This damn band is driving me crazy!!!

[uscgal97 0]

I was banded on April 29. I've lost about 20 lbs since banding - a little more if you count the pre-op diet. My weight loss has essentially stopped - I haven't lost weight in over a month. I don't have any restriction and as a result, i'm not getting the help the band promised. I've only had one fill (2.4 cc's in a 10 cc) and I've been pressing my doctor for another - i'm waiting for a call back to schedule since I need to have mine done under floroscopy. It's just annoying that i've gone through this process and the weight isn't coming off. Moreover, I'm have these nagging pains in my belly - they almost fill like stitch pains - and I don't know what it is. Is the band slipping, am I eating too much so its hurting, is it gas? I just have no idea. I'm so concerned about the thing that I'm scared to make bad decisions about anything, and I have these occasional aches and pains - and don't even get me started about the gas - and this weight is stuck on my body. It's very frustrating. I don't know what to do. It just seems like I went though a lot and it's not working out as I would have liked. Big bummer.

On the other hand, I get lots of encouragement from this site and seeing other people's successes. Hopefully, one day, i'll have the same success as well.

Thanks for listening.

[Windus 0]

Why have you only had 1 fill? I was banded 4/23 and just had my third fill last week and am scheduled for another in 2 weeks. I think I am just about there for my sweet spot and am ready for it!

[vlp1968 83]

Hang in there, restriction will come. When I first got the band I thought it was never going to work. After 3 fills, I had some restriction. As far as aches and pains, I would talk to your doctor about them. Doesn't sound like your band slipped. When that happens you can't keep even Water down. Good luck!

[missbuckeye 0]

It does sound like you need another adjustment, but only you and your Doc and determine that, remember the Lap Band isn't magic it is part of a process.

[lauragshsu 6]

I was banded 3/15 and have only had one fill, if you count the complete unfill after my first fill, and then subsequent fill. Am I at complete restriction? No. I only have 2.5CC in a 10CC band. When you're not at restriction, that's when YOU have to do some of the work. I could easily eat more than I should, but always stop before that.

Is there any reason the doctor hasn't done a fill since the first one?

[reverie 49]

You need another fill. Don't let yourself get down and discouraged. If you aren't losing, up your exercise and start tracking your food. You DON'T need a fill to lose weight. I have not had one and I've lost almost 45lbs. Of course, it's different for everyone, but don't blame the band entirely. You have to push yourself as well and get your metabolism going.

[gingerjane 5]

Don't get discouraged. It takes a few fills - I was banded on 3/22, and have had 3 fills and my office is a bit more aggressive. I have 7 ccs in a 10 cc band and I believe I'm at my sweet spot. But, before that - even up to 6.5 ccs, I was not having that much restriction. You'll hit that magic spot and it will be great. Give it time. And the weight loss is slower with the band - but I think it will be more permanent. Just give it time. I promise.

[TwilightLover83 0]

Hey there- The band isn't magic it's a tool you have to use. Restriction will come. Does your doctor do ALL fills under fluro? I recall when I had a complete unfill due to a complication... I had to be headstrong. I worked out, I ate like I still had restriction (meaning I stopped when I knew I was supposed too). It wasn't easy. Nothing about losing weight is easy & simple. You have to WANT it bad enough. You have to make other modifications in your life besides just having the band and think it's all going to fall off without hard work. Because for alot of us, it doesn't work that way.

Good luck

[monkeymama 0]

I was banded the 27th and have had two fills- going to get another in 2 weeks... Why isn't your doc giving you fills? I also do not have restriction and my weight loss has slowed to a crawl this last month... But I am working on it- trying to increase my exercise... trying to make healthier choices. I don't have the willpower that some of the ladies on this board do (kudos to them) so I understand how hard it is. Just keep focused on the prize and don't let the negative thinking take over. Even if you lose 5 lbs a month in 10 months thats 50 lbs!!!

