Rick P

Hi Veteran banders, I've been banded since Feb 2011, and life is pretty good. Lost 60 lbs (although I am short of my goal by about 20 lbs). I still have a "tummy" otherwise things worked they way that they should. I'm happy that I did the surgery, and do not have any regrets.... Although (the reason for my post) !! for the last year, I haven't gotten any fills because I like the level of food I can eat before being "full"... from this regard, I think the band is working how it should. There are a few questions that I would like to ask others to see if I'm not using the band properly, or if I need to go back for an (un)fill. Here is my deal. For the last year (no fills as I mention above) in order not to "stuck" on my first couple of bites of food at every meal, I have to eat hot Soup, or drink hot tea in order to slightly open my passage way in order not to get stuck. Said differently, it seems if I "warm up" the area by eating something warm 1st, foods tend to rest slowly & not get stuck. If I do not "prepare" my tract for food, I get stuck & need to wait about 20 minutes from the initial bite to pass (I do slime during these 20 minutes a few times), then once it passes I can eat just fine. So, my question is ... am I slightly too tight ? I've come to the realization that having to prep my stomach for food seems like not the way this should work, but it allows me to eat with my family & out with others at a better pace - therefore it has become my "normal" Does anyone have anything even remotely close to this, or have I just found my own little way to circumvent the system? I haven't gained any weight recently or for that matter lost any weight... unless of course I eat tons of chocolate or ice cream (every one gains if you do that)... But I'd really like to lose the extra weight, but seems counter-intuative to loosen the band. This is a litte crazy I know, and I'm sure I'm not doing a great job at articulating; I wish I could explain this in person, but I hope enough people will read & provide any similar experiences that I can use to make some decisons. The Dr. doesn't really offer too much advice anymore,, because I have had the band so long, it appears I'm in contol. I am, just it's not the perfect tool I was hoping for (and maybe my expectations are too high & the band is doing all it can)... Hope this makes sense.. thanks for any insight to your worlds !! Rick

Thanks Susie for your note... I have an update from my post. 7 days ago I started taking a recently FDA approved weight loss drug... Belviq. So far it is doing exactly what it is supposed to do.... Relieve the feeling of being hungry! Given the fact that I already have a band to limit my intake I am using this drug to remove the emotional eating & stress related aspect of my diet. Let me remind everyone that chocolate, Ice Cream & Cream Based Soups make it straight through the restriction (and add a bunch of empty calories). Now in order to eat "normally" (without the stuck feeling after 2 bites) I drink Hot Tea about 15 minutes before my meal - zero calories, it just "warms up the port" (which I just eat normal portion until I feel full - about 1/2 my original itake). I've lost 3 LBS in the last week by eliminating cravings & eating proper meals (no cravings)... and no starving reactions at dinner time. I understand the use of diet drugs is not a cure all.... but I already took the long term step (of getting banded)... now I just need some extra push to the finish line. ** Disclosure** While this drug is working for me, I am not a doctor & would recommend anyone speak candidly about taking this med before starting regarding the risks involved. I have not had any side effects & in the next few months hope to lose 20 (ish) lbs with Belviq's help. I'm sure each person should make thier own decision. Good Luck to you

All, Thanks for reponding. Glad to hear I'm not alone. Hoping I can still figure something out. Lisa, I do get those stress related tightening you mention too. I dont want to loosen just to loosen...hopefully more will join in the chat & offer more insights. Thanks, Rick

OK, I know the heading makes little sense, but here is what I mean. A bander for almost 18 months, I have lost about 60 lbs.... from 285 to 225 (wish it was more), but still moving along slowly. The only fat left is really my mid section (I'm a middle aged male, so mid section, tummy is always the problem zone)... and if I could get rid of the fat in the middle, I would lose about 30 lbs & be at my target. Recently, things have started to "flap" around more, like the fat that once was is "loosening" and it seems more "flabby" than dense fat.... Does this make sense?? And ok, if it makes sense, what do I do? I have about 25 minutes (from a 6 am to 10 pm schedule) to exercise daily. I'm wondering what others have done, and if this is normal? thanks !

I have the BA vitamins... Wild berry. They're not bad at all. Best thing about them is theyre a little fizzy and dissolve very well.

Just got tightened 6.5 total in a 14 cc band. One bite of bread makes me hurl.... Ohhh the pain. But I can eat pasta so go figure. Good luck, try the toasting effect even my Dr. Said it helps.