Bandakat412

Ugh. I hate to get caught up on negativity...BUT...this is a sensitive topic for me. I actually made a well educated, purposeful decision to go to Mexico for surgery...on multiple occasions. Likewise, I made a decision to have a 4cc band.
It is factual that there is a higher slip rate, but as previously stated, there are some contributory factors to that statistic that are not band, but rather surgeon related. Also, why get a band if its not as efficacious? 4cc banders reach and feel restriction, and for that benefit need to be smart about their fills more so than those with a larger band.
We can all banter for a while...each has pros and cons. Some of the evolution was in response to band competition and marketing in the market...some was for reduced slippage.
Regardless, people with 4cc bands are not damned to horrible complications. And on a final note, Mexico can be a very safe, and for me SAFER because of anesthesia issues, than in the US.

I had plastics in Monterrey, MX and lap band last week with Dr. Aceves in MX. I had PS here at home one time, and RNY several years ago here at home.
I still talk with my Mexican PS surgeon. He was caring and I had a daily personal nurse come to my hotel before I could go home. After my LB in MX I was motoring around with my IV pole the same day. The have different rules about anesthesia- for me it was MUCH better than surgery at home.
I will say I have a 4cc band, but I didn't argue. They had the AP and realize. 4cc have higher complication but better restriction sensation. Since mine is band over my bypass pouch, I figured higher pressure was better.
What do I know! But I know I have a band and port. Fluro to prove it. I can't imagine where people are getting gauze instead. I believe bad things happen everywhere.

With my first band it took me 8.5cc in a 10cc band to get good restriction. Like you, I didn't even feel it until I got to about 7cc. Like you, I'd feel it for a few days then the swelling from the fill would settle and it would disappear.
All it means is you're not yet at your green zone. Get more fills.
Now to add to what Missy said, when I'm in the green zone, I actually FEEL like I can't eat anymore once I've eaten a little bit of food. I'm right now sitting in front of a plate of food and I've had 3 bites and feel no desire to eat anymore because I feel like I can't take another bite. That's what you're striving for when getting the right restriction, imo. Satiety. Satisfaction. But you can push past that feeling and keep going if you really wanted to, risking stretching your pouch and over-eating. That's where your band stops and where YOU kick in, to ensure you keep to band-sized meals. But with the right restriction, you shouldn't be hungry for a long while even after eating that little.

Glad to hear that I seem to be in the minority with the UN-fill problems. And don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of the band. I had it for 10 great years with great success!! I'm just sharing my experience as is everyone.
And for those of you who seem to know where or how I went wrong... How I didn't do the right thing or eat the right amount or types of food... Well, I caution YOU especially!!!
DON'T PASS JUDGEMENT BASED ON INADEQUATE INFORMATION!! We are all different as was said. Anyone ever pass JUDGEMENT against you??
Ever heard THESE words before:
- "YOU DON'T NEED THE LAPBAND!! YOU'RE JUST LAZY AND DON'T WANT TO EXERCISE OR EAT RIGHT!!!" -
If you say you never heard those words then you're LYING!! It's hard for people who don't have a weight problem to understand what it's like for those of us who do, RIGHT???
SOOO... Step down off of your HIGH-HORSE and remember where you started!!
Cause we all started at the same place... A place filled with the best of hopes and intentions.

You are a blessing. I really needed that. No one has said to me that they were lost post surgery and then got found! Specifically with the calorie/volume thing anyway. I don't want to be a failure. Especially since I was self pay and this is my last resort.
Not giving up!! Thanks for the luck me up.

Here's a recent post about this very topic...and NEVER, EVER give up!
http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/173709-ahhhthe-mystical-green-zone/

How long does banister hell last?
I'm about three months in. Other than getting chicken stuck, I don't feel like I have a band. I'm exercising 5 days a week...a lot...but I know I'm eating too much. If I could dirt successfully without help, I wouldn't have gotten the band.
Is this feeling of hopelessness normal? Does the green zone really change things that dramatically?
Help!!

I agree. Not a first date topic. I actually dated someone for two years and never told him. I was crazy in love and I'm not ashamed, but it wouldn't change anything and people don't get it really well, even if they are awesome. In other words, what's the benefit of sharing?

