hopeful09

Hi! I was banded on Dec. 18th! I was so excited and expected a lot at the beginning. I lost some weight the first couple of weeks. But not as much as many others in my group at the doctor's office. Around my 4th week, I began to be able to eat as much as I wanted; and now, I can't even tell I've been banded. My weight gain since the band has kind of discouraged me. I get my first adjustment today and am hoping that the weight loss starts again. Did anyone else have a slow start?

Lisa, you and I are in the same boat. Talk about SLOW to NO weight loss. I am sure that I have something to do with the lack of weight loss, but I can still eat! I can tell I am restricted when it takes longer for my food to go down. When I am not restricted, I can eat the same way I always have. When I AM restricted, I have to eat MUCH slower, take smaller bites and chew a bunch of times. If not, I WILL FEEL the awful feeling of something being stuck! Most times, when I am full, I get the hickups. It's really wierd. But I stop after that. Lately, I've had this God awful sweet tooth. I could have like a burito for the entire day and the rest SUGAR: chocolate, Cookies, etc. I have to admit that I have satisfied my sweet tooth on occasion, but I'm not sure where it came from. Has anyone else had this problem?

I know how you felt. I had EXTREMELY HIGH expectations! Then, when I went to my first group meeting 3 weeks after surgery and others around me has lost 23, 24, 18 lbs. ,it just made me feel even worse. I was thinking....GEEZ! But everyone is different. After 6 weeks, I was scheduled for 3 fills, all two weeks apart. Then, I can begin scheduling myself. I think I am going to schedule them for every 3-4 weeks. There was a lady that had done a GREAT job of losing that said she kept a monthly appt. Maybe it will work for me too! What I am realizing is that you have to know your body, how and WHY and when you eat and what will help you. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE to eat. At the beginning for the first six weeks, it is truly a work of will power. That's hard for me. But when I am restricted, I tend to do better and make better food choices. Therefore, I don't want to ever leave myself open to be able to eat more than I should. I want to LIVE RESTRICTED! :biggrin: So, monthly fills it is!

I am sorry I am just now getting your message. A few days after my first fill, I was so HUNGRY! I couldn't even tell I had gotten the fill. I only lost a half pound after the 1st fill. :biggrin: However, since then I have gotten my second fill. The restriction has lasted a little longer than id did after the first fill. This makes me excited about the 3rd fill! I'm still hopeful!

I'm sorry I'm just now seeing this message. A few days after my first fill, I felt HUNGRY! I didn't feel very much restriction at all. But since then, I have had a second fill. The restriction has held out a little longer. I could actually tell the difference. I didn't lost much weight after the 1st fill..matter of fact not even a half pound! But I am still hopeful!

Ok, so I got my first fill. That helped for what...2 days! I am now hungry again! And unlike some of you, I don't have the will power to not eat when I am really hungry. I don't eat as much as I used to (all the time), but I am close to it. It's almost like I don't have this band in me! I am really hoping that things will begin to turn around after the 2nd or 3rd fill. I really want to be successful with this. I have been struggling with my weight since I was 8 yrs. old. I really want this to work!

Hi, I was banded on 12/18/2008. I haven't had as much success as you guys, but I KNOW that things are going to turn around for me. I have always been a little slow. HA! LOL I became discouraged at the beginning because during my first post-op (group) meeting, I was the only person there that had only lost 6 lbs. The person right above me was at 18 lbs. Talk about the worst feeling ever. If there is anyone else out there like me, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP! I've come to far to give up now. This is ONLY the beginning!

Thank you so much for your response. I had my first fill yesterday. I'd lost 2 more lbs since my 3 week visit. So, in 6 weeks, I managed 8 lbs. :thumbup: I am cool with that I guess. I know that I have a long journey ahead of me. I absolutely love this site! To be able to talk to people about what you are going through is wonderful. It's an online support system. I'm glad that things are working out for you! Thanks again.