Is it normal to just lose a few pounds after a fill and then...

stop losing, or even regain some?  I'm only 4 months post op, I've had 5 fills.  Each fill will be worth a few pounds, but  then they usually come right back.  When does the REAL weight loss begin?  Is it ever consistent?   Lori

You had your surgery 4 months ago and have already had 5 fills?  I have been out 13 months, I only get a fill every 2 months.  I have lost 75lbs.  The weight came off easily the first 6 months, then it slowed down.  I work out at the gym so I am building muscle, hopefully and tighting everything up.  I look like I have lost more weight than I have.  I wonder if your band is leaking? 

Hi Lori, I'd take this to the surgeon that is taking care of your fills.  He's the one that can assess your situation to see if it's a problem with the band or if you need more education on food choices, etc. 

Hi Lori- I am four months post op also (2/5/07).  I just had my third fill last Thursday.  I'm down 29 #. The doc said that I shouldn't lose any faster and that I need to be more concerned about getting exercise than how fast I lose. How much have you lost total?  Seems like I haven't lost much (only 5 lbs the last six weeks).  I just finished my 48 hours of liquids and I'm going to start solids today.  We'll see how it goes. I'd definitely check with my doc. if I was gaining!  I do bounce around a few pounds (up and down) every week, but I'm trying to focus on my six week visits to the doc. and look at the overall loss. Karen in Kentucky

Lori, Do you have restriction yet?  It took me 8 fills (3.8 cc's in my 4-cc band) before I began to lose consistently, and I still am losing slowly.  I drop a pound or two and then bounce up and down for the next week before I drop again. Until you get good restriction--meaning that you eat 2-3 ounces of protein and veggies, fruits, and carbs to make about 1 cup of food AND you feel satisfied for 4-5 hours--you aren't likely to lose consistently.  The band is designed to keep you from feeling hungry between meals with a small amount of food, but you have to have the right level of restriction for it to work that way. My doctor wanted me to lose 23 pounds the first year, and I passed that at about 8 months.  I'm down 38 pounds since surgery on August 16, 2006.  I'm averaging a little under a pound a week. Kathy

I am about 6 1/2 months post op from Lap Band surgery.  I have had 4 fills and am about 3cc in my 4cc band.  If you look at my weight loss on a chart...it looks like a heart beat.  I go down a pound one day and back up the next, then down 1.5 and back up .5....It is always like this for me.  However, I am losing...an average of a pound a week.  I think it is totally normal for you to lose after a fill.  Does your doctor require that you follow a liquid diet for a few days before resuming regular foods?  Are you saying that you aren't losing anymore and even gaining weight back?  Plateaus are normal and can last longer than we want.  Gaining is not desirable though.  I would suggest to go back to the basics....Make sure you are getting in your protein and water....make sure you are not snacking between meals....make sure you are eating the correct portions....exercise.  I log my meals and weight into www.fitday.com.  This helps me to be accountable for what I eat.  It is also nice to see where my calories are coming from (fat, protein or carbs).  When I am discouraged with the slow loss I can see the chart and know that it is sloping downward.  Real weight loss begins when you are properly restricted and making the right choices (at least most of the time).   Good luck!!