VegasGrace

Straight from the manual: INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE: BAND ADJUSTMENT Postoperatively, the surgeon may adjust the stoma size percutaneously by injecting or aspirating saline with the access port needle via the self-sealing access port. The following are general guidelines for LAP-BAND System adjustments: 1. The initial postoperative adjustment should occur 4-6 weeks after the operation. In most cases, you will add 1-2 cc of saline to the 9.75 and 10 cm LAP-BAND, 2-3 cc to the VG LAP-BAND, and 4 cc to the 11 cm LAP-BAND. 2. The patient should be reviewed regularly (every 4-6 weeks) and weight and clinical status measured. If the weight loss has averaged less than 1 lb per week over the period and the patient indicates there is not excessive restriction to eating, a further increment of Fluid should be added (usually 0.3 - 0.5 ml) 3. Where the average weight loss between visits has been greater than 2 lbs per week, normally no additional fluid would be added. 4. If the weight loss has averaged between 1 and 2 lbs per week, additional fluid would be indicated if the patient feels he/she can eat too freely or finds difficulty in complying with the dietary rules. 5. Fluid would be removed from the system if there were symptoms of excessive restriction or obstruction, including excessive sense of fullness, heartburn, regurgitation and vomiting. If symptoms are not relieved by removal of the fluid, barium meal should be used to evaluate the anatomy. Prior to doing an adjustment to decrease the stoma, review the patient's chart for total band volume and recent adjustments. If recent adjustments have not been compliant with nutritional guidelines, the patient my have a leaking band system, or may have a pouch enlargement or esophageal dilation due to stomal obstruction, band slippage or over-restriction. Band system patency can be conformed by injecting saline into the band system, then immediately withdrawing it. An absence or decrease in fluid volume indicates a leak in the system may exist. The band may be evaluated for a leak using a radiopaque solution, such as Hypaque or Conray-43, flushing it from the band system after the evaluation. If pouch enlargement or band/stomach slippage is suspected, a limited upper GI with a samll amount of barium or gastrograffin can be used to evaluate the size of the pouch, the gastric stoma and the position of the band. CAUTION: Insufficient weight loss may be a symptom of inadequate restriction (band too loose). Or, it may be a symptom of pouch or esohpageal enlargement, and may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as heartburn, regurgitation or vomiting. If this is the case, inflation of the band would not be appropriate. The band internal diameter may be decreased approximately 0.5mm by adding an additional 0.4 cc of sterile saline. Excessive restriction may result in a closed stoma. Because of the possible complications that can occur with excessive restriction, a doctor familiar with the adjustment procedure must be available for several days post-adjustment to adjust the stoma in case of emergency. Deflation (an increase in stoma size) is considered if the patient experiences frequent episodes of vomiting, is unable to swallow liquids or appropriate foods, or if there are medical indications for increasing nutrient intake. the internal diameter of the band can be increased approximatley 0.5mm by withdrawing 0.4 cc of the fluid. Elective deflation of the band is advisable in the following situations: Pregnancy Significant concurrent illness General anesthesia Remote Travel Travel to areas where food or Water contamination is endemic.

I don't drink water. But I do have plenty of fluids. As your doc but even koolaid w/ splenda is better than nothing.

Can't answer about alcohol, but as for soda pop....sure. But ask your doc. Some will swear their doc said absolutely not, as in their stomach will blow up or something. However, mine said no such thing and I can enjoy my pop when I want...it's about choices.

Luckily I didn't have that restriction on food. Good luck!

I was banded on 2/13. What I thought was restriction after the surgery was just swelling. After that went down in about one week, I could eat to the same proportions as before banding. That is the way it is supposed to be. I went to the doc at 3 weeks and they said they would give me my first fill. I could still eat a car if I wanted to!! That is the way it is supposed to be. Well, today they had me go for an upper gi then come to their office. They said that everything looked great. That first fill was 3cc's in my 10cc band. My doc is pretty agressive so she gave me another 3cc's for my second fill. I couldn't get the Water down so she took out 1cc leaving me with a total of 5cc. She said to have just liquids/mushies today and tomorrow then I can go back to solid food. You've got a great doc! Well, for dinner I had broccoli/cheese soup to go from Applebees and was still starving (only had a yoghurt today since I couldn't eat for the upper gi) so I then had some cottage cheese, then I mashed up an avocado and ate that. To me, that STILL seems more than I should be able to eat after a fill. Nope, you are on target. You don't reduce the quantity of food until AFTER restriction....not just because you got the band or a fill. I keep hearing about how we're supposed to eat about 1/2 cup food per meal and I ate more than that after my fill. I'm thinking maybe 1/2 cc more. Ignore that...unless that's what your own doctor said. Mine said no such thing. Anyway, so my first fill was at 3 weeks, and this, my second, was at 5 weeks. Pretty good, you are on track. They said I can come back when I want for another fill if I'm not restricted. I originally had lost 13 pounds afer surgery and now that loss is only at 5 pounds so I seem to be gaining! Yikes! Yes, make your appointment for 4 weeks out...need it-go. Don't - cancel. If I could have done this w/out the band I would have, but I need restriction. And no, it's not head hunger. I'm certain of that. I really tune in and see where I'm at. If you can eat a cup or half a cup...you wouldn't have gotten the band...doctors know this. So they don't really expect a patient to do that. Should I get another fill? Again, make your appointment and go if you need to. Good luck and keep us posted.

