Discouraged

I have lost no weight, in fact I'm gaining weight instead.  I have 4ccs in my band and I go back Jan 20th to have it adjusted.  I some restriction, I can't eat ham and some bread thats not toasted I have a hard time getting it down.  I'm afraid that my band has slipped or my pouch is stretched out.  Has anyone felt like this and if so what did you do?

I know there is something called a 5 day pouch test that you can do at home.

Also, you could call your doctor and ask for a barium swollow test to see how much restriction you have and to see if the band is working properly.

Good luck!

You didn't mention when you had your band surgery.  If you are newly banded, you will not really start losing much weight until you reach a decent amount of restriction.  In the early days, especially before your first fill, and for most before the 2nd or 3rd (maybe even more for some) you will need to pay close attention to the types of foods you eat and the amounts.

If you are further along your journey, it may be that you are just ready for another fill.  Perhaps you could call your doctor and see if they have an earlier appointment available?

In the meantime, just keep following your surgeon and your nutritionist's meal plans and don't lose hope.

Vicky

I had my surgery on Nov 18 2008,  I lost 12 lbs in the first 7 days but from there on I still have continued to take in the same amount of food as before.  Several people I have talked with say that the realize band takes more saline than the lap band and that may be why some lapbanders lose weight faster than the people with realize band.  I drink as much fluid as I can before I go eat, but that doesnt seem to help. I have some restriction, ham for one I can not eat at all it gets hung up then I see it again.   I dont want to be so restricted that I can not eat at all.  I think I wanted to lose all my weight at first and its going to be a longer journey than I was anticipating on. 

I had my realize band procedure on Nov. 29th.  Have you had any fills yet?  I had my third fill last week and this is the first real restriction I have felt.  make sure the ham is really cut up in small pieces and chew it a bunch!

I was having trouble with PB (productive burps) the last couple of days, so I am doing mostly all liquids today. I will add pureed again tomorrow and then go back to real solids on Saturday.  I love finally having restriciton, but if I can't keep solid food down I will have to go back to the surgeon next week to take some of the fill out. 

So far, I have lost 27 pounds since the procedure.

Jeane

I totally am going through what you are! I was banded 11/14/08 and have had 2 fills since. The first month I lost in the first week, but then the weight just didnt move. I have my first fill on 12/16/08 (4cc) that lasted a week then i was hungry again. I lost 3lbs in 2 weeks. Then finally got a 2nd fill on 1/6/09 (2cc more) and its been one week and im not sure if ive lost any weight, but definately the restriction is better.

They say 1-2lbs a week, and I was down 16lbs total in 6 weeks. I was hoping for more but they said be patient that im on track! I was hoping to see a lot of difference by now but havent. I am like you, eager to see the lbs just drop off.

 

I have 4ccs as well, and I have been gaining a little bit of weight. it was my first adjustment (dec 18th) and then I went on vacation for christmas and stuff. I know for me I need a lot more restriction before this band will be doing me much good. it sounds like you aren't that restricted either- you should only be able to eat 4 oz when its optimally filled- I have a larger band so it will take more saline to reach good restriction. How much can you eat at a time

I have gained weight also, but it started after I had started working out. I was told that it was muscle gain and that I would start losing again.  I have some restriction but I still can eat if I let myself.   I am waiting to get an appt for my 2nd fill around the 21st of this month.. 

Have a great afternoon

Johanna

I have had my third fill and my band was put in on 11/12/08.  I am up to 7.3 cc.  I had the same kind of restriction you are talking about before my last fill....but portion control was still hard-sounds like you could use another fill.  Ham and bread are hard regardless of restriction level because they are dry and doughy.  Not tolerating them and "having optimal restriction" can be 2 completely different things.

  I can still eat bread. I had 3 fills which took me up to 5 cc. I had to have the last 1 cc taken out. It was awful VERY painful burning. I go back this Tuesday and maybe they will try to fill me a 1/2 cc this time.
  I notice toasted bread is easier to swallow. I still eat bread but it is whole grain healthy breads and never the junk stuff.