Making Friends with my band

wclark1215 · February 8, 2008

Hi All,

I had my band installed about 5 months ago and I made friends with my band even before my surgery. After my surgery I kept mentally reaching out to my band to really hit the ground running so to speak. Sadly my band did not show up (start working) for the first 4 months and I had no restriction and I started eating the way I always did (thats why I needed the surgery to begin with). At my last fill I now have some restriction and it has been both great and a shock. I can eat only small amounts in the morning but as the day goes on it seems to loosen up a bit.

I am going in on Monday for another fill and am looking forward to much greater restriction. I am eating much less and now and am finding that I seem less happy all the time. I am guessing it has to do with just having less extra calories to burn. No I am not depressed just aware that for the first time that what you eat (enough good food) matters. Anther way to put it is that I have never eaten so little that it mattered that I had enough Protein and other healthy foods.

Every month I have gone to the doctor (the only place that I weigh myself) I am sure that I have gained weight and and am shocked that every time I have lost weight. I am now down about 30 pounds and have another 118 to go.

Of all the things I learned prior to my surgery the idea that I would not notice restriction for months was left out. But my new friend has shown up and I am really looking forward to our relationship.

Will

juliegeraci · February 8, 2008

Hi Will, trust me I know how you feel. It is really hard trying to find the right balance between restriction, PBing, not being hungry, etc. I am 19 months out and I still battle with fills, unfills, not enough restriction, too much, etc. The band can be really fickle. Good luck.

kbinaz · February 8, 2008

Hi Will, my band just recently showed up, too! In fact, I'm going in for fill #5 on Feb 19th because I need more restriction. I agree with you that the hardest part of this journey was discovering how much patience was required to get to restriction. I would have still had the surgery if I had known, but I would have had less days of despair if I had been properly warned. I tell EVERYONE who asks about the band that that aspect of it can be frustrating- that it isn't like gastric bypass and you might not start losing tons of weight right away.(and it doesn't help to read people on here who don't even need restriction to lose!) I keep reminding myself of the positive aspects of the band - esp. the fact that I think overall I will do better having gotten to restriction slowly and not just waking up one day able to only eat tiny amounts. You aren't alone in your feelings!