Opinion on this subject.

Hi i'm Michele and I had lapband surgery in Nov 2006 in Wilmington DE. I have lost about 45 lbs so far, and for that i am very grateful! My question is about the type of band I have. Its an 11ml band and I have only felt restriction a very few times since having any fills. My Dr actually checked to see if my band had a leak and we couldnt see any evidence. I attend a support group and there are 2 other women that are experiencing the same thing! They have had numerous fills and dont feel restricted, which is a good thing but it also is very bad when you can EAT anything! I have been hungry and I get another fill and it seems to help for a day or two and then its like its not there! What would you do ? I am going to see my Dr tomorrow. Please can someone suggest what I should do. Thanks

Michele, I did not have a band, I had RNY done so I really can't help you.... Have you tried posting on the lap band board? You just might get better help from someone there.... Congrats on the 45 pounds and good luck with getting some answers.... HUGS, Shawn M.

I think most of us on this board had gastic bypass so I'm not sure how helpful we can be. The only thing I can tell you is I have a close friend who had the band and she definitely feels restriction. In fact usually for several days after a fill she can only eat a few bites at a time. It does relax a little but there is definite restriction. She had surgery quite about six months after I did and has lost 80 to 90 pounds. It sounds to me like something isn't right. Either the band they put on was too big (do bands have bigger and smaller sizes?) or there is a leak that they just can't detect. I agree with the other post, you might want to check out the lap band forum, they probably have a lot more insight for you. Best of luck!! Corinna Q

I am an RNYer too. So I barely know what you are talking about. I'd try the lap band board too. Maybe the graduates too... for some further out band people. Good luck. Trudy

Thank you for your reply. My daughter had bypass also we did this together same month just different surgeries! She has lost 158lbs and looks wonderful. I guess I didnt realize when i put the date of surgery in that it was mostly for RNY. Take care and thanks again.

It isn't reserved for RNYers but it just happened that most of us are.

Michelle, I'm a RNYer too but I went to an OH seminar in May and a surgeon who does both procedures spoke. I'd heard much of what he'd said before but it was interesting. I'm sure you've heard that while RNY patients may lose faster that after a certain amount of time both have usually lost about the same amount of weight. What did surprise me during his talk was the rate in his practice of lapband patients converting to RNY. Now, this was JUST the patients in his practice and I know there are many, many, many lapbanders who have had great success but I was surprised at the number who switched over. I don't know much about fills or the like but I suggest you talk with your surgeon and maybe figure out what is going on! Good luck! CeCe