Finding The Lap Band Green Zone

[Sperry 1]

I see from your chart that I am in the red zone. I am tired of the SLIM I can't drink am oz. of fluids and lots of night I cough and regurgitate even in my sleep. I think I will get some Fluid removed

[cassandramontes 112]

So, what's the "green zone" and how do you get there from here?

The green zone is an expression that's often used to describe where a LAP-BAND® patient is in regards tohis/her hunger and eating regime. Certainly, just because a patient has had surgery doesn't mean they can eat whatever they want or that they can maintain the same food choices they've made in the past. Far from it.

In order for a tool like the LAP-BAND® System to work effectively, it needs to be fine tuned. That requires multiple visits to a care provider that has the ability to adjust the band, whether that's putting more Fluid in or taking some out which as you likely already know adjusts the "fit" (or restriction) of the band. Just know that it's a process to get there and requires assessments from a healthcare provider to get you to the "green zone".

Many bariatric practices require frequent "office visits" post surgery so as to monitor a patient's progress, offer encouragement and perhaps to perform an adjustment. Many people say that a key advantage of the LAP-BAND® System over the other procedural alternatives is that it's adjustable. And reversible too for that matter. Every LAP-BAND® System has the ability to be customized for fit, so as to bring about a sense of satisfaction(lack of hunger) to the patient after a modest and healthy meal.

Comparisons from one patient to the next in regards to who has what amount of Fluid in their specific band is futile. We're all different people inside and out. And even two people of similar size (on the outside) may not require the same amount of fluid in order to both feel satiated. So, stop asking your fellow band patients how much fluid they have in their band. Their answer won't matter to your LAP-BAND®.

What does matter – is your hunger and getting you to your "green zone".

Imagine a color spectrum moving from yellow to green to red. I know, the colors are not in the order we were all taught in school – but bear with me. Think of it as the colors of a stop light. Yellow means caution. Green means go, while red indicates it's time to stop. Some would say that yellow represents "not quite there" while red indicates you may be over filled. And that leaves us with green. The best zone of the 3. It's the "go zone". Fully satisfied after modest meals, eating the right kinds of foods and losing weight.

Here are a few questions to help you identify within which zone you're currently residing.

Your healthcare professional may also ask you

• How often are you hungry?
  
• What foods have you eaten recently?
  
• What foods give you trouble?
  
• What are your portion sizes?
  
• What time is your first meal of the day?
  
• What time of day is your last meal?
  
• Do you drink liquids with your meals?
  
• And how often do you exercise?
  

All of these are good questions for self reflection as well – but you'll only get "a fill" (if needed ofcourse) by seeing and being evaluated by a qualified professional from your bariatric surgeon's office.

Allergan's Executive Council of top LAP-BAND® surgeons from across the country recommends 11 visits within the first year of your surgery in order to optimize your excess weight loss results. Read that again. 11 visits within year 1. Let's be clear though, success is not just EWL or # of pounds lost – it's about feeling good and being healthy. And getting back to doing the things you enjoy.

The aftercare algorithm that Allergan's experts came up with are only their recommendations. They are only for others to consider as each healthcare professional is responsible forhis/her own medical decisions. But with that said, here's what they came up with: Follow up visits should occur at week 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 and then again at 24 months.

That's 11 visits within 12 months of your surgery date. So with that said, if you're a year out and you aren't seeing the results you anticipated and also haven't seen your support team several times over the course of the last 12 months, you need to ask yourself why?

And if you're not in the "green zone", call your bariatric surgeon's office and ask for an appointment to discuss your options.

This is great. I printed out the chart and have it over my treadmill and my fridge. Thanks ! ! ! Very Helpful ! !

[cassandramontes 112]

There is no green zone. I'm 2.5 years post surgery, and while the first year I never found the green zone, the second year and a half, even if I can eat during the day, I'm coughing until I throw up at night. There's no logic. Over time, it gets more and more useless. That is why there is only a year-long success rate. It's kind of a scam. I'm going at it on my own again with no Fluid in the band.

No green zone. Are you kidding me??? I have several people I work with and two neighbors that has had this surgery and 5 of them are 7 years post op and has lost a gang of weight and kept it off. My next door neighbor los 175 lbs in 13 months and its been 6 years for her. I never heard of this one year success rate. Where did you get this information from?

[mdgirl 6]

Here is my? I feel like I'm mostly in the green with the exception of the regurgitations I tend to throw up about every other day especially if I try to eat when I first get up. I feel really good about the ant I'm eating & my hunger control. Also my weight loss has been good thus far 40 lbs in 14 wks. I have been hoping that as I loose weight my band will loosen. I really don't want to drive 2 & a 1/2 hes for an unfill & then find myself hungry all of the time.

I feel I am finally in the green zone also. It took awhile, I had my surgery at the end of Oct and the green zone feeling came in early July. I also have problems eating in the morning and it seems this is common. In fact I just posted about "morning slime." The only time I get stuck is if I eat solids as my first meal. I usually have a Protein shake. If you want to eat solids, some people suggested starting with a hot drink a half hour before to wake up your band for day. You have done great with weight loss, but having to PB is not fun.

[Sally Pearl 59]

This is really helpful

I am due for my first review in 3 weeks time, and a possible fill then.

many thanks

[Sally Pearl 59]

This is really helpful

I am due for my first review in 3 weeks time, and a possible fill then.

many thanks

[BeachBish 123]

Here is my? I feel like I'm mostly in the green with the exception of the regurgitations I tend to throw up about every other day especially if I try to eat when I first get up. I feel really good about the ant I'm eating & my hunger control. Also my weight loss has been good thus far 40 lbs in 14 wks. I have been hoping that as I loose weight my band will loosen. I really don't want to drive 2 & a 1/2 hes for an unfill & then find myself hungry all of the time.

JUST what I did! - the driving part. Was at 7 - THOUGHT I was way too tight, always slimming and had one horrible episode od BP'ing in which I never want to haev again!!! Went and had 1/2 cc removed...now I feel NO restriction at all and I am hungry all the time! I AM SO CONFUSED and aggravated! :huh:

[B-52 7,113]

JUST what I did! - the driving part. Was at 7 - THOUGHT I was way too tight, always slimming and had one horrible episode od BP'ing in which I never want to haev again!!! Went and had 1/2 cc removed...now I feel NO restriction at all and I am hungry all the time! I AM SO CONFUSED and aggravated! :huh:

Not saying what is right, but speaking for myself....when I was working to get that Green Zone, I got stuck and PB'ing more times than I can remember.....it was trial and error for me untill I got it through my thick head exactly what I could and could not, and how to do it....everything had to change!

Again, speaking for myself, if I ran back to the Dr after one stuck episode, this whole thing would have been a big waste of time and I would have never reached my goal...

BTW, once I learned my lessons, everything became very easy and simple....I have not been stuck in over 2 years now, knowing how to live this new lifestyle.

Again, it's your band and your life....work it the way it works for you the best!

[intelirish 714]

Wow wish i'd found this topic before now. not sure how i missed it considering it's pinned I've had 2 fills now and have absolutely no restriction my third one is scheduled for next week. I can only lose weight when i follow the pre -op diet but can't maintain that for long and usually have a slight regain when i stop. the loss i saw during pre op was amazing and i have lost weight which is what helps to keep my head in the game.... but having read through the history of this post i can now repeat to myself this is normal and relax.. I am hopeful that i will find the restriction i'm looking for in the next few fills as it gets harder and harder to limit the amount of food i eat. i stay pretty much to the food plan and portion size but frequency of eating is increasing as my hunger takes over late in the day.

if you have any articles on how to beat head hunger and food cravings i would love to see them.

[jammiebp 20]

Lapband fills not lasting

[jammiebp 20]

I had my surgery September 30th 2013. Since my first fill at six weeks I've been going every week. They are pulling out close to what they put in, but they are not lasting. fourth day is like I don't even have lapband.

Thoughys anyone. I have a 10cc and at a 9.I go tmorrow's for another fill.

[Gardnergirl2 96]

I too had a small fill, but feel no difference. I am hungrier seemingly than I was before. Thoughts:? I have had one small fill. Even my doctor said it wouldn't Make a big difference

[2muchfun 8,927]

I too had a small fill, but feel no difference. I am hungrier seemingly than I was before. Thoughts:? I have had one small fill. Even my doctor said it wouldn't Make a big difference

I didn't feel any restriction til my 3rd fill. Some take even longer!

[forwardlooking 36]

I have a question. How much should we be eating at a meal? In size. I was told 1/3 cup for each meal, that's a very small amount and I can't get down to that.

[Bandista 7,466]

My surgeon describes a goal of being full on a serving of food the size of a tennis ball and not being hungry again for 4-5 hours. I've had four fills -- small, I believe, but the surgeon does not share the amount with me. This time I feel different -- after the fourth. Tighter but not in a bad way -- eating and drinking fine but getting full quickly and disinterest in food at times. Having to look at habits such as grazing in evenings, etc. but feeling much more at peace with food. Satiety is the feeling of having had enough food for now -- I tell myself that. I can have food later, when I'm hungry again but if I'm not really hungry, I'm experiencing satiety. That was the goal of the surgery!