Weight gain and a band that's too tight.

After living with and working my band for 3 years I posted on the revision board that I was considering revising to a Sleeve. I got MANY responses to this post from a bunch of "Band Bashers". I was encouraged by most to come back to this board and let everyone that was considering having a band know about my problems. I resisted doing this because I have never questioned any one else's choice of surgery, even though my problems and symptoms were overwhelming to me at that time. I had a very heart wrenching discussion about my problems with my support group leader and she suggested that  I make an appointment to talk with my surgeon. I was having horrible stuck episodes, reflux, pain around my sternum, vomiting, bloating and THE WORSE THING...I was gaining weight!
I made the appoinment, had a barium swallow and went to see my surgeon. The ONLY thing wrong with me was that my band was too tight. Like a lot of other bandsters I always thought More was better, WRONG!!
Since having some fluid taken out of my band 4 weeks ago, all of my symptoms have disappeared and I have lost 7 pounds. I am finally able to eat a wider variety of foods and I am being satisfied with the amount I'm eating.
I will be the first to admit that the band is not a perfect solution, but  are any of the other choices out there  perfect? I don't think so. I don't post on here as often as I used to but I am a believer in this tool and I would have this surgery again in a heartbeat. It has changed my life and continues working for me.

i'm glad that you were able to figure out the issue and are feeling good and losing again! It's true, more is NOT always better with the band!  I learned that myself! I guess it takes going thru it to realize.  To me, you are a success story!!

whats the maximum fill capacity for your band?  I am inquiring with several places in mexico and 2 places are offerring the 9.5-10 band with a maximum 4cc capacity?  Does that sound right?

I have an older lap-band and it will hold 14 cc's , right now I have 8.5 cc's in it. Don't know about the newer bands.  A friend of mine has a Realize band and hers holds a max of 4 cc's.

Realize bands are not 4 cc bands,  but  come in 10cc and 11 cc.  The first fill recommendation for Realze bands is 3-5 cc.  I currently have 3.5 cc in my 11 cc Realize Band.  There are some older lap-bands that are 4cc capacity. 

Hey Steph,
I didn't know that about the realize band, I am just going by what I was told by a friend that got the Realize band recently. She apparently has no clue what her surgery was all about. I got all of my details and documented everything in case of a problem with my band. I will tell her this and make sure she discusses this with her doctor. She also does not know how much fluid is in her band at this time. I always get this info before I leave the office!

Congrats on your weight loss, you are doing great. thanks for posting it's great to see a good out come.  People need to realize when they have a problem they need to  talk to their  doctor that's what they are  there for.  You may find a solution for the problem.  Glad you have relief its amazing what a small unfill will do.

That is great Shirley!  Glad your surgeon was able to evaluate the issue accurately.  Sometimes even just a slight unfill will do the trick. :)  It is altogether too easy to slip into the habit of eating soft foods and/or slider foods when you are too tight and don't really realize it.  Now that you can eat filling, dense proteins and other foods, the weight is coming off again.

WELL DONE! :We are here for you...please do not ever hesitate to post with any concerns or problems.  We are all in this together, Shirley.  Welcome back!  Which part of AL are you in?  My best friend and GodDaughter are in Foley.

Thanks for all the kind words fellow bandsters. I am really feeling good about my band and can't believe that I was considering replacing it!
Lisa, I live in a very small town named Morris, but it is only 12 miles outside of Birmingham. I spend a lot of time in Foley as you have to go through there to get to the beaches in Alabama, and the shopping outlets in Foley are wonderful!!! 

Ahhhh, the beaches! Well that must explain your nice tan!!!  :)