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[Alaskanband 5]

I had my lap band surgery about 10 months ago. I live in Alaska and my surgeon is a few thousand miles away. I have been getting my fills from my Dr. So far I am at 7 ccs in a 14 cc band. The only time I have felt restriction was right after surgery. And when I took to big of a bite of chicken and didn't chew good enough. The surgeon left 5 cts in my band during surgery. I was having a hard time swallow sips of Water. I went back one day after my surgery and the nurse took all 5 ccs out. I was able to tell the difference right away as I was able to swallow water and my chest isn't hurt when I took deep breaths. Three days after my surgery I returned home. About a month after returning home I had my Dr put in 2ccs. No restriction. 2 months later I had him put in 2 more ccs. One month later I told my Dr I still felt no restriction. He called my surgeon and the surgeon suggested do I g one cc at a time and he also had me do a full blood test. Blood test came back good. I had one more cc put in. I was up to 5. A month and a half goes by and I go back for 2 more ccs. I still have no restriction. At least until I ate the big piece of skinless chicken. I could feel my chest tightening. And it seemed like it took awhile for it to pass. So I'm assuming the band is what caused that feeling. for the past 7 months I have thought that maybe my band slipped right after they removed the 5 ccs a day after surgery. But I haven't had any signs of slippage. I'm going g in tomorrow for another fill. my Dr mentioned that he could fill it u til I started to feel the restriction. I think that is what I'm going to do. If you have any thoughts or comments about my story please feel free to share.

[2muchfun 8,927]

My opinion is, you should ask for a fill under fluoroscopy so you can get the proper amount since it's so hard for you. It took me 6 fills to finally get to the green zone and I've read where others have taken as much as 13.

[HealthyNewMe 1,935]

I'm going on six fills next Monday..... I'm super close to green .... They are stirring to fill with .2cc's now, bc they are tweaking or fine-tuning the amount. Good luck..... Remember, it's a JOURNEY!

[intelirish 714]

i'm at 6 fills now had it last week. and for the first time i'm finally seeing the weight really move. i've lost 3.5 since Monday.. some if not most i think is Water related but my point is that it's pretty normal if you are doing just the normal fills where they add Fluid but don't do it under fluoroscopy to take a while. part of me wishes i had just done that at the start but the other part is thankful i didn't. As i felt more and more restriction i've been able to adjust to the life of a bander. Yes it brings with it frustration that the weight may not be moving as fast as you would like but in the long run it's healthier and you'll be happier with your band. best of luck.

[Bandista 7,466]

I am also at six fills -- had to call and check because I lost track. It's so different for each person. I think it's good that the process takes a while as it gives us time to adjust our eating habits. Experiencing the chest tightness repeatedly and a few regrettable stuck episodes has helped me learn my new limitations. I have to pay attention now and I guess that's the whole idea. That, and a dimming of the appetite which allows me to overcome cravings or just mindless eating. My surgeon describes a tennis ball sized portion of food being adequate and not being hungry again for 4-5 hours. We've kept I going to reach this and I'm glad as it is feeling easier now. Last time I was there I joked that we need some kind of light to go off or other signal for when we are in the zone since all of us came out of overeating and diet disorders, etc. and it's so hard to rely on ourselves to be able to judge what is hunger versus what is wanting to eat anyway. Good luck to you! You're getting there and you are not alone. Keep us posted on how you're doing.

[Bandista 7,466]

Hi Irish, we were writing the same thing at the same time -- how about that! And all three of us at six. Funny.

[SandyM 1,956]

Everybody you talk to could have a different amount in their band and its sheer coincidence that each of these 3 folks have 6 cc. I'm not even sure what I have. When I was reading your post, the first thing I noticed is the "big bite of chicken". This is a good time to change habits as theres nothing worse than a stuck piece of that chicken. Getting stuck doesn't necessarily warn you that you are at or near the green zone. It usually means you are either taking too large a bite, not chewing well or eating too fast. That's my experience anyway.

[Alaskanband 5]

I would like to use one of those machines. Unfortunately my Dr. Doesn't have one. 23 hours till fill time. I'm hoping to feel something.

[Lady VS 1,147]

Unfortunately this is part of the process. Feeling restriction doesn't happen overnight or in the first couple of months for many bandsters. However there are some whom it does but for most of us, we don't feel restriction until after several fills. Good luck.

Edited March 5, 2014 by Lady VS

[Alaskanband 5]

After about 30 attempts at trying to find my port I was able to get 2ccs. I'm at 9 now. I drank some Water and I could feel a little difference. However I felt the same thing last time. I'm thinking maybe it's all in my head?? Or maybe not. I hope it's starting to get tight.

[Luka Beth 78]

Stupid question.. Is the person doing your fills using the right equipment...ie: a noncoring needle? If not, your port may have a leak.

[Alaskanband 5]

I'm pretty sure. They were able to suck 7 ccs out of the band and then put it back in. the last time I was in.

[catfish87 3,471]

I'd like to add, that just because the volume of Fluid in your band is correct, doesn't necessarily mean your band will provide ANY restriction. I had a very rare thing happen to mine, where the band actually had come "unbuckled"....EXTREMELY small chance of that being your case, but possible. I agree finding some way of getting a fill using fluoro would be best. Or maybe this most recent adjustment will put you into the green zone. Best wishes!