Hi...

I was banded in Oct 2010 and have gone from 275 to 140. I am 5 lbs away from my goal weight, so really really close.

The problem? I started feeling unwell just before Christmas, and developed a sharp pain in my left side. Went to my family doctor who did a chest X-ray. The X-ray showed mild lingual pneumonia from a poorly emptying esophagus related to gastric banding. I then went to my lap band clinic and had an emergency defill.

So here's my worry: they took out too much restriction and I will regain my weight. I have a 10cc band, which according to the clinic's records had 11.75 cc (lap band surgeon thought this was questionable, he thought the real number was in the 9's). I am now at 8.75 cc, so they took out 3 whole ccs. I'm really really worried about weight gain. I had no input into the amount of cc's removed, this was non-negotiable with the nurse who did the defill.

Some history: the lapband clinic has been trying to get me to have a defill for some time and I've always resisted, because (a) the restriction didn't bother me, and ( it was working. Now they "won", and I'm very concerned that the weight I've lost will come back.

I'm looking for any wisdom from the lapband "tribe". Please share your experiences.

Many thanks

Stressing over gaining weight will make you gain weight. I wouldnt weigh too heavily on the fact that you had an unfill. Continue to eat what you were eating pre unfill and you should be fine. That is one of the problems with tight bands that it can cause very bad problems. Your health is more important then having an unfill. I wouldnt let that be the factor in causing me stress about gaining weight. You can maintain with no fill if you really want it. I hope you feel better soon.

If your clinic was trying talk you into an unfill for awhile, you're very lucky your not much worse off than you are. You could've had a slip requiring the band be removed all together, so really, consider yourself lucky.

I know it's scary to consider gaining all that weight back. I'd be terrified. But I think you've been expecting the band to do things it's simply not meant to do. As a result, you ended up with the pneumonia and problems with your esophagus. The band isn't supposed to stop you from eating. It's up to you to make good food choices, not the band to make them for you. If you're eating until you're full, you're overeating, you should only be eating until you're satiated. Here's a great link to better explain it: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

You've done awesome and lost a ton of weight. Just try to focus on portion control and hang tough until you've healed enough for a fill. Once you can refill your band, listen to your clinic. If they say it's too tight then get some removed. Work with your band and let it do what it's meant to do, don't put yourself at risk with a band too tight.

Best wishes to you. You can totally do this

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Missy and Cheryl...you both make some excellent points. 'Course, with this being the holiday season, it is particularly hard to avoid gaining weight. This morning, I weighed in at 143...up 3 lbs from yesterday. Oh, boy. And I don't feel any destruction. For example, I take my antibiotic first thing in the morning and I was able to have a glass of cold Water without any problem (cold water first thing in the morning always bothered me before). I guess it is time to start making use of my gym membership again :-)

Thanks for listening :-)

Use the gym and all the other tools you learned along the way. The band is no empty just watch portions and eat slowly. This will work out for you.

That is a really good link Missy. Thanks for sharing.

If your clinic was trying talk you into an unfill for awhile' date=' you're very lucky your not much worse off than you are. You could've had a slip requiring the band be removed all together, so really, consider yourself lucky.

I know it's scary to consider gaining all that weight back. I'd be terrified. But I think you've been expecting the band to do things it's simply not meant to do. As a result, you ended up with the pneumonia and problems with your esophagus. The band isn't supposed to stop you from eating. It's up to you to make good food choices, not the band to make them for you. If you're eating until you're full, you're overeating, you should only be eating until you're satiated. Here's a great link to better explain it: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

You've done awesome and lost a ton of weight. Just try to focus on portion control and hang tough until you've healed enough for a fill. Once you can refill your band, listen to your clinic. If they say it's too tight then get some removed. Work with your band and let it do what it's meant to do, don't put yourself at risk with a band too tight.

Best wishes to you. You can totally do this <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Thank you for mentioning Dr. Simpson's website. Everyone who is thinking about getting a lapband OR has one, should read all parts of that site. He also has a freebie book to download and read. It changed my thoughts about, and understanding the way a band works. Working with the band is key and doing your part in helping it work.

Continue eating as if your band was still at its previous fill level.

PS Get better quickly