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Hi there, I was banded June 23 2008 and have not lost ANY weight at all. I have had I fill of 3.4 cc in a 10cc band. I can eat only a certain amount but then I am hungry again in 1-2 hours. I go in for another fill tomorrow and I can't wait. I hope more doctors take into account the psychological impact of not losing any weight after the surgery and do fills every two weeks or something because it seems that a lot of people have this problem. One person on the forum has a doctor who has a band and he is much more aggressive with the fills because he knows how important it is for people to experience some success. For me the hardest part is explaining to people (only 3) who know I have had this why I haven't lost a single pound. That said, I am still glad I did this and am hoping for good results for you and me.

Hey there, don't give up. I think you are right to start again. If you are not planning on getting pregnant again this would be an ideal time to begin again. Please read the lap-band fill forum sticky threads and you will get a great idea of how the band works so you won't get discouraged if you don't lose a lot of weight right away. Also the magazine article on "I was a lap-band orphan" sounds a lot like your situation. It's great that you found us. I have found a lot of comfort just reading others stories. Good luck and keep us posted.

I told only 3 people and one of them has been awful. She is competitive and negative. I thought I might need her to help me after the surgery but I really didn't. The problem is I haven't lost any weight and it has been two months. Everytime I see her I feel she is looking at me to see if I have lost any weight. I can't take the scrutiny anymore so I avoid her at all costs. With other people I just say I already ate something at home so I'm not hungry. I have found that most people don't really care. I am getting a 2nd fill tomorrow so maybe more people will notice if I start to lose weight. I like what one person said in their post is that she only tells people on a need to know basis or positive people who are really interested.

Hi I do love cops too. Everyone seems to have this same problem. Its okay, it takes 6 weeks for the body to heal and many people don't lose any weight or they might even gain weight during this healing time. In fact if you read lap-band fills forum many people don't lose weight until their 3rd fill. One of my favorite posters LuLuc, said it took 5 months and 7 fills to lose weight. You will lose weight too when you find your perfect fill spot. Don't lose hope, just hang out here and read the sticky post under the lap-band fill and you will begin to understand how it all works. We all understrand your worry and frustration and we are all rooting for your success. I was banded June 23rd and have not lost ANY weight. I have had one fill and am scheduled for another fill Aug. 20. I can't wait but I am trying not to become that crazy bandster that the doctor's office hates. I guess some bandsters get crazy when or if they don't lose a ton of weight immediately and I for one don't want to add to that stereotype.

I can totally relate. I was banded June 23rd and lost 15 lbs before my first follow up appt. Then I could eat anything and I was starving. I gained the 15 lbs back before my first fill. I got 3.4 in a 10 cc band. Still no restriction. I can eat anything even when I eat the protein first, then veggies. It is not so much the quantity, that is less, but I am hungry in 2 hours and searching for something to eat. So as of today I have not lost any weight and I have another fill apppointment this Wed. I have been reading all of the posts on the forums and trying not to get crazy. It seems like most people don't really get restriction until they are at 6cc in a 10cc band or until their 3rd fill. I can understand your worry and concern and the only comfort I can give you is you do need 6 weeks to heal. I know you are anxious to lose weight but you should just relax and read the forum on lap band fills. I have found a lot of encouragement in finding out how others have coped with this situation. Hang in there and best of luck.

Hey this happens to almost all of us. I strongly urge you to read the forum headed lap band fills and you will see and understand how and why the whole thing works. I was banded June 23rd and have had 3.4 cc in a 10cc band and I have only lost 2 lbs. I will be getting a fill Aug 20th but I am not expecting a miracle. Many banded people don't really start losing until their 3rd or 4th fill. I do think or hope doctors and fill nurses are becoming more compassionate about fills when people need them for the psychological reiforcement. Someone on the forum said their doctor was banded and he is way more agressive and frequent in his fills because he knows how discouraging it can get when you don't lose weight. I am hoping more doctors will attend seminars where the psychological component is disucssed and banded patients are speakers so they will understand how important it is for patients to lose weight. I am still soooo glad I did this as I will have this tool for life. Just think if you were on Weight Watchers only you would be relying only on will power.

I really do love this thread. Everytime I read all of your responses I am reminded that there are lots of us in the same situation. I know everyone is different but it does seem like most people get their really good restriction on their 3rd or 4th fill. I am really excited for that. Thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences so I don't feel so alone. I still have only lost 2 lbs but my next fill is Aug. 20 and another person on the forums with my same Dr. said the nurses will be a bit more agressive if you ask them. I was banded June 23rd.

Hi there, Is Dr. K his full name? I have heard of Dr. Kirsenbom or something like that. I was banded by Dr. Brown in Denver. I too have one fill with no restriction and have only lost 1 lb so far. I called for an earlier appt for my second fill. The doctor is great, the nurses are great, the hospital was great but the receptionist (Cheryl) is the worst. She seems to be on a power trip and when I called she didn't even check to see if there were any earlier appt. she just said in a very snippy voice that there were no appointments. Dr. Brown only likes to do fills once a month but I think his nurses will be a little more agressive if you ask them to. I will be anxious to hear if you can get a fill earlier from Dr. K. I know it is really important to your success to get fills in a timely fashion so as not to get discouraged. Please keep us posted. My 2nd fill is next week Aug 20th.

