5 fills very little weight loss and frustrated!!!

[dragonfly34 0]

Hi everyone! I'm so frustrated! I have the realize band but not sure how many cc's it will hold cause my doctor doesn't tell his patients that. I have had 5 fills and I know that after my 4th fill I have 4 1/2 cc's only because the PA told me again my doctor doesn't like for you to know what you have in your band. My doctor did my last fill so I'm not sure if he brought me up to 5 cc's or 5 1/2 cc's or maybe even 6 cc's. But I hardly have any weight loss at all and some restriction. I eat healthly most all the time. I walk 2 miles everyday. Work out with my trainer 2 times sometimes 3 times a week. I go on Monday to my Dr.'s appt. and hope he will give me another fill. I don't know how much more I can take....I'm so frustrated. I know the band is a tool to help me and I'm doing what I think I should be doing and feel like I'm getting no where fast!! Has anyone else had this problem or anything similar? Would love to hear from you. Thanks for your time!!!

Edited September 28, 2009 by dragonfly34

[kjgraham68 0]

I had my surgery July of 2008. stopped going for my fills in February and gained some weight back. Started going back in August and still very little restriction. I am frustrated but I refuse to give up. I exercise more and can tell that I have lost inches. I should be close to my goal weight but nowhere close. I was suppose to go to the dr tomorrow but cancelled. I don't know if I need to go to another dr or what. Any advice.

[Lana24 10]

Hi everyone,

I can totally feel you guys on this one. I had sugery 05/21/08 and to date I have not lost very much weight. 26 pounds to be exact, the first year I was hurt and frustrated but I kept in mind that I was exercising and eating right so something at somepoint has to change. I have had about 10 fills my last being last month, I finally have a decent amount of restriction.

If not for the NSV I would have seriously dove into a cupcake and taken up residence, but since I didn't I can cleary see that my body has changed. My cloths fit better, I am a lot...I mean a lot more comfortable. I can exercise comfortably without feeling like I'm going to die.

Everything in my life is better since I had the band placed. But I still look at the numbers and wonder if I'm really failing.

[crystalglass_33 0]

I was banded Sept 2008 and have lost over 50 pounds. Unfortunately I cannot give my band credit for helping me lose this weight in a healthy manner. I have been sick for months and can hardly eat. I'm nauseas all the time and I have nothing in my band right now. Mostof the time I feel like I have the flu and cannot ride or drive in a car for more than 20 minutes without experiencing weird motion sickness that I have never had before. I have lost, yes, but honestly, I'd rather be losing slowly like you guys and some times I would just rather be big again.... at least I was healthy..... anybody else heard of this?

[NMSunshine 0]

I have had trouble with losing. I've been banded for 2 years and lost only 10pds the first year. The first part of 2nd year lost nothing. Then I decided that I was getting too many calories from wine. I drink 3 sometimes 4 glasses of wine almost every nite. I quit and lost 23 pounds over 6 months. Started back a few months ago and gained 3 pounds. Now I am going to quit for good. I think liquid calories are the weight killer. liquids like alcohol and pop just go down the band so easy.

Also try to remember when eating it's Protein first.

[NMSunshine 0]

I was banded Sept 2008 and have lost over 50 pounds. Unfortunately I cannot give my band credit for helping me lose this weight in a healthy manner. I have been sick for months and can hardly eat. I'm nauseas all the time and I have nothing in my band right now. Mostof the time I feel like I have the flu and cannot ride or drive in a car for more than 20 minutes without experiencing weird motion sickness that I have never had before. I have lost, yes, but honestly, I'd rather be losing slowly like you guys and some times I would just rather be big again.... at least I was healthy..... anybody else heard of this?

Perhaps you need to have your ears checked out. Ear stuff can cause weird problems.

But if you have a fever, then you probably have an infectiona nd need to get that taken care of immediately.

[crystalglass_33 0]

I haven't had a fever for years and I have had everything on my body checked mutiple times. I have had so many tests done and they all come back fine. I think it's the band. My body is rejecting it or something....

