No loss, no restriction

[conner281 2]

I have not lost any weight in months, a total of 17 after surgery. I feel no restriction and it's as if the band is not there. I've had at least 6 fills since August. This is just another fail, I guess. So frustrated with myself. Now I have a foreign object in my body for no reason... Battling pneumonia at the moment which I'm now reading could be a complication from lap band. Tried to stay positive for a long time but not feeling it anymore. Has anyone else experienced absolutely no restriction no matter how many fills you get?

[2muchfun 8,927]

The band won't cause pneumonia.

What does your daily diet look like? What foods are you eating?

[conner281 2]

No two days look the same... Except for the coffee. I usually eat almonds and string cheese or yogurt for Breakfast. For lunch a salad on work days. dinner is a problem because I'm eating whatever I can find while I cook for everyone else. I could be doing better but I've never had a problem with what I'm eating (not a junk food or fast food person), just the quantity- which is why I went for the band. Even though I know it's not the point, I was hoping it would take some of the decision making power away from me by physically limiting my intake.

[2muchfun 8,927]

The band doesn't physically limit intake. If you can sit down and eat Protein first and then veggies, it's designed to dim your hunger but it won't stop you from eating too much.

The sleeve and bypass force you to eat less. The band is more a voluntary means of losing weight. Unfortunately, many doctors sell the band as a tool that limits how much you can eat. It won't for most.

Your band may be tight enough as it is but you won't know unless you eat planned meals as most banders have been instructed to eat. It appears as though you're on a diet and you don't have to treat this as a diet.

"dinner is a problem because I'm eating whatever I can find while I cook for everyone else"

This aint gonna work!! I highly recommend you have a visit with a bariatric nutritionist. Your doctor probably has one on staff or available.

Here are 4 videos that may help you. Your vision of how this all is supposed to work isn't how most of us know to work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa3Lwt6ElIs&list=UL Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4jYJipQ7vc part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbdhf44ZweI&feature=relmfu Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF3TCKUn3YI Part 4

Sorry for the tough love but I/we just want you to succeed.

Edited March 16, 2014 by 2muchfun

[jennybean 175]

My stats are very similar to yours. Keep getting fills! I have had 5 and currently have 3.1 cc's in my band. I am going for my 6th tomorrow. Keep it up and hopefully the magic will happen once we get into that green zone!

Also you have to eat mostly Protein at every meal. Measure your food, not much more then 1 cup consisting of quality Protein (chicken, fish) a small amount of veggies and, if you have to, a small amount of carbs.

Also, I have never been a "bad" eater either, just a little too much really, so I thought this would be great for me too. I have to admit that I am getting discouraged as well, but hoping I am one of those slow starters.

Edited March 16, 2014 by jennybean

[BandedBrunette481 310]

I haven't had my first fill yet and haven't felt any serious restriction from my band since surgery a month ago. I find what helps the most is just sticking to my eating plan. I measure/weigh out my food for each meal and even if I still feel hungry after, I just stop. And then I go do something else to take my mind off of it. In two hours if I'm still hungry, I'll eat a small snack like a low fat string cheese. Usually though, I'll find that I'm not hungry anymore. While you're trying to get to the green zone, this is just something you have to do. It's hard to beat the head hunger, I know, but it will be worth it in the end!

Have you talked to your surgeon about your lack of restriction? Perhaps he/she will give you a bigger fill the next time you go in if you explain what is going on.

And what are you doing for exercise? If you up your exercise routine a little bit, you might also see more of a loss on the scale.

Best of luck to you

[HealthyNewMe 1,935]

I was banded in August and have just now hit the Green.... Once you're there, you'll know why it's called THE SWEET SPOT. As you've read over and over again, everyone hits that spot with a different number of fills and different amounts of Fluid in their bands. I look at my band as a gift... I will not lie to you......, I've felt like I was "dieting" over the first four months! But, that gave me time to get used to: eating slower, taking smaller bites, learning the hard way about "being stuck," "sliming," and "productive burping." I also used that time and the few months before my surgery to reintroduce my body to this foreign concept called EXERCISING. Just hang in there... That SWEET SPOT will come and you will be amazed at how little food you'll need to feel satiated!!!!

[Pepper28 82]

I was banded August 1, 2013......after 10fills and 13 months I'd finally lost my first 12lbs. So for an entire year I thought Id made a big mistake chosing lap band. But like a light switch and being filled to 8.2 in my 10cc band the weight began melting off.

Only advice I have is to keep going for fills. Dont give up so easily. The band does work.