I have been banded since Oct 4, 2011. Yesterday I had my third surgeon follow-up appointment and I'm down each month around 6 - 8 pounds (since the surgery 20 lbs prior to surgery). I have not had a fill and I told him yesterday, shouldn't I need a fill? He said you are down almost 40 lbs since your initial visit so as long as you continue to lose, there is no reason for a fill.

I may be over thinking this all but for all you that have been "banded" a while, please help me understand????

I can eat everything!! I have heard people say you can't eat bread, Pasta, rice, popcorn, shrimp, etc. etc., (I've tried all items with no problems) I even drunk 1 soda this weekend ( however it was flat from months of sitting ) because I gave them up in July.

I don't know if it's because I don't have a "fill" that I don't have any issues. I've never had any "stuck" episodes. I can eat a 1 - 2 cups of food (an entire meal) and I just stop when I feel full. I don't have any "excessive hunger" I don't drink when I eat; at times I almost want to push the limit to see if this 'band" really works. I know this may sound "crazy" am I looking for "complications" this losing and not having any "side affects" seems to good to be true.

Can this continue? Losing weight without a fill? Maybe I'm doing something right along with the band by watching what I take in and doing my exercise 4x weekly, maybe I should't question anything and just enjoy how my body is changing.. I just want to know from those that have been banded, Does just having the "band" alone seriously give you restriction without a "fill" how does this device really work? OR IS IT A COMBINATION OF THE PHYSICAL DEVICE & MY MENTAL DESIRE TO BE SUCCESSFUL?

i COULD JUST BE OVER ANALYZING THIS AND IT'S OK TO SAY THAT IN YOUR REPLIES,

Thanks Fellow Bandsters..

Yes you are correct

Yes you are correct

And don't forget there are different sizes in bands themselves. So even without any fills, some bands are tighter than others.

And the mere presence of something there can stimulate the brain in telling it that you are not hungry.

But with any "Bell Curve" there are values on both ends, those that do not or never get a fill, and those on the other end that even when filled to the max there are problems.

The majority makes up the bulge (bell) in the center where we follow a similar regime of getting fills, generally at the same intervals and generally the same amounts of cc's/fill, experience the same eating habit changes, and finding that Green Zone.

hi i am really confused if you are all loosing weight without a fill then what was the point of getting banded? i had the lap band dec 2nd and have had no fills and lost only 6 ibs s i am waiting to get filled so i can start to see some actual weight loss

I can only speak for myself and I was banded on October 12. I have lost 45 lbs. since then and have not had a fill, nor will I be getting one at this point. For me I feel very satisfied on my morning shake and my 2 - 4 oz. protein +2-3 oz. veggie/fruit meals. I am definitely a food addict, but having the band in place reminds me that I can no longer eat like I used to, I find myself spending the time I would eat doing good things for myself instead. For me the band in all in my head! Remember, the band has created a pouch already, and that is what helps....calories count so make up an eating plan that is healthy and conducive to losing weight and you will see results. This is only a tool, if you do not work with it, it will not work for weight loss.