[finallyncontrol 1]

Don't wait for the call back..call them. As twilightlover said you need to be headstrong. Take control of YOUR band. Persistence will pay off. Everyone's body does work differently but everyone needs restriction. I found my sweetspot around the 5.5cc area in a 10cc band. To me this is not a diet this a lifestyle change. I eat all types of food..steak, chicken, pork, hamburger..you name it I eat it BUT all in very small portions. I had to learn how to stop eating when I was satisfied not necissarily when I was full..that is a big difference...kind of like what twilightlover said..stop when you should. I actually get the hiccups when I am full so I quit as soon as I hiccup and I am done. This has helped me be very successful!! I wish you the very best on your journey..but please don't wait for your phone to ring..call thiers!!

[caldwell33 0]

I was banded on 3/24/10 and just had my third fill on 7/8. I hadn't lost any weight since my last adjustment on 6/17. I was very disappointed. My doctor said we "ALL HIT WALL" don't worry about it. I noticed that I don't feel any different with this fill than the last. I did make an appointment for my forth fill on 7/26. I have been making my appointments ahead of time in 3 week spans. I now have a total of 5 1/2 cc in a 13 cc band. I figure I can always cancel the appointment if I don't need it, but I hate waiting for 3-4 weeks to get an appointment. Don't give up, I do know how you feel and we all will win this battle of the pounds, we didn't put it on overnight so it's not going to come off overnight, that's the only thing that keeps me going. Good luck. Eileen

[BetsyB 9]

You're in a really frustrating stage--but I promise, it will pass.

I do wish that more doctors made their patients aware that restriction takes time (and worked with their patients to achieve it ASAP). I lucked out--not only did I know from reading here that restriction would take a while, but my doctor was very forthright. He also was very aggressive with early fills---and willing to bump up the frequency for me when I needed it.

Not all doctors are the same---but it wouldn't hurt to try to negotiate with yours. I was forthright, but very pleasant. I approached mine through his nurse coordinator, explained what I was eating and how long it provided satiety, and asked if she could please check with the doctor to see if I could be filled sooner. Good communication goes a long way. (So give lots of details--for example, "I eat 2 oz. of Protein at each meal, and find that I am hungry within an hour and a half. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most hunger possible, I achieve a level 10 within 2 hours of eating. I am remaining compliant with your recommended regimen, but am weak, headachey, unable to exercise, <fill in the blanks>. Would it be possible to schedule another fill sooner than your usual 6 weeks?"

My doctor does all fills under fluoroscopy, so it really isn't a scheduling issue--it's more of a breaking out of routine issue. But if you pleasantly communicate your needs, chances are they will be met.

You're a team, you and your doctor--and will be forever. So work hard on the relationship. It really will pay off.

Hang in there--I know it's tremendously frustrating. For now, do the very best you can to eat as though you DO have restriction. That way, you can lose even during this time of bandster hell. It's hard--but it will be the very LAST time you are hungry in the name of weight loss--truly.

It won't be long before you are glad you have the band. It really does get better.

[uscgal97 0]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate all of your words of encouragement and insight. My doctor is fantastic and I do have great communication with him - he is just a little less aggressive than some others when it comes to the fills. All of my adjustments must be done under floro because I have a low profile band - therefore, it takes awhile to get the appointments. But, as several have suggested - I will call again on Monday. Also, someone mentioned losing 5 lbs a month that would be amazing! I'm not losing. That damn scale says the same thing EVERY WEEK! Hasn't moved since June 9. It's just really frustrating to think I've just been cut open and had a foreign object put in my body and at the end of the day, I'm eating less food -exercising the same amount and STILL not losing weight. I know, I know, i'll get restriction, it will be better but it's beginning to get difficult to see the forest for the trees right now.

You guys are great. Thanks again for the words. I'll refer to your remarks when I get down on myself. In the meantime - time to hit the gym.

[lauragshsu 6]

It's just really frustrating to think I've just been cut open and had a foreign object put in my body and at the end of the day, I'm eating less food -exercising the same amount and STILL not losing weight. QUOTE]

Weight loss is funny sometimes. Sometimes it's important to increase exercise. Sometimes you actually have to eat more. What are you eating and how much are you eating? Like someone suggested, eat until you're satisfied, not full. That in itself will make a big difference.

[Joeinboise 0]

I found that if I dont slow down and eat 3 meals a day, and drink Water all day (except before and after eating) that my loss slows way down.