I desperately need your story if your band didn't work at first.

[khunt719 2]

After I got the band, I took advantage of it. I ate what I wanted, when I wanted, and how much I wanted. And I was like why isn't this working for me? I did this for 6 months and only got serious about the band in the past 3 months. I have lost 15 lbs since then but I have tried so hard and think I should have lost faster than this. I go for another fill Tuesday and should be at 9cc's in a 10cc band so hopefully I will fill restriction right away. It seemed like every month I would go for a fill and I wouldn't fill any restriction so who knows if I stretched my pouch to where it won't go back to the size it was when I got the surgery or if I slipped and there is more stomach above the stoma than what should be there but it took me forever to find out this band really does work. Before surgery I couldn't imagine eating just 3 small meals a day and not be hungry in between. Good luck.

[BetsyB 9]

Sweetheart, almost nobody's band "works" at first. Until appropriate restriction is achieved, any loss that occurs is the result of dieting and willpower.

I'm just at 5 months out--have pretty good (but not quite ideal) restriction, and have lost 56 pounds. Until the last 8 weeks or so, each and every one of those pounds was due to eating less and exercising more--even when I was starving.

I think it's grossly unfair that many doctors do not prepare their patients for this reality. So many of us are wheeled into the OR thinking that once we have the band, the battle will be over.

In fact, it's just beginning. The first half of the battle is getting restriction. Is your doctor willing to be a bit more aggressive? Larger or more frequent fills?

The second half of the battle is eating EXACTLY as though you have restriction, even when you don't.

What are you eating? What does your exercise look like?

[Mangofish 1]

Lots of people including myself thought the pounds would melt away without exercise and effort. I am now maybe losing 4 pounds a month after 5 fills - am scheduled for another fill in 2 weeks. But it looks like you're making progress so that is awesome!