RESETTING THE LAP BAND OR POUCH

I had my lap band in June 2011 and by Christmas that year I had lost 90 lbs all was going well.... then right after the first of the years things seemed different and after 9 months of monthly visits checking for leaks and x-rays etc it was decided that my band had somehow been punctured and was not holding the fluid.... I would go in get a fill it would fill right for about a 1/2 day and then I could eat anything.... after 9 months of fussing I just sort of gave up....I gained 20 pounds back and threw up my hands. Finally the Dr adn the surgery center decided to do the right thing and replace my band. Here is the problem by the time they took action I had given up...things were going good but here I am 2 years later and not loosing weight and not really trying. I need to know if there is some way to restart my band.... I am not going back to the Dr until I am back down to at least 250 ( yes I started at 350) and now I am at 270.... if I go in bigger than my lowest I will feel like a failure. So I need to know what do I need to do on my own to try to jump start my band when I last went to the Dr it was filled to the level that was working so well for me and I think it is still there, sometime I can feel it... I just need to get it reset and in doing so get my head reset...............HELP

First off....You CAN DO THiS !!!!  If you need a fill don't worry about the digits that the scale displays.   GO get a fill.  Since I am NOT a lap band patient i can't personally speak from experience but you did get that bad replaced right?    Seems like to me you said that.     The band even though it may not a have a hole in the tubing may be placed in a different spot and not only that....it is a different band.    The band won't work for you if you don't have the proper fill amount in it and from what i've heard it is very hard finding that perfect "sweet spot".    I am sure you won't be judged by your surgeon's office by going in for a fill.   PLEASE don't delay.   I know gaining weight is NOT good on our self esteem.    You could go to Fitday.com and log your food intake to see how many calories you are doing each day that could help you some and if you  aren't doing some sort of exercise that could also be a reason for the standing still and not loosing.   I am not a medical anything so please don't think I am.   I personally would call and get a appointment for a fill or to discuss these issues with your surgeon.   He is the best one to give you advice on your problems you are experiencing.   You did it once and you CAN do it again.   Have faith !!!  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.   Message me ANYTIME !!!   Good luck and hope you get the answers you seek.

 

Hugs and blessings ~~ Vivian

I have to agree!  Do not worry about getting to your lowest before going back... My lowest was 187 then I jumped back up to 230+

At first I was embarrassed, but I realized it is no skin of their nose if I gain it back... I did this for me Not the doctor....

I have been going for my fills when I need them since last October and even though I am not doing my best sometimes, I am back down to 213.   Had I tried to wait to my lowest weight, I would never have gone back....

When I went I told the PA that I was recommitting to doing the right thing...Do not feel bad we are human and it happens. Al you have to do is refocus yourself and get back to following the program! 

Good luck!

I totally agree you need to see your doc first and foremost! You may need just a tiny fill to get it tweeked to the right spot if you have a new band it may not have the same fill level, they are all individual and depend also on your own body's fluid retention level of the day. You are always better to go on the loose side rather than the tight side because that will surely cause problems down the road. There is no magic reset trick, just the same hard work that got you there the first time.

So after you see your doc and see if you need a small fill, you need to get back to basics. Dense protein first, then veggies and finally IF you are still hungry some healthy carbs. Weigh and measure every serving and log every bite you eat in a journal or on myfitnesspal, so you know exactly what is going in your mouth. Many people find 3 meals and 2 snacks a day to be helpful in keeping blood sugar levels balanced which helps tone down the cravings. You may need to do some carb detoxing at first to get rid of that craving trigger. Avoid white carbs as much as possible as they are a horrible trigger food. If you are unsure of good protein foods just google high protein foods and you'll get many ideas, same for non starchyu veggies. In fact if you look to the right side of this page you will see instructions for post op. I wouldn't go back as far ass liquids because they don't fill you up like solid protein does.

Now get that doc appt., stock up on good protein foods, check out theworldaccordingtoeggface for good recipes and hit the floor running. Weight loss is always going to be a battle and a matter of life style changes, no magic bullets. Best of luck to you, you can do it, just regroup and get rolling! PS remember gotta get exercise too, even walking is better than not moving!

 

In the fall of 2011 I kept avoiding going to my doctor because I had gained weight. I finally went and after a couple of appointments he determined I had a leak.
Had the tube replaced and still didn't loose much weight. Upper GI found a hiatal hernia. I wish I hadn't waited because now I am up 40 lbs. go to your doctor. You might have a problem that can easily be fixed.