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I had the older 4cc band for over 7 years and by design they are a bit tighter and higher pressure than the larger Allergan Band. However, it does NOT matter how much saline is in your band it is how you feel, some people have gone up and over the max of 4cc to get to their sweet spot, but most people do not need the max fill volume. You did not mention how long you've had a lap band, but I am assuming you've been banded for a few years, if this is the case, if you are not feeling any restriction after getting a large adjustment, it could be pouch dilation, a leak somewhere, or erosion. If your surgeon determines that your band is OK, then sure many have been filled to the max level at 4cc and a little over, the lap band can safely be filled to the max fill capacity and over in any of the band types, Good luck

Congrats you are looking great! Keep up the good work.

Great article. I agree, while the Lap band has a VERY high re-operation rate compared to other surgeries, most of the issues are not serious or life threatening and most of the re-ops are for mechanical issues, many of the lap band issues can be resolved by either un-filling the band, letting it rest for awhile after severe irritation.

Yes a hiatal hernia can cause the band to be ineffective and also cause reflux and is contraindication to banding if it is not repaired. If the hernia is small most surgeons will not repair it, but if it is too big it will cause issues with the band being effective. I had a small hiatal hernia when I got banded over 9 years ago and it got bigger and inflamed last year. I had the older type band that did not unbuckle, therefore my surgeon had to remove my old band and replace it with a new one to repair my hiatal hernia. If you have the new Allergan band you will not have to get your band removed to repair your hernia, your surgeon can just go in and unbuckle the band and repair your hernia. My recovery was very easy and I had my old band removed and new band placed and hernia repaired all in one surgery. Good luck

Are you asking is acid reflux normal with the band? The answer is NO. However many banded people get reflux when the band is tightly restricted. Reflux is one of these things you should monitor carefully with the band because it can lead to issues and usually the first warning sign that your band may be a bit too tight. Fill adjustments are not an exact science, sometimes you may get overfilled, and it may require tweaking to get it just right, and it is up to you to go back and get some taken out. For many people when the band is tight, they avoid eating close to bedtime without having the night regurgitation and sleep with high pillows and chew papaya enzymes from GNC to help digest food and move the food from the esophagus to the lower stomach. If you can't eat small amounts of moist foods slowly, and drink liquids without vomiting, that is a clear sign that you are too tight. Whether you get saline removed is up to you, but if it were me, if I was not able to drink or eat anything without vomiting, I'd go back immediately and remove about .25 or .1cc of saline, to prevent further swelling and obstruction and other issues. If you remove saline immediately, then you will be able to keep most of your fill and it will put you in the green zone, but if you keep it along with the vomiting, you probably will end up eventually getting most of the saline removed from your band and starting over which can get costly. Good luck

Although I have not had a slipped band, (I've had a dilated pouch with my old band which is a precursor to band slippage) . Over 7 years ago, my dilated pouch was caused by my surgeon filling me too tightly and I traveled unknowingly and I suffered horrible tightness, chest pains, reflux, severe burning that acid reducers barely helped. I have never know ANY one to suffer band slippage with a "loose band" everyone that I've known that suffered band slippage had the SAME issues: 1. Too tight band for too long (longer than 6 months) 2. Vomiting daily (pbing) several times a day due to being too tight 3. Reflux due to the band too tight. So basically a too tight band too long will cause band slippage and other issues. When the band slips you will know it because you will be in SEVERE pain, burning, accompanied by chest pains, and frequent vomiting, different than your regular Pbing and getting food stuck. It does NOT matter how well your band is stitched, type of band, old or new, a too tight band too long will cause problems. Sometimes it take a few years before problems start and you suffer issues from frequent Pbing, I've known MANY to have issues after 5-7 years when initially every thing was ok. So to minimize issues with the band is not keep the band too tight, avoid frequent vomiting (Pbing) and eating too much on a very tight band and purging. Most people get their first fill at around 6 weeks post op, and each subsequent fill 4 weeks apart to prevent piggybacking, which means, sometimes it takes up to 3 weeks before a fill settles in and you feel it, and this way you can avoid getting too tight with subsequent fills. Good luck

