big band/little stomach?

bjkgriffith · February 16, 2004

I am having such a time with this AMI band. Any suggestions?

I have 7.5 ccs in it right now and have only lost a total of 24 lbs. in 6 months. My siblings are now saying that I should have the gastric bypass. Is it common that whben you have the AMI band, you can go this long without losing much weight? I am very, very discouraged. I called Mexico and Sady said that I may just need a "tweaK", so I have another fill appt. scheduled for Feb. 23rd.

Hope this works or I don't know what else to do.

Barb

donali · February 16, 2004

Hi Barb -

The AMI band is the mid-band, right? It is my understanding that it can take many fills to achieve a restriction that works for you.

Saying that, however, we must (of course) know more details about what you're eating, how much, and whether you are following certain "rules", like NOT drinking with meals, water-loading before eating, and NOT drinking again until 1/2 to 1 hour after a meal. Also, are you avoiding liquid calories, etc., etc. in order to accurately help you troubleshoot.

I would wait on the bypass option - that's always a possibility, but irreversable once you decide to go that route. Thousands and thousands of people have been successful with the band. Although it is true it is not the best solution for everyone, I really have faith that it works most of the time with the proper restriction and the proper habits.

Hang in there, and let us know more.

leo · February 16, 2004

I normally drink lots of Water or other fluids before a meal. Help fill up the "big" stomach lols...

Vera · February 17, 2004

Barb I have the same band as you. What Donali is saying Is So true What we eat Makes the biggest dif....Even the medicatation a person takes can cause the stomach to swell.

We have to look at the whole pic.. I f there are other medical reasons for not losseing weight and veiwing the band as a tool....

bjkgriffith · February 17, 2004

Donali, Leo, Vera, Thank you all for the input. Vera I will call you.

Donali, I try for the most part to follow the bandster rules, but not always to the letter. I truly believe that because I had to go to Mexico and have no support here from a nutritionist or even a doctor that weighs me when I go for fills, might contribute to my problems......I have no accountability - except to myself. I am also going to Curves, reading Dr. Phil and listening to my hypnosis weight loss tapes every night....What else can I do? I was told to have the doctor draw all of the saline out when I go next Monday and make sure that it's still in there and then add another 1 cc, and if too tight (which I doubt), draw back out .5 cc.

Again, thanks for the help, maybe my head in not in the right place yet...that's the reason for reading Dr. Phil - so I can GET REAL!

Barb

donali · February 17, 2004

Hi Barb -

Your activities sound good - Curves, and working on the head part. As far as what else you can do with the amount of restriction that you have, I think these things are the most important:

1. Don't drink with meals.

2. Wait 30-60 minutes after eating before you drink.

3. No liquid calories.

4. Up your solid Protein intake (chicken, beef, pork, seafood). If you are not very restricted, and have no problems with the above, you may consider chewing a little less thoroughly. Just be careful not to "inhale" stuff. If the pieces are a little bigger, they won't pass through as quickly.

5. Water load prior to meals. Stay hydrated throughout the day, but about 15 minutes before eating drink as much Water as you can. Ice water may help the band tighten up a little bit.

As far as the advice on how the fill should go... I personally feel that fills without fluoro are shots in the dark. If you're having problems getting a restrictive fill, I would definitely request that the fill be done under active fluoro, with the fill needle remaining in the port while you drink the barium so that the fill Dr. can adjust the speed of the barium passing while watching on screen. Once the fill Dr. can see that the barium is passing slowly then the fill is complete and the needle is removed.

I do realize that the vast majority of people have fills done without fluoro, but I have only had mine done with fluoro and feel it takes a lot of the guess work out of the process. FWIW

Good luck, and keep us posted!