Ilene62

I've had a similar problem. My fill doctor is a nurse practitioner and she's also very conservative. My first fill was only 2 cc's. I then didn't see her for seven weeks. This was not on purpose. It was her busy schedule. In that seven weeks, I had no restriction whatsoever, was hungry all the time and was seriously questioning why I had the surgery. I gained three pounds and was very unhappy. When I saw her again, she said that "they" were learning more and more about the VG band and realize that they have to be more aggressive with the fills, so I got 3 cc's that visit and for the first time since the surgery in June I have a sense of some restriction. I'm now learing to eat a whole new way, even smaller bites and chewing, chewing, chewing. I will need more restriction because I can still eat way too much food in one sitting, but I'm learing what foods to avoid and I finally feel as though progress is being made. My only advise to others with the VG band is to insist on bigger fills, at least at the beginning. You can fine tune the fills after you reach some restriction.

Hang in there. It's not that bad. I found that I was less hungry after a while. Just think of why you're doing it. It's worth the effort.

I can't offer any helpful advise since I'm pretty much in the same position as you are. One fill, nada restriction. And I have to wait until the nurse practitioner is in my area again for the next fill. I finally got an appointment for two weeks hence, seven weeks after the first fill! What I'm really annoyed about is that I found out that I was getting the "special" VG band about an hour before surgery and no one told me the difference between the VG and the traditional band, so I had to go through all this frustration until I found this VG thread and learned that I was not alone. I lost weight during the first three weeks, probably because there was internal swelling from the surgery that acted like natural restriction. Now it's a struggle every day not to overeat.

I was banded in June. I still don't have good restriction, but I too have noticed burping, something I didn't do before banding. The burbing seems to be a message to me that I'm full. I stop eating when I start burping. So far, I've neither thrown up or slimed.

Wow, even a car accident isn't going to stop you. It was meant to be. The best of luck. I think the worse is behind you.

Thanks for your post. It has put things into perspective for me and I'm going to be more patient with the process.

We're all still here. Thanks for asking. Since I'm still getting adjustments and haven't achieved restriction yet, I'm not jumping for joy, but I'm feeling good and remain optimistic.

I envy you. I'm two months post surgery, one fill and awaiting another, and I still don't feel like I had the procedure done. No restriction. None. If I didn't force myself to stop eating while still hungry, I'd down half a cow.

I'm really glad I read your posts because I have had one fill so far (2 cc) and have no restriction. After an intial weight loss, I haven't lost anything. I'm fighting every day not to overeat so at least I don't gain. I thought there was something wrong with either me or the band. Now I know that others have a problem with the VG. Obviously, I'll need more fills. I'm annoyed that neither my doctor nor the nurse practitioner (who does the fills) told me why the VG band was used and that it would require a lot of adjustments to get restriction. Since the nurse is only in my area about once a month, it's going to take a long time for me to get a good adjustment (the sweet spot) unless I can travel to her, which will be a pain in the butt.

I'm with JulieNYC and others on this one. I got angry as I read your post. Sounds like your surgeon (who should know better considering the population he is ministering to) was judging you and punishing you for having an overeating problem. Losing weight before the surgery is a good thing because of the liver problem, but if that's what your surgeon wanted, he should have made that clear to you from the beginning as my surgeon did. And he should have a policy, as many do, of one to two weeks on a liquid fast beforehand. It was wrong of him to react the way he did. Since the surgery is postponed anyway, perhaps you might want to consider a different surgeon. Good luck, and lots of hugs.

Thank goodness! To finally find people in their 60s who have had lap band. I know people have it done at our age because Medicare will pay for the procedure, but I'm always the oldest one in the room. I was banded on June 20 and am still getting adjustments. How long did it take any of you to get the adjustment just right?

I had my first fill last week and still don't feel restriction. I didn't realize that it can take months to get the right adjustment. For me the first fill was free and thereafter $175 each (until they raise the price again). The nurse practitioner does the fills and she's only in my area once a month so I can't get a fill more often. I had lapband because I've always been portion-control challenged so this hasn't been easy for me. Right now I have to be very careful and limit my portion sizes even if I still feel hungry. With no restriction, I'm still capable of overeating.