observation

 In spite of the fact that it took 3 months after surgery to get the saline solution in my band at the right level am finally at that point where it is working,  

I can't help but be a little upset that I wasn't prepared by all the professionals I was required to spend time with, about the fact that all the things I was being taught wouldn't be relevant  until the saline solution was at the right saturation (sweet spot).  

For 3 months I was frustrated and disillusioned and that would have been unnecessary if the professionals had just explained to me that all they were teaching me and telling me would be relevant once the sweet spot had been reached.  (And why do the Damn insurance companies require the fills to be done so slowly and far apart.)  I see no reason why the correct level of  fill(s) couldn't be done sooner.  

      

It its frustrating I know. And different places and Dr's require different time restraints between fills, I fussed and fussed about this at first also.  While the size of a fill is still confusing to me because some Dr's do fills that are WAY bigger than I would think safe and others do fills that are very small.... my Dr confused me in that ...well they asked ME how much of a fill I wanted.... ya umm  not a Dr.... :)  But I ended up doing alright with requesting more as needed (for the most part, sometimes they seriously frustrated me)

One thing I do know, is that you can get a fill today and not feel it for weeks, that's why they make you wait, I know that sounds illogical, I thought they were crazy or lying when they told me that...but I soon learned from experience it is true.  Hang in there, just keep swimming, It will be worth it and it will get better :)


Hugs,
Swoosh :)

I think you have a valid point re: lack of preparation with a lot of WLS patients....however, there is a wealth of information about what to expect of gastric banding on this site, for both lap-band and realize band.  It is a difficult concept to wrap one's mind around...the band doesn't stop us from eating (what many people think)  or stop us from eating the wrong kinds of food. 

I had my first fill at the three month mark and know of many who went that long or longer.  Many people go into banding focused on being filled and reaching a "sweet spot", that mythical place of perfect "restriction".  Once there, there is a sense of relief that our band is "now working"...we need to remember that can be a fleeting moment in time and that the band is working (to an extent) whether we are at the "sweet spot" or not.  The very reason for the band being adjustable is that as we lose our bands become looser and require more fill....if we regain, we may need some taken out...

I am happy for you to be in a good place and that you now have a more clear expectation of your band.

Good post!

You are complaining about three months...it took me over a year and 9.7 ccs before I had good restriction.  Three months would have been a blessing.  I was on my own for over a year struggling to lose weight and failing.  Obviously if I could lose weight I wouldn't have needed surgery.  But it is a long tedious process for some of us and I was not told or prepared for that kind of wait.  I wish more doctors were more forth coming about how some people could be waiting months and months before they are able to utilize their band. 

As far as fills go and how aggressively they fill, every doctor is different.  But I can tell you this...you wouldn't want to be filled too much too fast and end up slipping your band.  Doctors have to be cautious about fills.  They can't just fill you up in one or two visits.  They have no idea how your body will respond to a fill 2-5 days later.  Just because you are swallowing water just fine in the doctor's office doesn't mean 5 days later you will be throwing up everything you drink or eat.  Slow increments is the safest way to go. 

 

Funny, I am over two years out and still don't believe I've ever reached the mythical sweet spot - you reached it in three months.  sounds pretty good to me. 

I don't think you can make a general statement that "professionals" don't explain that until you reach the sweet spot you're on your own.  I think that most make this clear in the pre and post op nutritional counseling.  I know mine did.  I think your doctor just failed to do that and I'm sorry that led to your discouragement and frustration.  But, you've done great and should be happy for that.

I don't think it's the insurance companies that require fill levels - it's at the doctor's discretion.  I believe Kate has spoken about how her surgeon filled her to the appropriate level to be at the sweet spot with each fill.  That level changes as you lose weight.  My doctor does conservative fills, which I will admit frustrated me at first when I was anxious to get some restriction, but now I'm very happy about.  It took me about about eight months before I felt any restriction - over a year before i felt useful restriction.  And even now, I keep my band on the looser side, but I have given up the search for the sweet spot.  I just want some help and the band helps even without being at the sweet spot.  I don't even know what that is, to be honest.  Nor do I care. 

I do hope your band journey goes smoother now that you're at a happy spot.  It's a wonderful tool .  Good luck.

Also, you might want to contact the person who does the nutritional counseling and suggest they make this clear to new patients so that others won't experience your frustration.  It's hard enough when you first start out - you don't need a lack of information to make it worse. 

cat

I didn't get any fluid in my band until I was 3 months out and lost 30 pounds in that time by following the plan.  It gave me time to learn new eating habits and to be careful.

Someone posted once that the band is like a belt around your pants and that as you lose weight,  you will need adjustments to tighten it up to keep your pants from falling down. 

I don't believe in a sweet spot.  I like the green zone, it can vary from day to day. Depends on how hydrated I am, how tired I am etc etc. 

I've read that it's safer to slowly progress with the fill level to prevent slips.  There's swelling after a fill and I do fluids for 24-48 hours afterwards and progress with softs and then I'm very careful when back on the regular food.