So I went and saw the nurse today, because I got a fill 10 days ago and it does not feel like it. Anyway, she said if it is stretched (I go for and Upper GI Monday), she takes all the fluid out for a month and then we re-start fills. Has anyone done this and did it help kick up the weight loss again? Even if you have not done it have you heard of it or have any thoughts on it. Thank you so much!

Hey!

I have never heard of stretching your pouch. Why do they think that you have? When were you banded? How many cc's do you have in your band? I have 5 1/2cc's in my 10cc band. I have little restriction if any. I am not worried about it because my dietition says that it may take another fill before I get there. I know that it isn't much help but I really wouldn't worry about it. You will see people that have been banded for a year and haven't lost much more than what you have already lost. Good luck! We share the same birthday!

Anjanette

I had surgery January 06. I was losing great at 2.6 cc in 4cc band before I got pregnant, now she says I am at 3.4cc and I still NEVER feel satisfied, I know what it feels like because I was doing great before I was pregnant. I would a cup or less 3 times a day, felt great, losing weight, all was grand! Now I cannot stay satisfied, I make myself only eat a cup of food, protein mostly and then by the time I get home I could eat my arm! I make bad decisions at night because I am then so upset this is not working. I have upped my exercise and I feel great about that, now I just need my band to get in sync. She said lots of people stretch their pouch! Also she said I could have slipped, which would require surgery, I am okay with that, whatever helps me get back on track! I am constantly toying with what diet I should do, I did this to help me eat better and help with portions, I eat good but the portions at dinner are bad, I eat what I ate before I was banded! Sorry for the rambling on!

Hi Netty

How funny you brought this up! My wloss has stalled and upon explaining this to my np he looked and said my pouch was fine and not stretched (wasnt aware it could stretch). I needed to eat better, less and not drink w/meals........you know the drill.

Sounds like a good plan to unfill/refill, hope you get good restiction pretty quickly.

maddy

Yes I've heard of it. Of course the pouch can stretch (stomach material is stretchy!) If it is, often deflating the band relaxes everything and the pouch (no longer stretched) can shrink substantially. It doesn't really work with our whole stomachs (you know like when you blow up a balloon and then let the air out? It's never really the same! elasticity reaches a point where it stops...) but the pouch, depending, usually relaxes back enough to do the trick.

I had a complete unfill and I don't wish that on anyone. I am in the middle of trying to get back to were I was b4. I think there is some mumbo jumbo going on with how nurses decide what level of cc you have (read my fill journey blog - the last 2 posts)

When I was unfilled and getting my saline back they would not put me back were I was before.... So I gained wt (not according to their charts but on my scale I gained 6 pounds). So the only thing I can think of as far as kick starting the wt loss is how our bodies might start loosing again after eating so many more calories until you get your restriction back.

At least I hope so!!!! I want to get to my half way point!! :drool: