karbear409

Hello! I would like to start this thread by assuring all readers that I love my band. I have been banded for 3 months now. Even if I never lost another pound, I understand things about food and eating that I never did before. For instance, what full feels like. Or, the joys of bringing home leftovers from a restaurant. Or, not feeling like I have to order the largest plate on the menu and eat multiple large helpings in order to feel satisfied. Actually, eating is now more enjoyable because I can savor it, rather than shovel it. With that being said, I have to admit that I'm quite an impatient person. I understand that I have an underlying desire for all things to happen immediately as I want them. In regards to the band, weight loss is feeling slow. So far, I've lost 25 pounds since day of surgery. I suppose in three months, I expected to be losing more. It would be my goal to lose 100 pounds by my first 'bandiversary'. Are there any veterans who can speak to what feels like a slow start? Do the first few months have a tendency to feel like a shit show? I know this sounds ridiculous, but how important is exercise in motivating results? I know people have lost plenty of weight without it, but is that really an effective approach? Can anyone speak to how they felt after their first 3 months or so. This is an interesting time in the life of a bander. It almost feels like being a toddler. I can say that my experience has been fantastic. Never have I experienced sickness, pain, or any other undesirable moments. I'm interested to know when veterans starting "seeing" results. And please, (kindly) feel free to tell me I'm being a little whiny, impatient banded toddler. It's confusing because who really knows what normal is? It is an entirely subjective situation. It's like going to the doctor and being asked if you have a "normal period." How the hell am I supposed to know if it's normal, I've had no other experience but my own! Thanks all!!!

Thank you all for the inspiring and helpful words. I had another adjustment yesterday afternoon. This is now my 4th adjustment post surgery. I'm at 8cc on a 14cc band. I'm now at the place where I can absolutely feel that I have a band. I've also been exercising at least a few times a week. I like to go on fast paced nature hikes. It's amazing how quickly an hour of walking goes by. As of yesterday at the docs office, I weighed in at 301.4. This number also suggests that I've lost an average of 2.5 pounds/week between fills in the last 3 months. I've been seeing my surgeon every 3-4 weeks for fills and check ins. 1.5-2.5 pounds a week is fantastic, and I can definitely say it's more than I've lost in the past. Especially, with this amount of consistency. And you're all correct, slow and steady is a much better way to lose. When I was in high school, almost 10 years ago, my father had gastric bypass surgery. He practically went from being 400 lbs and immobile to a 200 lb whipper snapper over night. It messed with him a lot. His drastic weight loss left him in the dark. He could no longer eat anything without vomiting and sickness. He started drinking, which eventually lead him to rehab. After rehab, he became obsessed with AA. While in AA, he met another woman, a severe drunk. He ended up having an affair with her, and my mother divorced him. When I look back on the experience, a lot of it came back to the bypass surgery, the drastic weight loss, and not allowing your mind to catch up with your body. All in all, my experience has been nothing like his. I'm happy, I still eat, and I'm losing slowly and consistently. Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for your encouraging input. It's so wonderful to connect with others cruising along on the same boat.

Hi Lisa! I updated my information too as you suggested. Thank you for the encouragement. That's right on what I needed to hear. I also hear what you are saying about the nature of our surgery, slow and steady. With the band I feel that I have the room to grow and learn slowly. And you're right, if I want a 100 lb loss, then I need to go and get it! If I choose a more passive approach, I will still receive results, but perhaps more slowly. Thank you for your kind words.