Should I get unfilled?

Mariposa Bella · December 6, 2005

Well, I have lost the 10 lbs I had put on after ps, and I am down to 148. I have been walking 2 miles every morning and watching what I eat. I am at a good restriction level, the last fill I got put me up to 2.75 cc's. Problem is I am getting ready to go on my Christmas vacation to Texas and Mexico for 3 wks and I am seriously thinking of getting unfilled all or some. Last year I had just been banded and was unable to enjoy most of the foods that were prepared especially for us. Is it wrong to want to enjoy myself. I will have access to my band surgeon, he is right on my way and I am planning to see him anyway. Should I get unfilled, I can get filled back on the way back. Is that really stupid?? Should I just skip out on enjoying those foods. Please give me some advice, it would be of no cost to me, since my dr, doesn't charge me for fills. What should I do?? Has anyone ever been completely unfilled. I would be unfilled for about 2 1/2 wks and then I would get filled again. Tell me, is this wrong?????

tracey anderson · December 6, 2005

HI,

I don't think that the band is made to work like that. I would stay with what you have a work with it. Enjoy yourself and not worry about what you can or can not eat. I think you will come home alot happier. JMO. Tracey

babsintx3 · December 6, 2005

Estela,

You would most likely gain your weight back so why do it? Dont let the food control whether you have a good time or not!

Babs in TX

334/18-/170

-150 ish and still trying to get my post PS weight off!

HeatherGurl · December 6, 2005

I agree, don't do it... Isn't that why you got the band? To not eat as much and to lose weight? I wonder if your Dr. would even let you do that? Mine won't

Iluvharleys · December 6, 2005

I wouldn't do it, why put the weight back on that you just lost? Just eat smaller amounts of what they fix.

banded_for_life · December 6, 2005

I agree with what has already been posted. You are doing so well. You can still have whatever has been prepared, just not as much.

Jachut · December 6, 2005

I wouldnt do it either. You dont want food to be the focus of your celebrations and holidays, that's the whole point. Imagine having a holiday, having a great time AND losing weight as well!

La_madam · December 6, 2005

Don't do it..stay filled. You will hate yourself if you gain those 10 lbs back. Ive always said the best thing about the band was that I could still enjoy food but in much smaller quantities. Enjoy the food they make for you but eat less of it. The band was not designed to be filled and unfilled to eat or not when some special occassion arises. This is where the head has to do some of the work. I fI told my doctor I wanted to be unfilled so I could eat over the holidays he would NOT do it. I'm having anxiety about having noi band over the holidays. I'm doing everything I can to maintain this weight loss and not give in to the evils of holiday goodies. I wish I had a fill. I wish I had my band.

Stay filled Estella..you will love yourself later for it

Jachut · December 6, 2005

Out of interest - you probably couldnt immediately go back to the same fill level anyway could you? Wouldnt they have to work their way back up again?

kimalicious · December 6, 2005

Agree with everyone, plus what if you are like others and can't get the fill just right again and have to continue for months going back and forth with fills and unfills until you get it right? I say eat what you can and let your band restrict and do it's job and you will be happier with yourself in the end.

HarleyNana · December 6, 2005

Sorry, but as much as I'd like to eat a great big, juicy hamburger, I'd have to agree with the others, why set yourself up for depression. You can still have a good time, just chew really well!

Parvathi · December 7, 2005

If you're at a good restriction level and can still eat most things only in smaller quantities, I would say stay where you are. If you're a bit tight and eating some of the foods in Mexico will be difficult for you (as I'm sure some stuff you would normally settle for in the states won't be readily available), I'd say get a small unfill, like 0.1 or 0.2cc.

Speak with your doctor on the way through and see what he recommends.

I am leaving to go overseas next Tuesday. I was really tight over the weekend and unable to comfortably swallow Water, so I got an unfill of 0.2ml yesterday. Honestly, 0.1ml removed would have been sufficient for me to be comfortable, but my doctor and I agreed that because I don't have a doctor overseas, I don't want to get over there and be too tight, as it would make for a miserable holiday.

It really is a personal decision though, so trust your judgment, as only you know how you'll react if you put back on a few pounds while gone.

Have a great holiday Estella! And congrats on shedding that 10 lbs

Marimaru · December 7, 2005

Unless you are living on liquids an unable to eat solid food at your current fill level I would say to stay the same. Like the others have said, if you gian weight while you are gone you'll drive yourself nuts, and A good point made was that they wouldn't put the full amount right back in when you came back, you'd have to work back up to it.

Mariposa Bella · December 7, 2005

I am really tight right now, and only able to eat very small quantities, mostly mushies. I do however agree with you all on keeping my fill, I am probably just have .5 taken out, that would leave me with 2.25 cc's which is still good restriction. And don't worry I called the Dr and he said no I couldn't get unfilled for the holidays. I guess I had a brain freeze, I just needed you all to set me straight and kick my butt into gear. I feel so awesome today, got up early, did my 2.5 miles this morning, got my tight jeans on and I look fabulous. I feel so pretty, that is so weird for me, there have been very few times in my life that I feel this good about myself. Life is great. Well thanks for the advice and I'll let you know how it went after my vacation. Have a wonderful Christmas.