jonicorn

Curious as to why you are having yours removed?

Hey We were banded within a day of each other and looks like we are very similar. I have lost 47lb so far. I only thank my band for a small amount of it. Massive chunk was pre op diet, and the rest is my new found love of walking. The main thing the band has done for me is make me aware of what I am eating and how much of it for the pure fear of a blockage or slippage etc. I now have 6.65ml in my 10ml band and before the most recent fill of just 0.4ml, I was feeling absolutely no restriction whatsoever. The tiniest amount topped up has taken me to where I am now. I wouldn't call it the sweet spot, because theres nothing sweet about it but I am definitely at restrictive point and my eating is slower, fewer and far between. I agree with the previous posters words where the sweet spot doesnt exist and thats because it isn't what the band should really be designed for. We had the band to reduce our food intake but also tackle our hunger which we have gained over the years as a result of our excessive eating and that is exactly what it does. Work with you band, and if its not pulling its weight, work for it! Make healthy adjustments and the true science of losing weight will prevail until you are feeling some restriction. Move more, eat less...it's that easy and although I know its easier said than done and if you could do it then you would never have needed the band, but then just think of your bank balance. It's like you've bought a brand new car but are refusing to drive it You can do this, I'll help you if you need it xx

Hi everyone, I really need some advice. The guidelines are so varied throughout different places and consultants that I'm not sure what to do. I had my band fitted 16.07.2018 and my first fill on 25.09.2018 - Ive lost 31lb in that time but have had very little restriction. My fill was for 4ml but I definitely need more as I have been hungry and eating bigger portions BUT - I'm supposed to wait 3 weeks between fills which would bring me to 15.09.2018...the day I fly out on holiday. So, APPARENTLY, you're not supposed to fly within 2 weeks of having a fill, which would mean I can't have a fill until 6th October which would be over a month of no restriction and a lot of damage (+a holiday) in between and I am bound to gain which would break my heart. Do I go for a fill asap and not tell them about the holiday? or do I wait until October? I just don't know what to do.

Hi everyone, I am 5 weeks post op for the lapband and I cant seem to find any information on the pain involved in having my band filled. Obviously the port is quite deep under my fat tissue so I assume its a pretty big needle to reach the port, so is it agonising or does it just feel like a regular injection?

I dont think it would be related. The fill is literally just an injection into the port to inflate the band slightly. As it was your first fill, I doubt it was enough to make any difference really as it can take 6-7 fills before you are at your 'sweet spot'. Your sore throat might be from the flu on its way maybe? not sure.

Well done : )

The band will still work for you. It's not a miracle so it will be hard work. Try doing the pre-op milk diet for a couple of weeks to start you off. Research a clinic close to you that do lap-band adjustments and you should be able to pay for a top up. Adapt the 20 20 20 as much as you can, let me know if you don't know what this is. Make sure you have a deficit. No matter what the WLS is you have, it will undoubtedly not work if you don't have a deficit. Perhaps start running around after your 1 year old already as your exercise. You did it once, you can do it again

Absolutely normal. Infection would be angry red and extremely sore. You sound fine

I’m pretty sure it’s not a race! The slower the weight comes off, the more likely you are to keep it off and the more likely you are to have less excess skin! Gastric band works perfectly fine for MOST people but like the bypass, it’s not for everyone! Your friend may have lost very little with the band, but I have lost 31lb since 16th July...so your proof is void

Lol - The above sounds like a very worse case scenario! Not all stories are such nightmares, many are successes. If you treat the band well, it returns the favour. I have not once been sick with my band, nor had a head ache, nor heartburn, indigestion, blockages...nothing. You get out of it what you put in and if you balance it with exercise, it will be a success. All the band is doing, is REDUCING YOUR STOMACH CAPACITY AND RELIEVING FREQUENT HUNGER. It is not slapping the food from your fork as you put it in your mouth.

Realistically, I think the lap-band, is perfect for someone who has 120lb or less to lose. It is definitely not a miracle but it helps. I have NEVER been able to lose weight, and although I am still relatively new to it, I am loving it. I have changed my emotional attitude towards food, my portion size has definitely decreased and even between fills where I am seeing very little restriction, I am driven enough to control and monitor what I eat. It's perfect for some, but definitely not everyone.

You'll get there. As you said, its entirely based on the individual person. Ive struggled my whole life with my weight and never been able to lose due to many health issues but this just seems to work for me. Exercise is the main part of it for me though. I highly recommend walking.

I am 6 weeks out and have lost 31lb

Wow, you've really been through the wars, I hope you get your answers.

Yeah, I absolutely love it. I used to go twice a week every week for years and then just stopped which is when my weight started to gain quite quickly. I think I might just bite the bullet and do it haha.

The acid reflux is related to the band being too tight, i wonder if you have a blockage?

I have been walking every day since my surgery which I think has made a massive difference with my weight loss. I really want to get into swimming but I'm scared lol. I go on holiday in almost 2 weeks time so will get lots of swimming in then.

1. What made you choose the Lap Band over the Sleeve? Reversible and less invasive than other Weight loss surgery options. The sleeve never crossed my mind. I think for the amount of weight I need to lose, the Band was definitely the most sensible option. 2. Have you had Hair loss with the Lap Band? None whatsoever. I take multivitamins every day and have always taken Biotin due to having PCOS and hair loss is a symtom of that. 3. What can you absolutely NOT eat now with the Lap Band? I can't tolerate banana's and I'm scared to try bread. Struggled with Sausage skin but only now and again. 4. At what point did you know you made the right decision with the Lap Band surgery? 5 Weeks in and 2 stone loss. 5. What as been the best tool you've used in keeping your weight loss progressing? Walking every single day, at least 10k steps

It doesn't sound like it is likely to be connected to the lap band as even though their is an extensive list of risks, this doesn't appear to be any of them. It might be worth contacting the clinic who did the procedure and asking for an xray, just incase their is something not right. The clinic I go to charges extra for this service but definitely worth looking into.

Well, I suppose that makes sense because the restriction only really takes effect when you're on regular chewable food because the band slows it down. The mushier it is, the quicker it will go through the band so I'm sure you'll notice more of a difference when you're back on a regular diet. Have you introduced exercise back yet?

I had 4 ml's put into mine. I have a small band with max 10ml so I thought it was quite a big fill but the restrictions isnt exactly what I was expecting. I know it can take 4-6 fills to get the ideal restriction so hopefully it wont be too long until I am feeling it. My portion size is definitely reduced though. Were you advised to eat liquid/sloppy for 4 days after fill?

Thank you. I went for my first fill on Saturday and feel silly for being nervous about the pain. I would give the pain a 1/10. It felt exactly like a blood test, other than the wiggling of it. How are you getting on? You had your surgery the day after me we are weight loss twins haha

Also, our measurements are very similar! Well done on your loss so far.

Thank you Also, I dont have a clue of the location of my port, would the clinic know? The large cut is almost along the bottom of my left rib cage but I can't feel anything underneath it?