8 months post op...no weight loss

saramacd · December 29, 2008

Hi All,

I keep reading about everyone's successes but I have not had one since I was banded in April '08. I lost 25-30 lbs before my surgery and lost about 5 the weeks after but have not lost any more than that. I have a 10 cc band and I have had 4 fills. My last fill being in August and they filled me all the way to 10 cc. It worked for about 3 weeks where I felt good restriction and I was eating well and excercising...still only losing about 5 lbs. After that 3 weeks I have been able to eat anything...pasta, bread, rice, sushi with no reprecussions. Once I recieved my last fill in August I decided not to go back to my doctor because the nurse would basically yell at me for not losing weight and when I told her that I can eat bread and pastas she responded with "but why are you?" I told her I just paid $10K not too. I don't have insurance right now but am hoping to in the next couple of months and go to another doctor. Has anyone had this problem? Could my band be too big? Could the band have a leak? I don't think my pouch has expanded because I feel everything I eat go straight through...I am extremely discouraged and want to give up so bad because of the lack of interest and chastising by my doctor and now wish I just would have bought a car with that money. Any thoughts would be most appreciative.

molinomama · December 30, 2008

Do you have any co-morbid conditions which make weightloss harder such as Diabetes or PCOS?

HD Gloria · December 30, 2008

Hi All,
I keep reading about everyone's successes but I have not had one since I was banded in April '08. I lost 25-30 lbs before my surgery and lost about 5 the weeks after but have not lost any more than that. I have a 10 cc band and I have had 4 fills. My last fill being in August and they filled me all the way to 10 cc. It worked for about 3 weeks where I felt good restriction and I was eating well and excercising...still only losing about 5 lbs. After that 3 weeks I have been able to eat anything...pasta, bread, rice, sushi with no reprecussions. Once I recieved my last fill in August I decided not to go back to my doctor because the nurse would basically yell at me for not losing weight and when I told her that I can eat bread and pastas she responded with "but why are you?" I told her I just paid $10K not too. I don't have insurance right now but am hoping to in the next couple of months and go to another doctor. Has anyone had this problem? Could my band be too big? Could the band have a leak? I don't think my pouch has expanded because I feel everything I eat go straight through...I am extremely discouraged and want to give up so bad because of the lack of interest and chastising by my doctor and now wish I just would have bought a car with that money. Any thoughts would be most appreciative.

Hi - I had my band put in in April also. I've lost about 15 lbs. total - that includes liquid, prep, etc. Turns out they think the band has a technical problem, maybe a kind near the band. I had a procedure with a local in the doctor's office - I'm awake and he cuts my chest open. Don't think I'll do that again. So that was in November now I'm expecting to have a second surgery in January and either have the band replaced or fixed - depending on what he finds.

I agree - I paid $15,000 for some help with this - so far none.

Hope your problem isn't the same as mine. I'm not looking forward to another surgery.

Good luck.

farmmomto2 · December 30, 2008

I have to agree with the general feeling, go to your doc and talk honestly about how you are feeling, how hard things have been going and how frustrated you are feeling. The staff should be there to help you not make this journey harder.:frown:

jaylow · January 2, 2009

I have the exact same situation. Lost 27lbs at pre op diet and only 32 in total. I'm trying to tell myself that is 32 lbs I probably would not have lost. I also sprained my ankle so I have not been exercising for 6 weeks. It is still better than the gaining 10 lbs I've been doing every year. Think of it that way

littlefroggy · January 3, 2009

You need to go back to your doctor and have them look into what the problem might be. I am guessing there is a medical reason why it's not working...but

the band is a TOOL and you need to work it like a tool. I hate to say it and be preachy, but don't eat the bread, Pasta and junky foods. Stick to the 1/2 cup portion size even if you CAN eat more. Or go back on liquids for two weeks to shrink the pouch. Don't drink and eat at the same time. You can't just go back to old habits and make the band work. The band won't work alone. You MUST follow the diet and exercise plan. I found that when I strayed I lost a lot less.. When I was back on track, I've done great. I was eating potato chips and Pasta for awhile and went on what I called a plateau, but really I wasn't losing b/c I was eating JUNK!!

also, if you haven't GAINED, consider that a success. I know I was continually gaining before surgery, so if you've managed to keep off that weight you are doing great and the band is doing something for you!