My Doc doesn't believe me. My restriction varies quite a bit. When I had some fill in, in the am I was tight getting Water down. Then at the end of the day I could sometimes eat steak.

My tightness always varies with my monthly cycle. Right before I start my period, my restriction gets very tight and I will get food stuck.

Because of all this, I had my fill completely removed. And yes I have gained all of the 60 lb back that I lost.

Does anyone else have a band that acts like this? I'm not completely blaming the band, as I am the one that makes the food choices. There are many times in the evening I wish I couldn't eat so much in one sitting.

Goodness, I can't spell today. I meant my band, not bank, of course! lol

oh i do. my band is so tight in the mornings, so i drink a hot coffee in the morning, sometimes 2 to help loosen it. i can't really eat anything in the mornings because i am so tight, but by noon, i can usually eat. so in the mornings i have my protein shake, gets me half my protein for the day. no during my cycle, the day before and the day i start, oh i am super tight. so i drink warm liquids, creamy soups during those two days. and drink lots of water so i don't get all puffy and bloated. my nurse practioner told me to do this, that it is normal to be tighter during periods and in the mornings.

My band is fickle...if it's really cold or I'm stressed or it's that TOM, it gets tight.

I have 2 little kids so sometimes I sit down to dinner all relaxed and end up not being able to eat a thing due to getting stressed and the band tightenening. I usually just sip warm tea and try to relax and then eat later when the munchkins are not around.

Fickle, yep. I had to unfil mine for a surgery and its totally different refilled - not like the same band at all.

My bank is pretty fickle too.....

fickle is my band's middle name. i just gave up eating in the morning. around noon i can get a few teaspoons of yorgurt down and the evening is hit or miss. i'm not starving so i'm fine and the weight is coming off. i try to make sure i stay hydrated. i've had 5 fills and 2 unfills so i'm sticking with this fill. i thought my band and i were both crazy but i see it's not just us! LOL. the weather, stress my cycle all affect my band.

Very! Like someone else above, I can't eat in the mornings. Just drink coffee until about 11am. And it depends on the day; some days I get stuck on everything (even if it's foods I usually eat with no issues), other days it seems like literally there's no band there. I've had four fills and 2 defills....I'm not sure now if I need another fill or not. Evenings I'm very loose, mornings I'm very tight. This is more difficult than I thought it would be!

Very! Like someone else above, I can't eat in the mornings. Just drink coffee until about 11am. And it depends on the day; some days I get stuck on everything (even if it's foods I usually eat with no issues), other days it seems like literally there's no band there. I've had four fills and 2 defills....I'm not sure now if I need another fill or not. Evenings I'm very loose, mornings I'm very tight. This is more difficult than I thought it would be!

I agree, this is harder than I thought, too! I was banded in October 2010. I lost 40 lbs. by December 2011. I went in for a fill and it was way too much, so I had it removed. now, I have gained back 20 lbs. and I am just sick about it. I am wondering if I have it all removed and start over would it help. Has anyone ever had this problem? I really need some advice. Thanks!

My band is exactly like my wedding ring. Very tight in the morning (coffee or shakes only) and a little looser than I would like in the evenings. After dinner I do have to have some will power. Why did you get unfilled?

I often say, "fickle, freaken, foofing, band!!!" About 3 weeks ago, 6 months after my last fill it decided to tighten up on me. I've always had day to day fluctuations, but this was crazy. I am now eating about half what I was with an occasional time where I can eat more. Very odd.

I am so thankful for this topic - I thought I was the only one with such extreme fluctuations!

Still frustrated and posting on this thread again.

I went back to the Dr to get a fill. My band is empty. They did an upper GI since I dont have insurance anymore. Based on the upper Gi, they want to take fill out. They already took it all out.

I don't understand how I am supposed to work with this tool. I have very little restriction in the afternoon and evenings. I asked if my throat was dilating later in the day that would allow me to eat much more, and the nurse said no. If I get stuck, I can take a couple of deep breathes and the food will move thru. They act like I'm nuts.

So frustrated and not sure what to do next. I have a follow up in a month, but what is the point if they say I'm too tight with nothing in? I eat too much. bummed.

if it was already empty, how can they can more out? why did they say they want to take more out?