Karad

Sadly this has been my and other's experience. Once unfilled, it seems extremely difficult (in my case impossible) to obtain the same feeling of restriction. I am curious as to why this is, and I hope some band doctor researchs this because so many bandsters who have been unfilled and are now re-filling state the same thing: a re=fill (even if done very slowly) back to the previous fill level does not feel the same as the original fill.
When I started getting my refills after an emergency unfill, the radiologist told me they never take you all the way back up in one fell swoop. The stomach has "relaxed" during the unfilled period and you just can't zap 6 ccs into the band like that. So we went very slowly (see my ticker) and once I got to 5 ccs I had to stop the process entirely as I started having band complications. (That's an entirely different thread).
I lost the bulk of my weight at 3 ccs...and now, at 5 ccs it is as if I have no band at all. Seriously. I feel no restriction whatsoever, and am only hanging onto my lost weight by fighting regain tooth and nail. The band is doing nothing for me at all.
I hope this will not be your case and you will refill slowly and suddenly you'll be at your green zone. I'm sorry you had a slip (and sorry you had that awful flu) because no one deserves complications, especially when you have done so well.

Never had my band unfilled, but I imagine it is just as it was in the beginning...as though the band is not there at all...so the fill process begins.
People react to different fill amounts....my first fill was more than you had in total...4cc's first fill, 4 weeks after surgery...and it did nothing. As a matter of fact, I gained weight after my first fill.
2nd fill was 4 weeks after that, or 8 weeks from surgery. 2 cc's were given for a total of 6. After that, things were so-so, stopped gaining, but still always hungry and not much in the way of Portion Control.< /p>
I suppose I could have stopped there and with the use of some good old will power and self discipline, I would have lost weight. But i don't have much of that when it comes to dieting...that's why I needed surgery in the first place.
It took 3 fills for a total of 7cc's to put me over the top.
That was over 3-1/2 years ago since my last fill....everything is still as good today as it was then.
Why did you need to have your band emptied?

OK- yes, gross!
Tengles- you said you drink some diet coke??!?! On a good day soda causes instant vomiting for me, I cant imagine it helping when your feeling stuck.

I love your FITNESS GOALS...... I always wanted to be a "runner." Problem is I can't seem to run...... I look like a DUCK...... But, I'm an ELLIPTICAL guru.......So, I modified my fitness goal to complete a 5K, 10K, and half-marathon on the elliptical. Not the same, but still an achievement. Best wishes as you continue to reach YOUR GOALS!

When I was banded just under a year ago, I didn't really pick a weight goal. That didn't hold any interest for me. Instead I picked a physical challenge goal: running a 5k. I did it today!!! I RAN THE WHOLE THING WITHOUT STOPPING!!! I had my best time too!!! It's only going to get better from here!!
My next goals are:
--making it to 100lbs loss (soon, I think!! Only 10 lbs to go)
--finishing a 5k in less than 40min (today's was 42)
--doing a headstand (IDK why, it just seems cool?)
--getting to size L (I'm XL now)
A friend invited me to do a mini-triathalon with her next April. I think I just might do it!!!!

I don't have any pictures yet but I'll try to post some soon!

I saw my surgeon today for a routine visit & weigh-in. I went in expecting to still be above my goal but, much to my surprise, I weighed in at 154 lbs! My goal when I started this journey was to reach 155 lbs, putting me at a normal weight for my height and a normal BMI. I was shocked to realize that I met that goal TODAY!!! Needless to say, I'm ecstatic! Now that I'm there, I've decided I still have a little bit more that I want to lose(not much, maybe 5 or 10 lbs) but I'm still celebrating this HUGE milestone in my journey as I can now say that I am no longer overweight, much less morbidly obese!!! Wow!!!! I thought this day would NEVER come and now, 8 months post-op, here I am!

I started my preop diet on 8/22 so from that date it has been 42 lbs.

Almost 2 months to the day of surgery I got the word that my sugar levels are good enough to stop taking the 2000 mg a day of metformin. So happy about that. I was also told that I no longer needed to take my nexium. So here I am just taking birth control as happy as I can be!

Your scale must be broken? You look much more petite than what your scale is telling you? Looking Fabulous!

Have been banded for 9 months now and have lost 95 lbs. would really like to lose 30 more lbs. at my highest (the before pic) I was 369 lbs. I lost 90lbs on my own before the band. I am siting around 180-185 right now. Just wanted to share where I am now.

I know some people will slag me and perhaps I will deserve it. I have had great weight loss success with the band (had it done 21.3.2013). Lost all my weight from 220lbs down to 116lbs and I love my new figure and love buying clothes but I feel like I have never been in the 'green zone' not once. I am either too tight or too loose and I continue to visit the doctor to either have fill/u fill. I wat this body and it is worth it but I still wish for a normal relationship with food and I don't have that.

I'm newly green. If I eat big pieces or too fast I get stuck. If I eat my Protein s l o w l y and chewchewchew then I am fine. Hardest thing ever for me to learn is to slow down that first bite and chew it to mush. I can't say it enough. I thought I was gonna be the exception. Hahahahahaha.

Yes, it is very allusive....a very fine balance between band adjustment, how we eat, and what we eat....
There was a time when it was not unusual for me to get stuck.slimed a few times a day....there were some very hard lessons to learn, and some old habits, beliefs I had to break....and it's very hard to determine if it's me or am I too tight. And it could have easily been interpreted either way...after calling my Dr. he said if I come in and get that last small fill taken out. 1/2cc, that would put me back to where I was before I had that last fill....and was that the place I wanted to be?
The answer for me was No...so it must be something other than the band...which turned out was Me!
I am in my 60's...that's a whole life of eating wrong! Some very deep ingrained habits that I was expecting to change withing a few months and a few fills?
Very hard to do....I'm still learning.....
I read posts here everyday about people eating certain things, and asking if it's Ok....I have to shake my head, but then, everyone is different and if it works for them, then who am I to say differently....

I fluctuate between 125 and 127 lbs. so I've lost 140+ lbs. That's more than half my initial body weight before surgery. I imagine myself literally cut in half when I think of before and after. I post this picture sometimes to show people what this amount of weight looks like. Yes...those are both pictures of me and I think it says it all.

Hello - I was banded in '06 and I've lost around 90lbs. My stomach looks like deflated bread dough... after the second rising punch down. Awesome. Anyway, I thought I would march in and get my Tummy Tuck and the surgeon would just move my port below the muscle or below my belly button so it wouldn't show as bad. These plastic surgeons look at me like I have two heads. One said I would have to talk to a general surgeon that has operating privileges in his surgery center to see how much he would charge or if he would even do it. Un-suturing this thing and suturing it below (my new!) belly button seems pretty simple. WTF? Amy I crazy? Also have any of you gotten the lower profile port? It doesn't appear to be that much smaller than the original one. I don't have a lot of fat on my belly and this thing sticks out HORRIBLY. Thanks banisters!

awww...you guys...<sniff sniff>

Today marks my one-year bandiversary! I am constantly amazed at the differences in my life that have happened over the past year. It's been a ride full of excitement, anxiety, self-discovery, and improved health.
When I weighed in for my surgery, I was 354lbs. I was scared to death. I asked my sister-friend to take me home more than once. I questioned what I was doing right up until I fell asleep in the OR. I woke up totally satisfied with my choice. I haven't looked back with regret a single time (Yes, I questioned my sanity a few times in those early days, but no regrets.)
One year ago, I was on blood pressure meds, high doses of arthritis meds for my feet and knees, I struggled with chronic pain, and I was generally unhappy. I knew I needed to change, but I couldn't do it on my own. I was trapped in the hell that was my body.
Today, I take NO blood pressure meds and my arthritis is under control without even tylenol. My chronic pain is no longer chronic nor constant. I am active and social and happy. My body is no longer my prison.
I have always struggled with anxiety. I still do. This year has forced me to face certain demons and admit my fears. I love my therapist. She is the most supportive, non-judgemental person. I don't know if I would be as successful as I am if she wasn't a part of my support system.
One year ago, I wouldn't dream of getting on a roller coaster. I've done this and so much more!!! One year ago, I would shut down at the thought of group exercise classes. Today I take boxing classes full of people...and my before and after pictures are displayed behind the check-in desk. One year ago, I was looking for inspiration. Yesterday I met a lady at the boxing gym that said my pictures and my story were her inspiration...talk about coming full circle.
One year ago, I didn't want to talk about me. I didn't want to talk about anything personal. This year, I have been the featured speaker at my weightloss support group. I was told afterwards that I moved many people in attendance. Me...the one that was scared to death to make the change that I needed so badly.
In one year I have dropped 165lbs. I have gone from a 5X shirt to a Large or Medium. I was a size 30 in jeans...today I am between a 12 and 14. I wear skirts again. I NEVER did that one year ago. I wasn't able to wear boots because my legs were too thick. I bought three pair last week because they zipped. One year ago, I was faced with living my life as a very solitary, hermit-like person. Today I am dating, meeting new people, doing new things, and living the life I have deserved for a very long time.
Thank you to all of you on this forum. I love coming here. On my bad days, I find inspiration. On my good days, I try to give it.
So, I'm attaching a few pictures for you
My before picture (May 2013)
My picture today (September 11, 2014)
The jeans I was wearing one-year ago...I fit in ONE LEG now!
Here's to the next year...and the one after that, and the one after that....

