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The amount of saline in your band don't always determine "good" weight lost!

shonette

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Within the last couple of months, I was having a lot of problems with sliming/ everything getting stuck/ and feeling just down right awful! I tried to eat smaller bites and chew my foods very slowly and wait 30 seconds before my next bite of food. Well, nothing was working for me. I had some fluid taken out almost 4 months prior so I was so afraid of losing my restriction. Therefore, I continued to endure with the sliming and every single thing placed in my mouth getting stuck. I was getting so depressed because the band is a tool that befriends you in the weight lost process, but I was not getting that return from my band. Therefore, I knew I had to make some quick decisions because the constant throwing up was starting to effect my esophagus due the acid reflux I was experiencing. I went in last week and had some fluid removed from my band. I was brought down from 4.8cc to 4.2cc. I felt instant relief and yes- I am not as tight but that was my problem.

 

I did some research and when the band is implanted- there is only an opening about the size of an ink pen opening for foods and drink to travel through. That's why we are told to eat small bites of food and to drink fluids slowly to prevent things from getting stuck and to endure long periods of pain and suffering. Therefore, when the band is too tight it makes things that much more difficult to allow foods/drinks to go down properly. I still have decent restriction without all the uncomfortable drama (sliming/ throwing up/ acid reflux and pain)!

 

Therefore, I have learned it's not all about how much saline is in the band, but the ability to use the band as the tool it was designed to be. I am much happier with some fluid being removed than I was having the band tighter than it should have been. Also remember, when your band is too tight you will make poor food choices. That means eating slider foods that will cause weight gain and not weight lost. (just a little food for thougth)!

 

I am almost at my one year mark as of July 21st with only 4.2 ccs in my 10cc band. but my band is working as a friend and not a foe! I have a tendency to want everything to happen quickly, but slow and easy works better for me.

 

If anyone is experiencing a lot of sliming, throwing up, daily episodes of food and drinks getting stuck, you may consider having a little fluid removed and allowing your band a time period to heal from the entire trauma episode it's experienced.

 

I am starting to love and befriend my band all over again! I am definitely a work in progress. Thanks for listening and supporting me through it all. My wonderful band family!

 

 



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great post Shonette! Thanks for sharing. I just had a fill last week which brought me up to 6cc's. I never thought I would need that much. I think I'm pretty much in the green zone now. The band is not a cure all...I have to do some work too. I'm glad you are feeling better! Sounds like you were going thru h***!!

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<P>Having this band has truly been trail and error for me. I don't blame the band for anything that I am going through, but I have to learn to be proactive and responsible for the way my band works. It's crazy how some people require a certain amount of saline to feel the same restriction. <BR><BR>I do think within a week I will go back to have a little added back into my band. I am taking this time to allow my band to heal and f or any swelling to go down from all the stuck episodes I experienced. Thansk so much Deedee72 for your kind words and concern. </P>

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I wonder if some of it isn't the skill of the surgeon. I am 9 weeks post-op, down 49 pounds and will almost certainly not need a tightening.

Come see me at my external blog: Michaelwasfat.blogspot.com

or write to me at mickp_24@hotmail.com

Michael Pickert MD

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Hi Shonette! Sorry to hear you have been having some difficulties. I get sliming and stuck from time to time too. I hate it. My band is so ornery! We fight all the time! LOL. I have been at a stand still for the past 2 months! Ugg!! No wt. loss. Depressing. But I have slacked in exercising though coz of my fibromyalgia causing me some grief lately. But oh well, I just keep plugging along, taking one day at a time. It seems it will be a slow process for me as well. Take care and keep us posted on your progress! :)

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