because I am starting to loose patience and motivation, but once I head back to the gym… I’m sure I will feel better.

Thanks for the well wishes :huh2:

I'm right there with you. I haven't lost any weight since my first week of liquids. No weight loss on second liquid week, and I was getting ready to chew my own arm off. After that, I spent two weeks "transitioning" to solid food but the truth is I didn't have to transition at all. I could eat absolutely anything, chug water, take pills, not chew enough, eat fast and eat lots it I wanted. The one good thing has been that the band does make me feel full faster and keeps my hunger away for longer than normal.

I also had my first fill on Friday. I was shocked when they pulled out 4ccs from my 10cc band. She put in 5cc total and I went home. I was warned that things would be very different now, but that hasn't been true. I don't know what restriction is supposed to feel like, but I can't have it if I can eat everything and as fast as I can. I'm trying hard to work with my will power and hopefully the next fill in two weeks will do the trick.

Good luck to you, you are not alone. I'm guessing we'll both look back at this time six months from now and we will have forgotten how frustrating this was at the beginning.

I'm sure you know that you're both going through 'Bandster Hell' (got a band but no restriction yet, but lots of hunger). At this point it's all up to you whether you lose, maintain or gain weight (many do gain during this period). You'll get there with more fills.

...and kcweir- I don't know how she knew 'things would be very different now' because unless the fill is done under flouro she couldn't know the restriction level...we're all different and some need their bands almost full before they get restriction. If you remember the food and liquid gurgling through your band right after surgery (without the pain), well that's how I tell I have restriction. My doc makes us drink a glass of water right there after a fill and I can feel the water gurgling through the band. If things don't tighten up keep getting those fills.

Patience...you'll get your tool helping you soon! -BG

May I share a bit of advice? I have a high school reunion in four weeks. I have been freaking out. I wanted sooo badly to be a certain wieght. the closer it gets the more I freak out then I realixed, this is not a marathon. This is the rest of my life and no one needs to worry about rushing me or stressing me out about time limits especaially myself. Yes we would all like to wake up and be 100 pounds lighter next week but it doesnt work that way and as long as you do what the doc says little by little it will happen and be worth it. Band groupie is like our Band mom.... she knows all.... all hail to the great Band groupie.... she knows what she is talking about for real, good luck and God bless.