has anyone gotten unfilled to give their band a "kick-start"?

[msmelc 3]

I an 2 yrs- post-band... My Doc recomended that I unfill for a while so that I can give my stomach a rest, and since I hit a plateau for almost 4 months, I went with his recomendation. I havent lost, but i havent gained either...which is an accomplishment... for me... but my question is - Have any of you Banders out there done this??

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I've never heard of "giving your stomach a rest" just for weight loss? I thought the band was to be forever, filled, etc. UNLESS there's a medical need like a slip etc.

I am truly curious (not contentious) this idea intrigues me....would you mind sharing the doc's rationale, if you know it? i thought most of the time unfill meant gain?

[butternuts 0]

I was having trouble with acid reflux and they took some out to give my pouch a rest. I'm doing great now gaining alittle but thats ok just as long as i don't get that back . They said my band was to tight which was doing great for me for about 1 year. will get another fill when I think I need it.

[msmelc 3]

Monkey,

To my understanding, by removing the Fluid from the band it "rests" your stomach, and in a few months time, you go back & get a fill & it essentially is like getting a fill for the first time.. kinda like starting new?!? I hope that I am understanding & explaining this correctly.

He also says that after 2 years, you should be well aware of how to eat, what not to eat, and that you should maintain your exercise regimine. If you are doing all of these things, like you HAVE the band in, then he conciders that TRUE success... I feel that he has a point in this, because your band should be a TOOL not a CRUTCH! I have a friend who got her band about the same time as I did, but she used her band as a crutch, instead of a tool, & it became a DISASTER!!! She ended up with a slip, and the doc removed it because he began to see bad obsessive signs...(ie. anorrexia,excessive time @ gym, etc)...go figure... over wt turned DANGEROUSLY THIN!!! It was scary... she still complains now because she says that I have "backup" but I have to remind her that it is a tool that I have to maintain!!

I was just curious if anyone out there has had this done ...

[RestlessMonkey 7]

thanks for explaining that to me! An interesting point of view! :confused: