Is it possible to have almost all the fluid removed once you hit goal? By now I am good at keeping track of calories and exercising. Is it possible to maintain a healthy weight without the bands help?

I've never had a fill and am doing well. It can be done!

The only way to know is to try it...for me it didn't work...I need my band and even with it I struggle with maintenance....up 3 down 4 up 5 down 3...It is hard work and not for the faint of heart!!!

Good luck,

Mimi

Hey Mimilou did you have some fluid taken out or you kept it the same?

It is possible. The likelihood is that without the restriction you will gain weight again but if that happens then you can get your band refilled. The problem is that unfilling and refilling can sometimes mess with the delicate balance and it can be harder to find a comfortable level of restriction again. Why not wait until you hit goal and see how at goes. I have been at goal for about a year and haven't had any Fluid removed. In fact I went for a slight top up the other day. To me it is not about knowing how to count calories and keep track it is about the hunger that I had preband. The band helps to control that. If I had an unfill chances are I would be a lot hungrier again and would struggle to keep my weight here.As it is I have found that I can eat more now than when first banded anyway.

Having said that though I only have approx 5ml in a 10ml band and I am not and never have been on some kind of weird or very restrictive diet. I eat everything but in smaller quantities. That includes very small portions of rice, Pasta, bread etc.

I am happy eating the way I do and see no reason to want to have my band unfilled.

I am maintaining a 107 pound weight loss (well give or take a few pounds lol). After maintaining for a few months, I decided to get a large unfill. I wanted to be able to eat breakfast and eat some bread, rice, pasta. So far so good, I have stayed within a few pound range since Sept. Hope this helps.

Some people might be able to handle it. I wouldn't even want to try. I have a friend that was banded in 2003. She reached her goal of 155 and has maintained it for over 6 years. 3 or 4 months ago she had an unrelated medical issue. Her doctor insisted on loosening her up until the other issue was resolved. She was finally able to go this week for a fill and had gained almost 25 pounds.

Well I don't want to completely unfill but tomorrow I go to have some taken out because I am way too tight and have been since Dec but didn't have the money to have it done, I vomit constantly and care barely eat anything so thats why I am having some taken out but I was just curious if it is possible. I think I will prob. only have 1cc taken out I only have 5.66 in there and I was pretty good at 4 but I was losing my insurance and thought let me get one more fill well that over did it!!!!!