Quick Question

[Muggz 0]

Hey all, first time posting, and was just recently turned onto this idea and I'm giving it some serious thought...

This may sound bad and like your not ready for the lap band if you think like this blah. but here goes:

If say you were losing weight after like a year and were progressing ect. and you wanted to go on like a trip for 1-2 weeks to say Europe. Could you get your lap band unfilled before the trip, and then be able to enjoy the foods from your travels, as whenever I have traveled in the past, food is a major part of the fun(trying new things ect). I don't think traveling would be that much fun with only being able to eat a cup of food at a time. So I guess I was wondering, if they took the saline out of your band for the trip, you could eat normally like you had a real stomach size and then when you are done, u gained a little weight, but you fill it back up and continue on your weight loss?

[Kira Helene 0]

I personally think it would be a bad idea. If you get it unfilled you will have to once again get it filled little by little over a period of time. You can't just go ahead and fill it back up to what it was before you got it unfilled. I think the only ideal time to get it unfilled is during a pregnancy when you need to get more nutrients to accompany a growing fetus. You would be setting back a years worth of effort for a two week trip.

But also, do keep in mind if you are going to places like Europe, they have smaller portion sizes compared to the U.S. You may not need your band unfilled considering that fact. I am all about trying new foods and cultures, but there is still no problem in doing it in moderation.

That's just my two cents tho.

[btrieger 21]

Hey all, first time posting, and was just recently turned onto this idea and I'm giving it some serious thought...

This may sound bad and like your not ready for the LAP-BAND® if you think like this blah. but here goes:

If say you were losing weight after like a year and were progressing ect. and you wanted to go on like a trip for 1-2 weeks to say Europe. Could you get your LAP-BAND® unfilled before the trip, and then be able to enjoy the foods from your travels, as whenever I have traveled in the past, food is a major part of the fun(trying new things ect). I don't think traveling would be that much fun with only being able to eat a cup of food at a time. So I guess I was wondering, if they took the saline out of your band for the trip, you could eat normally like you had a real stomach size and then when you are done, u gained a little weight, but you fill it back up and continue on your weight loss?

Only a real idiot would do that. If somebody looks forward to and enjoys gorging themselves then they should not even consider lapband surgery.

Eating like overstuffed hogs is what got us fat in the first place. We either want to change or we don't.

[Erika41910 0]

It is definitely something that can be done, but the question is are you considering the Lap Band to be healthier, or as a quick fix. If a quick fix, you probably won't be successfull because it is a huge committment.

If I were going to travel, I would turn it into a learning experience, and see how strong my willpower was.

Hope you find the answer you're looking for. Good Luck!

[YoungBlackAndBanded 0]

Only a real idiot would do that. If somebody looks forward to and enjoys gorging themselves then they should not even consider LAP-BAND® surgery.

Eating like overstuffed hogs is what got us fat in the first place. We either want to change or we don't.

That was a little harsh!

Anyway, if you look at the band as a lifestyle change, then I don't believe it does you any favours to unfill just so you can overeat. You can still enjoy the foods on your vacations, just less of them. I would find this even MORE enjoyable as you'll have a lot less guilt (and weight gain)!

[btrieger 21]

That was a little harsh!

Anyway, if you look at the band as a lifestyle change, then I don't believe it does you any favours to unfill just so you can overeat. You can still enjoy the foods on your vacations, just less of them. I would find this even MORE enjoyable as you'll have a lot less guilt (and weight gain)!

Harsh, yes but it was my honest opinion.

It kills me that a lot of us are doing everything we can to get healthy including such drastic measures as having surgery. While others think it is just another toy that you turn off when you are done playing with it.

[Humming Bird 275]

I've seen this question come up many times here at LBT. IMHO I think it is a bad idea to get an unfill just for a vacation of any sort. The band is a lifetime commitment. I think it is better to accept the commitment every day if you are at home, have a special event, or have a fantastic vacation planned.

I also understand that some Dr.s (the good ones anyway) will not do this for you.

I agree with bt.

