This has been on my mind since coming to LBT. I just wanted to give a word of caution to those who are maybe new to being banded or over-zealous when it comes to weight loss and thinking maybe more and more fills are better.

The caution is about a habit that I developed and had to realize what I was doing wasn't the best idea. That is I want to caution you about getting your band too tight and in order to get things down lubing it up with extra calories like salad dressings or sauces. So more fills and a tighter band may not always be the best answer. I know it's cliche but it is a marathon and not a sprint. It's just something you may want to consider before getting frustrated or discouraged.

I have been banded many years and happy with my band.

I agree 100%. Tighter is not better. I can't tell you how many friends I've had that have thought they needed that 'extra' little bit to get them down and BAM...they are too tight, throwing up, dilating their pouch, etc. If anything I'd keep my band on the loose side than the tight side. Better safe than sorry. The band can do about 80% of the work for you but if you try to push it too hard you're going to have problems. Also, many KNOW they are too tight but think the weight loss is worth it. More than likely you are dehydrating yourself and not losing weight the healthy way. When we're too tight we tend to drink less and consume more slider foods like ice cream and sweets to compensate and this is obviously bad.

Good post.

I also could not agree with you more. Tight bands cause erosion and it is neither here nor there that it will make your weight loss journey easier.

Thanks for these words of wisdom. I'm getting my first fill tomorrow. I'm happy to get some restriction... Hopefully. I'm still learning about my new band, but appreciate nuggets of truth that people post on here.

a double thanks to these words of wisdom. As I read this however I do need a fill...lol, no really I do. I had some taken out 6 weeks ago and not quite up to where I was and I stay hungry. I go in Thurs and am hoping for the half cc to bring me back up 5cc's to where I was comfy and losing. I will take your words to heart and remember them and remember that this is just a tool, we have to help ourselves.

Great words to remember for when i start getting my fills. I am looking forward to the 1st one but also worried so slower is always better.

a double thanks to these words of wisdom. As I read this however I do need a fill...lol, no really I do. I had some taken out 6 weeks ago and not quite up to where I was and I stay hungry. I go in Thurs and am hoping for the half cc to bring me back up 5cc's to where I was comfy and losing. I will take your words to heart and remember them and remember that this is just a tool, we have to help ourselves.

Donna not everyone loses their hunger feeling from fills. Sometimes it just does not happen.

A band that is too tight may lead to unanticipated complications. That is a reality that many Bandsters do not consider when in the process of seeking the "green zone".

My surgeon was very conservative with fills, and I chose to go along with his expert medical opinion to go slow with fills. It was also very important to me to be able to take my medications without risk of getting them stuck. So, keeping my band a bit on the loose side was my priority and preference.

Great words to remember for when i start getting my fills. I am looking forward to the 1st one but also worried so slower is always better.

Great words to remember for when i start getting my fills. I am looking forward to the 1st one but also worried so slower is always better.

Don't worry, and I wouldn't necessarily say slower is always better. Everyone is different. Some people require little, others more. Just don't get too anxious or upset if you aren't where you feel you want to be immediately. I actually lost 110 pounds with no fill at all. When you look at my ticker you will see I'm over 10 years out from banding and I'm still a work in progress. I came within 3 pounds of reaching my personal goal and went on a self-sabotage spree that took years for me to get a grip on. Whenever I post something I am always talking to myself, too. Best to you!

This has been on my mind since coming to LBT. I just wanted to give a word of caution to those who are maybe new to being banded or over-zealous when it comes to weight loss and thinking maybe more and more fills are better.

The caution is about a habit that I developed and had to realize what I was doing wasn't the best idea. That is I want to caution you about getting your band too tight and in order to get things down lubing it up with extra calories like salad dressings or sauces. So more fills and a tighter band may not always be the best answer. I know it's cliche but it is a marathon and not a sprint. It's just something you may want to consider before getting frustrated or discouraged.

I have been banded many years and happy with my band.

thanks for posting this...i enjoyed reading this

I am scheduled for my 1st fill on Halloween...10/31/13...wonder if i should be superstitious...lol

I have had 3 fills for a total of under 2cc's. I have an appointment Friday and I want a fill this time. I see the surgeon every 2 months and have not had a fill since February, I think. I have been eating too much lately. My doctor does the slow route. I have seen on this site some people get huge fills at once. Every doctor is so different. That is why you have to listen to your doctor not every one else's.

When I a fill I am on liquids (shakes) for 3 days, then mushy for 3 days and then back to solids. That is another thing that each doctor is different about.

I am a self pay and only the 1st 3 fills are covered under my plan so I've already expressed to my doctor that I want to try to dial in to the green zone within the least amt of fills possible so I am hoping the 1st fill will be the main one. Then we will go from there.

Just an fyi, sometimes a person thinks he/she needs a fill because they are hungry between meals but in reality they need to look at the types of food they are eating. Solid foods are better than sliders or "easy" food for lack of better wording at keeping hunger at bay. And by the way, lapband people should get hungry when it is time for their meals although it will not be the same type of hunger as a non banded person has...that is the beauty of the band atleast for me meaning yes I get hungry but not the starving type of hunger prior to being banded. I am 6 years out, have maintained for 4 years, and realize how blessed I am to have had this helper placed in side of me.

Just an fyi, sometimes a person thinks he/she needs a fill because they are hungry between meals but in reality they need to look at the types of food they are eating. Solid foods are better than sliders or "easy" food for lack of better wording at keeping hunger at bay. And by the way, lapband people should get hungry when it is time for their meals although it will not be the same type of hunger as a non banded person has...that is the beauty of the band atleast for me meaning yes I get hungry but not the starving type of hunger prior to being banded. I am 6 years out, have maintained for 4 years, and realize how blessed I am to have had this helper placed in side of me.

Yep. I only have 2.5 cc in my 10cc band and yes I can down a bag of cheetos but I know that isn't my band needing to be tighter. When I eat the way I'm supposed to eat (firm lean Proteins first) I do feel restriction with a cup of food and do stay full longer. It's a mind game!! I want this band to last my lifetime so I am okay with not being too filled, I think it will make my maintenance portion even better!

Timely post for me. I'm debating a third fill. I've lost 24# in 12 weeks. I have 3.5cc in a 10cc band. I follow all the band rules, especially the ones about protein. But I still feel hungry after about 2 hrs. I've never been stuck, slimmed or pb'ed. So the debate is am I doing all the work or should I get the band to do its job. I'll talk to my pa but I'd like to hear what others think. If I'm this close to green and should I risk going past green. Last fill was sept 30th. TIA