violetsmum

Your surgeon should have a chart on how you should feel, when you are at the right spot with your fills. In general, you will fill up on small portions and not be hungry again until the next meal time and maybe not even then. You will have some discomfort when you eat certain foods (mostly breads, carbs, etc..). That is what helps me stay away from those unhealthy foods. And you will be losing weight!!!
I will say that even without a change in my fill, there are changes inexplicable changes my band restrictions at any given time. Sometimes I can eat more than other. There are certain foods that bother me on a certain day, but I will have no problems with the next time I try them. So, give it sometime to settle in before you decide if you need more or less.
Good Luck!

Hi I'm not in Newcastle but I am in U.K. So that's a start.

Hi there, the links below in my signature helped me understand how the band works and how to work my band; maybe they will help you, too.....and how about calling your doctor to go in for a consultation. Maybe it's time for a fill! I am a person that needed four fills to get to the green zone and then as I lost more weight I needed to go back for a few more with a couple of small unfills in-between. In other words, getting my band "right" for me required some nuancing. I only have this rule for myself: eat when I'm hungry and don't eat when I'm not hungry. I wait until I get a hunger signal to begin my day, which means I never eat Breakfast now. Sometimes I don't eat until much later in the day but usually I am hungry around 11:30 or so. Paying attention to the hunger signal helped me get in touch with the full signal. I find I get bored with my food and sometimes have a sigh -- I just sort of know that I'm done. If I tried to overeat that would be impossible and I would be blapping it back up again. So for being really full, that is a very clear signal to stop immediately. Of course I overrode this quite a bit as I was getting the hang of this new lifestyle but these days I do pretty well so long as I listen. My body will tell me immediately if it's not going to tolerate something (chicken that has been reheated, anything I try to "bolt" down, etc.).
I do a Protein shake here and there -- 30 grams a pop -- and my body often wants an egg in the evening. I eat yogurt and I like almonds a lot. I eat cheese (my weakness but what the hell, why not have what I want if I'm not having much?). I'm of the opinion that Americans are obsessed with Protein intake. I think I get plenty. My body still has plenty of stored reserves that it is burning; I believe that is the idea.
Good luck to you!

I am with B-52. I simply eat until I feel full which is much sooner than it used to be.

I'm lucky I guess as I instinctively know when I've had enough. You appear to be doing everything 'right' ie eating slowly & watching your portion sizes. I'm not Clear from your post if you are worried about Under or overeating?
I'd suggest not being so hung up on the amount you are eating and try to listen to your body. I can assure you as long as you are eating a varied diet you will not become malnourished. I ate what I wanted and let my weight loss tell me How I was doing. Try it!

Depends upon how much restriction you have......for me, I simply cannot continue, impossible to do so, impossible to over eat........it's as though if I take one more swallow, it will have no where to go but right back up....I will start to get warning signs a little before, and will have to slow my eating down. But soon after, I'm finished....I could start eating again after taking a break, but that is where the 30 minute rule comes in....otherwise I could graze all day....fortunately hunger is no longer an issue so I have no desire to do so.
Drinking Water will only make it worse, taking the place of food as far a volume (portion size) goes....it does not wash it down, least not for me.
I follow the rules for no other reason other than it is the only way I can eat with the band....I HAVE to chew, I HAVE to eat slowly...putting my fork down between bites helps me slow down.....If I don't follow the rules, it would be impossible to eat at all.....

I'm lucky I guess as I instinctively know when I've had enough. You appear to be doing everything 'right' ie eating slowly & watching your portion sizes. I'm not Clear from your post if you are worried about Under or overeating?
I'd suggest not being so hung up on the amount you are eating and try to listen to your body. I can assure you as long as you are eating a varied diet you will not become malnourished. I ate what I wanted and let my weight loss tell me How I was doing. Try it!

I'm so disappointed. I've had great success with the band and I'm so scared of gaining weight.

@@Aurelia yes, I am afraid it is beyond doubt now that the number of serious complications with the band is far higher than people ever imagined even five years ago. A lot of doctors no longer implant them.
But mine is still fine after 9 years! I just am no longer confident it will be for life. I do everything I can to minimise risk - that's all any of us can do.

He hates the band and is weary of all the complications he's been seeing lately. He's had to remove a lot lately. He's also concerned about this spontaneous infection and says that the band could be encouraging it. He says a film grows on the band and bacteria can grow on it. I've also been on 4 different antibiotics and none of them seem to be working. This is the first major issue I've had with it. I wanted a revision to sleeve but my insurance says my BMI of 20 doesn't qualify me for more bariatric surgery.

I am sitting at the hospital waiting for the band removal. It has been in for two years and I have lost all the weight. It has been a fantastic experience to be really slim and I am just wondering if there are any people out there who had the band removed and stayed slim.

Why is it being removed? I assume you have had problems.
But you have learned good eating habits, you are motivated to stay slim, my very best wishes!
Obviously it can be done! But in honesty, everyone I know who has had it removed has regained.
Without the band, we are back into the category of those who diet without surgery; statistics show that only 5% keep the weight off.
Work hard, monitor yourself and you can do it! Be one of the 5%.

"Barrett's esophagus is a disorder in which the lining of the esophagus is damaged. This damage occurs when parts of the esophageal lining are repeatedly exposed to stomach acid."
This can lead to cancer - but is not cancer.
"Aspiration pneumonia is a respiratory infection that is caused when food or fluids are inhaled into the lungs. The food or Fluid causes infection to develop in the lungs."

