I was banded over a year ago. I lost weight during the first 6 - 8 weeks following surgery. Then I played around with the same 5 lbs for the next 10 months even though I was receiving regular fills. With each fill, I kept thinking, "this will be the one that gives me that restriction I felt after surgery." But it didn't happen and I started losing faith in the band and in myself. I started to think, I've failed again.

Then my surgeon told me he would give me a fill under fluoroscopy. This is how it worked. He filled the band completely under xray closing off the opening from my pouch to my stomach. I drank barium and it stayed in my pouch. He then began to slowly withdraw some of the fill, until the barium began to drain into my stomach, leaving the opening from the band at what he felt was good restriction.

It's been 2 1/2 weeks since the fill under fluoroscopy and what a difference!!! I have restriction! THIS is what I expected from the band. I'm finally getting the help I wanted and needed from the band. I haven't weighed since the fill but I'm feeling the difference already in my body. My husband was holding me and said, "You're losing weight!"

BUT .. over the past year, I developed some bad habits. I've had to go back and review and get my head on straight to work with the band again. I've gotten stuck several times, a couple of really bad ones with slimming and coughing. It hurts and works as a great reminder and reinforcer to do what is right. I really have to pay attention now and really slow down. I can't just eat whatever anymore and I can't eat nearly as much. I get full very quickly. I am now eating the recommended amount of food ... and very carefully.

I'm a happy bandster .... at last!

Congratulations!!!!!! I wish my practice did fills with fluroscopy...it would have saved me a whole lot of money and distress.

Mimi

Hi girls, You have no idea how much help it has been to read that Drasan, I was banded in the 15th of Feb 2011 in Belgium with Dr Chris De Bruyne. Everything went great, I had an easy recovery and lost 11.5 lbs really quickly. Since then it has just stopped, and I have been up and down since the op. I am eating like a horse and I have no restriction at all. I got my first fill of 3mils and I am going back on the 5th of May for my next fill.. I am praying something changes. I keep thinking that this is going to another pink elephant and I am not going to lose the weight.. I cannot cope with that. I know I need to put in more effort with my diet and exercise but I have very little will power and I have just read SO much about nutrition that I am now nearly confused, do I do low fat, low carb, count calories, what?? My head is melted!! I met a girl at my fill meeting and it took her 8 months to lose anything and then it FELL off of her, she lost 8 stone in a very short time. I wouldnt mind but the weight is really depressing me and stopping me from living my life to the fullest, I just cant understand why I just cant say NO and stop eating the wrong things.. I am delighted you have eventually lost the weight, it must be such a relief!!

I was banded over a year ago. I lost weight during the first 6 - 8 weeks following surgery. Then I played around with the same 5 lbs for the next 10 months even though I was receiving regular fills. With each fill, I kept thinking, "this will be the one that gives me that restriction I felt after surgery." But it didn't happen and I started losing faith in the band and in myself. I started to think, I've failed again.

Then my surgeon told me he would give me a fill under fluoroscopy. This is how it worked. He filled the band completely under xray closing off the opening from my pouch to my stomach. I drank barium and it stayed in my pouch. He then began to slowly withdraw some of the fill, until the barium began to drain into my stomach, leaving the opening from the band at what he felt was good restriction.

It's been 2 1/2 weeks since the fill under fluoroscopy and what a difference!!! I have restriction! THIS is what I expected from the band. I'm finally getting the help I wanted and needed from the band. I haven't weighed since the fill but I'm feeling the difference already in my body. My husband was holding me and said, "You're losing weight!"

BUT .. over the past year, I developed some bad habits. I've had to go back and review and get my head on straight to work with the band again. I've gotten stuck several times, a couple of really bad ones with slimming and coughing. It hurts and works as a great reminder and reinforcer to do what is right. I really have to pay attention now and really slow down. I can't just eat whatever anymore and I can't eat nearly as much. I get full very quickly. I am now eating the recommended amount of food ... and very carefully.

I'm a happy bandster .... at last!

That's great

@Irishlapbandgirl 900-1200 calories a day, and at least 60grams of Protein a day. It doesn't matter if you do low carb or whatever, people chose to do those things by choice. Your diet is #1, if you don't follow it you won't lose weight, the band is just there to help you from being hungry.