I got the band put in May, 2006, lost about 27 pounds and then my restriction went away. Obviously, I needed a fill.

For about 5 or 6 months now I've needed a fill so I could continue to lose weight, but because of many factors (moving across the country, father dying, no job--no money, etc.) I delayed getting a fill. Now I'm ready to get an adjustment but am worried that the fact that I've delayed the fill might have been really dumb. Although I'm hoping it won't have been too tragic and that after I get the next adjustment my weight loss will continue, even after a 5 or 6 month plateau.

Any experience with this type of prolonged "stall" or advice for how I can best continue on my weight loss journey?

I recently read a post by a bandster who had been unfilled and not using her band for over 2 years. She sucked it up, went to the Dr. they did not berate her or anything...she got her fill, and is begining to work her band again. That is one of the major advantages of it---it is sitting in there, waiting for us!

Call your Dr. hang out with us for support, and get it going again, now that your life has settled down a bit.

Please accept my condolences on your loss of your Dad---and I hope your life is settling down now, and you have some time to devote to you and your health.

Kat

I don't think it makes much difference if you don't get a fill for a period of 6 months or even more than that. I have my band for over two years now and in the first year I had my fills every 4, 5 or 6 months (I never felt much of a restriction anyway, which meant that I've always been a VERY SLOW looser). You'll be fine as soon as you get a new fill adjustment and try to exercise a bit, too - this will help your body and soul, it will make you feel more optimistic and motivated. Your band is a tool, it's there to help you out, not to work against you.

niki

Angela, I would definitely follow your instinct on this one. If I were you I would get a fill as soon as you can. It will jump start your weight loss again. Good luck.

Angela, I suppose I am an extreme outlier here, but I just got filled again after 3 years. The last fill I had was about 9 months after surgery. It was my third fill and it put me at 2ccs. I had a lot of life stresses too, including the money problem and the moving problem. I have finally had the courage to find a new surgeon in my new city and she's excellent. I had a fill (my first with her) yesterday and she boosted me to 3ccs. I'm VERY tight now and am remembering how it felt when I first had the surgery!

On an emotional note, I really understand your shame and fear. I was terrified that when my new surgeon saw my GI films she'd tell me that the band had slipped, that my pouch expanded, that there was esophageal diletation. I was shocked when she said everything looked fine but I just wasn't restricted enough anymore. I'm thrilled to have this back under control now.

All told I lost about 80 pounds and have put back 30 in the past 18 months, with half of that coming from the past 6 months. Life is difficult and stressful and we can't always follow the rules, but that's why I chose the band in the first place. This is how it's supposed to work. That's why it's adjustable. So be happy about that, ok?

Good luck!

Ya, what are you worried about?

We have this band for a lifetime. There will be a period of YEARS where we don't get fills, I hope....so go and continue this lifetime journey of healthy weight loss.

hugs....

It's not like it's been five years and you moved and had some distractors there. Now that you are in a new location, find that doctor in your area and jump back on it. Hey! The worst part is over!!

Best to you!

Hey Lapdancer What Do You Mean By Detox Diet Begins?

Get your fill and move forward.

You have that option, so you should take it.

Viva La Band!

Hey Lapdancer What Do You Mean By Detox Diet Begins?

To shrink my liver in preperation for the surgery I am on a detox diet which consists of:

lots of Protein ( 60 grams daily)

how low can you go...carbs.

dark greens

low dairy

lots of Water

Sound like Adkins? It is.

Thanks Lapdancer. Makes sense.