I'm feeling rather discouraged with my band. I had decent restriction after surgery and did very well - lost 30 pounds in a month and a half. Then I got my first fill and ever since then I have NO restriction. I've gained at least 8 pounds and can eat anything (and everything!). My discipline is out the window. I called my doctor and the receptionist told me most people with the VG band don't have restriction until after three fills. What?????? That is contrary to everything I've heard. I suppose I have a few concerns....

First, I have to wait one month between fills, so if my second fill (scheduled for this week) doesn't provide restriction I have to wait another month.

Second, is it possible to stretch the stomach pouch? I just don't understand how and why I can eat so much! I can't believe how powerful this food addiction is. Even though I'm scared of stretching my pouch or damaging my band I've eaten SO MUCH over the holidays. I truly have the capacity, after one fill, to eat as much as I did before my surgery.

I didn't even know I had the VG band until my two week follow up appointment. My doctor really reassured me about this bigger band, but so far I'm really down about it.

Any advice from other VG people?? Thanks for your help!!!

Hi Clementine, I also have the VG band and felt no restriction after my 1st fill and very little after 2,3,4,and 5th fill. I have now had 6 fills and got to my "sweet spot". (for a few months) Now I am in need of another fill. Not much but a little. :confused: It is a 3 hour drive one way to see my surgeon for a fill.

How many cc's are you at right now? I have 6 cc's.

I am not sure if you can stretch the pouch or not. But probably! There are times when I think "My God I can eat just like I ate before". Then when I really look at what I just ate I realize that I didn't eat as much as I thought I did. It just feel that way.

Hang in there. It will get better!! and you will get smaller!!!!! :)

I too have a VG band and have had 3 fills. I do have some restriction, but I still have to follow a strict diet. My sweet spot is not there yet. I have 5.5 in my band, but probably won't see about another fill until early Feb. I have had one a month since my surgery in Sept. I does take awhile until you hit the sweet spot with a VG, so you have to be careful inbetween fills with your diet.

I'm the odd one here. I have a VG band, but my stomach is so large to begin with, that I do feel restriction sometimes, even without ever having a fill.

I go get my first fill ever sometime in a month or 2, and I will have more info to give others at that point.

My doc had to give me the VG band because my stomach is so large and muscular she said. I feel badly for those whose surgeons put the VG band on them when they have a smaller stomach to begin with.

I wish you all of the luck in the world!

I don't have the VG band. I have no fill and no restriction. You'd fall over if you knew what I ate today. Mentally its agonizing and depressing, but hope is but a few days away.

Clem, my discipline is shot to heck as well :confused:

I have the VG band and I just had my 2nd fill. my surgeon put 3.0 cc in at surgery and then 1.5 cc at first fill and then I just had 1.0 cc in on the 27th of Dec. I am at 5.5 cc and have restriction. I would call and see if you can come back sooner and tell them what you are able to eat now and see if they will let you come sooner.

YOu all just made me feel like less of a failure.

I have the VG as well and have 5 ccs in. I did have some great restriction after my last fill but it is gone now. I am praying that this next fill will do it for me. I even gained a few pounds over this Holiday...

Thanks for sharing and making me feel like I am not the only one.

Amy

I've had three BIG fills in my VG band. I didn't have ANY restriction until my second fill which put me at 7.5 cc's. I'm not at 9.5 cc's and am a bit too tight.

Hang in there. it takes awhile to get restriction with the VG band. But don't give up! It will happen!!

I have the VG band also and I had some restriction after the 1st fill which went. I have now had 9 fills and am at 9.6mls and I have restriction, some days more than others, but I really wouldnt be looking at having another fill for a while because I think that would make me too tight. Dont give up it can be a long process to get the right restriction but it will happen :confused: