HopeWorks

I was banded in Sept of '06 - so I'm over a year. I have the larger band and things went nowhere until about 6 months ago, when I finally got a fill that created restriction. Now I'm down a total of 40 lbs - happy about that, but still need to work hard at eating the right things and work hard and not snacking.

Almost all of you are doing so great. I'm afraid that in 9 months I've only lost 25lbs. My Dr. asked if I wanted them back on - and of course I understand his point - but come on....I've invested all of this money, risk, time etc and for only 25lbs? I've had 11cc's in my 10cc band for a few months now and can't believe I'd need another fill. The first 2 weeks after a fill - I feel great - only need to eat small amounts of food to stay satisified, but then for the weeks remaining to my next (requested) fill - I'm hungry again. My Dr. pulls out the saline to make sure it's not leaking - and it's not, so I'm so confused. Is this happening with anyone else?

I'm so glad to hear you say this! I have had to get 8 fills in my VG band (now at 10.5ccs) - and have only lost 4 lbs since I was banded in September. So, hopefully I'll start droping real weight soon. I've figured out that if I don't really up the protein, I'll loose lots of hair - so it must mean I'm unhealthy - so I'm concentrating on protein, protein, protein. Also am really trying to eliminate any added sugar. Susan: How come it took you 6 months to start loosing?

Question - Question: Ok, I have the VG band that holds 10-11ccs - I have 10.5ccs. I finally have restriction only now that I can't consume too much food - especially difficult to digest food, like chicken, fish and steak - I am loosing lots of my hair again (happened during the 2-3 weeks post op too)! So, since I HATE the protein shakes I'm wondering if anyone knows of a protein capsuel/pill/suplement that I could take?

Well, I'm at 10ccs. Hard to believe that is possible, but there it is - 10ccs - doctor pulled out all of the ccs to measure them and make sure they wern't leaking and nope - they are there. I can now FINALLY not eat big bites of anything and about 1/2 the time I can't eat more than a cup of food, but other times I can consume quite a bit more. I can't possibly need ANOTHER fill, can I?

Nope - no water. Going to ask doctor some serious questions tomorrow.

I'm going to ask my doctor this week when I go in for my 8TH FILL, but wondered what you folks think... I'm at 8.5 cc's but can only have restriction of the size bites I take - too big or fast and it feels like automatic heart burn as the bite goes down. Other than that I have no restriction. If I eat small bites, I can still consume large amounts of food - way over 2 cups (last night I went to Red Lobster and had a garden salad, biscuit, 6 large shrimp, a few bites of mashed potatoes and probably 1/2 cup of pasta). This worries me a great deal. Could it be that the band is too high up (only restricting my esophagus) or too low down (giving me a large pouch)? OPINIONS PLEASE..... Thanks all!

Hey, thanks for the comments. I think you're all right. I could probably use a tad more. Worst case - I have to have some taken out. I don't want to rely on this too much, but I'm weak I tell you, WEAK!

Well I swear my Dr. is out for my $$$. I've had 8, yes 8, fills and have 9cc in my VG - only just STARTING to feel a little restriction. I couldn't eat steak and salad last night. Can only eat about 1 1/2 cup of food now - which is what I've been waiting for. BUT....I don't stay full for any longer than I did before and nibbling is hard to stop. Should I get another fill and risk having the PB thing or food caught?

Wow - I was getting really frustrated until these posts - love it. I have the VG (but my Dr. says it holds 11cc?) - Anyway, I've had 5 fills now and have 7ccs in. Have ZERO restriction! I can eat ANYTHING - steak, crusty bread, bagels, salad. My next fill is Jan 18 - then I'll have 8ccs and it sounds like this may be the sweet spot for many of you. Only worry: what if this larger band was placed in error and even fully filled, it won't have an affect? Anyone ever had this problem or is it totally impossible?

Yes - I totally agree! I've scheduled another fill. Thanks!!! I'm just worred about food "getting stuck" and those other bad side effects of being too tight. But my band is the 11cc one and I just have 5.5cc in it - so, I'm sure I could use more.

And am just a little tight - can't eat too much (no second helpings etc) but, can still eat a bowl of chili or a sandwich without PBing - never done that yet - so, maybe I just won't get anymore fills and loose slowly? What do you all think?

I can't believe there are 98 pages to this page - don't think I've checked in since there were maybe 60 pages. Well, I've had two fills now and I have ZERO restriction. I mean I could eat an entire pizza if I so chose - which I don't of course - but I can't believe that I could at this point! My Dr. did tell me that I have the larger band, which holds more, but he's already given me 5cc. Says I should start to feel restriction at the 3rd or 4th fill (which I'll have by the end of this year), but geezzzzze - Frustration Station. Anyone else out there with the larger band having the same issues as impaitent me?