Question:
How do I know if my band has slipped?

I am 1 month post op (lap band) and have only lost 14 lbs. Currently my band has about 4cc at most and I am not feeling any restriction and finding it hard to stay full. The band feels very ineffective-HELP!    — Xavier G. (posted on March 27, 2009)

March 27, 2009
The band is a very slow method. It can leave you hungry and it takes a while for the fills to be adjusted to the ideal level. Plan your meals carefully and give it time. It will help more as time goes on.
   — trible

March 27, 2009
I am 6 weeks post op and just had my first fill on Thursday. I too have 4cc's and feel no restriction. It is a fight to keep off the weight I have already lost. It too me many many years to put this weight on, and I just keep telling myself this is a process like anything else...don't give up and give the band time. My first reaction is...I want more in my band, but gradual is the way to go. Good luck and keep a positive outlook. Kimberly
   — kfgates

March 27, 2009
It is a very slow process of getting to your sweat spot with the Band. You have to have small increments done at a time so you don't have too much stoma swelling. Don't worry, you'll get there. Just keep following the rules and it will work. Best of luck.
   — DawnVic

March 28, 2009
I am 14 months post op lap band surgery. One thing you can do is to ask your surgeon to do is to do a "swallow test". You drink a small amount of baramum and they take an xray while you are swallowing. It will show the position of the band and how much fluid goes through it at a time. Also, please understand that band surgery is slower that gastric bypass. Follow your doctors instructions and the weight will come off.
   — shirl45

March 28, 2009
I forgot to mention that if you had a lot of restriction and all of a sudden, you have absolutely none and can eat everything that's not nailed down... a slip could be possible. Can occur after a serious amount of retching and vomiting. Always best to go slowly and go with what your doc says. With me, it is a challenge as I have a very finite line where I have to stop with restriction as I can be comfortably snug and go to stoma swollen and not able to swallow my saliva very easily. I can only handle between 4.5-5 cc's total (everyone is different- I know someone with 10 cc's) and this has to be done over many visits. At first I can get about 3 cc's, then we go by 1/2 cc increments so I don't swell. Again, everyone is different and there are different bands as well as surgeons. Some are very aggressive and want you tight quickly to get some immediate success under your belt and some are slow and gentle with fills. I much prefer the latter. Be sure to eat lots of high quality protein and veggies, lots of water between meals and exercise as much as you can and you'll get there. I wish you the very best of luck and welcome to the loser's bench. Dawn
   — DawnVic

March 30, 2009
I will be 8 weeks out on Wednesday and have lost 25.5 lbs. I had one fill on Feb 26. 3ccs. I cannot tell a difference in how MUCH I can eat, but I can tell a SLIGHT difference in how it goes down. I am at a plateau right now and my surgeon said that when I get to a point where I don't lose any weight for a week, that I should do protein drinks, water, and crystal light for 3 days to jumpstart the weight loss again. Well, I after going back to regular food, I can't seem to get back on track with the all liquids again, but I HAVE to.
   — Darkeesha S.