Yes my Texas friend. (I'm from Texas too) A friend and I both had lapband done three and a half years ago, and we know exactly what you are talking about. We went through the same thing. The weight loss is slow, but in time it WILL happen! I was 254 lbs and I now weigh 139 lbs. Yes, you will need a few fills in that first year. I suggest you get it done under fluoro each time so that you will have an adequate fill that isn't too loose or too tight. Another thing I had to learn was that I had to GIVE UP all carbonated drinks. Yeah, give up your Diet Dr. Peppers or Diet Cokes. Once I finally did, it definitely helped with the result. Keep exercise to about 3 times a week. Quit killing yourself. Remember to drink fluids BEFORE eating, and never during or right after eating. Drinking fluids during or right after eating either makes you just throw up or pushes the food on down. I like to think of the stomach and band like an hourglass. Drink first and let the fluid go right on down. When you eat, you want the food to stay in the upper pouch and slowly go down like through an hourglass. If you drink again too soon, you just pushed the food right on down and emptied the pouch too soon. Give it a couple of hours before you drink again. Do this over and over=drink and then eat a little. You will not be able to eat a full meal, take mini meals throughout the day. Actually about 5 a day. Also, if you drink carbonation, you expanded the top pouch with all those bubbles which will just make you hungry and be able to eat more. Therefore, you are just defeating the whole purpose. There are many foods that I have given up, but it is worth it. Sometimes I just have a taste.
Please be patient with yourself. Remember a 10 lb weight loss a month is normal. I think it's time you go in for a fill though. Take care of yourself, eat the right foods, exercise within reason, and love yourself.
Hope this helps...
Stacy