So I've come to the end of my band journey ... and I am relived! The last few years have been pretty miserable and I hope my story can help someone else.
I was banded in Aug 2007. GREAT results! I was very lucky and didn't have to mess w/ too many fills/unfills or have any complications. (that I knew of) Pre-op weight of 311 and low of 160 in under a year. I didn't maintain the 160 for long but was happy in the 175-190 range for a few years. I'm back up to 240 and feeling like a complete failure.
I just had my band removed on Mon and I'm feeling pretty good. They used 2 of my old small incisions and had to open up the old port incision a bit. The port site is what's killing me. My band had slightly slipped but the removal was quick and uneventful. Didn't even have to spend the night in the hospital. I was thankful my surgeon supported my decision to have it removed and helped fight my insurance to get it covered. (Not medically necessary? What a joke! I'd love to know how much they've paid out in doc visits and tests for stuff all caused by the band because I know I've spent a fortune in copays & missed work. I guess it's the same as so many insurance company's paying for women to have a babies but not for birth control?!)
About 3 years ago I started having dizzy spells coupled with severe upper abdominal bloating/pain. The symptoms were very similar to diverticulitis, minus the bathroom troubles. Attacks started to get more and more frequent. Multiple visits to PCP, band doc, and finally a gastroenterologist. Multiple tests; barium, CAT scan, endoscopy, allergy tests, etc. The gastro theorized that I was experiencing aerophagia (swallowing too much air that gets trapped in your intestines and creates pockets - similar to diverticulitis) and the band was really trapping that extra air. I fought it and didn't think it was band related but after a year we did a complete unfill and guess what - no more attacks!! That was Dec 2013 and I've remained unfilled since. Still getting stuck often and having lots of indigestion.
Sometime during that year I developed horrible heartburn and have been on 40 mg Omeprazole since Sept 2013 w/ no relief!
Around the same time I also developed left shoulder pain. It was occasional and bare-able. I assumed maybe an injury or tendinitis. The shoulder pain finally got really bad and consistent about 6 months ago. Multiple visits to PCP, Orthopedic, & Physical Therapy. The therapist wanted me to get an MRI because the X-rays weren't showing anything, Cortisone shots didn't help, and my symptoms and range of motion didn't really sync up to a rotator cuff injury and/or tendonitis. I broke down in his office - "MORE EFFIN TESTS AND COPAYS AND PAIN AND AND ... wait a minute? Could this also be band related?" Did a little research and learned about the Vagus nerve and how it can be affected by the band. That little bastard really causes trouble! The body is so complex!
I developed sciatica about 1 yr after being banded but have severe Scoliosis so I chalk all back stuff up to that. I had a major episode last week and was barely able to walk or work for about 5 days leading up to my band removal. I was really nervous about recovering from abdominal surgery with my back in that state. My back has been 100% fine since coming out of surgery on Mon and I haven't taken much in the way of pain meds. Anyone w/ sciatica knows - a magic overnight cure does NOT happen. Now I'm thinking that was also band related because of the Vagus.
Only time will tell how my heartburn, shoulder and back are long term but I'm pretty optimistic the worst is behind me. I can't remember a time I went 5 days without saying "My shoulder is on fire!" I'm also still a little shocked and angry that something I did [voluntarily!] to make myself healthier made me so sick.
So I guess I'm starting over on the weight loss journey - thinking about Weight Watchers again. I keep telling myself it's a lot easier to lose 50lbs than 100 and am trying not to back slide any more. Maybe a revision in the future but not something I'm even ready to think about right now.
I hope someone reads this who may be experiencing similar symptoms and it helps turn that light bulb on because it took me awhile and a lot of wasted time and energy.

Yes!!! I know I've been a little under stress lately and I've noticed old habits creeping back... So frustrating!! I've thought about going to a lap band support group but it's over an hour away... Need my will power back

I've been thinking the same thing. I'm not hungry but 2 times a day. But my mind is always looking for something to eat. It drives me insane

Unfortunately what your dealing with is Common with a Band.
Banders experience Reflux at a rate of 33% and Erosive Esophagitis 44% it's not something to ignore.
Many Dr's just RX PPI's and continue to either change them or increase the dose.
Long term refux can /does cause Barrett's Esophagus.
Reflux at night can/does lead to Apiration pneumonia, a lot of times ppl like to say Oh, yeah just prop yourself up with pillows or stop eating hrs before bed and that will help.
When in fact the better solution is to just get the band removed and live a better life than medically induced bulimia, reflux, and night cough, becaue even with an unfill it will continue. OR you'll just start a visious cycle of endless unfills and fills and get nowhere for as long as your willing to allow your Dr. to do it.
Good luck

and what comments does anyone have on a home-computer software set up?
I've seen the on-line versions and now have decided to buy one AT HOME without all the cookies/privacy issues/etc.
I've used a variety of on-line free programs over the years, but have decided to actually get my own.
'Diet Master' seems to have high marks & is on sale for $24.95.
What's 'best' and works well?

Thank you so much for the info.

You should be fine to take pills.

I think maybe it could... Personally I am unable to drink anything after eating... I also have my drink first, it's a bit of a pain at times but deeply ingrained in me now!

Yes I know. The problem I face here in the UK is that I had it doMe as a private patient. Therefore the Nhs won't deal with it and I don't have any money to pay for investigations.
I am in the process of trying to get transferred across from the paid system to the free one.