Samantha C 0 Posted June 18, 2016 I'm 28 days out, and feeling like a big failure and started thinking whether the lap band was complete waste of money. I have had two fills so far, so I'm at 5,5cc in a 10 band. I have only lost 2 kg in nearly 1 month. I don't know how the band restriction is meant to be felt on your body, and maybe I'm over eating without realising. I haven't been sick at all, and only vomited few times. After reading all the forums and hearing about people losing 10 pounds on their liquid diet alone, I become worried about this band not working for me. I know it works differently for everyone, but I'd like to know how You feel the actual restriction on Your body ? Is it lack of hunger ? Or is it a feeling of being full quickly ? Or You just feel food getting stuck ? Because the only difference from before surgery is that I have food getting stuck if I eat too fast or too dry foods. Then I wait a little , and start eating again, in large amounts. So basically, I can eat like before, just slower. But I can still consume same amount of food without feeling sick or vomiting. Is this normal ? I'm desperate to hear from fellow bandsters. And yes, I I'm fully aware we are all different and I have to be patient etc, but I'd just like to know how other people are feeling the effect of the band. Thank you Sent from my iPhone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B-52 7,113 Posted June 18, 2016 My first fill was 4 weeks after surgery, 4cc's...the 4 weeks prior to that I lost weight mainly due to the post-op diet of liquids, mushies, etc.......2nd fill was 4 weeks after the first, 2cc's...in between the first and 2nd fil I started to GAIN WEIGHT.... Talk about being frustrated, jumped through all those hoops with all that anxiety for NOTHING...I brought this up to some people at the surgeon's office and was lectured about counting calories, measuring portions, keeping journals, etc etc.... WHAT ??????? I didn't need surgery to do all that....That is exactly what I was doing, and failing at, all those years with traditional diets! I will say after that 2nd fil, I at least quit gaining...really didn't lose either though. Came back 4 weeks later, 12 weeks since surgery, for my 3rd fil...only 1 cc....and WHAM!!! Talk about restriction. I had to call my Dr. and state I felt I was too tight...he told me to hang in there, and remember all the "Rules" about eating with the band...now is the time I needed to put them into practice... Sure enough, it took some adjusting on my part to cope with the band. Learned to apply new ways of eating, smaller bites, chew thoroughly, no drinking while eating, and so forth. Was forced to give up certain food types altogether... After 3 fils, and slowly learning to live with the band, things began to get easier and easier...the only hard part was ME...I had to change after a lifetime of doing things all wrong...but eventually I was sailing along in the Green zone enjoying life more than ever. The more I learned, the easier it got....the weight started to come off consistently by the week. That was almost 6 years ago...things still cannot be any better. Lost ALL my excess body fat, regained my health, and changed my life forever. It's got to be so day to day I don't even think about it that much anymore...just go about my business living this new lifestyle I have learned, all because of the band.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeedaBreak4Me 1,755 Posted June 18, 2016 Take it easy... you are still very early out... it will happen.... i didn't lose most of my weight on the band till around the 3 month mark.... and i got to goal by 6 months. If you can eat large portions, you may need another fill... try not to get large fills... smaller ones are better, sometimes thats all it takes. In the green zone i was able to have a cup of food and be comfortably satisfied, no choking or heaviness on the chest (unless it was dry meat) Relax... take it easy... stress will only stress your body which will not help with weightloss Just eat well... follow your instructions and stay ontop of your fills and try and stay in the green zone.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BL.banded.3 4 Posted June 21, 2016 My first fill was 4 weeks after surgery, 4cc's...the 4 weeks prior to that I lost weight mainly due to the post-op diet of liquids, mushies, etc.......2nd fill was 4 weeks after the first, 2cc's...in between the first and 2nd fil I started to GAIN WEIGHT.... Talk about being frustrated, jumped through all those hoops with all that anxiety for NOTHING...I brought this up to some people at the surgeon's office and was lectured about counting calories, measuring portions, keeping journals, etc etc.... WHAT ??????? I didn't need surgery to do all that....That is exactly what I was doing, and failing at, all those years with traditional diets! I will say after that 2nd fil, I at least quit gaining...really didn't lose either though. Came back 4 weeks later, 12 weeks since surgery, for my 3rd fil...only 1 cc....and WHAM!!! Talk about restriction. I had to call my Dr. and state I felt I was too tight...he told me to hang in there, and remember all the "Rules" about eating with the band...now is the time I needed to put them into practice... Sure enough, it took some adjusting on my part to cope with the band. Learned to apply new ways of eating, smaller bites, chew thoroughly, no drinking while eating, and so forth. Was forced to give up certain food types altogether... After 3 fils, and slowly learning to live with the band, things began to get easier and easier...the only hard part was ME...I had to change after a lifetime of doing things all wrong...but eventually I was sailing along in the Green zone enjoying life more than ever. The more I learned, the easier it got....the weight started to come off consistently by the week. That was almost 6 years ago...things still cannot be any better. Lost ALL my excess body fat, regained my health, and changed my life forever. It's got to be so day to day I don't even think about it that much anymore...just go about my business living this new lifestyle I have learned, all because of the band.... I'm 11 weeks out from surgery & I've been having such a hard time staying positive due to slow weight loss. I've lost around 15 lbs & I've had 1 fill. I don't know cc's. Long story short, reading your post calmed me down & I realized I'm not quite in the green zone but I will get there. I just need to be patient! Sent from my ASUS MeMO Pad 7 using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samantha C 0 Posted June 24, 2016 All your replies are very helpful and much appreciated ! Thank you so much Sent from my iPhone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jules50 2 Posted June 29, 2016 Thank you so much for answer the question as i am 3 monthes out and have 5cc in my ban with 3 fills and have only lost 10 lbs very discouraged until i ready the post from above. I go in for another fill on July 1st. I took my scales out of the house because they were making more depressed. Trying very hard to stick with the program. The only thing i feel is a tightness in my esophagus does any other banded person feel this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samantha C 0 Posted June 30, 2016 I'll appreciate if any successful bandster could answer this specifically. What does restriction feel like , and how do you know when you are in the green zone ? 1) is it feeling of fullness after a cup of food ? 2) tightness around esophagus? 3) is it the feeling of being "stuck"? I've had couple fills now. I can eat a lot, but slowly, and then food will get stuck , and after 5 mins it clears and I start eating again. I know some users already wrote useful replies here, but I'd really like to hear from more of You, about The band feels. I'm now 6 weeks out and have lost ZERO. Thank you so much. Sent from my iPhone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jules50 2 Posted June 30, 2016 I am 3 months out I have lost 10 lbs sence surgery Sent from my ALCATEL A564C using BariatricPal mobile app I am feeling like my esphogus is being sqeezed but that is from stress Sent from my ALCATEL A564C using BariatricPal mobile app Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jules50 2 Posted June 30, 2016 Not much restrictions. I have a 10cc band 5 cc in it had 3 fills. Next fill on July 1.should have restrictions. My dr told me I am were I should be only to loose 1/2 _2 lbs er week. I have been loosing 2 lbs per week. Sent from my ALCATEL A564C using BariatricPal mobile app Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jules50 2 Posted June 30, 2016 Opps I ment 2 per month Sent from my ALCATEL A564C using BariatricPal mobile app Share this post Link to post Share on other sites