How the Lap-Band actually works, fills and refills

[My5dollys 0]

Hope things are working out better for you. I lost 60 pounds and have gained 25 back. I threw up for months after being filled. I think I have an ulcer now. As far as Atkins. I still can't hardly get down meat. How in the world would I do that? If I could do it all again, I wouldn't!!!

[Lois Ruth 0]

I haven't been on here for a long time. Fun reading the newer posts!

I had my surgery 2 years ago (Wed.). I have lost 125 pounds so far. Still going (I want to lose about 50 more) but have been stalled for several months now.

After being fine with the adjustment for a year I went to get it loosened because I was having trouble getting things down, was burping, gurgling and waking up choking on my own saliva at night which are all classic signs of it being too tight. I got 2/3cc taken out and those symptoms have diappeared but I think I have to go back and get a tiny bit put back in because I'm eating a little too much now. Not gaining, but not losing either. So it's a real juggling game. Be patient with the whole process and good luck to everyone

[HeatherO 7]

Just had fill number 3 and still no weight loss. at the same weight for 2 months. So discouraging. has anyone else had this problem? Beinging to wonder if the lapband will even work. When I talk to my doctor about this he says I need to go on a the Atkins diet. If I have to do atkins why get the lapband?

It will definitely work once you get restriction . . . it just sounds like you aren't there yet. Atkins or other dieting might help you along the way until you reach restriction. Just keep working at weight loss and know that when you are finally restricted, it is going to be a lot easier.

I struggled the first several months because of no restriction . . . yet have lost 100% of my excess weight in less than a year. Just keep a positive outlook and don't give up.

[sexyat44 1]

Thanks for all the postings so informative to me. I was banded on 4/01/2011 and I don't get my fill until 5/11. Now I know what to expect from now until 5/11. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the scale keeps going in the right directions. Just have to keep a journal of my eating habits.

[Ilene62 0]

Wendell: Over the years you've been a great source of knowledge and information (many thanks). Perhaps you (or someone else) can answer a burning question: Why is it so hard to find a fill doctor? Like many banders, my doctor moved away. Over and over, we see desperate messages looking for fill doctors in a geographic area. I've heard two theories on why it's so difficut to find a fill doctor: 1) The surgeon doesn't like to treat patients that did not have him or her do the surgery, or 2) that there is increased liability to the surgeon (hence higher med mal insurance costs) to surgeons who treat people other then their original patients. Any truth to this? Personally, I think there's a gold mine out there. People like me would pay a lot to be able to get a fill once in a while. Help! What's causing this problem?

[jodissuperband 0]

thanks for explaining all about the fills. can i ask you a question.. at any stage in the process did you ever think the band wasn't working.. i have just had my 3rd fill - its early days. but the medics have said i have a 6 mls capacity ,swedish band, and there is no more room in it. so they can't add anymore saline.. they say its now got 10.25mls in it.. i feel a bit tighter when i drink ,but haven't tried a proper meal as yet, as am worried i won't feel restriction and i will be so upset.. i never pb'd .. or anything, i am worried this band has been a waste of time and money

well done on your success

There were a few times when I thought that my band was not working and it has been just under 5 months since my surgery, and it was only my most recent fill about a week and a half ago that I really feel that the restriction is doing what it should....I literally can only eat 2-3 small bites over about a 45 minute period...same with liquids. I am not hungry and am losing after a period of over a month of actually gaining a net of 1 lb! I am now down to a size 22 from a size 26 and nearly 40 total pounds lost...

[Poppyred 0]

I am glad I read your thread Wendell. I have not had my first fill yet and I was discourage. I would gain 3-4 pounds, lose 3-4 pounds. People who knew I had the surgery would ask, "how is it going?" because they could see I am not loosing any weight. I was hoping to go from a size 22 to 18 by the winter holidays. Thanks for the reassurance.

