Becoming active in my banding

1) Yes
2) Yes
3) It never really started.

Thanks again. I see him today and I will gauge by his input and reactions. But I also have a consult tomorrow to see his office/practice philosphy and manner. I suppose I get a tiny bit intimated when I am told its simply my choices. I feel a bit like "Well, dude, if I could simply diet and lose weight, I would...Ive done it before remember? I just cant KEEP it off. After a year of being hungry, you tend to go back to your eating habits and amounts"

Have you ever had restriction that loosened up? I tend to have restriction then it fades.

Restriction will change over time.  As you lose weight the fat around the outside of your stomach goes away and the band will loosen.  That's why the band requires continual maintenence.  It's a life-long commitment.  You will get to the point where you have lasting restriction.  I've gone months without an adjustment, but then you may get suddenly tight from irritating your esophagus/pouch or from water retention, or from regurgitation or a bad "stuck" experience.  You have to understand that the band may need to be filled and unfilled occasionally over time.

I never experienced true hunger with my band.  I guess I'm lucky that way, but "head hunger" is another issue entirely.   I had to learn the difference between real hunger and emotional hunger.  It took a while and some therapy to learn the difference and how to cope with it.  Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. 

I lost 104 lbs in 9 months and for the last year and a half have gone up, down, up down.  I've still lost 110+ lbs (sometimes more, some times less), but I keep my goal in the fore-front of my mind daily and yes, I guess you can call it dieting, but I do watch my calories and try to make sure I'm getting enough protein.  I want to lose 25 lbs to be at the original goal I set for myself.

I hope the other doctor is what you're looking for.  If not or if the cost to change is too great, have a heart to heart with your current surgeon.  He needs to know your frustration and what it feels like when he says things that defeat your enthusiasm, like "Your getting up there, (fill level), when you only have 4.5ccs.  I came out of surgery with a 3cc primer fill, so 4.5 is not that much!

Let us know how your appt. goes.

Best~
Lisa O.

 Excellent post, Lisa.  I've printed it to refer to.  You've explained the 'changing restriction' mystery.  Thanks!!

 Yesterday I went to my surgeon and apparently he was happy with my weight loss and asked me if I wanted a fill.I mean, dude pick a platform and stick with it! lol

I got the fill which brings me to five ml and I do feel a small amount of restriction, how ever its hard to tell since Im still on softs til tomorrow.

I did go an consult with the new surgeon. I am switching over to him. He told me things I didn't know, was personable, wouldnt say anything unprofessional but stated "I will only tell you this, when my patients come off the table, they already have three ml in their new band". He asked me if I had any questions or concerns...

My friend and her two daughters have gone to him and recommendded him. Then I came home, walked my dog and ran into an old friend who had RNY---his surgeon is my new surgeon...small world!

I feel like I have lost seven months... I don't hold it against my original surgeon, I just wi**** had been different.