Hi All - wondering if anyone else has had this problem and how they have overcome it.

I had a lap band in Nov07 after a stapling 20 yrs prior. I have lost 2 kg since the banding. I have been back to the surgeon 5 times since then for top ups - today will be number 6. Last time he went pat his comfort level on the fill and I could barely get fluid down for 3 days (lost 3 kg in those 3 days and put them back on when i started on small amounts of solids in the next 2 days) but by 2 weeks post fill I am back to eating nearly a full meal. I have virtually no restrictions.

The surgeon last time withdrew all the fluid at my insistance to see if I had a leak and he was able to withdraw fliud from the band. Had xrays and the band is where it should be.

I eat sensibly with a treat every couple of days - I am type 2 diabetic so I can not go too mad and the blood sugars are good so the food I am eating is not the cause just the amount has not decreased. This surgery was a last ditch effort to try and loose weight to help improve a severe back injury.

As long as you're expending more energy than you take in, you should lose. I realize that sounds simplistic, but it's true. Not everyone needs the same amount of calories. I found that with 800 to 1000 calories I wasn't losing weight, even with working out about 45 minutes to an hour every day. I needed more to lose weight.

Have you talked with your doctor and a nutritionist? My doctor was very supportive when I brought this up and pretty much forced me to meet with the nutritionist again. It was tremendously helpful. I strongly suggest that you do the same. Good luck!

I have pretty much a zero tollerance to exercise - with chronic back problems and I have never been "average" size. Reducing the amount of what I can eat by surgery was the last resort for weight loss. I know alot about nutrition and weight loss as I was a Diabetic educator before I had the back problem. The problem is my band now has nearly 10 mls in a 14ml capacity band and after each tightening I have restrictions that last at most 3 days, then I can go back to a nearly pre banding amount of food.

My big questions is - is the band faulty because this is not the result that the posts I have read here or that friends who have had the surgery have had. I am looking for anyone else who has had this problem and how they sorted it out as I have floated the idea of the surgeon replacing the band which he has refused to do.

hi, i was just wondering have you had your thyroid levels checked lately, that can really impact on your weight loss. are you on medication for your diabetes? this can often stop you losing aswell. make sure you are drinking plenty of water during the day and keep away from things like juice and cordial you would be surprised how many hidden calories these contain.

Hi Coastie

Every time I see a new doctor they check the thyroid levels - this has been happening since I was a teen - and I hve moved a number ot times - they are always fine.

I went back to the surgeon yesterday and guess what I have a leak as I had 4 mls in the band instead of 8mls. He topped me up back to 8 mls but this time at least I can drink Water. I dont drink cordial and have 1 small juice a day to take liquid Vitamins.

I go back in 2 weeks for another check to see how much Fluid has leaked out and I have a booking to go to surgery to find the leak and repair it.

It has only taken 3 visits to convince him that there was a leak.:eek:

Now I may get a resolution and start on the weight loss journey!

Hi still waiting

Thats sux, why dont these doctors listens to us, we know our body better than anyone. im so happy that at least you are getting it worked out and that you know the problem is fixable.

What type of band do you have? I hope all goes well for you. goodluck and let me know how you are going.

I have no idea what type of band I have - I know it holds 14mls of fluid max and surgeon said his confort zone is no more than 8mls of fluid which I am at now. Yesterdays top up has made a difference I have noticed the restrictions today.

I will post again in this thread after he fixes the problem.

I am pleased that the surgeon finally found out what was happening, please keep us updated on how you are going.