Cyndi

Hello Cyndi,

I felt very discouraged also..till I got the right fill. I am self-paid and was even feeling guilty about 'wasting' money....After my third fill,.....Then the weight started coming off about a pound or two a week...I just now at the position that I think I need another fill as its been six months...

Work with your doctor to get to the 'right' fill and things will start happening for you! One of my friends had it one month after me ..and still hasnt gotten to where she is losing good..because of filling and having to be unfilled one time. To get to the right place with your fill, makes all the world of difference!

poppyred

[sassybandster 1]

Ok, its been almost 6 months since my last fill. I've only lost about 10-12lbs during that time. Should I go for another fill? I have about 5 cc in a 10 cc band. I'm not sure what to do. Any advice?

[mousek 4]

This may help you in understanding the restrictive mechanism of a Lap-Band.

The ALLERGAN protocol for Lap-Band fills calls for a six-week delay after surgery, prior to any fills. The purpose for the six-week delay is for the patient's stomach to heal from the surgery, as well as allowing time for the Lap-Band to "Seat" or "Nestle" into the fat pad between the stomach wall and the interior wall of the Lap-Band.

Prior to receiving an EFFECTIVE fill, it is VERY uncommon to have any restriction from a Lap-Band. Some patients will NOT lose weight, or may even GAIN weight until they have received an effective fill in their Lap-Band.

Normal weight loss with a properly restricted Lap-Band is between 1 and 2 pounds per week.

The normal cycle of fills, restriction and weight loss is as follows:

1. The patient's Lap-Band constricts when the patient receives a fill. Swelling for a few days after receiving a fill is very common. Many doctors require a patient to go on a liquid diet for a day or two after receiving a fill. A fill may have a "Delayed Action" of up to 4 weeks. A "Delayed-Action" means that the fill may not become effective for up to 4 weeks after the fill. That is why the ALLERGAN protocol states that fills should not be performed on patients who will not have access to medical care for at least two weeks after a fill.

2. The patient's stomach capacity is lessened as a result of the restriction caused by the Lap-Band.

3. The patient loses weight because they cannot eat as much food.

4. The residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the outside of the patient's stomach reduces in size because of the overall weight loss in the patient.

5. The reduction of the residual fat-pad causes the Lap-Band to become loose again.

6. At that point, the patient needs another fill, because the Lap-Band is loose, and the patient has a loss of restriction, which allows the patient to eat larger amounts of food.< /span>

7. The patient receives another fill and the process starts all over again.

Most Lap-Band patients receive several fills to adjust the Lap-Band as their weight loss progresses, and there is less and less residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the exterior of the stomach wall. Once a patient has lost all of their residual fat-pad, fills become less common. As the Lap-Band patient progresses in their weight loss, the effect of very tiny fills (Less than .2ccs) becomes greater and greater.

It is not uncommon for a late-stage Lap-Band patient to experience a significant difference in restriction with as little as .05cc of fill.

That is hands down the best explanation of the band that I have ever read. THANK YOU!!

[bandedbob 1]

There are so many reply's to this post - I hope it is still active. I had my surgery in October. I lost ~ 40 lbs pre-and post surgery due to diet change. I have had 4 fills, and am seeing my weight creep back up. I have NO restriction on a 14cc Band. Occasionally chicken breast gets stuck, or deli turkey if I do not chew well. I enjoyed reading the initial post - it really is encouraging.

Here is my question: when one finally feels 'restriction' is it the same feeling as the food getting stuck ? Because that almost causes a panic in me (so I hope not). Can someone please describe the feeling of 'restriction' or restriction vs 'food getting stuck'.

Also I am presuming that when there is restriction, the food is s-l-o-w-l-e-y passing through the opening and you do not get that panicky feeling when food gets stuck. I am 8 months out and have had no surgery related progress.

pls share your experiences / thank you

[savingface 0]

That is hands down the best explanation of the band that I have ever read. THANK YOU!!

Thank you, thank you and again thank you. I don't fee like such a loser.....in a bad way.

