Need advice..

Hi,
I was banded right at one year ago.  Initially, I had a 30lb weight loss and seemed to be on the right track. 
I have had 3 fills, I think I have 5.5cc. I have never vomitted or even had funny burps.  As a result of this, I find myself being able to eat larger portions than I should.  I never feel restricted. 
I have an appointment for a fill on Wed. of next week.  I should also mention I have gained 7 lbs.  What do I say to my dr??  How to I get to the point that I am actually feeling restriction?

Thanks and any other advice or input is sooooo welcome.  I am at a loss and feeling pretty lousy about it.

Geana

For me, there are only 3 amounts of fluid in my band that I keep track of.

1.  Too much
2.  Too little
3.  Just right

It sounds to me like you are in the 'too little' range right now ---

So, you tell your doctor what is going on --- you can eat more than you would like to.  You don't stay satisfied by your meals.  You want a small fil.

Then, make sure you set up another appointment for a follow up -- say, 4 - 6 weeks from now to see if you need another fill at that time.

I needed a fill about every 15 - 20 pounds that I lost --- I lost a size in my clothes, and I felt that I could eat more.

As you shrink on the outside, your band loosens on the inside --- it is designed to need fills and significant follow up.  You have to stay diligent to make it work for you.

Good luck --

Everybody is different...some people only need 1-3 fills before they are at their optimum fill....some people (like myself) need quite a few more fills.  I needed 9 fills, 9.8 ccs, before I felt I was at a good fill level.  In the beginning I had trouble not over eating too because I was just so hungry trying to stick to the Band rules.  Your right fill could happen on your next appointment or you might have wait longer like I did.  You just have to be honest with your doctor about your struggle.  I do know one thing...it's not a good idea to rush your fills.  It's better to do it slow and steady.  You don't want to be too tight. 

I can also tell you my secret to success is not magical or easy.  My secret is...I exercise my butt off.  I'm in the gym about 9 hours a week.  I also stay away from simple carbs...or anything white.  Eat healthy and filling complex carbs that are high in fiber.  Like veggies and fruits.  Make your fruit a treat with peanut butter or sugar free pudding.  I eat apples and peanut butter or strawberries and pudding.  Stay away from sweets and junk food.  The stuff doesn't even enter my house.  When grocery shopping stick to the perimeter of the store...that's where the healthier stuff is found.   

But don't worry you can turn things around.  In spite of my slow start I have now lost 150 lbs.  Good luck

I would go in prepared to tell the Dr what you eat on any given day and how long after eating you are hungry physically again and if you are getting in all your protein and water and if you are eating slider or high calories foods or drinks. Then you guys can decide on a fill and how much it will be. I do not know how much your band holds but 5.5 cc just may not be enough fluid for you. When was your last fill? I was banded a year ago as well and have seen my Dr about every 4-6 wks since surgery and have had 2 if not 3 times that many adjustments during that time.
Getting to a level of restriction can take time and for some it takes more fills than others. only 3 in a year sounds a little conservative to me though esp if you are not steadily losing weight. Some of the problem might be needing a fill and some might be eating habits etc. Your Dr should help guide you thru this though.That is what you pay him for .:D
Good luck with your visit and I hope this fill is just the one you need to get back on the bandwagon:)

I am definitely having problems. I cannot eat a cup of anything except junk foods which go down so very easy. I think that part of my problem is that I eat too fast and take to big of pieces. Also the flavor of foods has change greatly. I have started gaing weight about 6 lbs. Don,t want that want to lose more. I go see my doctor in November.  The way it is I don,t eat all my meals and I am not really hungry, my snackiug is just a bad habit that is hard to break.  I guess that I need pep talks now and then. I don,t know if any of this makes any sense. Thanks and God Bless.  Nancy

I had that problem when Iwas too tight...
I could not eat enough GOOD food, and ended up snacking on convenient slider foods.

If I were you, I would go see the doctor to see if you can get a slight unfill....
(I had .3cc taken out and it did wonders)....

When you want a snack, make sure you have the right stuff around to snack on..
Carrot stix, cheese stix... or such... Dont keep the bad food in the house- that way when you get the urge, your choices are limited to good ones....

Do not give up or feel discourages.. We all have ups and downs.. Goods and bads...
Just take things one day at a time.

When I first had my lap band last year, about 1week I had to go see doctor because I was throwing up so he took some out.  Could it be that I am still too tight. I hope  that could be the answer.  It would be so nice to eat my good meal. Thanks I,ll let you know.
Nancy

It takes time to get your fill amount just right and it will change over time.  What your Dr. will want to know is:
1. Can you eat more than 1 c of solid food at a time?
2. Are you hungry between meals?
3. Has your weight loss stalled?

If you can answer yes to 2 or more of these questions you are probably in need of a small fill.  At the point you're at it probably won't take much.  Even .1 or .2 can make a big difference.

Don't worry about seeing your Dr.  He's there to help you!

Best~
Lisa O.

Geana-
Be totally honest with your doctor and I would recommend keeping a food journal for the next week and take it with you so her or she can see exactly how much and what you are eating and drinking.
Sherie

 Im in the same place, except, for right now, I lost a poound or two---literally...its been seven months and I have lost a total of ten pounds...

Im nervous about telling my doc too as he wasnt real receptive to giving me more fills, (I have 4.5 ml in a band that cant hokd 14 ml)... but if we dont advocate for us, who will?