I was banded feb 29th, by Dr Kuri in Mexico. I am down approx 21 pounds since. I do follow the band rules, and walk about 20 kms a week. I heard that you won't feel restriction until your first fill. If I eat too fast, I ping, if I eat too much I ping, I also have a 9.75 band. I think I'm restricted and really don't know if I should have a fill at the 6 weeks post op. any else have restriction at this early stage of banding. I'm not complaining I love the weight loss, etc, but I don't know about a fill if in fact I am restricted.

thanks donna

:biggrin:

Well, that's not entirely accurate.

The lapband system was designed to give a patient restriction with adequate adjustment.

If a patient has it with just the band being put in... or w/ a first fill.... what a bonus!

The 'restriction' you feel may just be swelling. Swelling/enlargement of tissue can be restrictive.

Congrats on the steps you've taken to control your weight!

If you are losing 1-2 pounds a week you don't need a fill. Why make yourself tighter than you need to be?

Well, that's not entirely accurate.

The lapband system was designed to give a patient restriction with adequate adjustment.

If a patient has it with just the band being put in... or w/ a first fill.... what a bonus!

The 'restriction' you feel may just be swelling. Swelling/enlargement of tissue can be restrictive.

Congrats on the steps you've taken to control your weight!

i c u have lost over a hundred lbs!! congrats! how long have u een banded and how has ur experience been from coming home post-op till now. would love to know as much as possible ....trying to find people who r not just post-op. thanks

i c u have lost over a hundred lbs!! congrats! how long have u een banded and how has ur experience been from coming home post-op till now. would love to know as much as possible ....trying to find people who r not just post-op. thanks

Hi. I'm actually a textbook case...if you've ever heard of that expression.

Everything has gone according to plan. Feel free to ask questions as I'll do my best to answer them.

I was banded last June. I've lost weight steadily w/o plateaus (found a key to avoid that) and with only 2 fills.

It's hard, and at times painfull....emotionally and a tad physically as well. But keep the goal in mind and keep on the straight and narrow...you'll get there.

Hi. I'm actually a textbook case...if you've ever heard of that expression.

Everything has gone according to plan. Feel free to ask questions as I'll do my best to answer them.

I was banded last June. I've lost weight steadily w/o plateaus (found a key to avoid that) and with only 2 fills.

It's hard, and at times painfull....emotionally and a tad physically as well. But keep the goal in mind and keep on the straight and narrow...you'll get there.

so when u say everything has gone according to plan does that mean u haven't had any complications? i've read alot of people on here with vomiting and not losing weight ,gaining weight. i am a lil concerned. i kinda think some people r probably not eating rigt or not using their bands well.not really sure what to think.

What's the key to avoiding plateaus? Please share.:ohmy:

What's the key to avoiding plateaus? Please share.:ohmy:

Yes, DO please share, I've been on a plateau for 10 months. I didn't even know there WAS a key. What's your secret?

how did you do that, it fantastic, did you do a lot of walking, and watching what you eat?

I walk about 20 kms a week, and I down 23 pounds, and go for a fill in april.

wihout the walking I would not have done so good.

Maybe this will shed some light on the key.....

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f13/update-my-possibly-too-tight-fill-49183/#post682103

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f109/countdown-last-adjustment-unfill-46096/

I don't think "hanging over the sink daily to slime" is a textbook case.

Maybe this will shed some light on the key.....

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f13/update-my-possibly-too-tight-fill-49183/#post682103

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f109/countdown-last-adjustment-unfill-46096/

I don't think "hanging over the sink daily to slime" is a textbook case.

OK, read the above captioned posts. I'm freaking here:ohmy:. I have been sopping up advice on LBT for a couple of months now. I trust my surgeon and know I made a good choice but he's lacking in the info dept. I've considered myself lucky to rely on you guys with experience. After reading the advice in those two posts above and reading through the threads the posts were in, (after picking my chin up off my desk) I felt like running for the freaking LBT door and slamming it shut, never to return. WTF? I am sorry to offend but that kind of info is nothing I want to take down my lapband road. Can anyone say may lapband is a "tool" not a vice grip?

whoa! that's the 'secret' being overfilled and borderline malnourished?? i think i'd rather experience a plateau...

from http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f109/countdown-last-adjustment-unfill-46096/

My goal was keep this restriction unitl January. I've not been able to eat much of anything for a few months. Not that that's the problem...I'm starting to have issues due to malnutrition. Last night I was at the ER with chest pains...seems my potassium is so low all my muscles are aching...not to mention feeling like I have the flu all the time.

Anyways, 1 more month of this and I'm going in for an unfill. I will have reached my goal.

But what do I ask to be left in the band? I don't want a complete unfill as surely I will start gaining weight.

But how much do they take out when you reach your goal to prevent further weight loss and go to maintenance?

First of all, congratulations to you for losing so much even before you have surgery!

Second of all....apparently this person was not a textbook case. My father had the surgery 1 1/2 years ago (I just had mine 2 1/2 weeks ago) and neither of us experienced what the posts on these links mention. My father does have trouble with certain foods still and they do get "stuck" and then he has to go to the bathroom and rid himself of it, but it is pretty normal to have a couple things you know you don't tolerate. What these blogs mention are an extreme from what I have learned through family that have had lapband and even gastric bypass. Do not run away yet...I don't really think I would call this a textbook case either!

Apples - relax. Sometimes we get too tight, it's a product of the experimental nature on the road to the sweet spot. I've had to seek an emergencyish unfill one, and it wasn't pretty. But you learn, and go on.

Trust me, it's better to have the information of what can happen if you don't treat your band and body right, than to go in assuming it doesn't happen.

Can anyone say may lapband is a "tool" not a vice grip?

exactly ... its intention is not to restrict so much that you cannot eat. its that you cannot eat a lot.

you'll do fine. dont leave here cause a few people abuse their bands.

Wheetsin and Steph...I'll stick around and thanks for the encouragement. I'm all for hearing the good, the bad and the ugly. I want info from the experience of others that have been down this road ahead of me. I have the ability to sort out good verses bad advice. I just have a real concern about people giving info that could actually plant a seed in someone's mind about the "tricks" of starving the body to the point of going to ER and living months in misery just to lose pounds. I believe close to 100% of us are on this journey to get our health back. I was told at my informational seminar to expect a slow loss with the lapband and slow loss is much better for our system.

I like my food and my plan is to continue to eat food and not have it end up in the sink. I think I'd rather be a touch hungry rather than be miserable with far too tight restriction. I'll wait for my weight loss the healthy way.

By the way Steph, it took me six months to get my weight off. I feel better every day.