Question:
i am 3 weeks post-op lap band i have lost 6lbs and gained 3 and i am scared it isn't

working for me in the begining i was only taking in about 500-800 calories a day and wasnt losing anything. then i increased my calories to 1000-1200 a day and still im not losing anything and this is with excercise. i made an appointment to get a fill but i'm not sure thats the right thing to do because it will make me take even fewer calories which will continue to slow my metabolism. someone please tell me that this has happened to you and it turned out okay because i am freaking out!    — KENT (posted on February 8, 2006)

February 7, 2006
Its a hard call. the 500-800 you most likely were in starvation mode; and thus not loosing; now at 1200 you should, but there are people that don't. How was your history before? The lapband does NOTHING to your insides on how you loose weight. It only restricts food. It sounds like your not having any trouble with watching your food intake (restrictions) so if you had trouble loosing weight BEFORE the lapband having the lapband will not change your body on how it looses by having it.
   — star .

February 7, 2006
Amber, getting a fill is *absolutely* the right thing to do. Contrary to popular belief, it takes a long time and near malnutrition to get into "starvation mode" and I doubt that you are there. Your situation is very, very common among pre-fill Band patients (it happened to me, for example), because the Band is designed to work properly only with the correct fill level. Contact your dietician if you have one, talk your current diet over with him/her, and keep that fill appointment! :)
   — Jeanie

February 7, 2006
Oh, and one more thing. You are three weeks out. The first six weeks or so post-Band are about healing. As any Band patient who is done with that period will tell you, any weight you lose before your first fill is BONUS. :) So don't freak. You're normal.
   — Jeanie

February 8, 2006
Amber, First let me say you are only 3 weeks out. Stay Calm. It really is too early to get a fill. You are still in healing mode. Have you been eating or are you doing liquids/mushies? I have had my band now 14 months and have lost 97 lbs, my husband is band over bypass since 1999 bypass and band over bypass sice 7/05 and has lost 70 lbs. Most of our new found friends have bands and we all have gone through were you are at some point. Follow your eating routine, you are probably in starvation mode and need to kick your body into gear. Drink, Drink, Drink. I know easier said than done. Again, been there. I was once right were you are and trust me, it works. Remember this is YOUR tool. You can do it. Get some supprt group info, find other bandsters in your area. Get some nutrition info, if your Doc didn't provide. Feel Free to email me anytime. Sometimes, all we need is a little encouragement and a shoulder. Terri ([email protected])
   — Terri DesVignes-Henderson

February 9, 2006
I noticed depending on the time of the month you will gain. But on the good side when your monthly time is over you will lose a lot to. I loose 8-10 lbs after my monthly.
   — bntfive