Weight is NOT calories in calories out. Sorry! I say that with all due respect but metabolism is one of the most complicated things on earth. The same calorie foods may be digested differently- how they raise/lower blood sugar, cause cellular inflamation, contain Fiber, etc.
That being said, its really easy to eat more than you record- an extra spoonful here, tast there. Be honest with yourself. Eat low glycemic, non processed foods and especially avoid sugar and bread of any kind. If you kept your exercise the same, change it. Your body adapts. You either need new type or higher intensity. M
And as the above poster said, its possible to retain 5 lbs in Water. Best of luck!!!

Just wanted to throw some thoughts in here....1) the fact that your doc is so pessimistic about the band and no longer does lb is a great indicator for you to find a new doc who is a little more enthused and knows how to manipulate the band properly to achieve YOUR goals. 2) I never understood this mentality the band doesn't make you lose weight... than why did we get it? The restriction of the band can grossly impact how/what and when we eat and that should be an understood. I noticed at 5cc was a great maintenance fill for 195. I couldn't gain on that fill for nothing (but had to work diligently to lose). After a 0.5cc fill I am now down to 155 and I consider this my maintenance fill for 155-160. Harder to gain but also having to work at losing.You have the right idea of taking out Fluid to allow for weight gain, however, the key is how much. The quick (unassisted) release of saline does imply you were overfilled. You should meet slight resistance when putting saline in and not go beyond that. But if I were the doc, I'd of let the excess come out and not take any further. Also don't forget, position, menstruation can be correlative factors for why so much came out, so is it real? <shrugs> Didn't sound like you were having bad experiences/symptoms indicating overfill so who really knows. However, if I were you I'd get more put back in to find that happy 'maintenance' zone so you don't gain excessively.

Sounds like you are doing great. The pudding thing can be an issue. I used it for awhile,but now I buy a pudding at my surgeon's office that is made for us. Don't like it as well as the Jello puddings, but it is not as habit forming either. I do what I can a 2 pound bounce for a few days each week and then I notice a weight loss. 2 up and 2 down and then finally 3 or 4 pounds off. This can go on for a few days or a couple of weeks. Was banded 4 months ago today and have lost 44 pounds post surgery with 16 pre op so doing good. Sounds like you are doing well yourself. I just have to remember to to compare myself to others. Have friend, my buddy in surgery, who had by pass one month before I had the band. She is ahead of me in weight loss, but that is her program. We work to encourage each other through the highs and lows and both understand this is a tool we must work. Best of luck in you journey.

Your doctor sounds like an asshat. My inner fat girl just got crazy angry. I hate when people say "well go lose weight". Duh you have to try no matter the surgery, but if we could go lose weight without surgery, we wouldn't be here!!!

Your doctor sounds like an asshat. My inner fat girl just got crazy angry. I hate when people say "well go lose weight". Duh you have to try no matter the surgery, but if we could go lose weight without surgery, we wouldn't be here!!!

Ugh. I hate to get caught up on negativity...BUT...this is a sensitive topic for me. I actually made a well educated, purposeful decision to go to Mexico for surgery...on multiple occasions. Likewise, I made a decision to have a 4cc band.
It is factual that there is a higher slip rate, but as previously stated, there are some contributory factors to that statistic that are not band, but rather surgeon related. Also, why get a band if its not as efficacious? 4cc banders reach and feel restriction, and for that benefit need to be smart about their fills more so than those with a larger band.
We can all banter for a while...each has pros and cons. Some of the evolution was in response to band competition and marketing in the market...some was for reduced slippage.
Regardless, people with 4cc bands are not damned to horrible complications. And on a final note, Mexico can be a very safe, and for me SAFER because of anesthesia issues, than in the US.

That makes TOTAL sense! It's about your proper use of the band. Thanks for the response!

Ugh. I hate to get caught up on negativity...BUT...this is a sensitive topic for me. I actually made a well educated, purposeful decision to go to Mexico for surgery...on multiple occasions. Likewise, I made a decision to have a 4cc band.
It is factual that there is a higher slip rate, but as previously stated, there are some contributory factors to that statistic that are not band, but rather surgeon related. Also, why get a band if its not as efficacious? 4cc banders reach and feel restriction, and for that benefit need to be smart about their fills more so than those with a larger band.
We can all banter for a while...each has pros and cons. Some of the evolution was in response to band competition and marketing in the market...some was for reduced slippage.
Regardless, people with 4cc bands are not damned to horrible complications. And on a final note, Mexico can be a very safe, and for me SAFER because of anesthesia issues, than in the US.

