Here is the truth about the band

[Betsyjane 2]

Gadgetlady-I can relate. I like to keep a very tight band (my choice) and some days for whatever reason, I don't get enough good food down....and then I head for the ice cream. I've been tempted to get a slight unfill, but my weight loss is doing well now and I seem to be losing a little stomach fat so the restriction is slightly easing. Iknow with a little less fill, I could get my good calories in more easily and wouldn't resort to ice cream for calories...just out of habit and desire. There's something oddly satisfying in knowing that if I conquer ice cream, I can lose more quickly. As it is now, I like my slow weight loss and not thinking about the band so much. It's downright pleasant to know that I can cruise along and lose instead of gain like the old days...and that when I get really aggressive about it, I can lose more. Right now, cruising feels great.

[lyndseygal 0]

After about week 2 of the surgery, my restrction was gone so that hasn't been fun! I am liquid dieting again though so i can continue to drop weight because I gained all the weight lost right back Still, it's very hard without restriction, like before, except I get the golf ball on any types of bread or tortillas. Regular crust pizza is a nightmare, I still can't eat very much of that. And this is pre-first fill. I know I might have to give these up, BUT after having about 2 or 3 weeks where I was able to 'eat' again, I've realized I preferred it when I couldn't. I don't care if I have to say goodbye to bread anymore, or pizza or whatever. I want to be healthy again and thin, I can't get there eating to my heart's content anymore, and I'm sick of shoving food in my face for every time I feel hurt or upset or stressed. Yes, with the lap band we do give some things up. But what we get is our health back, the ability not to have to use food as a crutch, the compliments, increased self-esteem, feeling of lightness, etc. Among other things!! Trust me if you aren't sure, weigh the odds (no pun intended). For me, being able to eat relatively normal I've realized it's not all that great!! I'm ready to give it up for something better...I get my first fill in 2 weeks and I. am. so. HAPPY :whoo:

[Betsyjane 2]

Teah, it really is bandster hell until you get the enough fills to hit your sweet spot! Teaches us patience, doesn't it?

[cinward2001 0]

It is a process and PB'ing is going to happen at first...at what degree? Who knows but it is something that most everyone experiences with the band..maybe not those of you on this board but real life people that I have talked to have all confirmed this.

I haven't read this entire thread, so forgive me if I'm duplicating something here. But please, if you're having a LOT of trouble keeping food down, please go get a slight unfill. Even if your weight loss is going great, keeping your band too tight (PBing a lot) can cause a slip. Now, if you're pbing because you're eating too quickly, not chewing enough, or taking bites that are too large, then those are behaviors that you can change.

Also, what the fluoro shows during a fill is NOT a good indicator of whether or not your band is too tight. Fluoro is just a guideline...you really need to judge by how you feel.

Cindy

[Klovermom 0]

I have lost about 40 lbs. in 1.5 years, yes, but not because I'm not tight enough. It's because I don't exercise at all and I eat too many sweets. I'm in a time in my life right now where that's just the way it is. I still love my band and I still have restriction (in fact, I'm going for a slight unfill tomorrow). I can eat steak but not if I don't chew it well, but there certainly are other things (bread, many vegetables, etc.) that I can't eat. Don't judge me or my experience based on weight loss alone.

I am pre-band and am proud of the accomplishments all of you bandsters have made. Personally I have gained 40 pounds in a year and a half, so not gaining, even if I have minimal loss, will be an accomplishment for me.

[Devana 0]

This just shows that it behoves us to educate ourselves before banding. I read EVERYTHING on LBT for months before making my decision and I was aware of the variety of experiences people have had post band. Getting banded is an individual learning experience. Everyone has to find their new way of eating, their sweet spot etc. I was encouraged by the fact that the majority of posters did settle down to happy band life.

[Betsyjane 2]

Hey Klover...I was in the same shape...gaining all the time! The band is not easy but it is such a relief! I either lose...or don't lose...but I don't gain! Sooo coool.

[mumof2boys 71]

Everyone is different with their band. Immediately following my surgery, I had great restriction for the first 6-7 weeks. I was loving it. I knew when to stop eating and was losing weight. Then, along came my first fill. I have NO restriction...I can eat anything and everything and can't get another fill until the end of this month. I have not lost one pound in over 6 weeks and I'm struggling to not gain any weight. So...to say that after your first fill you will be over the toilet all of the time, is the furthest thing from the truth for me. I hope that you are doing better with your band.

