I Just Don't Get It

Chelley · September 21, 2006

I am at a loss to understand why I am not loosing weight with my band.

I was banded 4/18/06 and went from 227.5 to 204lbs. During the 6 week waiting period before the first fill, I gained weight until I was back at 215lbs, which was what I weighed the day of surgery after the pre-op diet. I was so freaked out, I thought maybe my band was leaking because the amount in my band fluctuated between fill 1 and 2. I had no clue that my VG band required a greater fill and that air could have been displaced causing the dicrepancy, until I was Enlightened on this board. I got my first fill in Mexico and then got my last two fills in the states. Since my last fill in June, I have maintained my weight at 210 lbs. I am so frustrated. I PB daily. At times I feel tight and others I can eat like a horse.

After talking to my doctor in Mexico, he would like me to return to his clinic and have an evaluation for possilbe band slip or pouch enlargement and if neither have occurred he recommends a complete unfill, let the stomach rest and start filling the band again. He thinks I am too tight.

I honestly don't know what to do. I was banded with my mom and sister on the same day and my sister who has a regular size band has lost 60lbs in the 5 months since surgery.

Any thoughts?

babsintx3 · September 21, 2006

Chelley,

If you are PBing daily, then you are too tight regardless whether it is a slip or not. Its possible you have a dilated pouch, but harder to do if you are PBing and not pouch packing. I had pouch dilatation, but was asymptomatic other than the ability to eat more and more. No reflux, barfing, etc.. That was my problem and it resolved once the Fluid was out for 4-6 weeks and the pouch and esophagus was allowed to relax.My band waas too tight. I love my band but it is work and requires significant post op care and diligence to follow the bandster rules of eating solid Protein first, then veggies, no drinking and eating with meals etc.. I dont know your day to day habits what kind of foods you eat, how much so its hard to say why your band is not working for you. Most people who are too tight have "soft food syndrome" start gravitating to soft comfort foods and then wonder why they are gaining or no longer losing. Maybe this is your issue??

Babs in TX