Kas-e

I too started out strong and then found that I wasn't losing. In my case I had lost so much in the beginning (4/14 banded) 34 lbs and then nothing. In fact, I even gained in week 3 (10 lbs) when I introduced crackers & Peanut Butter AND was keeping caloric intake under 500 calories. I may have been disappointed BUT was not discouraged. I knew I was doing nothing to gain weight and believed it was Water weight loss that was a big part of my initial loss. I hadn't drank much those first weeks. Today I went for my 3rd fill and was very happy to agree with the PA that I did not need one. We believe I've reached my Sweet Spot with the two past fills. I am losing now a pound a week and have just begun walking daily for 30 minutes in the early a.m. (To get it out of the way!) A big lesson I learned is that calories are no longer the enemy for me. I'm taking in less than 1,200 a day - often between 800-1,200. I'm told by my doctor's program to stop counting calories and eat three meals a day with Protein, veggies, then if I can fit more some wiser choices. Bottom line is that I learned that my metabolism is going in a survival mode and decreasing calories will not increase the weight loss. This means that all those times pre-band when I was dieting and then not losing weight - I was plateauing. I had taken it as a sign of weakness and always "fell off the wagon." Now I can go a month without losing a pound and know that it will all come together. My little piece of advice is to eat sensibly - don't starve yourself, increase exercise, and be patient. To date I've lost 42 lbs since 4/14 and I'm happy with this. This is truly "fat" loss not "water" loss. And if I'm lucky enough to lose 1 lb (that was without walking!) to 2 lbs. a week until my next fill follow up on Oct. 10, I am ecstatic. Best of luck & keep your spirits high! Kas-E

Try to drink Water, water, water. When I was in the hospital I was well filled with fluids from the IV. I had the IV working over 24 hours and came home nicely hydrated. For nearly two weeks I didn't really drink and boy did I lose weight. I had no desire to drink a drop (or eat) for the first two weeks. I was feeling very week and light headed. Most likely I was dehydrating. I finally started Crystal Lite mixes and it was much easier to drink. Once I started eating on Day 15, I was surprised that I could eat. With in a week I put on 10lbs and realized it was not a weight-gain it was putting water back in to my body. (I was only eating about 500 calories of healthyy food a day.) Wish I didn't let myself dehydrate. It was disappointing -- not discouraging -- to drop 31 lbs and then put 10 lbs right back on. I'm almost back to 31 lbs and it's been 7 weeks since surgery. So bottom-lining it...you may not be able to drink or have any desire to but keep a bottle of water in arms reach. And lastly walking around helped seem to empty the "water" from where it rested after the first sips. G'luck!

I too was told from the very first seminar that soda is out of your life forever. In fact when I first went to the seminar (and decided against the surgery a year ago) the one thing that stayed with me was when a potential bandster asked "...what if we let the soda go flat & then drink it?" The doctor looked him straight in the eye and said "if you have to do that then this surgery is not for you." Since then I found out that my doctor is very cautious which is why I chose him. I eventually had the lapband and though it's only been 7 weeks I have sworn off soda forever. I even share with my non-band friends that soda is just as bad for them as it bloats up the stomach and allows you to fit more food in when eating. I know the reason I went through all this was to help me make major changes in my eating styles...and the loss of soda is one I accept. You can do it too. G'luck!

Hello! My surgeon is a very cautious surgeon and does not like to do a fill before week eight. That being said I did ask to have it at seven since I was unavailable the one day a week they do it for the next four weeks. I then learned that 6-8 weeks is the acceptable fill-period. After reading many posts I understand that each doctor is different. Definitely talk to the PA and find out why he would do it at four when you were told six by surgeon. My PA seems even more cautious then my surgeon since he sees and hears on a daily basis if there are any problems. Follow your gut - no pun intended - and see if they'll wait for the sixth week. After all you are the client/patient. G'Luck!

Hello! I'm almost 7 weeks post-op and had my first fill today. For the first two weeks (on liquid then mushies) I had no desire to eat. Felt more than satisfied. By end of week three I had gained some water-weight back and since then was able to eat more normally. What this meant to me was that "they really know what they were talking about." I had gone to support meetings, lap band class, and a post op class. They all said the same thing - the first 8 weeks are the hardest because of lack of restriction. I thought for sure 'Not me!' I was wrong. Now that I see I fell in the same cycle as everybody else I am not (and pretty much was not) discouraged. Take it slow. This is normal and I understand it'll only get better. After all that is what "they" say. G'luck!

When I first took sips I noticed that as soon as I stood up and walk a few feets that it seemed to go down (somewhere.) In fact today was my first fill -- surgery was 4/14 -- and I was sitting on table in doctor's office. Felt a little full after sipping Water. No concern. Stood up to leave & felt it go down. It almost felt like it was on a bubble and by slight movement the bubble burst & it went where it was supposed. Try walking and see if your new "baby belly" needs to be settled. G'luck!

Not sure if "Coley" is female or male...but if it's the first than your annual gynecologist's weigh-in might be enough.

Wow - your experience was very different from mine. Short version is that I did all paperwork a few days before and went right in to the hospital pre-op room. No pains for me with any of the preparations but hated the IV. No real pain just "a pain." I too was rolled in and woke up in recovery. Here is where we differed - I was not allowed up until I went into my private room (doctor arranges that as a courtesy for his patiens) and spent the night. I was glad to do that because the hospital bed and lounge-sort-of-chair was much easier to get up with. I also couldn't have ice chips or anything on Day One. Day Two I had to do a swallow test as an x-ray with a radiologist watching, got to eat a little Jello, broth, and drink some Water. I was out the next day. Sounds like both our examples went smooth and I'm happy to share with any soon-to-be-banders. Best of luck to you!

My doctor had me stick with only one food per day to see if it agreed with me. I hated it. I never want to see pudding or yogurt again...for now. I'm now on small "normal" foods and enjoying hummus especially. I believe that was on my week two menu. That adds a kick of taste to your mouth. Keep up the great work!

Hi There! I too was banded on 4/14 and am feeling great. The first few days I had no desire to ever eat again but now I am getting ready to see my doctor on Wednesday. I'll get to start eggs and pudding then. It's been only Opti for me and I am done with that. I prefer to not drink it and fill myself with crystallite. broth & Jello don't do it for me. My food plan is liquids for week one, puree and very soft egg-ish for week two, and then week three-eight more Protein. My doc very strict and I'm doing everything I can to stick with it. I met others from his practice who didn't and they didn't lose any weight ... I hope to conquer that. Be patient and good luck!

Hello - I was banded a week ago and am still on Opti and might add quite tired of the Opti. I've been on it for the past four weeks. Don't give up now because you think you'll never have "normal" food again because you will...just know it's in your future. YOu don't need to cram it in as I admit I did a month or so before surgery. I was supposed to lose 30 lbs pre-op and when I got weight in a month before I was up 2 lbs and had to lose 32. My doctor wanted 10% weight loss but do to my overall good health - thankfully no health issues whatsoever - he went ahead. Try freezing the Opti and making it a smoothie sort of treat. That may make it more doable. Good Luck! I had a great recovery and am happy to say am only now getting a small appetite back.

After various seminars, a bit of resistance on my side, and the scale going up...I committed to finally take control. I live on Long Island and found a surgeon and program that is perfect for me. It's taken three solid months of doctors, tests, and follow-ups but I am scheduled for April 14. The ONLY thing that stands in my way is that I did not yet lose the requested 30 lbs. I'm down 10 and have only a week & a half. If my surgeon who I see on 4/9 tells me to post-pone for more weight loss, then I will do so. he is a very cautious doctor and that's why I chose him. Either way I'm on my way to a better life. I've been on liquids for nearly two weeks and I'm already feeling more energetic. That's my short story and looking forward to finding support with this group. Kas-e