TamiLB

Hi everyone. My name is Tami, and I was banded on March 26, 2010. I have lost 43 pounds as of today, and still have about 40 to 50 more to lose. I love having my band, but I do have a question for those who have been banded for a while. I was doing great, and then about 2 to 3 months ago, I stopped feeling full and stopped losing weight. I did NOT gain, so that's good. I went to my doctor on Tuesday and had a .2cc fill. I have a 10cc band and I'm up to 6.7cc. Is it possible that you get used to the level your band is at, and need more adjustments after you've already been in the green zone? I'm afraid of running out of room to fill my band!!! Can this happen?

I'm in Round Rock by the outlet mall. Please keep in touch!

Carmen, don't get discouraged about the holiday weight. You always lose a bunch of weight after surgery because you were on a liquid diet for so long, then you start eating again and you gain. They don't fill you for awhile because your stomach is still swollen and "angry" after surgery. It can also take several fills to get you in the green zone. I think I started with about 4 cc's and its taken about 7 months to get me to 6.7 cc's. Just remember that slow and steady will help keep the weight off and give your skin time to adjust so hopefully you won't have to have plastic surgery to have it removed.

Thanks Carmen. Its funny that I didn't actually know how my band worked until AFTER my surgery. They did not tell me all the details. I learned little by little by doing my own research. I couldn't understand why I was getting "stuck" until I did my own research. I was banded 3/26/10, so almost 10 months ago. I have lost 43 pounds and have about 40 more to go. I hit a plateau a couple of months ago, and had to have another fill...I'm not really getting full anymore. Will probably take another fill or two to get me back in the green zone.

That makes sense. I don't know why I didnt ask that questions at my fill, because I definitely had been wondering. I will ask for sure when I go back next month.

There is no "magic pill" for losing weight. You MUST exercise and eat right. Even people who have gastric bypass can eat the wrong foods, which can make them VERY sick, or eat too much and stretch out their new stomach. I know someone who had this surgery a few years ago, did this, and is not heavier than ever. You must be willing to do your part. Here's how the band works: The band squeezes the very top of your stomach. When you swallow food, it causes your esophagus to contract, only allowing a small portion of the bit into your stomach at a time, and it moves the food up and down (you do not feel this) until it all goes into the stomach. This causes the nerves in ths area to tell your brain its getting more food than it actually is and you feel full faster. Because you are only eating a small portion of food, you must eat good quality nutritious food. And you won't keep your weight off without exercise. The band is not the cure, its a tool to help you. Be honest with yourself before you decide to get the band...if you are not willing to do your part, don't waste your time and money, and you might even put your health at risk by not following the rules.

Keep in mind that you don't really know about how much you are restricted until a week after your fill, when your tummy calms down and "unswells" after the fill. It can take several fills to get you where you need to be in order to feel restriction. Always remember to eat your protein first, or you might not feel restricted at all.