Vicki Osbourne

I had similar problems. Had my band fixed back in place but now can't seem to get the same restriction. When I have 4mls in I get into problems. They take out 0.2 mls and I can eat too much. Fed up with band but don't know what else to do.

it is circular. Like a top hat.

the port is about 1 inch across. depending where i is placed it can be uncomfortable to lay on your tummy but eveyone is different

EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT . i have to have half a mil fills at a time but even that can make a big difference. all bands are different sizes and everyones bands are different.

I would love to just not have to think about food. Would be nice to just maintain weight without worrying. Have you been filled under X-ray? Want to ask Dr if that would make a difference.

I'm exactly the same. I think when the band is tight we eat so little that our metabolism slows right down. The dietician has told me to eat more and do interval training but its not working! The only way I seem to lose wright us to eat under 900 calls a day. It's so frustrating.

I'm doing ok although struggling with getting the right degree if tightness. At present it is a bit loose so can't seem to lose any weight. Seeing a dietician at the hospital and we are working on trying to build up my metabolism as she thinks I don't eat enough and have a slow metabolism. No reflux though thank god!

After having a further case of aspiration pneumonia and ending up in hospital I have now been accepted on follow up care by the NHS and have had one fill on NHS. I also have appt with bariatric dietician and support group. I am pleased I will be getting all round care at last from NHS!

I have major problems getting the correct fill. I had 3.5 mils in my band and had half a mil in and felt no different so had half a mil more and then couldn't eat at all so had to have a defill. Then I had 0.2 of a ml in at a time and then still got too full again had a stuck do and then had a 'drowning do' and ended up in hospital with aspiration pneumonia. Had to have a mil taken out again so I'm back to square one. It is expensive to keep having also these fills when you have to pay for them!

I would go on liquids only for a few days as your stomach sounds like it is swollen. If your still having problems then you may need a defill. Be careful. If its too tight and you keep eating and throwing up you could cause problems like a slipped band or erosion. If its still this bad after a few days of liquids you should contact your team.

I've just seen a thoracic surgeon. He doesn't think there is anything else going on but is sending me for a scan to make sure. He says it can take up to 6 months to see any improvement in your lungs after pneumonia.

Hi , i was banded in 2006 and managed to lose 7 stone but by 2009 i was having lots of problems with acid and reflux. I was advised to have my band emptied to try and relax my stomach back into shape but although it worked for awhile, my problems gradually got worse and worse. i started to have 'drowning' incidents at night, dreaming i was drowning and waking up with all this fluid in my lungs. I had infection after infection and several incidents of aspiration pneumonia. Although i had my band done privately i managed to be seen by a NHS surgeon who operated and repositioned my band. In the interim period i had regained 3 stone of weight. I am now trying to reach the fill point when i can lose weight again but finding it difficult to get my band to the correct point. Minor fills (0.2 of a mil) and my band is either too loose or then next time too tight and then i had a further incident with reflux 'drowning' and ended up in hospital again with pneumonia. My lungs are taking a long time to recover and i am still not loosing any weight despite calorie counting and trying to do as much exercise as possible.

I had exactly the same problem and after a year of near drowning sessions and bad lung infections I was diagnosed with a slipped band and a swollen pouch. I had surgery to reposition the band on 6 Jan and now feel amazing. I have not had any reflux do's at all and can now eat acidly foods again like fruit and orange juice and wine. These things have been off my menu for the last 2 1/2 years due to the reflux. You need help. Get your surgeon to do tests to check if your band is in the wrong position.

IT DOESNT HURT. Very similar to a small injection or pin prick. If the doc / nurse is experienced you wont feel anything!

It is the restriction that stops you feeling hungry. That is the whole point of the band it restricts what you can eat and holds the food longer so you feel full longer. The 'sweet' zone is when you reach a point when the band stops you eating and you maintain your weight (or lose depending on where you are in your weight loss) and you can eat just the right amount