Post-surgery with minimal weight loss

[kreich 0]

I started my pre-op liquid fast on June 4th. Lost 13 lbs. by surgery time, June 25th. However, in the 5-6 weeks post surgery, I have only lost another 5 lbs. I was surprised how MUCH liguid volume I could take post-surgery. Was still JUST as hungry as pre-surgery. Started eating puree 1.5 weeks out, and then solids only 1 week more. I can eat ANYTHING now. Just like the girl, "I don't understand my lapband" I feel the same way. I have to constantly think about food, and how much I should not eat, when I had assumed the banding would do that for me.

I have not had a fill yet at all- am scheduled for this coming Monday. Will that make the difference? I had read in the forums that some say it takes 3 fills before you stop feeling hungry often?

I am ready for this lion to become the cat just like the TV commercial. At what point does that happen?

(and btw- I am exercising on a regular basis- Water areboics 30 min per day at least 4-5x per week)

[lisah25 3]

I have not had a fill yet at all- am scheduled for this coming Monday. Will that make the difference? I had read in the forums that some say it takes 3 fills before you stop feeling hungry often?

I am ready for this lion to become the cat just like the TV commercial. At what point does that happen?

(and btw- I am exercising on a regular basis- Water areboics 30 min per day at least 4-5x per week)

Yes, a fill is what really "turns the band on". Until you have a proper fill level, and yep it may take more then one or two, it's not really doing it's job. Some people are lucky and have restriction from the start, most of us don't/didn't.

I was told over and over by my clinic that the first 6 weeks were not about losing weight. They were about healing and setting myself up for sucess later. That helped me get through it.

[kreich 0]

Good to know, Thanks! Also, I am seeing that several have the fills done much sooner than my surgeon will allow me. Like you mentioned, he wants the band a full 2 months to "embed" to the stomach before starting with fills.

One consistent thing, although results all vary, for the ones that have had it done longer than 6 months or so ago, they are all ultimatly losing.

[HSH 0]

Hi there,

Just wantrd to let you know that you are not alone. I got banded lat friday. I am on pureed food and am not feeling full at all. I have lost 11.5lbs, however, I have been trying really hard not to overeat. I really do hope that this is not a permenant thing. I would not be able to live with myself if I went through all this hassle and fail to loose weght. It is to the point where I am starting to regret having this done :-(

[cdowlen 0]

Boy, are we on the same wave length! However, I found out today when I made my appointment for 4 weeks post band that my doctor also just wants patients to heal for the first few weeks. I was banded on July 23, and was getting a little anxious. My brother and his son were both banded a year ago (different doctor) and the weight started coming off quickly but now has slowed. I had begun to think that it was another one of those "guys just lose faster than gals" things. But I feel too good now, even with a minimal (8 pound) loss, and since I found out that there is basically no restriction for me yet, I can hardly wait for my first fill. All of my other systems are ready and set for launch!

I think we really to have to be patient at first, get well, and then use the lap band as the tool it is. As for pain--well, I have survived 7 orthopedic surgeries in the past 10 years. Because of my weight my joints were shot. Believe me, the pain from the lap band is minimal to a total knee replacement, and THEY want you to get up and stand on that lovely implant on the first day too.

Just take it easy and get well!:clap2:

[2bthinagn 3]

Hi there,

Just wantrd to let you know that you are not alone. I got banded lat friday. I am on pureed food and am not feeling full at all. I have lost 11.5lbs, however, I have been trying really hard not to overeat. I really do hope that this is not a permenant thing. I would not be able to live with myself if I went through all this hassle and fail to loose weght. It is to the point where I am starting to regret having this done :-(

As I was standing there deciding which pain med to take.....I thought I did this willingly? My chest is killing me, so is my upper back. I am starved. The dietician from the hospital today called, said my Protein and Fluid consumption is great. I get CREAM Soups Sunday. I cant wait! I am so glad I came in and read these posts. I was getting depressed. whoa is me. I keep thinking of the people that say they do go on to eat normal stuff....just less. Why did I let myself get sooo fat that I needed this?

[HSH 0]

Hi there,

I hope that things get better! I feel the same way, how did I get so big? It scares me that I can eat! I don't want to be able to! It is depressing!

[yummieT 0]

hi everyone i am 12 days post-op and my weight flectuates. i only lost 6 pounds if that much. i get discouraged sometimes reading how others lost somuch so soon and ask myself, why couldn1t it be me. i also find myself to be hungry but if you drink thicker items, such as v-8 or smoothies you`ll be full. with my luck it will be a year until it comes off.

236-238 current

150 goal

[casinolady 0]

Do you think you moved to fast on your diet? I was on liquids for 2-3 weeks then mushies by my 4th week i started stage #4 I had my surgery on 6/28/07 I lost 19 lbs in 3 weeks and now I'm 6 weeks out and haven't lost a pound, in fact I gained 2 lbs, a had my first fill of 2cc's didn't help 1 week later recieved 3.5 cc's total hopefully I'll feel full

[SD Chick 0]

I was on 2 week Optifast for pre-op and then on full liquid when I left the hospital - after my 2 week check - I got to the mushy stage which is where I am now for 4 weeks and then hopefully have a fill.

[HSH 0]

I was on 2 week Optifast for pre-op and then on full liquid when I left the hospital - after my 2 week check - I got to the mushy stage which is where I am now for 4 weeks and then hopefully have a fill.

Do you feel full?

[kacee 3]

Folks...have PATIENCE. The first month to 6 weeks is "band hell" and you're gonna be going "What the hell have I done?" I was knawing my leg of by the end of the month. Your first fill may not do a THING. Mine didn't....and neither did a lot of other people's, so don't hang your hat on that definitively. I just got my third fill and am just now feeling like things are getting under control. It WILL improve. And of course, some of you will get your restriction with your first or second fills and be fine. It is totally a trial and error thing. Everyone is completely different. And it is true. The first 6 weeks is for HEALING, not losing. You have the rest of your life to lose....you didn't pack it all on in a month and it sure isn't going to fall off that way. You will hit plateaus (I've been thru two so far....but they always break eventually...and mine have been fairly "short" - 10 days or so) and they will come and go. This is a process.....

And another thing........when you start eating LOG YOUR food INTAKE. It makes a HUGE difference. If you have a computer...subscribe to Sparkpeople or FitDay or something like that and get yourself set up to go on it every day. If you are computer illiterate, get a journal. This has made a HUGE difference for me. I do two things. I weight EVERY DAY (with a scale that has 10ths of a pound....I watch those tenths) and I log everything I eat and I can track and see where I am doing good, and where I am screwing up!!!!

[HSH 0]

Thank you so much for your input. It is really nice to hear from someone who has had the same issue but is further along. It is good to know that things do get better :-)

[PigsRFlying 0]

Kreich--I am very similar in a few ways:

A)I lost 13 pounds before surgery

B)I had surgery 5 days ago and maybe ,maybe, have lost 2 pounds!

C)Frustration kicked in today.

D)I've seen on here so many others that lost 13 pounds in 13 days, 19.5 in two weeks, etc. it makes me think what did I do wrong?

[OregonHolly 0]

I think with RNY people lose really fast because of the malnutrition that's build into the procedure. But with lap-band it really isn't possible to lose a pound a day of real "fat" - only Water weight, right? Our bodies need time to use up all that extra fat for "energy" needs. Just think of a pound of butter or hamburger- every pound lost is that much off your butt or waist or thighs.