Good to hear you got some saline removed, yea when the band is too tight you will be 'surprised' at how quickly and how much you can lose, but as you mentioned it's not a healthy loss, and probably mostly Water. It's definitely not safe to lose weight with a too tight band, and I am sure you feel immediate relief! But you can still continue to lose your weight the healthy way. Good luck

Wow what a story! Thanks for sharing. Funny how everyone's band experience is different, I guess other medical conditions can cause losing weight with the band a bit tough, I got my band over 8 years ago, I 'had' the old 4cc band too, but got it replaced last year with the 'bigger safer' band. Honestly, I like my old 4cc band better from a weight loss standpoint, the 'newer' bigger bands, are MUCH more harder to lose weight in my opinion, however I like how my Allergan band feels more gentler on my body, or perhaps my new surgeon installed it better and fixed a hiatal hernia that was not repaired with my first band placement. It's good to hear you finally lost weight with your band and found peace with it, I was the totally opposite, I went into my journey "running" I walked every morning, got my fills every month and I lost 130 pounds by 14 months post op and I was at "my goal" and I stayed there for over 7 years with no issues and I was "happy" wearing a size 8/10 - 10/12 for 6 years and felt amazing. I NEVER 'dieted' with my lap band and I was very successful, I ate what I wanted most of the time, never 'deprived' myself of treats, but in order to see the scale move for me consistently, I made sure that I ate healthy 'most' of the time, with foods that I love, and on weekends, I always went to my favorite restaurants and ate sweets and everything else I wanted and I STILL lost weight because I 'walked' daily for about 1 hour, and my lap band kept my meals small -- that is ALL I needed to get to my goal weight. So for ME, exercise was a trade off for eating what I want with the band, so I never dieted with my band, this is why I love it and got rebanded last year when my hernia got inflamed and I truly believe in the band. Regarding HCG diets, I've heard they are not safe, I will not post any links to those, but I guess people can make their own decisions and do their own research on those fad diets, as long as my band works, NO hard core 'dieting' for me. Wishing you more successful years with your band.

I think this should be a "what works for YOU" type of plan. Some people eat 1 meal a day with their bands, some eat 5-6 tiny meals a day, some eat 3 with no Snacks. If you are losing weight and not hungry, THAT'S what matters. Good luck.

I've never heard protein shakes cause slippage...maybe you got it mixed up with, the band being too tight to only allow liquids to go down. I love Unjury chocolate protein powder in my soy milk...it's a very easy breakfast when I am on the go.

sure you can lose over 100 pounds with the band. However it takes motivation, diligence, follow up with your surgeon for fills, exercise and counting your calories. YOU do all the work, the band just helps with appetite suppression. Most "light weights" lose slower than someone who starts over 300 pounds, but you can do it.

Do NOT keep this fill. Most people have some swelling after a fill, but not to the point of not keeping liquids down. Even if the swelling subside, you will still be too tight. If I were you, I'd go right back and get about .1 to .25 cc removed this way you can keep the rest of your saline. If you wait, it will cause MORE irritation and vomiting to the the point where you will not be able to eat anything or drink and when you finally go back after being too tight too long your surgeon will have to remove MOST of the saline from your band and you don't want that. Also you will prevent damage done to your band if you go back NOW. Good luck

Here is another thing to ponder while getting a fill when you do not need one: If just "removing" saline after being too tight was "simple" there would not be that many complications. Here is the problem with this: 1. Getting back into the "green zone" safely AFTER being too tight, may not work, many have complained and reported after removing saline from being too tight, NEVER puts them back into the green zone, they create a unfill/refill game and it becomes HARD to find the "sweet spot" again. 2. Every time you unfill and refill the band can sometimes create scar tissue (if saline is not removed immediately after learning you are too tight), and it makes it very difficult to get back into the green zone again. 3. If just removing saline AFTER being too tight for a while was simple and easy, then everybody who's band has slipped could just remove saline and then be OK, and not have to have the band removed or replaced. 4. The biggest problem what many do not understand is that "damage" is being done while the band is too tight, and this is why MANY report that UNFILLING the band AFTER being too tight never works for them to stop the reflux and they still complain of problems because once damage is done, the band is ruined and have to either removed or replaced. You need to think of this possibility if you plan on moving forward with tightening your band even though you are already in the green zone. Good luck

I am going on 9 years post op...my advice is to start and KEEP active with the lap band...it will KEEP the weight off even when your band is not working optimal...there will be times in your journey where you may not have optimal restriction and having that backup plan of working out and exercising will help keep the weight off long term. Have a plan of walking daily, of at least 30 minutes, incorporate it in your schedule like brushing your teeth...it will keep your slim.

Ok, CoffeeGrin, Before you make comments on how BAD the lap band is, please make sure that you KNOW how your Sleeve works long term... I could post MANY cited articles on the Sleeve and how it DOES NOT WORK for everyone even when removing most of stomach but why would I start up unnecessary arguments. Also I have MANY friends with the Sleeve, who are NOT at goal, never made goal and MANY have regained their weight. I also have a sister with a "sleeved liked stomach" she has a partial gastrectomy and old stomach stapling and has regained all of her weight and have many health problems...so don't be so quick to bash the band when you've NOT had your Sleeve surgery - yet, and don't really know what you are getting into. Once you get your Sleeve, you will realize it is ONLY a tool just like the Lap Band, RNY and ANY other weight loss surgery. Good luck.

Hello... Here is where the lap band gets tricky and get MOST people in trouble. Remember the band IS A TOOL. Remember those 3 words and repeat them to yourself as long as you have your band. We get a bit spoiled once we see the scale moving and we also get "addicted" to saline. You are RIGHT NOW in the green zone, but you are not using it properly, if you don't pay attention to your GREEN ZONE SIGNS you will miss them and go right into RED and start having issues. You MUST pay attention to your band right now, it is SCREAMING AT YOU...you also most slow down when eating....listen to subtle signs, like hiccups, burps, runny nose, even a sigh, to stop eating, measure out your food, only eat dense foods, slowly and stop at about 1 cup of food, remember the band does not start to control our appetite until about 2 hours after EACH meal, remember the band is about appetite suppression instead of restriction and vomiting. You can choose to use your band however you want, the restriction and vomiting approach does not work long term, only cause complications and band removal. Here are the signs that YOUR BAND IS WORKING: 1. You wake up NOT hungry -- this IS your tool to NOT eat and lose weight. 2. You say that you don't get hungry for 4 hours between meals - Your band IS doing its job right now. The lap band is designed to ONLY DIM your appetite for about 4 hours between meals, NOT stop you from eating. Remember, those who get the band so tight to restrict them to only liquids -- well they don't keep a lap band very long. 3. If you are struggling and not losing weight, it could be head hunger, remember the tighter the band, the LESS healthy foods you can eat, unless you learn how to puree, and live on Protein shakes, and this approach can still backfire, with a slipped band, it's not easy live with a very tight lap band with all the misery it comes along with. 4. If you are slimming and throwing up frequently -- YOU SHOULD NOT GET more saline added to your band -- the misery will get worse and even create reflux, you need to REALLY learn how to live with your band BEFORE getting more saline. If you are throwing up because you are eating too fast, always eat in a tiny bowl, take pea size bites, allow your food to go down before taking another bite, make sure most of your food is moist and band friendly, if you are still throwing up, you need saline removed instead of adding more. 5. Everyone that I've KNOWN to heavily depend on the band to stop them from eating and they could only get down liquids no longer have a lap band. 6. If your weight has stopped, you need to figure out why, are you being honest with yourself? Remember it's a 50/50 deal, are you truly doing your part? Are you exercising? Are you eating mostly Proteins? Are you counting your calories? No one said it's not easy, losing weight and KEEPING it off with ANY weight loss surgery requires work, and diligence. Wishing you good luck and I hope you can find an easy safe middle ground to your journey.

