No restriction...Weight gain....It's like I never even had it !!!

[TinaM8 9]

I am beyond frustrated with everything lapband related at the moment. I had my lapband about 6 years ago. I did okay at first and in all lost 62 lbs. Unfortunately that only brought me down to 220lbs so obviously I have a long way to go. With my goal weight being about 150 I still have a ridiculous long road ahead of me. That would not be a problem if my band was working for me, however, that is not the case. About a year and a half ago I was having restriction so much that I was throwing up in my sleep. Also, still not losing any weight which still boggles my mind. I went in reluctantly and had some of the fill taken out. I was under the impression that the Dr. only took a little out but I am starting to wonder. I have been back in about 4 times since to get a fill and have yet to notice ANY restriction. This is just not acceptable. The last time I went in he told me that I had the tightest fill that I have had since having my surgery. Obviously if I went from throwing up in my sleep to having no restriction at all then it doesn't take a rocket scientist OR A DOCTOR to figure out that something is not right !! The bad thing is is that I have told him that I am having problems and he has yet to do anything but want to give me another fill. Well I have gained 20+ pounds back so I almost feel like I am at the starting point again. This is beyond frustrating. Not only emotionally but add the fact that I am a self-pay patient and this has been a major expense for me. The way I look at it this was a major decision and it is what I consider a last resort. What do you do when your last resort fails miserably ? ? ? ?

[2muchfun 8,927]

Sounds like a barium swallow test is in order to see how much restriction your band is giving you. That and more fills is about all he can do I would think?

The fact that you had good restriction for 4.5 years but did not lose more weight is odd? Why was that? Were you cheating the band? And are you cheating the band now? I assume you know what I'm asking and I don't mean to sound judgemental but some of what you are saying doesn't add up?

Usually it doesn't matter but did your doc say how many CCs are in your band and what size band do you have?

tmf

[TinaM8 9]

Sounds like a barium swallow test is in order to see how much restriction your band is giving you. That and more fills is about all he can do I would think?

The fact that you had good restriction for 4.5 years but did not lose more weight is odd? Why was that? Were you cheating the band? And are you cheating the band now? I assume you know what I'm asking and I don't mean to sound judgemental but some of what you are saying doesn't add up?

Usually it doesn't matter but did your doc say how many CCs are in your band and what size band do you have?

tmf

I definitely take responsibility for not losing more in the beginning. There was a time when I was throwing up at every meal but it was almost like once I threw up I could eat more than I did before I threw up. I am by no means a "Perfect Lapband" patient and have made some mistakes but having a band with no restriction is pointless. Isn't that the whole point?

[2muchfun 8,927]

I have a lot of restriction and I guess I would consider I'm in the lime zone and just short of a dark green zone. But, I can eat whatever I want too if I eat the wrong(slider)foods. I can go out and consume large quantities of mexican and italian foods. pizza might be a problem but lasagna, bring it on. Cheeseburgers, bring em on. Mashed potatoes smothered in greasy gravy, bring it on.

If you eat your Protein first, veggies and carbs 2nd and all in a solid form, but you do not feel satisfied for 3-5 hours, you probably need more fills and like I said, a barium swallow would indicate if your band is working properly.

If the barium swallow is not available, try to get as many fills as you can till you feel some restriction.

And again, how many CCs are in your band or did doc not say?

tmf

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I can't help but wonder if you're expecting the band to physically stop you from eating, because that isn't the band's job. It will always be your job to keep your portions to a cup or less.

Here's a couple articles that I think will help you a lot:

• The Lap-band is NOT about Restriction, by Dr. Simpson: http://drsimpson.net...estriction.html
  
• Tighter Isn't Always Better, by Jean McMillan: http://www.lapbandta...ays-better-r118
  

Best wishes and be sure to follow up with your doctor

[TinaM8 9]

I have been seeing everyone talk about red zone and yellow zone and all this and I have NO CLUE what any of that means. I never found myself in any kind of "sweet spot" with restriction. I have struggled from day ONE. It really isn't that hard to believe that someone wouldn't lose weight while throwing up and such. I struggled with bulimia for years and never lost anything and just stayed at the same weight. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow as a matter of fact to get some answers. I have so many aches and pains that I can't account for. Everything I eat makes me feel bad. My stomach always hurts. I have even gone so far as to see a Gastroenterology specialist and have had a colonoscopy and such because of all of the problems I have had. I feel like any doctor who has a patient bring all these concerns to them they would want to get to the root of the problems. I feel like I have been steamrolled a couple times with my lapband doctor so tomorrow's appointment I am not going by myself. To answer your question No my doctor has never told me how many cc's are in my band. Also, after these last few fills he took all the liquid out and put it back in and was shocked and scratching his head that I didn't have any restriction. Obviously something is not right.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Do you have a 4cc band by chance?

[TinaM8 9]

Do you have a 4cc band by chance?

Actually I have a 10cc band. I wish I knew how many cc's I had in my band. I am not sure why he has never been forthcoming with that information. But I guess I never really asked for specific numbers so that may be why I don't know.

[catfish87 3,471]

Hi Tina!

It sounds like you're on the right path to me....here's why. You haven't given up and you are going back to the doctor tomorrow.

I'd offer this piece of advice, as TMF suggested above, GET A FILL WITH FLUOROSCOPY. It doesn't matter what your doctor thinks about how much restriction you SHOULD have, if you have 100% of the recommended fill and something is amiss with your band, say it has come undone/unsnapped....like mine did, you will have absolutely no restriction. Even less than with a band that is connected with no fill in it. I'm not saying this is your case, but it is one possibility. Then you and your doctor can SEE what your restriction level is....no guessing.

Good luck, I can read determination and frustration in your post. I've been there and wish you much success!

[2muchfun 8,927]

Insist on a fluoroscopy with your next fill. Here's a good video that demonstrates why it's so important for some patients:

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Actually I have a 10cc band. I wish I knew how many cc's I had in my band. I am not sure why he has never been forthcoming with that information. But I guess I never really asked for specific numbers so that may be why I don't know.

Well I won't lie, I'm glad you have a 10cc band. There's been a lot of problems with the old 4cc bands. So, that's a relief.

However much is in your band really is irrelevant. All that matters is how you feel.

If you're concerned about a leak, I would insist your surgeon tell you how much is in your band THEN once you know ask that he verify that is how much is in your band. This way you'll know for certain that your band isn't leaking.

Do have a look at those links I posted earlier, though. I think they'll help you.

Best wishes.

[catfish87 3,471]

As an additional bit of information, just because your doctor removes the saline from your port/band and says "yes, you have ( however much ) and it looks good", they have no idea of whether its providing you restriction. I know....first hand.

DON'T GIVE UP! I was so frustrated when I kept hearing "you should have restriction", "Youre just losing faster than were adjusting"...... for six months....Insist on a fill with fluoro.

[TinaM8 9]

As an additional bit of information, just because your doctor removes the saline from your port/band and says "yes, you have ( however much ) and it looks good", they have no idea of whether its providing you restriction. I know....first hand.

DON'T GIVE UP! I was so frustrated when I kept hearing "you should have restriction", "Youre just losing faster than were adjusting"...... for six months....Insist on a fill with fluoro.

Thanks for the encouraging words!! I definitely hope tomorrow will bring me closer to some answers. Like I said, I know I haven't followed the rules to a T and I know I have made some mistakes but I am ready to right some wrongs with my band and do what I need to do.

[catfish87 3,471]

The way I look at it this was a major decision and it is what I consider a last resort. What do you do when your last resort fails miserably ? ? ? ?

You haven't failed.....you're just not done yet! Me either!

[TinaM8 9]

Insist on a fluoroscopy with your next fill. Here's a good video that demonstrates why it's so important for some patients:

Thank you for this