I had a gastric band fitted in January
I initially lost about 2 stone due to the pre op diet. And the liquids afterwards but basically I haven't lost any weight since then - I've had 3 in fills and I am finding that I'm not so hungry now but I don't have a problem eating most things - I avoid bread and have to really chew meat but everything else is fine.
How are others doing on similar time frames ?
I thought I would have lost a lot of weight by now !
Hi Rosie,
I had my band fitted on 31st Jan. Like you I lost about 2st on pre op and post op recovery, I've lost a further stone but really just through willpower. 3 fills so far and can still eat bread!!! But I agree, I'm not as hungry now. On good days I'm eating 1400 call or less. On a bad day I can eat nearly 2000. But that's not so bad when it's only once a week I suppose, and hopefully not enough to affect weight too much.
4th fill on Monday and I'm hoping that I will them struggle with bread!!!!
Hope this puts you at ease
Thank you for replying -
Is it just me or did you think it would be a faster process ? I'm wondering if this will actually work for me at the moment & have been feeling really down about it -
It is reassuring to know I'm not alone but why don't they warn us that it takes so long for it to really help ??
You girls are doing well. I only lost a stone preop and nothing since first band fill. Had my band fitted 22jan.
Had first fill which was useless. Then second fill she put in 2ml and restriction was fabulous for all of 4 days lol.
Went for 3rd fill last week to find my port flipped and band may be empty.
Your right, noone told me how long this may take. I thought it would work from first fill.
I got to see my consultant last night and he said some are lucky with only 3ml and ithers need the band full to the brim at 10ml.
I think it will work, its just all this waiting for a month for fills that takes the time.
Hi Rosie I read a really interesting thread on another forum last night
http://gastricsurgeryfriends.com/forums/topic171414.html
They also have some post op food suggestions on there. I am pre op so by no means an expert but trying to get as much info as possible in mind ahead before the big day.
Good luck
I think looking back I did read that it takes a while to get to the 'green zone' but it was never specifically pointed out to me.
I need this for maintenance as well - I've lost weight so many times before but can never keep it off.
Margaret, sorry to hear about your port flipping - that is something I worry about!!!! I think it's a relatively simple op to fix with just a local? Is that right??xxx
Yeah same. Lost 7 stone on cambridge diet 5 years ago. But here i am put 3 stone back on. Im not putting weight on even tho imnit losing. So every cloud and that.
Unfortunatly if the port flips it can twist and pull the tubes to the band. Ive got xray this week so hoping its just a flipped port.
Got my fingers crossed for you - let us know how you get on.
P.s. I've never tried the Cambridge diet....probably the only one I haven't! !!
I even put on weight at slimming world the first week 7lb 😁
So cambridge was drastic. Its savage, dont try it lol.
Once you get that green spot your band will work. I know a few friends who are doing great.
I lost about 3 stone every year for about 4 years - always put it back on and more x so far with the band ive lost 3 and a half stone since November when banded. Ive cut out bread and pasta still have the odd chip and definitely have to chew for england now on meat - even crackers can sometimes become painful eating if i havent eaten in smaller mouthfuls and waited inbetween bites. That rule of the 20p size mouthful 20 chews and wait 20 seconds between each swallow before you bite again - and max 20 mins to eat a meal definitely works. I used to gobble my food as if it was going out of fashion - always first to finish a meal etc but now i just take my time and it definitely helps. Ive 6.3 in my 10 mil band and think i am now happy with that amount - think if i have any more things would really get stuck and i think im so scared that i will cause myself damage that it stops me.
Good Luck everyone x