How long to reach restriction???
Not at all, I was un filled for 5 months due to sore throat, tightening in my chest etc. I asked the doc to due a complete unfill because I thought there was a problem with the band. He said the band was fine , but I was not convinced it wasn't my band , so I asked for an un fill. Turns out I have developed allergies that has caused a lot of sinus pressure and drainage.I started seeing an ENT Doctor and it took a while to get on the right meds. I won't lie I was afraid to have the band refilled I could not imagine sinus problems could make you fill so bad. Then just to be on the safe side I had a swallow study done. Which came back fine, no slip. Now I am in the process of refilling. I do notice I am getting full faster but like I said before I have a problem stopping when I start eating so I need to get back on only healthy foods (which I am working on) and stopping when satisfied. I do wish at times this band would limit what I eat and how much that would make this whole process easier. But in the mean time I will keep plucking away. Hope you are able to get that band to start helping you it may be you need more fills but only you and your doctor can decide that. I was at 8.75 when I had an unfill and it was where I needed to be. I have decided not to get any more fills till I can say I am eating what I am suppose to and still not losing. Hope all works out for you
Lapband - Jan 2009 weight goal reached with lapband. Revised to VSG- 1/25/16
I guess it took me about 7 months to find my "green zone". My 3rd fill at 5 months turned out to be too tight so I had a slight unfill at 7 months and have been there since. I only PB when I forget to slow down!
5.0 cc in a 10cc lapband (four fills) 1 unfill of .5cc on 5/24/2011.
.5 fill March 2012. unfill of .25cc May 2012. Unfill of .5cc June 2014.
Still with my lapband with no plans for revision. Band working well since
last small unfill.
HW: 267lbs- size 22-24 LW:194lbs CW:198lbs Size 14-16
Maria,
I've had my band almost three years now and have never found that spot where I could eat half a cup of food and not be hungry for 4-5 hours. I've never reached that spot where I could eat a cup of food and not be hungry for 4-5 hours. The longest I've been able to go without stomach growling hunger is about 3 hours. I've always envied those bandsters that can go 4-5 hours without hunger. And it's not that I need a tighter band. I have been too tight. In fact, I was too tight without knowing it as I was not having any recognizable symptoms. I could easily eat a cup of food, starting with dense protein, not having any stuck episodes, no reflux, etc. I thought everything was fine. Until I mentioned to the PA that I woke up a couple of times in the middle of the night with extreme pain between my shoulder blades. I thought it was the beginning of gallbladder issues. But much to my surprise I learned that reflus could present itself as back pain, and they sent me to have a UGI which showed a slight esophogial dialiation. So, I had some of the fluid taken out of my band about six months ago so that I'm pretty much back to where I can eat anything. I still have some restriction, so my portions are still smaller than usual, but I have gained about 15 lbs during this 6 months. I am afraid to get a fill and am trying to deal with losing this weight with the restriction I have. But I've been dealing with a lot of stress as well during this period and admit to much emotional eating of ice cream, my weakness.
Still, I don't believe my band has failed me. Even without reaching that sweet spot, the band helped me lose 80 lbs during the first two years I had it. It has limited my portion size by helping me feel satisfied with smaller amounts. It's just that I eat those smaller amounts more frequently that some other bandsters, but I still lost weight.
I need to get back to band basics and lose the weight I've gained plus the rest I need to lose. I don't want to lose my band and I'm afraid of that happening if I get too tight again,which is why I haven't had another fill. The band is a fickle creature and I'm still learning how to live with it. I just don't want to have to relearn how to live without it as I will not undergo any other WLS.
Anyway, that's my experience with the band and finding the sweet spot. I've had levels of restriction that have been helpful without reaching that sweet spot that some do find, but many don't. I just don't think the band is a failure if you don't reach the sweet spot and I don't think you have to reach the sweet spot to succeed with the band.
cat
I've had my band almost three years now and have never found that spot where I could eat half a cup of food and not be hungry for 4-5 hours. I've never reached that spot where I could eat a cup of food and not be hungry for 4-5 hours. The longest I've been able to go without stomach growling hunger is about 3 hours. I've always envied those bandsters that can go 4-5 hours without hunger. And it's not that I need a tighter band. I have been too tight. In fact, I was too tight without knowing it as I was not having any recognizable symptoms. I could easily eat a cup of food, starting with dense protein, not having any stuck episodes, no reflux, etc. I thought everything was fine. Until I mentioned to the PA that I woke up a couple of times in the middle of the night with extreme pain between my shoulder blades. I thought it was the beginning of gallbladder issues. But much to my surprise I learned that reflus could present itself as back pain, and they sent me to have a UGI which showed a slight esophogial dialiation. So, I had some of the fluid taken out of my band about six months ago so that I'm pretty much back to where I can eat anything. I still have some restriction, so my portions are still smaller than usual, but I have gained about 15 lbs during this 6 months. I am afraid to get a fill and am trying to deal with losing this weight with the restriction I have. But I've been dealing with a lot of stress as well during this period and admit to much emotional eating of ice cream, my weakness.