[pjanes54 0]

This just shows that it behoves us to educate ourselves before banding. I read EVERYTHING on LBT for months before making my decision and I was aware of the variety of experiences people have had post band. Getting banded is an individual learning experience. Everyone has to find their new way of eating, their sweet spot etc. I was encouraged by the fact that the majority of posters did settle down to happy band life.

for your post. it's exactly what i needed to hear! continued success to you :love:

[mjsafari 0]

There is definitely ALOT of goods and bads on LBT. I felt like I knew every possibility out there before I got my band. I had a fill last Monday and could not eat or drink anything without pain. I knew this meant I was too tight, but because of info on here that some people loosen up after a couple of days I waited to get unfilled. BUT I only waited 3 days - when I couldn't get anything in, not even liquids, I knew I needed an unfill. I didn't wait until I PBd. I had 1cc taken out and am fine now. I do get the full feeling - golf ball in the esophagus, but that is my signal to STOP eating. If I pay attention to that I won't PB. In fact even being over filled I have never truly PBd.

My husband on the other hand has PBd alot. He does have to be conscious of what he eats when he is out. BUT that is because he has had restriction from day 1 and has not needed a fill at all. He has first bite syndrome. He slimes without even having eaten. I knew how to explain and help him through all of this because of the information available on this board. He is working through all the issues and loves his band - how can you not with 75lbs lost in a 2 months! Our surgeon's nurse said - he never got a change to "learn" with his band, he has had to deal with all the possible issues from the beginning. But he is dealing with it, is feeling great, and would be happy to tell anyone about how great the band is.

I am very sorry that the OP is having so much trouble, but glad that she still loves her band. If she listens to the advice given, gets an unfill, I think from personal experience, she will feel a whole lot different. I hope she posts how things turn out for her.

It is a journey not a race.

[Betsyjane 2]

mjsafari-you started out with a big BMI.... Congrats on your progress so far. Looks like you're definitely on the right track. Attagirl!

[Oregondaisy 2,020]

I have had three fills and I can eat bread. I choose not to. I rarely pb. If I do, it's because I got into a big hurry and didn't chew well. I have learned to chew very well, and can basically eat whatever I want to eat. I just choose the right things because I can't eat a big plateful of food.

I read this board for days and days about the band and surgery. I knew what I was getting myself into. There were people who talked about not being able to eat bread, and people who talked about throwing up.

I love my band!

[mjsafari 0]

Thanks BetsyJane - my BMI is so high because I am only 5 foot tall. Amazingly I had no co-morbidities, but since it was high, I was approved by insurance very quickly after my 6 month supervised diet. It is amazing how much better I feel even after only 45lbs. I definitely feel like I am on the right track - time will tell, but it feels great right now!

[MFRANKS 0]

how much did you loose, i bet you lost a lot of wgt. I NEEDED TO HEAR THIS TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT

[IndioGirl55 32]

Be prepared to spend A LOT of time over the toilet. Be prepared to constantly feel the "golf ball" in your esophagus after you eat. Be prepared NOT to be able to eat in front of people you havent told about the band. Be prepared to be afraid of eating ANYTHING non mushie in fear of throwing it up. Be prepared to teach yourself to eat VERY VERY slowly. Be prepared to kiss bread goodbye.

I am not complaining, I am happy with my decision to get it placed.. I mean, vanity is priority #1...but these above facts DO NOT get mentioned often in this forum....at least I really havent read about it.

Alysedg23 - I have been on this board and others for 1 yr researching the band - the 1st question that you ask after reading all the post is was what's pbing and sliming.. Also, I read the complications thread too because they do happen not to everyone but to some.

This forum does cover all the bases (imho) I guess that you just didn't read enough - As to the problem that some have withhe bread, meat etc - and those who don't

I knew from the get go that things do happen - Just like I know that each of us have diff expericencese with the band. I am 3 weeks out and still have restriction - some of my fellow Lucky #7's don't. Everyones experience with this band is different, some follow the rules, some don't.

We are here for support, to ask questions - to get answers.

May you find your way throught this terrible experience that YOU are having - ask for advice - the people here will gladly give it.

May your journey get better.:confused: