jonicorn

The band will still work for you. It's not a miracle so it will be hard work.
Try doing the pre-op milk diet for a couple of weeks to start you off. Research a clinic close to you that do lap-band adjustments and you should be able to pay for a top up.
Adapt the 20 20 20 as much as you can, let me know if you don't know what this is.
Make sure you have a deficit. No matter what the WLS is you have, it will undoubtedly not work if you don't have a deficit.
Perhaps start running around after your 1 year old already as your exercise. You did it once, you can do it again

Hey

We were banded within a day of each other and looks like we are very similar.
I have lost 47lb so far. I only thank my band for a small amount of it. Massive chunk was pre op diet, and the rest is my new found love of walking. The main thing the band has done for me is make me aware of what I am eating and how much of it for the pure fear of a blockage or slippage etc.
I now have 6.65ml in my 10ml band and before the most recent fill of just 0.4ml, I was feeling absolutely no restriction whatsoever. The tiniest amount topped up has taken me to where I am now. I wouldn't call it the sweet spot, because theres nothing sweet about it but I am definitely at restrictive point and my eating is slower, fewer and far between.
I agree with the previous posters words where the sweet spot doesnt exist and thats because it isn't what the band should really be designed for. We had the band to reduce our food intake but also tackle our hunger which we have gained over the years as a result of our excessive eating and that is exactly what it does.
Work with you band, and if its not pulling its weight, work for it! Make healthy adjustments and the true science of losing weight will prevail until you are feeling some restriction. Move more, eat less...it's that easy and although I know its easier said than done and if you could do it then you would never have needed the band, but then just think of your bank balance. It's like you've bought a brand new car but are refusing to drive it You can do this, I'll help you if you need it xx

Hey

We were banded within a day of each other and looks like we are very similar.
I have lost 47lb so far. I only thank my band for a small amount of it. Massive chunk was pre op diet, and the rest is my new found love of walking. The main thing the band has done for me is make me aware of what I am eating and how much of it for the pure fear of a blockage or slippage etc.
I now have 6.65ml in my 10ml band and before the most recent fill of just 0.4ml, I was feeling absolutely no restriction whatsoever. The tiniest amount topped up has taken me to where I am now. I wouldn't call it the sweet spot, because theres nothing sweet about it but I am definitely at restrictive point and my eating is slower, fewer and far between.
I agree with the previous posters words where the sweet spot doesnt exist and thats because it isn't what the band should really be designed for. We had the band to reduce our food intake but also tackle our hunger which we have gained over the years as a result of our excessive eating and that is exactly what it does.
Work with you band, and if its not pulling its weight, work for it! Make healthy adjustments and the true science of losing weight will prevail until you are feeling some restriction. Move more, eat less...it's that easy and although I know its easier said than done and if you could do it then you would never have needed the band, but then just think of your bank balance. It's like you've bought a brand new car but are refusing to drive it You can do this, I'll help you if you need it xx

What is restriction? Or what is it that people believe restriction to be?
Restriction with a band should be about eating smaller portions of healthy food and feeling satisfied afterwards . This can be a hard concept to understand. It is not about feeling full like preband. It is not about the band stopping you eating unhealthy fattening foods because conversely the more fills you have and the tighter your band gets the easier it becomes to choose those unhealthy , non satisfying foods(sliders).
When I got banded back in 2009 everyone used to talk about the sweet spot. That magical point where you would be eating tiny portions of healthy food , losing weight and never be hungry. Well that is like unicorns, it's nice to dream about but it doesn't exist.
Unfortunately the reality with the band is not the same as the marketing. I was told that I wouldn't be hungry, may only want 2 meals a day, would get sick if I ate too much etc. Well I have never only wanted 2 meals a day and would still wake up hungry . As for the throwing up if you eat too much it's more likely to be throwing up if you eat 1 bite of something that today your band decides it doesnt like that it was quite happy with yesterday.
BUT ITS NOT ALL NEGATIVE.
I lost all my excess weight plus more within 6 months of getting my band with very little really effort on my part. I didn't focus on Protein first as in Aus that wasn't a thing. I just tried to eat small portions of healthy foods. Poached egg on toast was a good Breakfast option although most days I could only manage half a slice. My go to food when I wanted something quick and easy was untoasted muesli with greek yogurt - that was a great substitute for lunch or dinner.
So don't go chasing rainbows. Work with your band and don't have it too tight. Realise that the sensations that you get now are your new normal and that the fullness or lack of hunger may be different to what you are expecting them to be.
And don't forget weight loss isn't a race. Slow and steady loss is fine.

The band will still work for you. It's not a miracle so it will be hard work.
Try doing the pre-op milk diet for a couple of weeks to start you off. Research a clinic close to you that do lap-band adjustments and you should be able to pay for a top up.
Adapt the 20 20 20 as much as you can, let me know if you don't know what this is.
Make sure you have a deficit. No matter what the WLS is you have, it will undoubtedly not work if you don't have a deficit.
Perhaps start running around after your 1 year old already as your exercise. You did it once, you can do it again

I dont think it would be related. The fill is literally just an injection into the port to inflate the band slightly. As it was your first fill, I doubt it was enough to make any difference really as it can take 6-7 fills before you are at your 'sweet spot'. Your sore throat might be from the flu on its way maybe? not sure.

Realistically, I think the lap-band, is perfect for someone who has 120lb or less to lose. It is definitely not a miracle but it helps.
I have NEVER been able to lose weight, and although I am still relatively new to it, I am loving it. I have changed my emotional attitude towards food, my portion size has definitely decreased and even between fills where I am seeing very little restriction, I am driven enough to control and monitor what I eat.
It's perfect for some, but definitely not everyone.