Hi Sally, As you get more saline added to your band, you have to re-adjust your eating and slow way down. Take teeny bites, (pea size) and wait until that food goes down before taking another bite. When the band is tightly restricted, if you eat too fast and start slimming, this can cause some additional swelling, (and swelling can sometimes make the band a bit tighter) and you may experience some discomfort around the band (the band is located in your chest area, upper stomach). It takes newbies a little while to get used to restriction and slowing down, what you are experiencing is normal and getting used to your band. What is NOT normal after a recent adjustment is frequent vomiting, and not able to eat any solids without vomiting. Good luck

Keep up with your monthly fill adjustments, WALK every single day at least 30 minutes, ideally an hour. Don't go over 1000 calories while you are losing and you should make your goal. Keep your meals plant based and lean Proteins like chicken and fish most of the time. With the lap band you have to work it to see the scale move weekly. Get your Water in daily -- 8 glasses to flush out fat... Good luck you can do it!

Beautiful!! You are getting skinny and you are only a few months post op! I love the way the dress fits you too, I see curves.

Everyone will have different experiences, it all depends on how your body reacts to the band, and how well your surgeon installs it. That being said, MOST people do have some discomfort days after surgery, the most complaints are port pain and feeling like you've been run over by a truck since trauma has been done to your stomach. Most NORMAL discomfort will subside within a few days or by 4-6 weeks post op. Most people have gas-x to help with abdominal pain, and pain meds, and walking helps to relieve pain post op. Anything out of the ordinary would be frequent vomiting, or redness at the port site and extreme pain. Can you feel the band inside your body? No, however many people can feel their ports, some ports are more visible than others, I have a low profile port and I can't see it or hardly feel it, I've had two bands, with my first band, I could easily see my big port and easily feel it.... I am so happy I have a new low profile port. Good luck!

Pretty, you are really working your band, I am so proud of you! And you are so positive and so inspiring, glad I logged on here for a few minutes.

I agree banded life for ME, is like eating Thanksgiving every single day! I often refer to my sweet spot like eating a Thanksgiving meal, I eat WHAT I want, in very small quantities and get satisfied, or sometimes extremely full...can't eat another bite. . So as you say, bring on the dressing, turkey, mac_cheese, sweet pototae pie, ...because I will be eating tiny bites of it all...and it will feel as thought I've eaten an entire meal .. I love my band! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

BIG congtrats!!!

I truly believe genetics play a role in obesity, also LIFESTYLE plays a huge role as well. Take for instance an Obese family -- They may never exercise, eat very high calorie foods daily, burger, fries, cakes, donuts, pizza, Pasta, fried foods, etc. -- I believe THIS type of obesity comes from eating the wrong foods and not exercising. Some people ARE TRULY naturally thin -- have high metabolisms, some people have medical conditions that make them naturally thin, I've known a few Type 1 diabetics, to be naturally thin, some people with chron's disease and have to frequent the bathroom, are thinner because more is leaving the body than staying in....so SOME people have illness that MAKE them thin....such as some people have illness that can cause weight gain. Some people will say some thin people eat what they want and never gain weight, but if you REALLY watch those thin people they do NOT eat that often, I have a niece that has always been thin and she eats junk all the time, HOWEVER, she barely eats food if you watch her carefully. She may eat a GOOD meal once or twice a week. But if you track most OBESE people and what they eat they are CONSTANTLY EATING, regardless if it is healthy food or junk. So I believe genetics has some play into obesity, but CALORIES IN AND CALORIES OUT, and what we eat -- and exercise plays a huge roles in obesity...

Yea, that's the old chicken wing flap, like we old timers use to use, these other techniques works as well, raising both hands and just jumping up and down. What works like a charm for me is to stand still somewhere in private and take deep breaths, and message the middle of my chest (sternum) where the band is located and it pushes the food down, this actually works quicker and better than the chicken dance for me. -- this technique also stops (Pbing) vomiting for me. Also chewing your food well, and slowing down, and taking about 1 minute between bites will prevent most stuck episodes, the less stuck episodes the less trauma done to your band.