Jo Skinnie

Yes, it is true that you will have to work harder with a band that some other WLS, however, the benefits from the band will be so much greater in the long run! Not everyone takes a long time to get to restriction. I'm on my second fill and have lost 4.5 lbs in the past week. Will I always have restriction from this fill? Probably not since as you lose weight you also lose the fat pad from around your stomach. The nice thing about the band is that you can have it adjusted as needed - like a belt getting loose as you lose weight, then you get it tightened. I'm also very excited about the prospects of maintaining my weight loss with the band. Remember that the band general sees a 1-2 lbs loss per week, which is a healthy, normal loss. If you go into this believing that it is a lifelong tool, you'll do much better than if you expect a huge loss overnight like with other WLS. The band works with restrict while other WLS also have malabsorbtion as a key to their quick losses, which can lead to other problems later on. Not always, but it is a risk those folks face. During the first 6 wks after your band surgery, concentrate on healing. There will be plenty of time to lose the weight after that. Good luck with your surgery!

My surgeon told me that on average, it takes 4-6 fills to reach your sweet spot. I know bandsters that have actually had more than that. It's frustrating, but remember we're in this for the long haul. It's also what's known as Bandster Hell - the time between surgery and getting restriction. Be patient. In time your band will do its part. In the meantime, keep following the rules. Good luck!

Oh wow that's fantastic news! I'm so happy for you!

Wow, what a pic! Thanks for sharing with us. Sounds like you are doing great!

No I haven't had what you described. I do know that as we lose weight, the port moves. Maybe your abdominal muscles are reacting? Could you give your dr a call? Maybe he has some advice for you.

I know that when I was doing research pre-op I read that the average number of fills before hitting the sweet spot is 6-7. Everyone is different. Try not to compare yourself. Keep following the program your doctor gave you and give yourself time. Remember that the band should have a loss of 1-2 lbs/week. It does go slower, but it's still worth it in my eyes. Good luck!

I guess I missed my one month anniversary post! Things are going well so far. I'm down 30 lbs total. My first fill is next week! Congrats to everyone for doing so well!

I'm so sorry to hear about your wife. My prayers are with you and your family. Thank you so much for taking time to share her story with us. Hopefully, you have helped someone else from the same tragedy. That is a wonderful thing for you to do.

Wow, that's just crazy! I'm sorry you had to go through all the fill just because he didn't do his job properly. Sounds like the 2nd time around is going much better for you. Keep us posted! I get my first fill on the 28th. Thanks for the reminder on what to expect.

I know that every dr does something a bit different. I was wondering when we are all scheduled for our first fills! My first fill will be May 28th, which will be 6 wks from my surgery date.

I was told by my pharmacist that it could take up to a year for the scars to really fade away. Keep that in mind so you don't get to discouraged when you look at them! I also use Vit E oil. I like it better than Mederma because it's a moisterizer that I can use anywhere on my skin, not just on scars!

Wow, I'm so sorry you went through that! I'm glad to hear you are doing better now. Hopefully this will be the most drama you have for a very long time!

I agree that you might not be eating enough or not enough of the right stuff. Remember to get your protein in! Could you call your nut or dr and talk to them about it?

It took forever to wake up. I don't remember the recovery room at all. I guess my husband and the surgeon were talking to me! I do remember trying to keep my eyes open and not being able to. That was about 3-4 hrs after surgery. Other than that, I actually felt pretty good. I guess the pain meds were working very well on me! Good luck on the 15th!

Way to go! Keep doing whatever it is that you are doing!

I can't feel my port yet. Although, my surgeon did tell me it's about an inch or two below the incision. The incision does feel like a lump. I hope it doesn't develop that much scar tissue!

Don't be so hard on yourself! You are still healing. I was told not to expect weight loss during the time before surgery and the first fill. Everyone is different, so try not to compare yourself to those who are losing before their first fill. Hang in there! Remember the band is a life-long tool!

I'm a little more than 4 wks out and I still hate to have to bend over. My largest incision is right at the top of my pants. My port was put an inch or two below that, across from my belly button. My abdomin has been very sore. It is getting better. Every day I seem to be able to do more and move without getting sore.

Everyone is different. I can eat anywhere from 4-8 oz at a time depending what it is that I'm eating. More liquid goes down faster so I can eat more. Now something like mashed potatoes I can't eat more than about 4 oz of before I feel full.

I put shredded cheese or parm on most veggies so my girls will eat them. They are 6 and 3. They love cheese so they eat up the veggies. I also let them dip their veggies in low fat ranch or french dressing. What every gets them to eat veggies works for me! I'm lucky tho because my girls love brocolli, carrots and peas. That really helps even if they only taste a new veggie I know I have a couple other things they will eat. DH and I also add lots of veggies to hotdish when we make that.

I said most days of the week because lately I start writing everything down in the morning and then by evening, I forget all about it! I really think I do so much better, meaning eating better choices than junk food, if I write it down. I also lose weight better when I keep track of everything.

I've been off pop (yes, I call it pop!) since around the first of the year. I haven't really missed it either. I do have a band friend who drinks diet pepsi everyday and doesn't seem to have a problem. I prefer to stick with water and crystal light for now.

I was under the impression that until we had restriction with fills, not to get discouraged about the weight loss. I lost 7 lbs in the first week or two also, but that's to be expected being on Clear liquids one week and full liquids the next. As soon as I started pureed food, I gained 2 lbs. Now I'm back down those two plus another pound. I won't have my first fill until May 28. I choose the band because of the 1-2 lbs/wk weight loss. Slow and steady does it for me! Good luck everyone!

I want to reach the top of my weight range, which is 100 lbs from my original weight before the 6 mo dr supervised weight loss. I have another 69 lbs to go as of this morning!

Where is everyone from? What do you do for a living? Married or single? Any children? Any pets? I'm from the Twin Cities, Minnesota. I'm a benefits specialist for a non-profit organization. Married almost 7 yrs. We have two daughters ages 6 & 3.