Restriction and the "Sweet Spot"

You are 100% correct when you say too many people are looking for the band to do something for them...instead of "helping them"

I think too many DOCTORS don't realize what the band does and doesn't do! I know mine had no idea whatsoever. I've had to explain to people who think the band will somehow just magically stop them from eating at the perfect junction... and I have to wonder where the hell they got their information from!  It's crazy that so many people are being banded and have unrealistic expectations of what it will do... I totally agree. But, I have to think that the advertising and the surgeons are leading them to the wrong conclusions or something.

I think you're doing a service, actually, letting people know that there isn't magic involved here. It's still about willpower and making correct choices for yourself. 

this is so true!

OHHH I am so loving the posts today.  Your statement:  Within a day or even hours, our band can feel tighter or looser, depending on stress, hydration, illness etc.  To try to find an exact constant seems to me to be an exercise in frustration" is so true.  I can feel extremely 1 full week prior to my "girls time". 

I am going in to see my surgeon and nut on the 12th (soooo excited) about my port - it sometimes (more common than not) feels like its protruding out - can't lay on that side too long.  I am thinking of having some removed, because solid proteins are difficult for me.

I all agree - I don't feel there is a sweet spot, I think there is a place however that you can learn how to know when enough is enough, and (Like Our Friend Kate Said), it's not when we are in pain or getting sick. 

Katie.

I totally agree that the "sweet spot" is a myth and the use of the term is more harmful than helpful.  That said, however, I do think there is that green area where we are at a level of restriction that  it does keep our hunger at bay and/or helps with our portion control.  I have had my band over two years and have never felt I've ever been at the "sweet spot" that people talk about.  I'm ALWAYS hungry within 2 1/2-3 hours after eating, no matter what I've eaten.  And I have been overtight when I couldn't eat anything and have had to have an unfil (both times due to stressful situations)  So I know what tight is, and I prefer to keep my band on the looser side.  While some people think if you don't reach that sweet spot your band has failed you, I think as long as the band helps with portion control, it's working.  I would have lost a lot more weight than I have it I didn't give in to ice cream cravings.  The band keeps my portions down to 1 cup per meal and if I stay away from junk, I do great.  I'm just not always good at that. 

I must say I envy those of you who say you can eat 1/2 to a cup of food and not feel hungry for up to 5 hours.  That has never happened to me and I don't think it ever will.  But truthfully, I'm okay with that.  My band journey just isn't like that, but we're all different with different stories to tell.

cat

Then there are people like myself who have never felt anything but discomfort or nothing, according to the doc I saw today, some people just have too sensitive stomachs and can never get to a place where it isn't constantly irritating it. Also lots of docs say it will stop your hunger and for lots of us that isn't true either. It's all very indidvidual and each person is different.

This is what Allergan says about it. Does NOT sound anything like what I've got!

"Green Zone"

~Future adjustments

As you gradually lose weight, it’s not unusual for you to need more than one adjustment. During the first year, most patients get between five and eight adjustments (adding or removing fluid). The most common reasons for adjustments are discomfort or vomiting after eating, eating too much without feeling full, or not losing weight. Once you reach your goal weight, your adjustments may become less frequent.~

Seems like they left out the part about getting unlimited adjustments and still NO 'GREEN ZONE"!!!

I never heard of these words sweet spot restriction or anything like that till I was on these boards and I had to ask my doc about them.  My doc hates these words and never uses them he thinks it does more damage looking for these things then it does good.

When I first went to him he of course told me things that could happen, what not to expect from the band and so forth .

He said the band is to help with portion control and to take the edge off your hunger and that is exactly what my band does and I cant be more pleased with that.   I always had trouble with portion control and the band has helped with that , that is a huge part of why I dont even get fills because Im already getting the help I need from the band.

He does recommend 3 meals and 3 snacks a day maybe that is why I dont get hungry I dont always follow them rules because Im not hungry but they are there if I need them.  One of the main reasons he wants that is it  helps to keep your metabolism going through the day and snacks if healthy takes the urge off hunger and you dont sit down and make a oinky of yourself at meal times.

This is my opinion only but the lapband is nothing but a big head game we play with ourselves.

If you think about it oh Im hungry now or getting hungry every three hrs or two hrs lets go get a fill well when you go get that fill you got it in your head that you are full from your one cup of food and you can play that mental game for awhile then you need another fill and the process starts all over again.  Once again this is my opinion only .

The lapband is a head game to me.  I know the band is around my stomach, I know I can eat one cup of food and I will be full.  I know I can get a healthy snack in between meals if need be its all one big head / mental game we play with ourselves.

Maybe that is why I havent had a fill because of that head game .  The band is always there of a reminder you dont need to eat more then a cup of foods, that band is there to help me to slow down , and so forth .

like I said this is my opinion only on this.  Some of us are stronger at this little game then others .  Right now that is what Im doing Im very strong minded about all this and I know what the band is suppose to do . I didnt go into the surgery with all these expectations in fact I went in with less expectations and the band has done more for me then I thought :o)

I too, heard the term sweet spot and restriction on this board first. My brother got his band a year before me and I never heard him use either of those terms...he would say, I am getting a fill because I haven't lost weight and I am hungry between meals...his experience with judging when he needs a fill is consistent with mine, same criteria. I know there are some doctors/nurse practitioners who do use this terminology and who are over aggressive with fills...they are not doing their patients any favors. My clinic's philosophy is based on the belief that keeping bands over-tight, unreasonable expectations and lack of education about how the band works (patient and staff) is what leads to many complications. The patient is involved in the decision process when deciding to have a fill and is given options...for instance, at my last fill, I could have had as much as 2 cc, but opted for .5cc. With insurance, it is easier to make this sort of decision, knowing I can go back and get more, but the clinic also charges $150 for a fill under fluoroscope, which is pretty reasonable.
I think that some clinics are run more for the benefit of the bottom line and encourage fills and unfills in pursuit of the mythical sweet spot, green zone or restriction...it is unethical and dangerous for the patient...IMHO.