I fully realize now that there are a lot of jealous people that would gladly sabotage my journey. My mother being my worst critic. She has always put me down. Now that she has gained weight, she is very scared of me weighing less than her. My solution is to discuss anything with her accept weight. She knows I will change the subject. I visited two days in a row with a totally new hair do which was very flattering and she refused to notice. I am doing this for me and not her.

i was 336 pounds and wearing a snug size 30 and was as wide as i am tall
my insurance does not approve sleeves and i was (too scared to have bypass).
so i opted with the lap band...my dr even rolled his eyes at me and gave me a yeah, you will fail look. someone supersized like me had to make a decision to get well or lie to myself and the doctor and say yes i will do whatever it takes...that decision was mine to make...any WLS will only do so much
2 1/2 years later
i have done hospital seminars
been filmed 2 times for tv commercials
been in magazines
have a national blog w/awards
not bragging but i came from someone who couldnt wipe her ass
to where i am today...
whatever WLS you have, use it as the dr advises for best results
do the best you can, no excuses, no BS drama...and make yourself well.
each day that passes is one we do not get back.
we wasted enough...now time to get living..

It very smart of you to research and question everything ! Its your body, health, and future. So go for what is best for you and you alone. Also, make sure you have a good working relationship with your Dr. You and he/she will be on the same team for a looooonnnnggggg time, so make sure you're on the same page. As far as a 20 year study, etc ? I figure even 20 yrs of a healthy body is better than more years in an unhealthy body. No more sleep apnea, digestive problems, being dead tired all the time, trying to literally haul myself up stairs, etc......... I'll take it !

My starting weight was 283 lbs. I have done all of the fad diets over the years including multiple attempts at Weight Watchers, Atkins, South Beach, Slim Fast, just to name a few. The most I ever lost on any diet was about 70 lbs and I gained it all back(and then some). I had reached a point where my health was really beginning to suffer as a direct result of my obesity. I had hypertension, heart palpitations, type 2 diabetes, and was on multiple medications. I decided to look into WLS in January 2013. The only 2 surgeries I was willing to consider were lap-band and gastric sleeve. I ultimately decided on lap-band because it is less invasive, reversible, and can be revised to the sleeve, if needed, at a later date. The reverse is not true. I was also very uncomfortable with having part of my stomach removed, concerned with leaks, and other post-op complications that can happen with the sleeve. I was banded on December 20, 2013, so less than a year ago. My current weight is 148 lbs. I have lost a total of 135 lbs. I have gone from a size 24 to a size 6 in pants and dresses, and from a size 3x-4x down to a size small in tops. The best part is that I am off all my cardiac, blood pressure, and diabetes medications. The only meds I take now are synthroid because I have hypothyroidism(and even that is only 1/3 the dose I was on before), zyrtec for seasonal allergies, a Multivitamin, and Calcium supplement. This was absolutely THE best decision I ever made and I would do it all over again! The only regret that I have is that I didn't do it sooner! Best of luck to you in whatever you decide to do!

Just left goodwill with 4 pairs of work pants for 15. My husband asked if they all fit. I said one does, the others will next week..lol!

Love being able to wear smaller size clothing once again have gone from size 20 to size 12

Bought a pair of shorts and felt very comfortable in them. I wore them out in public and this was the first time I have done this in over 10 years!!!!