VegasGrace

I agree. Restriction isn't constant and is not the same at any given point in the day. I don't think you are too restricted. But you have to decide. My restriction would have been too much for someone else where it suited me just fine. Eat 1-2 bites and walk away from the table. After 10 minutes if you are still hungry- eat another 1-2 bites. I've found, for me, I eat all day long. Seems I get hungry...painfully hungry... if I've not had anything within 3 hrs. I still have restriction eventhough I'm on maintenance. You are doing great, btw!

No, Mary. Sorry. But I moved and am now closer to Las Vegas than my normal doc and it would be so much easier...and fun...to go to Vegas for any band adjustments. Don't suppose you know anyone that takes on new patients banded elsewhere?

Oh, wanted to add... turning to food... I've always done that and still do it. The band is designed to help you more during those times you turn to food. Ensure you have restriction...and gaining a pound won't hurt anything. Plus if you have restriction...your turning to food will be like mine...3 doritos out of a bag and you're done.

Hi, was banded 2 days after you. Just hang in and hang on and rely on the Lord. All will be well.

Thanks so much for your thoughts and advice. After giving this the weekend to think over, I'm going to increase my calories. My band tends to be tighter during certain parts of the day so I'm going to eat at other times. And I got that ice cream...orange push-ups. Had 3 this weekend. I also bought honey buns...but after half of one, it's just too sweet. And I agree, everyone is different and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And for me, thin isn't attractive. I guess I'm a throwback to Renaissance times when big was beautiful. Actually, most time periods found bigger to be beautiful over pencil thin....and it's only western civilization that finds thin in. I've lived around the world and ...well, there's nothing like western culture! That's for sure. So, for me, when bones tend to protrude...not pretty. And for me that's a size 6... I can't get any thinner or else my collarbone and knees are going to look funny. For those men and women who can pull it off to be thinner...more power to them as I just can't do it. If after a few months I still lose weight, I'm going to call my doc for another slight unfill. Thanks again!

You hang in there. You are not supposed to lose your first pound until after you get fills to reach restriction...so you have beaten those odds. Congrats! I didn't lose my first pound until 10 weeks after surgery, 2nd fill.

Technically, yes. The doc can leave some fluid in the band. Doesn't happen often. Didn't happen w/ me. Others will chime in.

I came to the board to see if anyone could offer assistance on loosing too much weight. I shared my experience and my desire and BOOM! Some took offense, as evident by some of the posters. Never did I say what others should weigh....or how others look. I said "me" and "I". Wish I could delete a thread I started as there is vulgar language in some of the posts. But for everyone...I, me said I didn't want to be less than a size 6 because of knobby knees and such. Me, I....didn't say anything about anyone else. Thanks for all the support and advice. Loosing too much weight..... up the calories a tad because you could be like me....borderline losing...if there is such a thing. Just some candy at Easter held my weight. So, an extra glass of juice or some extra fruit will solve my problem.

Oh, BTW, Corporate America has no problem with outsourcing....but let the consumer do it..... babies!

No, it's not. Docs around here charge way more than that. That's a bargain! You mentioned their lawyers...that's hogwash! Business is business and there is no more 'risk' in doing a fill on a new patient than one they banded themselves. What's going on is ego.... practices are angry they are losing business to outsourcing and so the only thing they can do is to try to get docs together to not accept new patients banded elsewhere...hoping to 'penalize' those who do. But we live in a mobile society. I've moved twice since being banded. So a doc won't treat me? Hogwash! At $325 a fill, and you will need at least 2-5 fills.... add that cost w/ the price you paid in MX, you still are a winner!

I alone chose my goal weight. No doctor can tell me what I think I should weigh. But your doctor can help guide you. My goal was 150. That would make me thinner, but still a little plump...I'm 5'4". Well, I exceeded that by 9 pounds going to 141. 140 is my pre-birth of children weight. Today I step on the scales and see 139. 139!? But according to the BMI charts that puts me at the top end...towards overweight of the normal scale. Only you can decide. But I would stay away from charts and stuff because they don't make sense. 141 I'm overweight. huh.

Hmmm.... Well, how agressive do you want to be with the band? That's what you have to decide and work with your doctor. Vomiting is never good. So if you are indeed vomiting, and not just sliming, then an unfill was in order. Keep close to your doc, let them know how agressive you want to be and they will make this band work for you.

Wow! No, Inamed, makers of the Lapband system claim this appliance is made to last a human's lifetime. But, being the concious consumer.... how do we know that's really true? We'd have to look outside the USA becuase the band hasn't been FDA approved here as long as it has in other parts of the world. So that would be international news..not here in the US. Of course, we'd find out about it. I'm curius, too about the band...and how long it lasts. I'm on maintenance and although I'll never see my band doc again, unless something goes wrong.... in the back of my mind I wonder. Do Australians use the Inamed Lapband System, or do they have another manufacturer? And how long has it been in use in Australia? (I'm not Australian but if you don't mind I'd like to keep an eye on this thread as I'd like to know, too)

Hi and welcome. You will find so much information about the band here. So many different people with different experiences. As for me, I think I slime more than anyone else or those willing to admit it. But I've never PB'd. Slime is something everyone has. It helps the esophogas carry the food from the mouth to the stomach. Think of it as grease or a lubricant. When you get restriction, the food tends to linger in the esopogas a little longer, that is your 3rd or 4th bite because previous swallows has that food sitting at the band...so other food is just backing up. So those bites get a build up of this slime. It's just the body's way of utilizing the food. But sometimes, and with me it's always, the body will expell it rather than take it on down to the stomach. It's painless and quick. I simply lean over the sink and let gravity take it's course. Now PB'ing...that's Productive Burp...and people do that to, banded or not. Babies do it and spit up their milk. Teens do it to expell the extra air with their Dr. Pepper. Bandsters can do it, too. It helps get rid of air and move food through. Hope this helps and keep us posted on how things go for you.

Your pre-op diet is typical for this procedure. It was just like mine.

Which is right? Whatever your doctor says.

OUCH! Bless your heart. Thank goodness you have insurance! So those out there if you have insurance.... work it so that it will cover this procedure! Me? I paid $8,000 for my new me. And yep, I paid it, don't have insurance.

Sure, I can help you with that. I've been there and done that. I can tell you everything you need to know about this...but remember it's coming from my experience. I'll answer your questions if you ever need to know something. The good is: The lapband system works. It's a simple system, not rocket science. The bad: hahaha, are you sure you want to know? It hurts. yeppers, you have to have it surgically implanted. You have to have your innards tinkered with. A few days and all will be well. Then you will experience times of absolute hunger...shaking and everything. This is when your body is dying, yes, literally dying. Cells are being broken down. But this is what you want, right? Fat cells to shrink. But the body doesn't like it when you try to kill it, and that's what it thinks you are doing. Of coures, dieters w/o the band can experience that...so that's nothing new. Good luck!

So true. I have surpassed my goal and I eat normally. The only thing that has changed has been the quantity. I did not diet. Diets have failed me so there was no sense in trying it again. That's why I got the band. I have pop. I have ice cream, Cookies, Doritos, pizza, etc. Not everyday mind you...but from time to time. But now I can control how much I eat. And, if I overeat the band is my backup. This has been the smartest, best financial decision I have ever made in my life.

So many search the forum for this information. This isn't a secret...and it's straight from Inamed. This describes exactly how much fills should be. When fills should be given, when they shouldn't be. Make this a sticky so everyone will have this info. Straight from the manual: INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE: BAND ADJUSTMENT Postoperatively, the surgeon may adjust the stoma size percutaneously by injecting or aspirating saline with the access port needle via the self-sealing access port. The following are general guidelines for LAP-BAND System adjustments: 1. The initial postoperative adjustment should occur 4-6 weeks after the operation. In most cases, you will add 1-2 cc of saline to the 9.75 and 10 cm LAP-BAND, 2-3 cc to the VG LAP-BAND, and 4 cc to the 11 cm LAP-BAND. 2. The patient should be reviewed regularly (every 4-6 weeks) and weight and clinical status measured. If the weight loss has averaged less than 1 lb per week over the period and the patient indicates there is not excessive restriction to eating, a further increment of Fluid should be added (usually 0.3 - 0.5 ml) 3. Where the average weight loss between visits has been greater than 2 lbs per week, normally no additional fluid would be added. 4. If the weight loss has averaged between 1 and 2 lbs per week, additional fluid would be indicated if the patient feels he/she can eat too freely or finds difficulty in complying with the dietary rules. 5. Fluid would be removed from the system if there were symptoms of excessive restriction or obstruction, including excessive sense of fullness, heartburn, regurgitation and vomiting. If symptoms are not relieved by removal of the fluid, barium meal should be used to evaluate the anatomy. Prior to doing an adjustment to decrease the stoma, review the patient's chart for total band volume and recent adjustments. If recent adjustments have not been compliant with nutritional guidelines, the patient my have a leaking band system, or may have a pouch enlargement or esophageal dilation due to stomal obstruction, band slippage or over-restriction. Band system patency can be conformed by injecting saline into the band system, then immediately withdrawing it. An absence or decrease in fluid volume indicates a leak in the system may exist. The band may be evaluated for a leak using a radiopaque solution, such as Hypaque or Conray-43, flushing it from the band system after the evaluation. If pouch enlargement or band/stomach slippage is suspected, a limited upper GI with a samll amount of barium or gastrograffin can be used to evaluate the size of the pouch, the gastric stoma and the position of the band. CAUTION: Insufficient weight loss may be a symptom of inadequate restriction (band too loose). Or, it may be a symptom of pouch or esohpageal enlargement, and may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as heartburn, regurgitation or vomiting. If this is the case, inflation of the band would not be appropriate. The band internal diameter may be decreased approximately 0.5mm by adding an additional 0.4 cc of sterile saline. Excessive restriction may result in a closed stoma. Because of the possible complications that can occur with excessive restriction, a doctor familiar with the adjustment procedure must be available for several days post-adjustment to adjust the stoma in case of emergency. Deflation (an increase in stoma size) is considered if the patient experiences frequent episodes of vomiting, is unable to swallow liquids or appropriate foods, or if there are medical indications for increasing nutrient intake. the internal diameter of the band can be increased approximatley 0.5mm by withdrawing 0.4 cc of the fluid. Elective deflation of the band is advisable in the following situations: Pregnancy Significant concurrent illness General anesthesia Remote Travel Travel to areas where food or Water contamination is endemic.