Still, I don't believe my band has failed me. Even without reaching that sweet spot, the band helped me lose 80 lbs during the first two years I had it. It has limited my portion size by helping me feel satisfied with smaller amounts. It's just that I eat those smaller amounts more frequently that some other bandsters, but I still lost weight.
I need to get back to band basics and lose the weight I've gained plus the rest I need to lose. I don't want to lose my band and I'm afraid of that happening if I get too tight again,which is why I haven't had another fill. The band is a fickle creature and I'm still learning how to live with it. I just don't want to have to relearn how to live without it as I will not undergo any other WLS.
Anyway, that's my experience with the band and finding the sweet spot. I've had levels of restriction that have been helpful without reaching that sweet spot that some do find, but many don't. I just don't think the band is a failure if you don't reach the sweet spot and I don't think you have to reach the sweet spot to succeed with the band.
cat
Cat I hope you lose what u have regained and are able to lose the rest of the weight as well! As for me, I have not lost any in about 6 months. I just yo yo back and forth over about 5 pounds. I take full responsibility for my not losing anymore. After I realized my band was not working and might not ever work, regain has been such a fear to me. Losing weight is one thing..........keeping it off is something completely different! The further out I get the harder it is for me to stay on the diet. I used to say I followed band rules and ate healthy about 90% of the time. Well I will say that now, the eathing healthy has probably dropped to about 70% of the time. I still keep my protein up and do lower fat and lower carb. I have though been eating more sweets lately.
That being said..........even if I don't lose anymore I am ok with staying the weight I am at. Though still overweight (I think I'm like 25.6?) I know I am much healthier than I was, and it's nice to shop in a "regular ppl store" for a size 12 instead of shopping in a plus size store and trying to squeeze into a 26.
Got a quick question for you. Since your restriction is not like that some of the other bandsters have reached, aren't you a little upset at Allergan's advertising promises? Don't you think they should reveal that "sweet spot" is not reached by many bandsters and list the different levels of "restriction" that many bandsters rea*****luding that there are many out there that never reach restriction? I realize the band does work for some. I just resent that Allergan (and EES for that matter) have not been honest with their advertising, so that pre-ops can make an informed decision about weather or not to get the band.
Good luck!
Hi Maria,
My heart breaks when I read your posts. To have put so much into your band and to have it not work is probably the most frustrating thing. I see you have done well, regardless, so I just wanted to point out to you that you look great!
As far as restriction, I am happy and a bit humble to say that I've had it since the beginning. I have a 14CC APL, which means Large band. I remember my first appointment the PA who does the fills said, "oh your stomach must have been big." Um, thanks! LOL I went to see my surgeon the other day and he was kind of surprised that I didn't need a fill yet.
I have not had a fill yet because I haven't needed one. I am kind of afraid to step onto that rollercoaster though. I live in fear every single day, with every single twinge that I have, that something will happen to my band. But, that being said, I wouldn't have done another surgery. Either this worked or I would have done nothing, all for personal reasons.
My heart breaks when I read your posts. To have put so much into your band and to have it not work is probably the most frustrating thing. I see you have done well, regardless, so I just wanted to point out to you that you look great!
As far as restriction, I am happy and a bit humble to say that I've had it since the beginning. I have a 14CC APL, which means Large band. I remember my first appointment the PA who does the fills said, "oh your stomach must have been big." Um, thanks! LOL I went to see my surgeon the other day and he was kind of surprised that I didn't need a fill yet.
I have not had a fill yet because I haven't needed one. I am kind of afraid to step onto that rollercoaster though. I live in fear every single day, with every single twinge that I have, that something will happen to my band. But, that being said, I wouldn't have done another surgery. Either this worked or I would have done nothing, all for personal reasons.
