ChinchillaMum

Hi everyone I wonder if I can ask your opinions about something? I had a lap band fitted a few months ago. I carefully considered all the options, and decided I didn’t want surgery to remove part of my stomach, and would go with the band. I’ve had around four fills, and am now up to 5.5 mls. But while I am definitely able to swallow only much smaller mouthfuls of food than I did before (especially things like meat), I find that the actual amount of food my stomach can hold is not much different than before I was banded. Is this normal…? When I originally had the operation the bariatric nurse told me that I would only be able to eat around a side plate’s worth of food at any one time. But I can definitely fit much more in my stomach than that (once it has made its way down through the much narrower opening at the top). And I don’t mean just things like semi-solids, but foods like bread and pasta too. What gives? I haven’t really lost any weight at all. I thought I was supposed to feel full up after only a few mouthfuls? Should I get my band tightened? But if I do that, I’ll then have major trouble eating solid food like meat etc. I’m just getting more and more disillusioned by the whole thing. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks Catherine

Hi there I've just seen your post. Sorry to hear that you are suffering from this strange after-effect, too! Did you get any answers from your doctor yet?

I am up to 5.5ml, which seems to be around a normal sort of fill. Perhaps I just have an odd-shaped stomach or something!

Thanks, Likklelime. That's exactly what I had hoped would happen: that I would only be able to eat carbs in moderation. But I'm very surprised (and disappointed) by the amount I can still put away. I thought the band was meant to help by restricting, not leave everything as it was before.

Thanks for your reply, FluffyChix. I think my main issue is that I was hoping the lap band would be a sort of helpful "tool" for me, to assist with the weight loss. If it had been able to give me a little helping hand I would have been more than up for changing my habits. But it doesn't seem to help AT ALL. You are absolutely right that I need to contact my dr, and that is what I am going to do today. Thanks again.