So Discouraged. I have the small band....

[mommakatx2 0]

Hey everyone. I've been MIA for quite a long time, mainly because I'm unhappy with my band. I had surgery in April '08, and since then I've had about 5 fills in a 4cc band for a total of about 2.75cc's. I feel like I have no restriction at all...I can still eat a full plate of food...maybe instead of two full plates of food--which I *guess* counts a little as restriction :thumbdown:. I'm back on Slimfast trying to lose weight again, which is BS because I wouldn't have gone through the WLS just to drink Slimfast . I've lost about 40lbs...23 of that was immediately post-op while I was recovering. So about 17lbs in the last 8 months .

I'm frustrated and tired of scheduling fills that don't seem to work. I feel like I'm reaching the end of my 4cc band's capactity, with no real result. Everyone here seems to have the 10 and 14cc bands...and I wonder why I didn't get one of those...

I guess this is more of a rant than anything...but if anyone out there actually has the 4cc band...please talk to me...

What was your "sweet spot"??

[Kat817 19]

I have the small band, and found restriction with only 1.75 cc.'s--but I also know people who have the small band and have it to almost 5cc's which IS possible, and are good with it there. Most take in the neighborhood of 3 I understand, so you have plenty of room to go. Sneaking up on restriction is definintely the way to go as opposed to one or 2 giant fills that cause you to swell and react.

Sounds like another one or 2 tweaks and you will be there!

Dr.'s usually either use one certain band that they prefer, or some decide based on the persons anatomy when they get in and look around. If your stomach is smaller in size, and it must be, if you are pinching down on the small size without totally blocking off, then it seems it was a good choice for you.

There are plenty of people on here who have had 8 fills or more, to get it just right. Keep working at it! I worried that my stomach must have a huge store of fat on it, for such a small amount to restrict me so much---but it is what it is! I am working on it---and it was a slow go for me---but well worth it.

If your portions are less now, then it sounds as tho it IS working, you just need a bit more!

My first fill was 6 weeks post op and was 1.25cc.'s and like you I ate a bit less, and had to slow down some, but no real restriction, so I went back 4 weeks later, and he only gave me .50cc's. One half a cc?? I was so mad, and some on here said he was cheating me that Inamed reccommends bigger fills etc. So I called and ask! He said he had found sneaking up with small fills to be better, because of the swelling issue. He has me do the remainder of the day and the next on liquids, so I did, but I was still mad, it cost me to get that half a cc! Well the next morning, I grabbed my usual yogurt & granola, and I could only barely get down 3 bites! I had restriction like you cannot imagine from that little half a cc! I thought it was a fluke, but I could not eat more than a few bites! Then I got worried! I was not getting enough food in for proper nutrition! So I faithfully took my Vitamins, and really tried to eat GOOD food----and slowly my stomach shrunk even more so that my restriction was not so tight, and has remained fairly loose as I lost the rest of my weight. But I am telling you from my experience, the tiniest of fills can be the magic! For me it happen fast, but it sounds like you are close---so don't give up! The fills will work!

I have been unfilled since last April. To begin with for a TT---then I ended up with intestinal surgery, and am now waiting for a fill, which I need desperately--but my Dr. is 6 hours away over several mountain passes which are snow packed right now, so I am struggling to maintain without a fill. So I feel your pain of dieting even tho I have a band!

Hang in there, and try another couple of fills, you still have plenty of fill room left in that band!

Let us know how it goes!!

Kat

[mommakatx2 0]

Kat,

Thank you SO much for your reply. That's exactly what I needed to hear, I guess. I am going to call on Monday and schedule yet another fill...I'm hoping for the noticeable restriction people seem to get when they hit their sweet spot.

I guess I'm more frustrated because I have a husband coming home for leave in April, and one year out I thought I'd be near my goal weight (my surgeon told me I'd lose 100lbs in 6 months "EASY" :thumbdown:).

I guess I really need to remember that I have a fill-port for a reason, so that I can continue to get fills. I'm hoping I'm close.

[susan1961 0]

I know it's not as quick as you'd like, and I hope the fill gets you to your sweet spot, BUT remember you've lost 40lbs in < 6 months.... if you're anything like me you normally would have gained 5-10lbs over that time... so you're still way ahead!!! And your husband will be thrilled to see you as you are. : )

[Sue Magoo 71]

Hi:

I have the small band and I think I'm at 2.5 cc's. Please be patient. You're probably just one or two fills away from the sweet spot.

Best wishes to you in finding your sweet spot and attaining your goals.

I love my band!

Sue

[Janell 0]

Hey everyone. I've been MIA for quite a long time, mainly because I'm unhappy with my band. I had surgery in April '08, and since then I've had about 5 fills in a 4cc band for a total of about 2.75cc's. I feel like I have no restriction at all...I can still eat a full plate of food...maybe instead of two full plates of food--which I *guess* counts a little as restriction :thumbdown:. I'm back on Slimfast trying to lose weight again, which is BS because I wouldn't have gone through the WLS just to drink Slimfast . I've lost about 40lbs...23 of that was immediately post-op while I was recovering. So about 17lbs in the last 8 months .

I'm frustrated and tired of scheduling fills that don't seem to work. I feel like I'm reaching the end of my 4cc band's capactity, with no real result. Everyone here seems to have the 10 and 14cc bands...and I wonder why I didn't get one of those...

I guess this is more of a rant than anything...but if anyone out there actually has the 4cc band...please talk to me...

What was your "sweet spot"??

Hi there, I am so glad you posted. I have had this exact same thought time and time again.

I was going to the Dr. for fills it seemed like every 2 weeks and i felt NOTHING. So one day I asked the Dr, have you ever had a patient that this band wasnt big enough for? He said nope. So I started bawling and told him how could I be at 3.7 and not feel any restriction? He then checked my band and I had only 1.2 in. We found out I had a leak. He put in this stuff called Omni* and bam....instant restriction. I lost 17 lbs in 8 weeks.

Just hang in there and make sure you tell your dr everything you are feeling.

Good luck to you...you will get there.

[Kat817 19]

It is called Omnipaque--it is a higher viscosity Fluid than saline--kind of like Slime you put in bike tires!!! Only if it does leak out inside you it is safe! It is not a silicone type thing as someone once said on here.

My Dr. always pulls what is in my band out, and then adds to it....but I understand not all do. So it might well benefit you to ask for a look see at what is in there. But where you are is not a big deal at not having restriction yet.

With all these people here on LBT, and many more I know in person, I have yet to meet anyone who lost 100 pounds in 6 months, and retained their health!

If your DH has not seen you, the 40 pounds will be a remarkable change! PLUS you do have until April, and if the next fill or 2 takes you to a sweet spot, you will be amazed how you sail on from there.

Kat

[jfc193 718]

I have the small band and I have about 2.5 cc in mine. Even though I am not losing as fast as I would like I have lost an incredible amount of weight. When I do have plateaus it seems like I can get discouraged and yet even if I am on a plateau I still continue to lose inches.

I no longer have diabetic issues, or sleep apnea. I have gone from a bmi of 50 to 32. I have gone from a size 56 waist to a 38 inch waist.

Bottom Line just don't just look at weight loss but also at what some fellow bandster call "non scale victory"

[mommakatx2 0]

Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate your replies.

I do know my doc pulls out what's in the band each time she does a fill, because she was concerned about a leak as well. The band doesn't seem to be leaking.

I do realize that sometimes we have unrealistic expectations of WLS...I fully understand it's not a "magic wand". I guess I just expected a little more noticeable difference in how I'm able to eat. After all, that is the concept behind the lap-band.

I guess I will just make another appointment for another fill...I suppose I still have 1.25cc to go.

[gingerbug 3]

Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate your replies.

I do know my doc pulls out what's in the band each time she does a fill, because she was concerned about a leak as well. The band doesn't seem to be leaking.

I do realize that sometimes we have unrealistic expectations of WLS...I fully understand it's not a "magic wand". I guess I just expected a little more noticeable difference in how I'm able to eat. After all, that is the concept behind the lap-band.

I guess I will just make another appointment for another fill...I suppose I still have 1.25cc to go.

I think a fill would bea good idea, you will be surprised how qucik it goes when you hit the sweet spot!

[Vangirl 0]

I have 3 ccs in a 4cc band and I can still eat a lot. I understand your frustration, as I feel like I'm doing all the work and don't have much restriction. I'm hoping that upping it a little will do the trick.

[Alicia99 0]

I have the 4cc band too...and was banded in April too...and I weigh the same as I did when I started. Its my own choice, because I have been unable to get my fills, and I am at 2cc...but I go this Saturday for another fill (finally!) and I am so looking forward to getting closer to my sweet spot. Don't get discouraged now! I still feel just amazed that I was able to have the surgery and pay for it out of pocket, that was such a big accomplishment for me, and I didn't think I could do it. Getting this fill and finding my sweet spot is my next goal, and delayed, yes, but still a very GOOD thing. I am so encouraged by the victory's I read about here. You can fill a 4cc band to 5. You have plenty of room to go. The difference between needing a fill and a sweet spot can be a tiny little fill!

[marie715 0]

I am so glad to read about others who have the band that holds 4cc's. I thought I was the only one! I have had 3 fills and the most recent one was Dec. 7, 2008. At that time she said I had 'almost 3cc's'. I think I am at my sweet spot. The first 3 weeks after the fill were rough. I am hoping this restriction will last for as long as possible. I'm afraid that if I go in for a fill, I will get on the 'fill-unfill-fill' roller coaster. Good luck to all of you fellow 4cc's.

[jms462001 9]

I think a fill would bea good idea, you will be surprised how qucik it goes when you hit the sweet spot!

It sure went fast for you!! Did you seem to lose on average about the same amount of weight monthly? How many fills did you have in the year? Congrats on your great success!!

[Jachut 487]

I had lots of fills to sneak up to 2.7 cc in mine, and I think from memory, I got to 2 before I could say I was eating like a bandster. Even then I've had the ability to eat things like bread all along 2.7 is great maintenance level for me, but I have to work hard to lose.

I think its just a function of the size of your stomach more than anything. And how much fat is around it - which can be influenced by how and where you carry y our weight. I always sat on mine, it wasnt on my stomach and less around my organs than someone who is pot bellied, and my doc said my stomach was quite small too. (Could have fooled me, I could certainly pack a lot into it).

If you put the 4cc band in a big strapping broach shouldered 300 lb man, he'd have a totally different experience to a bottom heavy woman with smaller organs..