Straight from the manual: INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE: BAND ADJUSTMENT Postoperatively, the surgeon may adjust the stoma size percutaneously by injecting or aspirating saline with the access port needle via the self-sealing access port. The following are general guidelines for LAP-BAND System adjustments: 1. The initial postoperative adjustment should occur 4-6 weeks after the operation. In most cases, you will add 1-2 cc of saline to the 9.75 and 10 cm LAP-BAND, 2-3 cc to the VG LAP-BAND, and 4 cc to the 11 cm LAP-BAND. 2. The patient should be reviewed regularly (every 4-6 weeks) and weight and clinical status measured. If the weight loss has averaged less than 1 lb per week over the period and the patient indicates there is not excessive restriction to eating, a further increment of Fluid should be added (usually 0.3 - 0.5 ml) 3. Where the average weight loss between visits has been greater than 2 lbs per week, normally no additional fluid would be added. 4. If the weight loss has averaged between 1 and 2 lbs per week, additional fluid would be indicated if the patient feels he/she can eat too freely or finds difficulty in complying with the dietary rules. 5. Fluid would be removed from the system if there were symptoms of excessive restriction or obstruction, including excessive sense of fullness, heartburn, regurgitation and vomiting. If symptoms are not relieved by removal of the fluid, barium meal should be used to evaluate the anatomy. Prior to doing an adjustment to decrease the stoma, review the patient's chart for total band volume and recent adjustments. If recent adjustments have not been compliant with nutritional guidelines, the patient my have a leaking band system, or may have a pouch enlargement or esophageal dilation due to stomal obstruction, band slippage or over-restriction. Band system patency can be conformed by injecting saline into the band system, then immediately withdrawing it. An absence or decrease in fluid volume indicates a leak in the system may exist. The band may be evaluated for a leak using a radiopaque solution, such as Hypaque or Conray-43, flushing it from the band system after the evaluation. If pouch enlargement or band/stomach slippage is suspected, a limited upper GI with a samll amount of barium or gastrograffin can be used to evaluate the size of the pouch, the gastric stoma and the position of the band. CAUTION: Insufficient weight loss may be a symptom of inadequate restriction (band too loose). Or, it may be a symptom of pouch or esohpageal enlargement, and may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as heartburn, regurgitation or vomiting. If this is the case, inflation of the band would not be appropriate. The band internal diameter may be decreased approximately 0.5mm by adding an additional 0.4 cc of sterile saline. Excessive restriction may result in a closed stoma. Because of the possible complications that can occur with excessive restriction, a doctor familiar with the adjustment procedure must be available for several days post-adjustment to adjust the stoma in case of emergency. Deflation (an increase in stoma size) is considered if the patient experiences frequent episodes of vomiting, is unable to swallow liquids or appropriate foods, or if there are medical indications for increasing nutrient intake. the internal diameter of the band can be increased approximatley 0.5mm by withdrawing 0.4 cc of the fluid. Elective deflation of the band is advisable in the following situations: Pregnancy Significant concurrent illness General anesthesia Remote Travel Travel to areas where food or Water contamination is endemic.

Don't stress over it. Eat what you can tolerate. You have the band so don't kill yourself trying to diet. There was a time for about a month that I could not eat much...and I tried so desperately to eat eggs, carrots, chicken...even chicken salad, turkey...even mushed.... I tried to eat healthy. But it wouldn't go down. I was so desperate for food that I ate Doritos. They went down. Another time I was hungry, I reached for peanut M&Ms my daughter had...they went down. So, I lived off them for a few weeks. Drinking milk for Protein. That time passed and that chicken salad was delicious! So, do what you gotta do to get food down. In the big picture it's not that bad of a thing. But always talk to your doctor.

Dr. Huacuz.... talk to all his patients (ensure they really are his patients and not competitors under multiple names on this board). I've had great success with him. He did a perfect job on me....perfect as the band worked, he did his part, I did my part....and well, check out my ticker. Secondchance, I saw on another thread you were banded a long time ago and had complications and now have a bypass. I see you just joined lapbandtalk....welcome to the group.

Relationship with your surgeon for the rest of your life? Wow...never even heard of such. I don't even have a realtionship with my eye doctor, the docs that delivered my children, ... no one in the health care industry. Why would I want a relationship with my surgeon? I selected my surgeon after research and interviewing him and his staff. I chose him so I wouldn't have to have a relationship with him or his staff. Do it right and there won't have to be a relationship. Of course, I got lucky. Surgery, 2 fills, 1 slight unfill for maintenance and I'm done. Doctors to me are those you 'never want to see again' because you want health...not seeing them. This is just another viewpoint. I know some who live in the same house they were born in, work at the same job for 40 years, have the same doctor forever...hey, that's great for them!

I was banded last June.