Question:
Is it normal to hurt everytime I eat? Why is the weight loss so slow?

I had a lap band placed on Oct. 08,2008. To date I have only lost approx. 25 pounds. And gained back 2 pounds on my last visit in March,09. I hurt really bad when I don't chew my food well enough especially in my left side of my neck and chest it feels almost like a really bad charlie horse.Am I supposed to be losing weight this slowly? And is this normal to hurt like that? I only have 2.0 mls. in my band.    — R. mosley (posted on April 4, 2009)

April 4, 2009
Wt loss from surgery depends on a number of things. Larger BMI people will lose wt faster. Lapband patients will typically lose wt at a much slower rate. There is a lapband forum here too, and that might be the best place to get answers. RNY post ops have difficulty eating for the first few months too. At 6 months after surgery, I'd imagine your eating issues would be minimal. You can always check with your doctor. Post op protocols are pretty similar between RNY and lapband, but the "side effects" from lapband are more minimal compared to RNY. DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

April 4, 2009
I had Lap Band surgery 6-6-08 and I have lost very slowly. I have only lost 35 lbs but have lost the inches. When I don't chew my food fine enough, I either throw it up or it feels as if I got it stuck in my esophagus. I have added the gym for an hour and then water aerobics. I have been out of the loop for over a week now as my brother was in critical condition and on a Vent. He is better now so I will be going back to the gym. Hang in there it is slow but you will lose the weight. I have 9cc's in my band and could use another 1/4. Since it is only a 19cc band, I have to be really careful. Susan
   — susangielda06

April 4, 2009
I had lap-band surgery on 2/4/09. I don't think you should hurt when you eat. Maybe you are not chewing enough. The location of your pain is also odd. I have sometimes felt pain in the chest when I forget to chew. Once i had a really bad pain when I forgot the chew scrambled eggs. I feel like I am losing much too slow. So far I have lost 24 lbs. and I'm always losing and gaining 2-5lbs. I think you should speak to your doc about the pain. The slow weight lose is our choice for choosing the band. I hope to speed it up by exercising and using shakes as meal replacements. Good luck to you.
   — Cookie1257

April 5, 2009
It should not be painful when you eat, especially if you only have 2 cc's in your Band (unless you have a 5 cc Band). Sounds like you need to be sure to chew everything until it is the consistency of applesauce before swallowing it. I also use small plates, appetizer silverware, and cut up all of my food immediately when I sit down. Weight loss should be slow and steady with the Band, watch your carbs and exercise everyday and it will happen. Best of luck. Dawn Vickers
   — DawnVic