Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How does the band feel like ? ?



Recommended Posts

I'm 28 days out, and feeling like a big failure and started thinking whether the lap band was complete waste of money.

I have had two fills so far, so I'm at 5,5cc in a 10 band.

I have only lost 2 kg in nearly 1 month. I don't know how the band restriction is meant to be felt on your body, and maybe I'm over eating without realising. I haven't been sick at all, and only vomited few times.

After reading all the forums and hearing about people losing 10 pounds on their liquid diet alone, I become worried about this band not working for me.

I know it works differently for everyone, but I'd like to know how You feel the actual restriction on Your body ? Is it lack of hunger ? Or is it a feeling of being full quickly ? Or You just feel food getting stuck ?

Because the only difference from before surgery is that I have food getting stuck if I eat too fast or too dry foods. Then I wait a little , and start eating again, in large amounts.

So basically, I can eat like before, just slower. But I can still consume same amount of food without feeling sick or vomiting.

Is this normal ? I'm desperate to hear from fellow bandsters.

And yes, I I'm fully aware we are all different and I have to be patient etc, but I'd just like to know how other people are feeling the effect of the band.

Thank you

Sent from my iPhone

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My first fill was 4 weeks after surgery, 4cc's...the 4 weeks prior to that I lost weight mainly due to the post-op diet of liquids, mushies, etc.......2nd fill was 4 weeks after the first, 2cc's...in between the first and 2nd fil I started to GAIN WEIGHT....

Talk about being frustrated, jumped through all those hoops with all that anxiety for NOTHING...I brought this up to some people at the surgeon's office and was lectured about counting calories, measuring portions, keeping journals, etc etc....

WHAT ??????? I didn't need surgery to do all that....That is exactly what I was doing, and failing at, all those years with traditional diets!

I will say after that 2nd fil, I at least quit gaining...really didn't lose either though.

Came back 4 weeks later, 12 weeks since surgery, for my 3rd fil...only 1 cc....and WHAM!!! Talk about restriction.

I had to call my Dr. and state I felt I was too tight...he told me to hang in there, and remember all the "Rules" about eating with the band...now is the time I needed to put them into practice...

Sure enough, it took some adjusting on my part to cope with the band. Learned to apply new ways of eating, smaller bites, chew thoroughly, no drinking while eating, and so forth. Was forced to give up certain food types altogether...

After 3 fils, and slowly learning to live with the band, things began to get easier and easier...the only hard part was ME...I had to change after a lifetime of doing things all wrong...but eventually I was sailing along in the Green zone enjoying life more than ever. The more I learned, the easier it got....the weight started to come off consistently by the week.

That was almost 6 years ago...things still cannot be any better. Lost ALL my excess body fat, regained my health, and changed my life forever.

It's got to be so day to day I don't even think about it that much anymore...just go about my business living this new lifestyle I have learned, all because of the band....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Take it easy... you are still very early out... it will happen.... i didn't lose most of my weight on the band till around the 3 month mark.... and i got to goal by 6 months.

If you can eat large portions, you may need another fill... try not to get large fills... smaller ones are better, sometimes thats all it takes.

In the green zone i was able to have a cup of food and be comfortably satisfied, no choking or heaviness on the chest (unless it was dry meat)

Relax... take it easy... stress will only stress your body which will not help with weightloss

Just eat well... follow your instructions and stay ontop of your fills and try and stay in the green zone....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My first fill was 4 weeks after surgery, 4cc's...the 4 weeks prior to that I lost weight mainly due to the post-op diet of liquids, mushies, etc.......2nd fill was 4 weeks after the first, 2cc's...in between the first and 2nd fil I started to GAIN WEIGHT....

Talk about being frustrated, jumped through all those hoops with all that anxiety for NOTHING...I brought this up to some people at the surgeon's office and was lectured about counting calories, measuring portions, keeping journals, etc etc....

WHAT ??????? I didn't need surgery to do all that....That is exactly what I was doing, and failing at, all those years with traditional diets!

I will say after that 2nd fil, I at least quit gaining...really didn't lose either though.

Came back 4 weeks later, 12 weeks since surgery, for my 3rd fil...only 1 cc....and WHAM!!! Talk about restriction.

I had to call my Dr. and state I felt I was too tight...he told me to hang in there, and remember all the "Rules" about eating with the band...now is the time I needed to put them into practice...

Sure enough, it took some adjusting on my part to cope with the band. Learned to apply new ways of eating, smaller bites, chew thoroughly, no drinking while eating, and so forth. Was forced to give up certain food types altogether...

After 3 fils, and slowly learning to live with the band, things began to get easier and easier...the only hard part was ME...I had to change after a lifetime of doing things all wrong...but eventually I was sailing along in the Green zone enjoying life more than ever. The more I learned, the easier it got....the weight started to come off consistently by the week.

That was almost 6 years ago...things still cannot be any better. Lost ALL my excess body fat, regained my health, and changed my life forever.

It's got to be so day to day I don't even think about it that much anymore...just go about my business living this new lifestyle I have learned, all because of the band....

I'm 11 weeks out from surgery & I've been having such a hard time staying positive due to slow weight loss. I've lost around 15 lbs & I've had 1 fill. I don't know cc's. Long story short, reading your post calmed me down & I realized I'm not quite in the green zone but I will get there. I just need to be patient!

Sent from my ASUS MeMO Pad 7 using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you so much for answer the question as i am 3 monthes out and have 5cc in my ban with 3 fills and have only lost 10 lbs very discouraged until i ready the post from above. I go in for another fill on July 1st. I took my scales out of the house because they were making more depressed. Trying very hard to stick with the program. The only thing i feel is a tightness in my esophagus does any other banded person feel this?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'll appreciate if any successful bandster could answer this specifically.

What does restriction feel like , and how do you know when you are in the green zone ?

1) is it feeling of fullness after a cup of food ?

2) tightness around esophagus?

3) is it the feeling of being "stuck"?

I've had couple fills now. I can eat a lot, but slowly, and then food will get stuck , and after 5 mins it clears and I start eating again.

I know some users already wrote useful replies here, but I'd really like to hear from more of You, about The band feels.

I'm now 6 weeks out and have lost ZERO.

Thank you so much.

Sent from my iPhone

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am 3 months out I have lost 10 lbs sence surgery

Sent from my ALCATEL A564C using BariatricPal mobile app

I am feeling like my esphogus is being sqeezed but that is from stress

Sent from my ALCATEL A564C using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Not much restrictions. I have a 10cc band 5 cc in it had 3 fills. Next fill on July 1.should have restrictions. My dr told me I am were I should be only to loose 1/2 _2 lbs er week. I have been loosing 2 lbs per week.

Sent from my ALCATEL A564C using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Opps I ment 2 per month

Sent from my ALCATEL A564C using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Eve411

      April Surgery
      Am I the only struggling to get weight down. I started with weight of 297 and now im 280 but seem to not lose more weight. My nutrtionist told me not to worry about the pounds because I might still be losing inches. However, I do not really see much of a difference is this happen to any of you, if so any tips?
      Thanks
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×