I'm new to this site so I thought I would share my learning experience this far! My surgery was on 4/17/14 so I'm 13 weeks out. I had my first fill at the end of May but didn't need a lot at that time. I felt great with small portions and not feeling hungry very often at all! I have lost 29 pounds so far (started at 205 and now at 176). I was thinking wow, I must be one of the lucky ones who won't require a ton of fills. My surgeon suggested I wait in my second fill because I was feeling good, able to tolerate normal proteins but getting full on small portions and not having annoying hunger issues! Well, that all ended about 3 1/2 weeks ago. It's like all of a sudden a switch was flipped and I'm hungry all the time and I could eat much more if I allowed myself to (which I have a few times) I feel like I'm dieting again:( I'm scheduled for a fill in 2 days and that can't come soon enough! I've still managed to loose a couple pounds in these few weeks but that's mostly from will power and exercise. Has anyone else experiences this sudden change? The only thing that is different is I get these light headed feelings that come and go. I'm due for labs next week as well to check my vitamin needs. I really hope this fill will do the trick. I was feeling so good and now horrible. My surgeon does all his fills under fluoro so that's good!

I hate to say this, but it can happen further on down the line as well. I thought I was in the GREEN twice before, but then that zone was elusive after a while. According to my doctor, you may go along fine for three to four to five months, and then all of a sudden you may need another small fill....... I guess bands can be fickle. I'm 11 months out, so my appointments are now being stretched to six weeks instead of every four weeks. I intend to continue with all scheduled appointments, even through the second year. Best wishes.

I was banded over 4 months ago and last month I only lost 1 pound. It happens to just about everyone. You just cannot give up, you will make it through this. Losing 29 pounds is awesome by the way, good job!

I like it when you said you felt like you were dieting again....you can differentiate between the two...

I can only speak from my experience, but there is a "Magic Spot", green Zone, whatever you want to call it....

I had my last fill over 3 years ago, and still feel the same today as I did back then...hunger and cravings under control, regular portion sizes, inability to over eat....

A month or two ago, I asked to have 1/2cc taken out, for no good reason, and against my Dr.'s advice....1/2cc totally disrupted that balance, and I had to go back and get it put back in....and face the laughter of my Dr. and staff....

My Dr. told me the fluid settles into to the nooks and crannies after awhile, which is why your fine one day and then suddenly , for no reason, you're starving.

Me, too -- I have definitely experienced this. Keeping at it has been key to me. My fills are small but frequent. I've had seven and I'm a November bander. Every surgeon has their own approach. I have felt "there" only to return three weeks later. My tip-off is feeling restrictive, diet-y, etc. I am not on a diet so if I'm feeling like that I know something is up. Dieting did not work for me -- well, obviously.

Here's my situation...I got my second fill last Friday. Banded on May 9th. After my first fill I could eat anything, and I was able to control my portions and lose weight nicely. Since this last fill, I can only eat two or three small bites and that's it. Totally full, burping, and very uncomfortable. Is this normal? Will my band settle down, or is my band too tight?

I'm there with you. I'm scheduled to go next week for a fill (hopefully)..I didn't get one last month because I had lost 10lbs and my doctor was all excited that I was 'in the zone'....the entire time I'm saying "but I lost the 10lbs the first two weeks after my fill, nothing since then"...still no fill (I think I have 7.5cc's in my band - I've lost count )...so I tried to get excited and pumped and even said "I'm in the zone"...but I've only lost 1lb since last month (sometimes the scale will say 2-3 depending on the time of day grrrr) or 6 weeks if you could from the last fill...I'm aggrevated and discouraged and wonder how if someone without a band only ate 1,100 - 1,200 calories and lost weight.. WHY AM I NOT?????

Losing faith here

i have the same office dr. wizeman , talk to Gwen she is the best. started with them last month after first doctor failed to teach me the way of the band. good luck hope to see you at august meeting.

I'm new to this site so I thought I would share my learning experience this far! My surgery was on 4/17/14 so I'm 13 weeks out. I had my first fill at the end of May but didn't need a lot at that time. I felt great with small portions and not feeling hungry very often at all! I have lost 29 pounds so far (started at 205 and now at 176). I was thinking wow, I must be one of the lucky ones who won't require a ton of fills. My surgeon suggested I wait in my second fill because I was feeling good, able to tolerate normal Proteins but getting full on small portions and not having annoying hunger issues! Well, that all ended about 3 1/2 weeks ago. It's like all of a sudden a switch was flipped and I'm hungry all the time and I could eat much more if I allowed myself to (which I have a few times) I feel like I'm dieting again:( I'm scheduled for a fill in 2 days and that can't come soon enough! I've still managed to loose a couple pounds in these few weeks but that's mostly from will power and exercise. Has anyone else experiences this sudden change? The only thing that is different is I get these light headed feelings that come and go. I'm due for labs next week as well to check my Vitamin needs. I really hope this fill will do the trick. I was feeling so good and now horrible. My surgeon does all his fills under fluoro so that's good!

Tomdelo... I LOVE Dr Wizman! He's been amazing through this whole process and he gets great results! I was at the May meeting but I haven't been since because my son has been in and out if the hospital. I'm so excited for my fill. I've been paying very close attention to how long I get hungry in between meals and I definitely get hungry sooner than I was. I still can't eat breakfast very well but after lunch I'm hungry very quickly! I love that he does all fills with fluoro because it helps you get where you need to be quicker but safer too! Good luck:)

I did notice your in his broward location, I am up in his wellington office. they are great and continue to stay close to there follow-ups

Tomdelo... I LOVE Dr Wizman! He's been amazing through this whole process and he gets great results! I was at the May meeting but I haven't been since because my son has been in and out if the hospital. I'm so excited for my fill. I've been paying very close attention to how long I get hungry in between meals and I definitely get hungry sooner than I was. I still can't eat Breakfast very well but after lunch I'm hungry very quickly! I love that he does all fills with fluoro because it helps you get where you need to be quicker but safer too! Good luck:)

Edited July 16, 201412 yr by tomdelo

I did notice your in his broward location, I am up in his wellington office. they are great and continue to stay close to there follow-ups

Yes I'm in Broward. I'm kind of devastated because my fill appointment was cancelled because he is searching for a new surgery center! Looks like it will be mid August before I can get a fill:( At least I see them next week so hopefully they can help get me through until my fill!

Remember a fill is part of it but if you set your mind to it, you can do it. Stay on this site, stories keep me energized.

I have Dr Wizman and due for surgery next week. I'm nervous as I've been trying to get confirm on date as he was switching surgical centers. My 'patient advocate' doesn't return emails and when I just called they said computers were down and they'd call me back. I put down $6,000 last week and they were able to cash check but I'm without answers. I like the Dr but customer service is a real concern for me. I feel I may need to look for a new physician and get my money back. Anyone know of a good physician in South Florida?

Never had problem with office in west palm beach office. Call Gwen she can help

I have Dr Wizman and due for surgery next week. I'm nervous as I've been trying to get confirm on date as he was switching surgical centers. My 'patient advocate' doesn't return emails and when I just called they said computers were down and they'd call me back. I put down $6,000 last week and they were able to cash check but I'm without answers. I like the Dr but customer service is a real concern for me. I feel I may need to look for a new physician and get my money back. Anyone know of a good physician in South Florida?

Aliciafl2014 did you go through Oband? That's where I had mine done and I had the same thing with my fill being cancelled because of the new surgery center. I LOVE Dr Wizman but I have had some concerns about everyone else. You can pm me if you would like to. If I could do it al over, I would go to Dr Wizmans practice Margate. He's one of the best surgeons down here but I've heard so many great things about the practice there vs. Oband. I did get my surgery quickly through Oband but they're raking my insurance over the coals with crazy billing and your customer service concerns are absolutely right. Hope that helps