[Ninababy 5]

There are so many reply's to this post - I hope it is still active. I had my surgery in October. I lost ~ 40 lbs pre-and post surgery due to diet change. I have had 4 fills, and am seeing my weight creep back up. I have NO restriction on a 14cc Band. Occasionally chicken breast gets stuck, or deli turkey if I do not chew well. I enjoyed reading the initial post - it really is encouraging.

Here is my question: when one finally feels 'restriction' is it the same feeling as the food getting stuck ? Because that almost causes a panic in me (so I hope not). Can someone please describe the feeling of 'restriction' or restriction vs 'food getting stuck'.

Also I am presuming that when there is restriction, the food is s-l-o-w-l-e-y passing through the opening and you do not get that panicky feeling when food gets stuck. I am 8 months out and have had no surgery related progress.

pls share your experiences / thank you

[Ninababy 5]

Bob!! Thank you for asking that!!! my story is very similar! I get that stuck feeling and wonder this as well. I am making no progress and have to wonder if I need more fills. At the same time I get stuck! I also have a 14 cc band with 9cc in there

I am working hard to keep the 30 off ! I am wondering if I have made a mistake and should have gotten bypass!! I am at 11 months and still no progress. So discouraged. Looking for some wisdom I am embarrassed to call my doctor

[Poppyred 0]

Bob!! Thank you for asking that!!! my story is very similar! I get that stuck feeling and wonder this as well. I am making no progress and have to wonder if I need more fills. At the same time I get stuck! I also have a 14 cc band with 9cc in there

I am working hard to keep the 30 off ! I am wondering if I have made a mistake and should have gotten bypass!! I am at 11 months and still no progress. So discouraged. Looking for some wisdom I am embarrassed to call my doctor

Hope this will help... I knew I had restriction ... when, I could only eat a half to 3/4 cup of food and feel full for up to 4 hours. You can get food sruck on the first bite if you dont chew it very well. Im better at this when Im around others..cuz I dont want to go and "slime" when I get something stuck. I eat real slow and put my fork down which helps me to chew chew chew. My husband said his mother use to say chew 20 times...I might not do that..but subconsiously Im thinking that...I do know that if I over eat...I start to feel that tight feeling in the chest and know for sure its times to quit. I will drink a little before the meal but nothing during or afterwards for 30 minutes or I feel very tight and uncomfortable. Im going to go today and get what I hope is my last fill. Ive not had one for 6 months but now things are slowing down for me. I average about 4-5 lbs a month which has I've been satisfied with and feel very comfortable. There is no doubt Ive picked up new habits that will last a lifetime..I LOVE MY BAND!

[Ninababy 5]

Hope this will help... I knew I had restriction ... when, I could only eat a half to 3/4 cup of food and feel full for up to 4 hours. You can get food sruck on the first bite if you dont chew it very well. Im better at this when Im around others..cuz I dont want to go and "slime" when I get something stuck. I eat real slow and put my fork down which helps me to chew chew chew. My husband said his mother use to say chew 20 times...I might not do that..but subconsiously Im thinking that...I do know that if I over eat...I start to feel that tight feeling in the chest and know for sure its times to quit. I will drink a little before the meal but nothing during or afterwards for 30 minutes or I feel very tight and uncomfortable. Im going to go today and get what I hope is my last fill. Ive not had one for 6 months but now things are slowing down for me. I average about 4-5 lbs a month which has I've been satisfied with and feel very comfortable. There is no doubt Ive picked up new habits that will last a lifetime..I LOVE MY BAND!

Thank you Poppyred!! I think I should call for a fill.. because I do not feel full on that much food.. and I do not stay full. I drink before meals .. and honestly.. I don't think I chew as well as I should all the time... thus getting stuck. I know that bread and rice sticks... and I get very upset by that... I do not stay full .. I can have lunch. 3oz. tuna fish and about a cup of salad.. lemon juice or FF dressing...( this much does not really fill me ) at noon and by 2 I am ready to eat my desk!!

Maybe I need more fill...