[rajva 0]

I just got back from vacation and it was one of the best vacations I had due to the fact that I did not spend alot of time worrying about meals or spending alot of time eating. We had small quick meals which left more time for friends, shopping, and site seeing...AND more money to do that with. I did not come home feeling guilty about all the food I had eaten which I did in the past and it would take away the pleasure of the trip. I had a few small drinks, ice cream AND still lost 2 pounds while on vacation. A first for me. The food will always be there and it is what got me here in the first place, now I have enjoyed my vacation like others do...NOT the food. Good luck and hope you do not decide to take the step backwards but look forward and enjoy other things on the vacation.

[LeighaMason 19]

My question is why do we need to eat a large quantity of food to enjoy it? Now I eat a 3oz steak instead of a 16oz one, it takes me about the same time and I enjoy it as much or more than I did pre-band. So if I went somewhere I could still enjoy the experience of eating new and exciting foods just a smaller portion.

[PuppyBandit 2]

No need to call people names, goodness.

I wouldn't do the unfill if I were you. I'm sure you can enjoy yourself with your band like it is. Just drink a lot of wine lol

[getnthere 0]

I have seen a similar post in another area on this same question. My thoughts are thaty a complete unfill would definately be like starting over again, but I had a really bad expierence on a vaction because I was really tight and not paying to much attention to Water intake led to my band tightening even more. I spent all but last day of my vaction on liquids. So for me the next time I go on a long trip I will be getting a small unfill.

[rheaosun 0]

Hey all, first time posting, and was just recently turned onto this idea and I'm giving it some serious thought...

This may sound bad and like your not ready for the LAP-BAND® if you think like this blah. but here goes:

If say you were losing weight after like a year and were progressing ect. and you wanted to go on like a trip for 1-2 weeks to say Europe. Could you get your LAP-BAND® unfilled before the trip, and then be able to enjoy the foods from your travels, as whenever I have traveled in the past, food is a major part of the fun(trying new things ect). I don't think traveling would be that much fun with only being able to eat a cup of food at a time. So I guess I was wondering, if they took the saline out of your band for the trip, you could eat normally like you had a real stomach size and then when you are done, u gained a little weight, but you fill it back up and continue on your weight loss?

I traveled Europe for 16 days last summer... England, France, Switzerland, Italy and Greece. I was so excited to see the different countries and experience their food. The trip was AWESOME... definitely the trip a lifetime. However, the food was a big disappointment. Not only was it not as I thought it would be but they give you very small portions in comparision to American style portions. Trust me... there are no super sized meals or buffets in Europe. The beautiful scenery, excursions, and just drinking in the experience more than made up for the disappointing food. You will do fine on your trip without having the saline removed from your band. I hope this information is helpful and encouraging for you. Good luck! :thumbup:

[Janiece 64]

One of the nurses at my Dr's office has a LAP-BAND® too. I asked her something similar during my pre-op stuff, and she said once a year, when she goes on vacation, she takes tiny sips of liquid while she's eating to wash the food through the pouch so she can eat more. Yes, I'm aware that's "cheating the band" but doing it once a year or whatever on vacation isn't that bad. As long as you don't make it a habit you'll be fine.

[honk 780]

As noted by previous posters the size of European meals is smaller than those in the US. My sister who is an average size person and has always eaten like a lap bander (Portions at her house are very small); had this to say about her last visit to Europe "Every thing was so expensive and the portions so small that I was hungry all the time. It was'nt until the fifth day that I ate a meal where I felt full". Based on this comment I would consider only being able to eat very small amounts a good thing.

[RavenClaw779 2]

Two Points:

1) My surgeon told me that there are doctors who've had the procedure who routinely have saline removed from their bands prior to medical conferences so they can indulge. Right? Wrong? Crazy? Guess it just shows they're no stronger in the will power department than the rest of us.

2) My husband and I went out to a very upscale european -style bistro for dinner last night. We "split" a small soft-shell crab salad appetizer( I had 3 bites), He had a cup of gumbo (I had a spoon full), rustic bread( He had 4 slices, I had two torn off pieces), He had a full size quail entree, I had a petite scallop plate( 3 bay scallops, a stalk of asparagus, two baby carrots and 1/8 cup field greens). For dessert - bread pudding - I had three small bites. Every bite was delish and more importantly it was enough.

Bon Voyage!