Is Anyone Else's Bank Fickle?

[DebbieDuke 0]

My Doc doesn't believe me. My restriction varies quite a bit. When I had some fill in, in the am I was tight getting Water down. Then at the end of the day I could sometimes eat steak.

My tightness always varies with my monthly cycle. Right before I start my period, my restriction gets very tight and I will get food stuck.

Because of all this, I had my fill completely removed. And yes I have gained all of the 60 lb back that I lost.

Does anyone else have a band that acts like this? I'm not completely blaming the band, as I am the one that makes the food choices. There are many times in the evening I wish I couldn't eat so much in one sitting.

[DebbieDuke 0]

Goodness, I can't spell today. I meant my band, not bank, of course! lol

[screeden 21]

oh i do. my band is so tight in the mornings, so i drink a hot coffee in the morning, sometimes 2 to help loosen it. i can't really eat anything in the mornings because i am so tight, but by noon, i can usually eat. so in the mornings i have my Protein Shake, gets me half my Protein for the day. no during my cycle, the day before and the day i start, oh i am super tight. so i drink warm liquids, creamy Soups during those two days. and drink lots of Water so i don't get all puffy and bloated. my nurse practioner told me to do this, that it is normal to be tighter during periods and in the mornings.

[karewpah 173]

My band is fickle...if it's really cold or I'm stressed or it's that TOM, it gets tight.

I have 2 little kids so sometimes I sit down to dinner all relaxed and end up not being able to eat a thing due to getting stressed and the band tightenening. I usually just sip warm tea and try to relax and then eat later when the munchkins are not around.

[Jachut 487]

Fickle, yep. I had to unfil mine for a surgery and its totally different refilled - not like the same band at all.

My bank is pretty fickle too.....

[jennifer1 180]

fickle is my band's middle name. i just gave up eating in the morning. around noon i can get a few teaspoons of yorgurt down and the evening is hit or miss. i'm not starving so i'm fine and the weight is coming off. i try to make sure i stay hydrated. i've had 5 fills and 2 unfills so i'm sticking with this fill. i thought my band and i were both crazy but i see it's not just us! LOL. the weather, stress my cycle all affect my band.

[1shauna1 129]

Very! Like someone else above, I can't eat in the mornings. Just drink coffee until about 11am. And it depends on the day; some days I get stuck on everything (even if it's foods I usually eat with no issues), other days it seems like literally there's no band there. I've had four fills and 2 defills....I'm not sure now if I need another fill or not. Evenings I'm very loose, mornings I'm very tight. This is more difficult than I thought it would be!

[PitPat 0]

Very! Like someone else above, I can't eat in the mornings. Just drink coffee until about 11am. And it depends on the day; some days I get stuck on everything (even if it's foods I usually eat with no issues), other days it seems like literally there's no band there. I've had four fills and 2 defills....I'm not sure now if I need another fill or not. Evenings I'm very loose, mornings I'm very tight. This is more difficult than I thought it would be!

I agree, this is harder than I thought, too! I was banded in October 2010. I lost 40 lbs. by December 2011. I went in for a fill and it was way too much, so I had it removed. now, I have gained back 20 lbs. and I am just sick about it. I am wondering if I have it all removed and start over would it help. Has anyone ever had this problem? I really need some advice. Thanks!

[xavier 153]

My band is exactly like my wedding ring. Very tight in the morning (coffee or shakes only) and a little looser than I would like in the evenings. After dinner I do have to have some will power. Why did you get unfilled?

[Cocoabean 430]

I often say, "fickle, freaken, foofing, band!!!" About 3 weeks ago, 6 months after my last fill it decided to tighten up on me. I've always had day to day fluctuations, but this was crazy. I am now eating about half what I was with an occasional time where I can eat more. Very odd.

[volleymom 1]

I am so thankful for this topic - I thought I was the only one with such extreme fluctuations!

[DebbieDuke 0]

Still frustrated and posting on this thread again.

I went back to the Dr to get a fill. My band is empty. They did an upper GI since I dont have insurance anymore. Based on the upper Gi, they want to take fill out. They already took it all out.

I don't understand how I am supposed to work with this tool. I have very little restriction in the afternoon and evenings. I asked if my throat was dilating later in the day that would allow me to eat much more, and the nurse said no. If I get stuck, I can take a couple of deep breathes and the food will move thru. They act like I'm nuts.

So frustrated and not sure what to do next. I have a follow up in a month, but what is the point if they say I'm too tight with nothing in? I eat too much. bummed.

[difa 114]

if it was already empty, how can they can more out? why did they say they want to take more out?