"Accountability first to yourself, then nobody else matters"
Maria,
No, I'm not really angry because I believe the band has helped me. I don't believe in the "sweet spot" although I used the term. My surgeon doesn't really use that term either, but stays with the "green zone." I think the green zone is a lot different from the sweet spot, because that designates levels of restriction to me, not one perfect spot. That doesn't mean I'm not jealous of those that find that perfect spot and wish that I had, but I went into this surgery looking for something that would help me keep my portions in control so that I wouldn't eat so much. My band has done that, even if I'm not at that perfect spot. I can, or could, eat just half a cup of food and be happy for about 2 hours, sometimes 3. When, before the band, did that ever happen? Never. Before I could eat a wopper with fries with a milkshake and then eat a pint of B&J a hour later. I can't do that now. Even with my band loose as it is now, I still only eat about a cup of food at a time. I wouldn't have gained this weight if I hadn't started making bad food choices and turning back to old friends like B&J and Hagendas. I've had a lot of stress in my life over the last several months and even though I've turned to therapy to get through some of it, I'm still using food again. My fault, not the band. I so wish they'd create a band that rejects ice cream! My fantasy, lol.
I know you have been very unhappy with your band, and I am sorry that it's been such an unhappy experience for you. It's so disappointing when you take that step that you truly believe will be the answer, only to find it's not. It's heartbreaking. I know I have some regrets about the band, but really there is no other surgery I think would have been any better for me. I read the failed WLS site and there are people there with every type of surgery. At my age, 57, I am not willing to undergo any more WLS. I went into this with open eyes and it is what it is. I think once I feel a little less stressed, I may have another fill to see what happens, but right now, I don't think it's a good idea. I actually got stuck the other day - the first time in months. I didn't think I could, but it was a job related lunch and between a little stress, a little dry chicken in my salad and my not paying enough attention, I got stuck. I was so lucky that I didn't have to run to the bathroom - it went down after about 20 minutes, but it was uncomfortable sitting there with my boss and his boss unable to eat. They know I'm banded, and I eventually just told them I was stuck. One of the joys of being banded, I know.
Maybe I should be mad, maybe I blame myself too much for not succeeding with the band, but even if I haven't lost all my weight, I feel better. I just want to get under 200, I was getting close before I started having issues and my regain, so I know I can get there if I just start making better choices. I'm not seeing my surgeon again until mid December. I hope to have lost what I've gained before then and then I'll see what he says about beginning the fill process. I just want to be really careful.
Take care,
cat
No, I'm not really angry because I believe the band has helped me. I don't believe in the "sweet spot" although I used the term. My surgeon doesn't really use that term either, but stays with the "green zone." I think the green zone is a lot different from the sweet spot, because that designates levels of restriction to me, not one perfect spot. That doesn't mean I'm not jealous of those that find that perfect spot and wish that I had, but I went into this surgery looking for something that would help me keep my portions in control so that I wouldn't eat so much. My band has done that, even if I'm not at that perfect spot. I can, or could, eat just half a cup of food and be happy for about 2 hours, sometimes 3. When, before the band, did that ever happen? Never. Before I could eat a wopper with fries with a milkshake and then eat a pint of B&J a hour later. I can't do that now. Even with my band loose as it is now, I still only eat about a cup of food at a time. I wouldn't have gained this weight if I hadn't started making bad food choices and turning back to old friends like B&J and Hagendas. I've had a lot of stress in my life over the last several months and even though I've turned to therapy to get through some of it, I'm still using food again. My fault, not the band. I so wish they'd create a band that rejects ice cream! My fantasy, lol.
I know you have been very unhappy with your band, and I am sorry that it's been such an unhappy experience for you. It's so disappointing when you take that step that you truly believe will be the answer, only to find it's not. It's heartbreaking. I know I have some regrets about the band, but really there is no other surgery I think would have been any better for me. I read the failed WLS site and there are people there with every type of surgery. At my age, 57, I am not willing to undergo any more WLS. I went into this with open eyes and it is what it is. I think once I feel a little less stressed, I may have another fill to see what happens, but right now, I don't think it's a good idea. I actually got stuck the other day - the first time in months. I didn't think I could, but it was a job related lunch and between a little stress, a little dry chicken in my salad and my not paying enough attention, I got stuck. I was so lucky that I didn't have to run to the bathroom - it went down after about 20 minutes, but it was uncomfortable sitting there with my boss and his boss unable to eat. They know I'm banded, and I eventually just told them I was stuck. One of the joys of being banded, I know.
Maybe I should be mad, maybe I blame myself too much for not succeeding with the band, but even if I haven't lost all my weight, I feel better. I just want to get under 200, I was getting close before I started having issues and my regain, so I know I can get there if I just start making better choices. I'm not seeing my surgeon again until mid December. I hope to have lost what I've gained before then and then I'll see what he says about beginning the fill process. I just want to be really careful.
Take care,
cat
Well I wish u the very best of luck with that! Weight loss is such a struggle for me as well. It does get very frustrating at times.
Oh and I see we have similar views about ice cream as well, lol. Love me some ice cream. Especially B & J's! They have a new Tiramisu flavor out, and I haven't been able to find it in the store. I think maybe that is a sign, lol.
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