Had LapBand surgery last Oct I've had 3 fills and lost slow and steady for the whole year and was pretty much at goal. Now I'm struggling. I've gained 6 pounds. I've lost the feeling if control I had. I'm scarred. I don't want to gain it all back but I'm not sure if it's just head hunger. I've always wondered if i lost because of psychologically knowing there was a band or if it really kept me from physically eating too much. Lost 85. Scarred to be over filled scarred to gain . Need advice please

Good question; would like to see some vet responses, too.

My personal thought is that you probably need a bump-it-up tiny fill. I have not had a fill in a while, and have an appt in November. Until this month, I was thinking, I'm good where I'm at (maintaining easily). Now I'm thinking I will ask my doc what he thinks. I'm not gaining per se, but I am thinking about food much more often than before. I, too, have a fear of being over-tight. From what I understand, though, it is possible for a small amount of Fluid to shift or evaporate after a long period of time -- hence the need for followup appointments.

During your weight loss, could you say your success was due primarily tom the band? Or was it primarily due to your determination and self control to get this completed....

Speaking for my own weight loss journey, I know what my band can and does do....and when I feel things getting away from me, larger portions or increase in hunger for instance, say every 4-6 weeks or so, I go straight liquids...no solid foods...to let the band get a rest and return to where it was previously.....it works for me, otherwise I would be telling myself I need a small fill....

A Dr. uses the same protocol, but instead of instructing someone to go liquids for a while, he/she will do a complete un fill to give the band a rest...

I am not yet at goal but close. Perhaps, going back to basics for a bit might help you figure it out. Do you journal your intake? If not perhaps journaling for a while might help. I know when I over eat or as some say 'eat around the band' I get that really sick bloated feeling. That feeling which I do not enjoy serves two purposes. 1. It tells me my band is working and 2. My band is not happy with me. How do I know you ask? Because overeating now with the band is nothing like overeating without it. I simply cannot scarf down the food like I once did on a daily basis without batting an eye. If I ate now the way I did preop I would physically hurt myself.

How many hours can you go in between meals before actually getting hungry? Another thought is when was the last time you saw your Doctor? Maybe you might need a little primer but at the very least he/she could check your current levels to make sure what you are supposed to have in the band coincides with what your records say.

Good news is you've identified a problem before 6 pounds turned into 50 pounds.

how long should someone do liquids

So far, I've been following B-52 advice to all the band to relax. Actually your brain as well. The band can't stop you from over eating but YU can tell your brain to eat carrot sticks, more veggies with maybe a different dressing as your treat. I a bit over a year since my band, I'm hearing at the doctor's office and on this forum, a slight lean towards I will let the band do it for me. Wrong! YOU are the only one who can control the band. The band can be almost completely full so as to almost stop you feom eating, BUT if you are going to eat the WRONG foods, guess what happens to your brain. It likes this stuff your eating and wants more. You are on track to total destruction.

Control what YOU put in your mouth for a long term weight loss. It's very ard work and requires total concentration. Try a week of liquids like when you were starting prior to the band week. Yogurt, Protein shakes, light clear Soups with spices in them for a bit of flavor. If you're real hungry, take in another shake. So what if you swallow another 160 calories. They are liquid and you also pick up an additional 30 grams of protein.

Best wishes and Keep the Faith

how long should someone do liquids

After a fill? My Doctor tells his patients soft liquids for 24 hours after a fill. Of course not all Doctors are the same.

I feel your frustration. I have been at goal for 11 months. For the first 6 to 8 months I struggled up 10 then down. Too tight too loose. Maintaining was becoming a huge struggle. Once I got my head around it and quit obsessing about the numbers (weight and Fluid amount) things got easier.

It takes time for the head to catch up and boy can it mess with you. I think I had more fills/unfills in those 8 months than during my weight loss. Lol

Hang in there. It does get easier with time. And congrats on reaching your goal.

mine never told me to ever go on liquids after a fill then again he never tells me much at all i get all my info online

I went 11 months without a fill and started gaining- apparently I lost some of the fill in my band went from 3.1 to 2.7, which is significant in a 4cc band. I only discovered it because I went back in to get a fill. At 2.7 I felt very little restriction.

My dr puts me on liquids after a fill as well as after a defill.