Realistically, I think the lap-band, is perfect for someone who has 120lb or less to lose. It is definitely not a miracle but it helps.
I have NEVER been able to lose weight, and although I am still relatively new to it, I am loving it. I have changed my emotional attitude towards food, my portion size has definitely decreased and even between fills where I am seeing very little restriction, I am driven enough to control and monitor what I eat.
It's perfect for some, but definitely not everyone.

Lol - The above sounds like a very worse case scenario! Not all stories are such nightmares, many are successes. If you treat the band well, it returns the favour.
I have not once been sick with my band, nor had a head ache, nor heartburn, indigestion, blockages...nothing. You get out of it what you put in and if you balance it with exercise, it will be a success. All the band is doing, is REDUCING YOUR STOMACH CAPACITY AND RELIEVING FREQUENT HUNGER. It is not slapping the food from your fork as you put it in your mouth.

Hi everyone,

I really need some advice. The guidelines are so varied throughout different places and consultants that I'm not sure what to do.
I had my band fitted 16.07.2018 and my first fill on 25.09.2018 - Ive lost 31lb in that time but have had very little restriction.
My fill was for 4ml but I definitely need more as I have been hungry and eating bigger portions BUT - I'm supposed to wait 3 weeks between fills which would bring me to 15.09.2018...the day I fly out on holiday.
So, APPARENTLY, you're not supposed to fly within 2 weeks of having a fill, which would mean I can't have a fill until 6th October which would be over a month of no restriction and a lot of damage (+a holiday) in between and I am bound to gain which would break my heart.
Do I go for a fill asap and not tell them about the holiday? or do I wait until October?
I just don't know what to do.

I have had my band for 10 years and I’ll be revising to a sleeve next year. I had to have all Fluid removed. My story is not the horror show some have. I don’t have a slip or a port flip that I know of (confirmed via swallow test) and my pouch isn’t stretched that I have been told but for whatever reason, it simply becomes too tight (even now with no fluid ) on occasion and I’m unable to eat solid foods. So I turn to “sliders” because I’m hungry. But sometimes even those come back. The Dr recommended revision and frankly, I’m tired of the “stuck” thing on a regular basis.

If I am asked if I recommend it I have to say maybe but leaning to no. There is a lot of upkeep and so many drs are leaving this technology behind that I simply don’t feel it will continue to be properly supported. But I would also never discourage someone who wanted it - with one caveat.

I think the best thing to do is GET A HANDLE ON YOUR EMOTIONAL EATING because the band *will not* help you with it. In many ways, it’s worse because the “bad foods” like Cookies, ice cream, mashed potatoes, sugar cereals etc all slide right in thru the band. So basically all the crap you turn to when you eat emotionally, yep, that’s going to really go thru. And the stuff you should be eating is what you get stuck on. So if you are really honest with yourself and are a big time emotional eater, you need to deal with that first. That’s actually homework for ANY surgery.

I’ll Also tell you what I told a friend. Start eating the “post op diet” now. Your portions may be larger but see what that post op diet is and eat that way now. You need to know if you can live with it before you have surgery. Lap band means NO carbonated drinks so get sodas, beer and fizzy drinks out of your diet now. All surgeries want you eating Protein first, veggies and then any carbs last. Do it now. Can you be happy eating this way? If you’re a Diet Coke addict you may as well work that out of your life now and not in recovery when you’re dealing with everything else. Can you have the occasional champagne toast or piece of cake? Of course. But notice the word “occasional” meaning a wedding or birthday is an “occasion”. Tuesday or “I had a bad day” is not. If you eat that post op diet and feel like “oh, this is nice. I feel good” it will help bolster your decision. Maybe you will like eating your protein and then a veggie and feel like “nah, I don’t need mashed potatoes”. I know I did and it felt great!! But if the thought of not having soft drinks, or bread or drinking anything with your meal (lapband guidelines state don’t drink with your meal or for 30 min afterwards) makes you want to cry, then this isn’t the surgery for you.

Can you be successful with the band? Sure! I did well for quite a while although I only lost 40 lbs. But the success cases I’ve seen have been from folks who really did their homework and got their heads right remember, they band your stomach, not your mouth. If you eat a whole bag of m&ms because you’re upset, the band can’t stop that.

You'll get there. As you said, its entirely based on the individual person. Ive struggled my whole life with my weight and never been able to lose due to many health issues but this just seems to work for me. Exercise is the main part of it for me though. I highly recommend walking.

Ahh I love swimming - It's such an easy exercise but so good for you! I used to go lots years ago, but since gaining weight I'm so self conscious in a swimming costume I talk myself out of going

My surgeon said my band was a 10ml max one too - and said the most he would put in is 4ml for a first fill, but only put in 2ml. I suppose everyone is so different it is hard to tell!
I do think since surgery I feel fuller quicker (before fill), but dont really feel much change from the first fill. I was told to have liquids for 24hrs so I have just introduced soft food but its all going down completely normally!

Ahh I've been looking for a twinny!! I feel exactly the same really, slightly disappointed at the moment as I had some Breakfast this morning and do not feel at all restricted or different - I only had 2mls put in and dont feel like it was enough so think I might need a bigger fill next time! How are you getting on??

I had my first fill yesterday and I felt no pain at all! Slight scratch of the needle going in, I'd say less painful than a blood test because its straight into belly fat!
I was petrified - but really...nothing to worry about!

Don't worry about it : it's painless and done in no time.

People are lookin' and doin' good around here.... congratulations to EVERYONE on their progress and success!!

My starting weight:334 lbs - Original (sleeve) Surgery date Nov 2016; As of Aug 2018 150 lbs and holding steady.
Here are my progress pictures: