How does this work?

carol134 · November 18, 2006

I have had the band now for 5 months and only have lost about 30 pounds, it could be more though if it would work the way is has after the last 2 fills.

Let me explain, and give me your thoughts or knowledge.

I go have the fill, everything is very tight and eating the last time was to say the least a real challenge! But this last 2 times I've had a fill there is a period of time there that it seems to be perfect as far as restriction and feeling very full, not caring at all if I eat or not. Only problem is it does not stay that way but only for about a week or so. Now is this the way it works before the fill finally sticks? Or is it just that 1 week or so that you are really elated to have this band? In other words does anyone else have this experience?

shell04937 · November 18, 2006

That is the experience I am having. I had my first fill 1 week ago and thought it was great the amount of restriction I was having. I have a 9cc band and have 4cc in it.

Today I was telling my husband I wish I did not have to wait until Dec 22 to have a fill because I dont think it is tight enough. I have some restriction when actually eatting but then am hungry 2 hours later. I am not just a little hungry but for the first time in as long as I can remember I am starving. My stomach will make so much and be so loud that anyone in the same room can hear it.

Plus I lost 2 lbs the first couple of days after my fill and nothing since monday. The same thing happened after the banding. I lost weight weeks 1-3 and then nothing up until week 6 when I was filled.

I am feeling discouraged.

Candice · November 19, 2006

I have experienced tightening and loosening every since my third fill. This is when I experienced my first REAL restriction and learned what foods work and what foods don't work. My band is extremely tight during that time of the month and somewhat tight on and off again during the month. I believe that if you eat something that doesn't go down very well, you may experience some swelling around the band that will cause some tighteness that is percieved as restriction and until the swelling goes down, it's hard to eat some of the foods your used to eating. I also believe that during the night all of the saline settles back into the band and during the day some of the saline travels back into the tubing leading to the port causing less restriction later in the day. Breakfast is very hard for me. I really just listen to my body and chose my menu carefully.

carol134 · November 19, 2006

So does anyone really have any ideas of whether the band will stay in that perfect position of not being hungry for a long period of time?

vinesqueen · November 19, 2006

Carol, you have the "big band" and it sounds like you still need more fill. I think what you are experiencing is swelling from the fill, which goes away after a week or so.

This seems to be pretty typical with folks with the "big band." I don't know itf that helps, but it should give you and idea of what is going on.

Strength and Courage!

carol134 · November 20, 2006

Carol, you have the "big band" and it sounds like you still need more fill. I think what you are experiencing is swelling from the fill, which goes away after a week or so.
This seems to be pretty typical with folks with the "big band." I don't know itf that helps, but it should give you and idea of what is going on.

Strength and Courage!

Thank you so much! I had no idea what the #$#%% is going on, I am restricted now, but then again there are days that I don't feel very restricted. All I have really been able to definately decide on this band is that there is a period there that I wish I could feel like that forever, not hungry, not even thinking of food! I LOVE it. But it does not last very long, like I said just a week or so.

Also the last 2 fills, I'm very afraid because I don't want to be too restricted, if you know what I mean!

Again thanks for your help........