Oh and PS to back up my rant, I had a Tummy Tuck covered by insurance in the US because of my Weightloss, and I opted instead to have it for cost, in Mexico.

Ugh. I hate to get caught up on negativity...BUT...this is a sensitive topic for me. I actually made a well educated, purposeful decision to go to Mexico for surgery...on multiple occasions. Likewise, I made a decision to have a 4cc band.
It is factual that there is a higher slip rate, but as previously stated, there are some contributory factors to that statistic that are not band, but rather surgeon related. Also, why get a band if its not as efficacious? 4cc banders reach and feel restriction, and for that benefit need to be smart about their fills more so than those with a larger band.
We can all banter for a while...each has pros and cons. Some of the evolution was in response to band competition and marketing in the market...some was for reduced slippage.
Regardless, people with 4cc bands are not damned to horrible complications. And on a final note, Mexico can be a very safe, and for me SAFER because of anesthesia issues, than in the US.

I suggest you do your homework before throwing out fiction based on opinion. OPINIONS Like.....we all have one
I was just stating a FACT that you can't get a 4cc band in the U.S. IF anyone was so inclined
But I'm curious about the 5% complication rate, if that is from the study from monash? and Dr. O'Brien, I've read it and it was done from 1994-2011 was that done with some of the 4cc bands?
The Facts are that bands didn't start in the U.S. so why Scare anyone in England, Australia, Mexico because they have a 4cc band. Years have passed and improvements have been made. surgical techniques perfected ( hopefully)
If anyone is interested in whether your U.S. Doctor was proctored by a Mexican Doctor let me know I can provide a link.

I had plastics in Monterrey, MX and lap band last week with Dr. Aceves in MX. I had PS here at home one time, and RNY several years ago here at home.
I still talk with my Mexican PS surgeon. He was caring and I had a daily personal nurse come to my hotel before I could go home. After my LB in MX I was motoring around with my IV pole the same day. The have different rules about anesthesia- for me it was MUCH better than surgery at home.
I will say I have a 4cc band, but I didn't argue. They had the AP and realize. 4cc have higher complication but better restriction sensation. Since mine is band over my bypass pouch, I figured higher pressure was better.
What do I know! But I know I have a band and port. Fluro to prove it. I can't imagine where people are getting gauze instead. I believe bad things happen everywhere.

I predict you'll start seeing your weigh drop soon...and then it will be "off to the races." I had a stall post-op...most of us do. But keep doing what you are doing and your body will readjust. Often your body will hang on to the weight after a drop such as yours (10 lbs) just trying to figure itself out for a bit...and then zoom....weight loss continues. Don't give up...ride out the stall. Each day you are getting nearer to breaking that plateau.

What you eat matters to weight loss. It's not just calories in/calories out. Sugar and even high glycemic fruits and white starchy food, spikes blood sugar which can cause weight gain and metabolic syndrome, and then the blood sugar drop leads to hunger. Some foods cause cellular inflammation that leads to weight gain. These vary with individuals but can be wheat and corn.
Anyway, as long as you get your nutritious foods, maintain your weight if you're happy where you are- I wouldn't compare to others. Everyone has something different that doesn't agree with their band.

What you eat matters to weight loss. It's not just calories in/calories out. Sugar and even high glycemic fruits and white starchy food, spikes blood sugar which can cause weight gain and metabolic syndrome, and then the blood sugar drop leads to hunger. Some foods cause cellular inflammation that leads to weight gain. These vary with individuals but can be wheat and corn.
Anyway, as long as you get your nutritious foods, maintain your weight if you're happy where you are- I wouldn't compare to others. Everyone has something different that doesn't agree with their band.

What you eat matters to weight loss. It's not just calories in/calories out. Sugar and even high glycemic fruits and white starchy food, spikes blood sugar which can cause weight gain and metabolic syndrome, and then the blood sugar drop leads to hunger. Some foods cause cellular inflammation that leads to weight gain. These vary with individuals but can be wheat and corn.
Anyway, as long as you get your nutritious foods, maintain your weight if you're happy where you are- I wouldn't compare to others. Everyone has something different that doesn't agree with their band.