Hey Lisa,
Boy do I understand! Just got the lap band on Sept 24th, and so far it seems to do nothing. They put it in empty asd I have not had a fill yet. I lost 25 pounds before the operation and 16 after. The after came from a total fast of two days before surgery and then 10 days after. I could have lost this weight by just starving it off. What works for me is counting calories. I have heard quite a few say that counting calories does not work, it does work. But what no one seems to consider is that we are not all created equal. No one can say to you eat X number of calories and you will lose weight. We are big for a reason. I found (through trial and error) that I can maintane my weight on 1500 calories a day, and I have to eat 1200 or less to lose. But... if you eat more than you burn you gain weight, and if you eat less than you burn you lose. Its just that simple. You will have to find where you can safely lose weight. Pick a number and start there. Weigh your self every week and see if you go up, down, or stay the same, then adjust. Give it a few weeks before you determine the results. I am hoping my first fill will help with being hungry.

I was thinking about getting it but if ya'll are not getting the results then maybe I won't get it arter all seems needless to get it if It don't work right.

I was banded in June and have barely lost 15 lbs. I'm due for another adjustment tomorrow. I had the newer VG band, which is bigger and accommodates 10cc instead of the old 4cc. I'm told I need to be patient. It takes a while to fine tune the adjustment. Hearing from people like LisaAnnG at least makes me realize that it's not just me. I'm not crazy. Other people are experiencing this. There's a site, LapBand.com. Several posts have assured us that it does work once you get adjusted properly. It just takes patience. I live in hope.

I have a question for those with lap-band... do you still feel hungry? My doctor wanted me to have lap-band because he said it was the only way to free myself from always being hungry.

When I did my research, I found about 50% of the people saying that they never felt hungry anymore and the other half said they were still hungry. So I was curious.

I'd be patient, do all your follow ups. And talk to your surgeons/doctors. I think losing weight is HARD no matter what approach you take. Most of us have to re-train or relearn how to eat and how we incorporate eating into our overall lives.

Thank you for your honesty.

One of the cons to the lap-band in my lists from research was that it can be out eaten.

Drinking with meals softens food and allows it to leave the pouch too quickly. Then there are the slider foods! all of those soft foods that just slide right on through, leaving space for more calories!

my suggestion is to tighten down on what carbs you allow, they tend to absorb liquid and become soft. And then eat denser protein foods, like meat. These should stay in your pouch longer relieving hunger.

Besides that, protein feeds muscle and muscle burns fat. Build muscle-burn fat.

Hope this helps! Good Luck!

God Bless!

Janelle

I am hungry sometimes in between meals. It depneds on what you eat. Cearel only keeps me full about 2 hrs. Protein keeps me fuller longer. I cant eat any type of bread at all. I have a little trouble with ric and potatoes. I eat a lot of veggies and chicken, pretty broing I know. One thing is sure if you eat for enjoyment get the lapband it will take all that away. Good lucl to all you guys and God Bless..

I weighed 230 at 5'3" and I decided to get alap band. My doctor agreed with me. I went thru the pschyatric evaluation; the doctor's office and group meetings and then my Insurance said no. I was devastated; and joined DS on weights and manag community. I now weigh 218. I received a phone call today from the hospital saying that they are working with my insurance provider to allow the procedure. I do not know if I want it; now. Is it worth It?