I was banded July 2006 and have lost right around 100 pounds gaining and losing those same few pounds over and over again. I can't tolerate large fills currently I am 1.3 in the small band and I feel restriction as long as I eat the type of food that I am supposed to eat. My problem is I am eating junk junk junk it slides right down with no problem at all. I know I have to work with the band to make it work I need to get that back into my head but I think I am getting tired now after 2 years of constantly watching what I eat. I know it is to be for a lifetime but I think Im getting burned out. Does anyone else have a problem like this and if so tell me how your handling it. Please, Ive worked so hard and I so afraid of gaining the weight back.

I don;t know how it can "evaporate" but I read somewhere that over time some fill can disappear????

My nurse that does the fills says some stays in the tubing. It all is a little confusing on how much is in the "balloon" and how much is in the tubing and can the saline in the tubing suddenly do into the balloon? That might account for how some people get tighter over a couple weeks.

It would be interesting to know more about this aspect of the band. I'm sure it's just too much info for the Doc and nurses to take the time to explain it all.

bjr

That is a true statement. However if one isn't vigilant one can gain weight with the band by eating around it. You do that by eating high calorie foods often. Even in small quantities the numbers can add up quickly.

It's that vigilance that gets tiresome after a while.

Can someone eat as much as before, probably not. Can someone continue destructive behaviors after getting the band, absolutely...Being mindful is the key. How relax or to what extent one must be mindful is the crux of it.

it was my understanding that with the band and the right restriction, we could eat whatever we want but in small amounts which results in less calories which in turn results in wt. loss

Not completely true as the pouch keeps us satisified with solid food. liquids go right through, so foods like high calorie drinks and ice cream will go right through and add calories and not fill us.

Same is true for GBP patients, they can eat "around" the band.

The band does make it easier to keep our pouch full ( satisfied) and therefore we have less hunger if we feed it what stays in it.