I was banded June 21st and have only lost 2 lbs. I had one fill of 3.4 in 10 band. I can still eat pretty much annthing. I still am sooo glad I did this because I think I might have gained weight during this time if I hadn't had the surgery. If you read the forum lap band fills you will see that it is not uncommon for people to not lose anything until their 3rd or 4th fill. I wrote down everything I ate for about 7 years calculating fat, calories and carbs and I kept all of my notebooks to prove it. I got so sick of this compulsive behavior that I don't want to do it now. I try to get my 60 grams of protein a day and watch my carbs but it is sheer will power at this point. I have an appt. for a fill on Aug. 20th so I am hoping for more restriction and some weight loss. I have decided to be patient and hang in there. You didn't say if you had any fills yet. Many of us are in this situation and I know I find it very comforting to connect with others who have been there. Hang it there it will work and you will find your perfect restriction to lose weight. We are all here for you.

Hi Mini Band, I too have fairly low BMI (180 and 5'2") I also have type 2, I have also used byetta with bad experience. I have high cholestrol and high blood pressure too. I did get good insurance coverage with BlueCross Blue Shield because of all the health risks. I did submit all kinds of test result, lab work, lipid profiles, H1c results, heart scans, verifications of 5 years of diet and exercise attempts and basically anything I thought would help. I was banded June 21st. My blood sugar seemed to get resolved right away-- it seem like everytime I test it is fairly low (111-115). I have not had any blood work done yet. I have only lost maybe 1-2 lbs but that is okay I am still so glad I did it. Remember it takes a while and takes patience. I have had only 1 fill and can still eat pretty much anything but I try to be very careful. If you read on here many people take 3 or 4 months and 3 or 4 fills to really start losing weight especially if you have a low BMI. I wish you the very best. I really think this is the answer for those of us with type 2 diabetes. Best of luck and keep us posted.

Hi Leslie, Great post, I agree with everything you said. There are so many variables--doctors, pre and post operation diets, amount of weight to lose and countless metabolic factors that it is impossible to compare your weight loss to anyone else. I read post after post on forum after forum before the surgery (i am a teacher so I did my homework) so I felt pretty informed about the stages, frustrations, pain and success of the proceedure. I also had a mentor who had wsl who helped me with protein drinks, recovery tips and all kinds of other stuff. I strongly urge all newbies to read and research everything you can it helps so much to know what to expect.

Hi Blackcherry, Many of us can relate to you. After being banded you are healing for 6 weeks and really not losing weight. Even after your first or second (maybe more) fill will you start to lose weight. Remember that everyone is different and some people lose 50 lbs before their first fill. Read some of the posts under lap-band fills and you will get a very good explanation of how the band works. Since being banded June 21st I have only lost 2 lbs and I have had a fill. Don't get discouraged, it takes time to get to your perfect fill. We are all rooting for you.

I totally agree with what Melody said. I told some friends and I wish I had not. It is their expectations that are really hard to deal with. I had the surgery June 21st and have really only lost maybe 2 lbs. I dread seeing these friends because even though they don't say it I'm sure they are thinking why hasn't she lost weight yet. I also agree that you can be very general with the kids just saying you are getting healthy. I really liked what someone else said on the forums that it is better to wait to see if anyone asks you if you have lost weight and then decide if you wish to tell them. It has been my experience that many people are jealous, envious or just plain mean spirited about you getting better or doing something good for yourself when they are used to you doing for other people. I am really so glad I did this for myself!!

Hi Eeyore, I love your name. I am with you! I have only lost 2 lbs since I was banded June 21st. Since my first fill of 3.4 cc I lost 1 lb and then gained it back this morning. If you read the lap-band fill forum you will find it rather common and comforting that many other people have been where we are. I get alot of encouragement from other people's stories that sometimes they don't lose weight until their 3 or 4th fill. I do believe everyone is different and it is a matter of getting the correct fill. I am finding it hard to answer questions of well why haven't you lost any weight? Many of my "friends" have thought this would be the answer and now are suggesting this too won't work. You hang in there and tell us how things work out. My next fill is Aug 20th and I am hoping for a good outcome.

Hi KG, I just wanted to lend my 2 cents. I am sooo happy for you!! I couldn't agree with you or Sadie more. I got my surgery from Dr. Brown and it is so important that the doctor or nurses give you enough of a fill and take into consideration your weight loss and mental state. So many ultra conservative docs don't see or won't see that many of us are desperate to lose weight and that is why we got this proceedure which is a big deal mentally, emotionally, physically and finacially for most of us. I think it is great that your doctor takes into consideration what you want. Sadie is right about Dr. Brown--he has no personality and you don't really see him at all but his nurses are good at doing the fills with no pain.

Hi Apples, Thanks for the reply. Both of the nurses at my doctor's office are super skinny and young and have no idea of how hard it is to lose weight. I think that is great what you doctor does so they can relate first hand to what you are going through. I haven't really had that feeling of not being hungry at all except right after surgery. I am hoping with my next fill I will experience that. So right now you have 5 cc. in your band or more? I do understand that feeling of "this is the last bite." I love my band too even though I haven't lost much. This is kind of a hard situation to explain to my people that know. They continually ask me "how much weight have you lost?" It is kind of embarrassing. Have the people in your life been really supportive?

Hi there, I can't really tell you that after your first fill you won't be hungry. I was banded June 21st and had my first fill July 25th and have only lost 2 lbs. I am still VERY glad I did it. If you read the forum on fills you will be very encouraged. Many people experience hunger up until 3 or 4 fills. Just hang in there as it will happen for us too. I try to read a lot of posts as it does help with the frustration.

Hi there, I too feel your pain. I was banded June 21st and had my first fill July 25th and I have only lost 2 lbs. I would love to have your weight loss. Whenever I have that totally frustrated feeling I go to lap band fill forum and find there are people who don't lose until 3 or 4 fills and they say encouraging things. It will happen for us as well. I urge you to read some of their postings and hang in there.

Hi Apples, I am interested in what Gina just said. I agree with the fill nurse that patients need to get to their sweet spot as soon as possible so they don't get discouraged. I too have a 10cc band with no fill at the time of surgery. My first fill was 3.4 cc and I can pretty much eat anything. I have only lost a total of 1 lb. My next fill is Aug 20th and I can't wait. I think it is great that Gina's fill nurse has a band because she can relate to the frustration. I think in the future more doctor's will take this approach because the psychological component of all of this should not be underestimated. If you read the forums most people get discouraged when they don't lose weight. I think it is great that you had some fill put in during the surgery. Good luck and keep us posted.

I agree with everyone else. I was banded June 21st and basically have lost only one pound and had my first fill July 25th. I am still VERY glad I did it. Read the forum for fills and you will see that you have to be patient untill you get your fill right and your eating with it on track. Even people who were banded several years ago and have had ups and downs are glad they did it. I hope you don't become discouraged. You can do it but it does take some patience. Good luck and lots of people are rooting for you to succeed.

Hi Ride, You are okay! I gained back about 8 lbs of the 15 lbs I lost during my pre-op diet. A lot of the soups I ate were high calorie and I didn't have any restriction with just the band and no fills. If you read the forums on fills you will see that many bandsters gain weight back even after 2 or 3 fills. It is called Bandster Hell before you get to the right restriction. I have had one fill and can still eat anything and have not lost a pound. Some people lose 50 lbs just with the band. You will be okay. Most doctors say the first 6 weeks after surgery are not for weight loss just for healing. Believe me I know how frustrating it is to follow all of the rules and still not see a weight loss. Keep reading some of the posts and you will be encouraged by others that have been where you are and then finally start losing again when they get to their "sweet spot" Hang in there and know that we are rooting for you.

Wow Linda, You really struck a nerve that no one wants to touch on---thank you!!! I was banded on June 21st and had a fill on July 25th to 3.4 cc. in a 10cc band. I have lost maybe 1 lb and am constantly hungry. Your post was so encouraging for all of us who are waiting to lose weight and blaming ourselves. A few of my friends who know about the surgery want to see me and I know when they do they are thinking that this failed just like all of my other diets (that would be every diet you can think of). I have tried to explain about the fills but it is difficult to explain and of course they think I am making excuses about why I haven't lost any weight. I have to see three of these friends on Sat. as I have been putting them off for almost 2 months and I am embarrassed that I haven't lost any weight. Anyway, thank you for the encouraging post. My doctor does fills only once a month so my next fill is Aug 20th. I am hoping my fill nurse will be more aggressive. Thanks again for the encouragement.

Leslie, Thanks for your observations. That is exactly what I was wondering. There is a support group that meets once a month, but I haven't received any noifications yet. I get a lot of support just trolling around on this site. It is amazing how people have such similar experiences, worries and questions. This site has been a great support. Thanks again.

leslieann, I have been wanting to ask a question of someone who works for a surgeon who does this surgery. First of all I think it is so great that you and your husband are doing this together it will be great for all of the support you can give to each other. I was banded June 21st and had my first fill July 25th. I really havent lost any weight (2 lbs) but I am still very glad I did it. When you read the boards you find out so many great stories. My question is have you noticed a lot of success stories working with the surgeon. I am assuming the answer is yes and that is why you are committing to the band. Many people say they need 3 or 4 fills to finally start losing weight. I have asked the nurses and other people who work at the office but most are hesitant to say anything positive.

Hi Harvest, I had my first fill about 2 weeks ago and surgery about 4 weeks before that. I have only lost about 2 lbs. I didn't feel the affects of the first fill for a couple of days. I had 3.4 cc in a 10cc band. My doctor will only do fill once a month. It is hard to patient but you can to and it helps to know we are all in this together. I always love to hear from Northwest Nance as she had great insights and comments. Good luck