[talkalot1981 5]

I am sorry to say this and it might offend some people but if you have the band and have only lost 10-30 lbs in 1-2 years then it is your fault not the band. If you are eating right and exercising like you say then the weight should be coming off even with out the band. Of course I am not a band expert but some people assume that if you don't lose with the band it is automatically the bands fault. If you keep up on your fills, eat healthy, and get in moderate exercise then the weight should be coming off. If not, then it is your fault and not the band....

[dragonfly34 0]

I am sorry to say this and it might offend some people but if you have the band and have only lost 10-30 lbs in 1-2 years then it is your fault not the band. If you are eating right and exercising like you say then the weight should be coming off even with out the band. Of course I am not a band expert but some people assume that if you don't lose with the band it is automatically the bands fault. If you keep up on your fills, eat healthy, and get in moderate exercise then the weight should be coming off. If not, then it is your fault and not the band....

I wouldn't say it is all your own fault...I have discussed in length with my doctor and my trainer that everyone is different and the weight just doesn't fall off for everyone. Although I am really frustrated both my doctor and trainer think that my body isn't ready to let go of the fat that I have carried for years and years. And no matter how much I exercise, eat healthy if my body isn't ready to give it up...then there isn't much else I can do except stay with what I am doing and hope each fill will help me get closer to where I want/need to be...

Edited September 29, 2009 by dragonfly34

[NMSunshine 0]

If it is possible for you to afford it, going to a therapist and working on weight issues can be very important. I work with a therapist and have learned that because of PTSD and abusive relationships in the past, my weight (my fat) feels like a protective barrier. Without it I feel vulnerable and not as able to protect myself. Also because my stepfather was a pediphil, I am extremely uncomfortable with my sexuality. The fat makes me look not sexual and that is psychologically comforting.

I cannot help but feel that many of us sabatage ourselves because the fat gives us a feeling of safety and protection. Also we can protect ourselves with our weight but without it we are much less able to protect ourselves.

It's so very sad but, so many of us have a ton of really difficult issues to work through before we can let go of our protective fat.

[crystalglass_33 0]

Dragonfly, I also have to say that for me at least when I decided to start eating healthy and exercising before I got my band the weight did not start coming off until I was consistent for 6 or 7 months. If I stop I have to start all over again. And won't lose until it's been a long time of me doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I would be on a diet and exercise for a few months and then give up because nothing was happening. Then I stuck w/ it once for over a year and lost 70 pounds. Then I gained it all back again.... almost. 50 pounds of it anyway. I just now lost that 50 and I'm back to where I was a few years ago. This time I'm not giving up and I'm already under 200 for the first time since I was 12 or so. I've been sick the whole time and I can't eat but hey, sacrifices right... I'm thinking about getting my band removed in the next few months but I think my case is a little different. I think you need to hang in there, keep getting your fills, keep exercising and DON'T GIVE UP! Everyone is different and you will lose weight when your body thinks it's ready. It shoudln't be long though so just keep doing what you're doing. :smile:

[purple3797 5]

Wow ....These are the stories that make me really question if the band is the best thing. Sometimes I get pissed off at myself and think if I am willing to go through an operation why can't I just eat healthy and exercise on my own and lose the weight. I am so confused and mad at myself that I am even in this situation!

[nawlinzlady 1]

Wow ....These are the stories that make me really question if the band is the best thing. Sometimes I get pissed off at myself and think if I am willing to go through an operation why can't I just eat healthy and exercise on my own and lose the weight. I am so confused and mad at myself that I am even in this situation!

The band is a tool and will not lose the weight for you. YOU have to make the committment to a healthy lifestyle for the rest of your life, not just a diet. When I was trying to decide which WLS was right for me, my doctor explained it to me this way....the band is for those who historically do well with diets and have had success with them, but then gain it back when hunger kicks it. He told me if I did not have a history of success with dieting on my own then I should consider the sleeve or bypass. Bottom line, lapband is the least evasive procedure but it is also the one that relies most heavily on YOU to do the most of the work.