Considering Lap Band

[Shellyac 22]

The way my doctor put it to me is that he could tell me to eat a small meal three times a day and I could lose the weight but after a while eating so little would drive me crazy and I will eventually start to eat more. What WLS does is that it allows you to feel satistifed with that small amount.

Now you should keep in mind that you will still have to make some changes because no WLS will work with those changes, but WLS will help to make those changes easier

[Formerly Fluffy 5]

That article is misleading, the statement (about the band receiving low marks) was not made by the ASMBS but by a researcher presenting at the ASMBS conference. While I don't disagree that the band has it's problems, you need to make sure that your that you aren't giving out misleading information

Edited to clarify the statement that I was referring to

I stand by what I wrote. There was no presentation at the ASMBS about how wonderful the band is. The presentation was about how shitty it's doing. Kind of says it all right there.

Good LUCK with your band!

[Formerly Fluffy 5]

The way my doctor put it to me is that he could tell me to eat a small meal three times a day and I could lose the weight but after a while eating so little would drive me crazy and I will eventually start to eat more. What WLS does is that it allows you to feel satistifed with that small amount.

Now you should keep in mind that you will still have to make some changes because no WLS will work with those changes, but WLS will help to make those changes easier

Shell u know nothing about this!

~What WLS does is that it allows you to feel satistifed with that small amount. ~

SOME WLS's do that! The band does NOT do that for many banded ppl! That is one of the reasons that so many ppl revise FROM the band!!!

[Formerly Fluffy 5]

Is your band full to maximum capacity?

No.

[motivatedlap 8]

Is your band full to maximum capacity?

No.

Maybe your doctor could fill your band completely since you haven't gotten restriction yet and having it full could give you that. Or maybe it's been full at some point in the past and you had no restriction even then? That's obviously been very frustrating for you.

My band is almost completely full and I don't have the "can't get certain foods down" restriction that I see a lot of people posting about. I also get a little hungry between meals. However, I would rather have that than the problems that result from a too-tight band. I went for my second fill and had it taken out about 45 minutes later because I didn't like the uncomfortable feeling it gave me. I'm able to use will power and hot tea to get me through those times between meals when I'm a little hungry. I know that's not an option for everyone, but a little help from the band and a little willpower CAN work for some people even if the band isn't offering the restriction that others talk about.

Good luck FormerlyFluffy with finding a weight loss solution that you're happy with!

[Formerly Fluffy 5]

Maybe your doctor could fill your band completely since you haven't gotten restriction yet and having it full could give you that. Or maybe it's been full at some point in the past and you had no restriction even then? That's obviously been very frustrating for you.

My band is almost completely full and I don't have the "can't get certain foods down" restriction that I see a lot of people posting about. I also get a little hungry between meals. However, I would rather have that than the problems that result from a too-tight band. I went for my second fill and had it taken out about 45 minutes later because I didn't like the uncomfortable feeling it gave me. I'm able to use will power and hot tea to get me through those times between meals when I'm a little hungry. I know that's not an option for everyone, but a little help from the band and a little willpower CAN work for some people even if the band isn't offering the restriction that others talk about.

Good luck FormerlyFluffy with finding a weight loss solution that you're happy with!

No I wouldn't be able to have it filled to capacity. I wouldn't be able to swallow! I have at this point had 17 fills and partial unfills. It's either too loose or too tight. If you can't swallow liquids you dehydrate. NOT an option!

Now I am surprised by what you said, that you are almost completely full and have just had 2 fills??? Most Drs. take fills rather slow. How many cc's did he put in your band on the first hun???

[motivatedlap 8]

Now I am surprised by what you said, that you are almost completely full and have just had 2 fills??? Most Drs. take fills rather slow. How many cc's did he put in your band on the first hun???

I'm 99% certain my band was empty after surgery and after my first fill I was at 10ccs. It made no difference in my ability to get any food I want down, but my appetite is suppressed and it's easier to ignore when I'm hungry if I can't get something to eat soon. I think my case with the first fill is a little different than the majority because I'm a low BMI'er so there is not as much fat around my stomach, therefore, such a big fill didn't do much at all. The 0.5cc he put in this week caused me major back and chest pain, so he took it back out as soon as I returned to his office about 30 minutes later. Next visit he's going to try a smaller amount to help with my hunger but so that I can still get food down. However, I have heard from other patients of his that he is aggressive with the first fill but will listen to the patient if they want something smaller.

I never discuss how much he's going to put in becuase he's the doctor and he's seen inside my stomach, so he knows what he's dealing with. Any input I have would be based on something I've read online and seeing as how everyone is SO different, I trust his training and experience to do the right thing for ME. I felt even better about him when he took this week's fill out without hesitation- I was presented with the option of getting it out or 'waiting a few days for it to settle', but the staff did not try to push me either way. I was uncomfortable and he fixed me right back up!

[Formerly Fluffy 5]

I'm 99% certain my band was empty after surgery and after my first fill I was at 10ccs. It made no difference in my ability to get any food I want down, but my appetite is suppressed and it's easier to ignore when I'm hungry if I can't get something to eat soon. I think my case with the first fill is a little different than the majority because I'm a low BMI'er so there is not as much fat around my stomach, therefore, such a big fill didn't do much at all. The 0.5cc he put in this week caused me major back and chest pain, so he took it back out as soon as I returned to his office about 30 minutes later. Next visit he's going to try a smaller amount to help with my hunger but so that I can still get food down. However, I have heard from other patients of his that he is aggressive with the first fill but will listen to the patient if they want something smaller.

I never discuss how much he's going to put in becuase he's the doctor and he's seen inside my stomach, so he knows what he's dealing with. Any input I have would be based on something I've read online and seeing as how everyone is SO different, I trust his training and experience to do the right thing for ME. I felt even better about him when he took this week's fill out without hesitation- I was presented with the option of getting it out or 'waiting a few days for it to settle', but the staff did not try to push me either way. I was uncomfortable and he fixed me right back up!

I think there is a misunderstanding about the amount of fill you have. When you go in for the first "fill" that doesn't mean that they are going to "fill" the band to capacity. I have never heard of one doing more than a 5cc fill the first time. I actuallt got a 3 on my first fill.

Hopefully they will be able to get the amount right on your next fill. Never happened with me. 17 fills and 4 partial unfills and never a "sweet spot/green zone"! :-(

Good luck!

[motivatedlap 8]

I think there is a misunderstanding about the amount of fill you have. When you go in for the first "fill" that doesn't mean that they are going to "fill" the band to capacity. I have never heard of one doing more than a 5cc fill the first time. I actuallt got a 3 on my first fill.

No, there was no misunderstanding and I know how the fills work because it was explained to me and I was given literature to read as well. After my first fill, I asked how much is in my band now and the doctor clearly said, "You have 10ccs in your band now".

As I mentioned, this doctor is aggressive with the first fill- the few people I've spoken with who used him have all had well over 5ccs on their first fill. Just because you've never heard of it doesn't mean it can't happen. I think my next fill is going to get me close to where I want to be, so I'm looking forward to it!