One day I'm tight, the next day I'm loose

Wondering if anyone else has this same issue...

The last fill I had was back in December. My band is 1/2 full. I have had SEVERAL fills and even a few times had fluid removed.

Most days my band is fine. Makes me eat slow, its almost to the point where its too tight.

The past few days *with no fill inn the past 6 months* the band has been tighter. I had eggs stuck for 3 hours this morning.

I don't understand how most days I have no trouble at all. Then there are days where I can barley choke down food.

Anyone have answers or similarities?

Hi Amy...I find that my band is tighter in humid and hot weather or if I am stressed...also, there are some people who develop tightness for no reason; scar tissue builds up under the band and sometimes we don't even know why it might get tighter on it's own, but it does happen.  If you are having a problem with your band being too tight, it might help to have a little unfill of as little as .1cc...call your doctor and see what they recommend and keep us posted on your situation.
Steph

Steph,
We were banded close to the same time. I was July 13th,2010. I have only lost 25lbs. I have had several fills. I feel like I get good restriction and I follow all of my surgeons rules. First he said I must be eating too many carbs,so I caught down on carbs. Thenhe said my calories were too low(900-1100), so I raised my calories to 1200. Still no wait loss. I have been exercising and have even walked two 5ks since May. What kind of program or eating habits do you follow?

Hi Diane!  I am not currently following any rules, but the most basic:

Protein first
Tiny bites
chew thouroghly
veggies second
stop eating when I get a soft stop sign (for me it is a hiccup or runny nose).
Drink at least 64 oz water per day
Avoid slider foods (unless my band is being fickle)

Since I have major knee and back problems I don't exercise much and keep my calories between 800 and 1200 per day, most days.

I am retired and we travel a lot and when I am travelling, I just relax and have a good time.  Normally, I lose a few pounds each trip, but I don't have access to a scale when away from home, so I don't sweat it.  I drink some wine when we are socializing and do have whatever food is put out at a social occasion, but in limited amounts.

When I am being diligent about losing, I do all of the above PLUS:

Measure out 1/2 cup of protein + 1/4 cup veggie or low glycemic fruit
Avoid any snack foods except lf cheese sticks, beef jerkey and nf cottage cheese and my protein pudding cups
Avoid all alcohol

That's pretty much it...

Steph

Steph,
Thanks so much for the info. I think my portions are too large. I am going to work on this . Thanks!

You should try to find a good nutritionist and have him/her help you with your calories, carbs, protein, etc. The nutritionist should have lots of data at hand to put you on the right path.
Most docs dont' have the background or experience to give out decent nutrition advice.I was stuck at only a 15 lb weight loss until I consulted with a nutrionist. She guided me to fewer cals and adjusted my carbs, protein and fat.
So far, I've lost 2 lbs in three weeks. Not spectacular, but better than being stalled.
Also, some people just end up joining WW or some other diet program.
You have to keep experimenting until you hit on the right combinations.
Unfortunatley, with a band, the only answer is to diet and exercise. It's just like any other program except that you have a band to help you stop before you overeat. The band is only a tool, and believe me I  had to accept that the hard way....
Hope you find the right combo soon.
Best,
Mary

Mary, That is great advice. My surgeon is leaving next month and I have to find a new surgeon so I am hoping to find one with a really good nutrionist,too. The nutrionist that was with my surgeon left the practice about 2 mos. after I was banded. I just never got too know the replacement nut. I am hoping to find a dr. that is closer so I can attend support group classes. I do go to weigh****chers but my surgeon told me not to follow the weigh****chers program. So  I go for support and the weekly weigh in. This band is a wonderful tool and I am sure I will eventually figure it out.
Thanks, Diane 

Hun the band can be extremely erratic as far as the level of restriction...........even during the course of the day.

If it continues to be too tight u will need to have a little removed. The tightness could be just temporary though.

Good luck!

Hi Maria....I see that I had my band surgery 6 days after you had yours.  I have a question for you, when you get a fill how long does it take for you to feel like your body has adjusted to the fill?  An example of what I am trying to say is this; I had a .25cc fill three weeks on this Tuesday and up until today it has been terrible.  I have been able to eat without any problems, but i have had great difficulty with drinking fluids. The only time that i have been able to drink has been shortly after I have eaten and I know that this is a nono.  I have even called my Dr. for an appointment on Tuesday for a slight unfill, but i am reconsidering it since i have been able to drink today. Maybe you or others can give me so insight to my psyco band.  Thank you.

You might want to hold off on the unfill another day or two. As long as you are still doing ok with liquids.

I wish I could explain it to you so it would make sense...........but it just doesn't seem to. Every person is different, and I have heard several mention it taking 2 or 3 weeks for a fill to kick in.

As far as me, I had 16 fills in about 14 months. During that time I also had 4 slight unfills. When I needed the slight unfills, one time was immediately after the fill. Two were the next day. And one got tight 2 or 3 days later. I never had the 2 or 3 week kick in that some have mentioned.

But my last fill was in Jan. and in Apr., for no apparent reason............I got a very small degree of restriction. It wasn't like it's advertised to be, but it was the closest thing I had ever gotten to that. So this was like 3 months after my fill. I am assuming maybe it was because the temps were high and some OH'ers have mentioned they get tighter when it's very hot. Anyway it lasted about 3 or 4 weeks.

As far as insight on your band.............I really wish I could offer some helpful advice, but I just don't know what to say. I still haven't found anything that works for me with the band, so I just continue to "follow band rules" (no eating during or 30 mins. after my meals), doing high protein, lower carb, lower sugar, and lower fat. I also usually don't buy unhealthy foods and bring them home. That way I'm not tempted every time I enter the kitchen.

So how are u doing with your band???