Definitely, you will be in my prayers. Not sound like alot? Are you kidding...you are doing awesome! A few years ago, did you think you'd be 86 pounds lighter today? I know for me, just a few years ago I never thought I'd see 140, or a size 6. You hang in and hang on!

Yes, the band forces a lifestyle change, that's for sure. Instead of eating 2 combo meals, you eat a few bites. And you may not even order your own...you just eat off your kids.

Hey hey! You are doing great! Let us know when you reach goal...how exciting!

Sorry, I've not ever been nauseated since being banded. Maybe others will chime in. Hope you get better as I know that's a yucky feeling.

This may be your signal to stop eating. Mine is gunk in the back of my throat like nasal drainage.... or sometimes I feel slime in my esophogas. Yours could be bloating. So just eat a bite or two and walk away. If you are still hungry later, eat more.

I found the same to be true. The multiple listings...not replying to questions or subsequent posts to their thread... Something isn't right. Folks come to the board for all sorts of reasons. And when something goes wrong... post it. And they should. But something isn't right with these posters, for sure. As They don't tell a 'complete' story. ...putting the band in the wrong place? Well, where did it get placed? No answer. But if another doctor were taking over this case they'd tell the patient EXACTLY where it was placed...there is medical language for this. Inamed recommends such and such from the esophogas to the stomach. So, where was it placed? That way bandsters can actually see....evidence. Dr. Huacuz was the one who did my surgery and I have recommended him time after time, when someone asked me. I've personally asked questions to these posters....but get no response. To me, something isn't right and it may not have been Dr. Huacuz that made a mistake...but the patient...as in her body not taking the band well. But, we will never know because details are secreted.

Hate that for you. The lapband system won't work for everyone...but it may work for you, still. I'd just be really slow and get .5 cc for the first two fills, then .2 cc after that. I'd go in every 4 weeks until you got restriction. But it seems like your doc is really working hard to get this to work for you. Hang in there.

You are like me. Soda is my vice in life. Pepsi, at that. After surgery that's what I wanted. But nope while in the hospital. I finally had some Pepsi by day 4. And it foamed up. I did the ice thing...nope, still foamed. So I got Mt. Dew..... the rest is history. I go thru about a 2 liter every week. Packed with ice and use a straw. Some days I just drink off the top...like an ounce or two. But some days I drink several glasses. Koolaid brand Orange coolaid.... I started using this and it actually satisfies me just as much as Mt. Dew. I use a 1/2 and 1/2 Splenda/Sugar mix. Those who drink soda...just know that you'll still lose weight with the band...but your weightloss will be a slower.

Yeah! UNC is my team, however, my granddaddy always said, "Never bet against Duke" Well...that was back in the day.

I was on normal food by weeks end. Some docs say eat what you can tolerate, as did mine. No worries. If you could diet, you wouldn't have gotten the band...and your doctor knows this. Just take it slow when introducing foods to your band.

I allowed the band to do what it's supposed to do. I didn't fight it or try to diet....so many others do diet, and that's okay. I'm sure getting the band AND dieting makes for better success. But for me, it's just limiting the quantity of food.

After your fill five months ago...if you saw no weightloss in 2-3 weeks you should have called your doc. But no, it's not too late. Just call now. It's never to late for a fill.

Wow. Good for you! Many do not get restriction just by virtue of having the band implanted. You are off to a great start!

Had mine done in June.....what a perfect time for it! The sun is shining, spring is here. And the holidays are far off!

Wow...2 years out and then a problem. Thanks for sharing your story. While I'm done with weightloss, the band will always be with me. In the back of my mind I always wonder IF something will happen. I've already decided that IF that day comes, I'll just have it removed. yep...then keeping it off will be so up to me. And that's scary.

Hey, hey! I was at 2.2 for the duration of my weightloss. Didn't need anymore fills. At times the scales would move only .3, yeah 1/3rd pound in 2-3 weeks. But I always said to myself..... as long as it's going in the right direction..... Congrats!

Wow. You've taken inititave! You've dieted your way through many years. You've learned of an appliance that could help. And you got it. The diets and appliance failed...you didn't. The only way to be a failure is to quit. So, don't quit. There are still many options. I know you are having difficulties with some of the innards..... if your esophogas is fine, but stomach not...I'd consider the bypass. It would disconnect those problem areas. Remember, don't quit.

Hmmmm...... I don't see a problem. It sounds like you have achieved restriction. Now let's see if that is enough to see the number on the scales go down. If it does, if it were me I wouldn't get another fill...you doctor may not even give you one since it's working. And if it's not broke, don't fix it. But if you are not losing weight, I would get a fill. Your doc would give you just a tad for a tad bit more restriction. Slime is your friend. That lump in your throat is your friend. Those are signals to STOP eating. Good luck and keep us posted!

Well, everyone is different. And you should be aware that things can and do go wrong. And many patients see docs so often they should be movin' in. But then there are many patients like me. 1 trip to the surgeon. 3 trips to the doc for adjustments. DONE The 3 adjustments being 6 weeks out for one fill, and 4 weeks later another fill -RESTRICTION. Then when reach goal a trip for a slight unfill. DONE So, just hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Sure it is. And yes it does....more than you know. Full liquids to soft....hmmm... does that mean you've not gotten a fill yet as maybe you are recently banded? If that's the case...you aren't supposed to lose a pound until after you get restriction...as in 6weeks plus 4 weeks, plus 4 weeks out. Whenever you get fills that gives you restriction. If you have lost weight before restriction...you are lucky.