Wish I Did It Sooner... - San Diego, CA

I had to go in several times to get it right. I think the typical is about 5-6 times you'll have to adjust. Most doctors are conservative especially in the beginning because it's a learning curve how to eat with the band. The great thing about the band is that it's adjustable so what works now, it may not be as effective a year from now so you have to have it adjusted to keep losing weight. The way I understand it, it isn't so much how much you eat but the length of time between meals before you start getting that crazy hunger feeling again. At your sweet spot, you should be able to eat anywhere between 1/2 cup to 1 cup of solid food, and not be hungry for a few hours. If you don't feel any restriction or you're getting hungry within the hour, for sure, you will have to add a little more to your band. Believe me, when you get the proper restriction, you definitely feel it. After a few bites, it feels like there is no where for the food to go. I had too much volume in my band once and I couldn't eat any solid food,so I had to go back to get it removed. I guess what I'm saying is, of all WLS, patience is the key. Keep going and having your fills and adjustments because once you get to that sweet spot, weight will come off. Good luck, Candy! Rooting for you :D

had too much volume in my band once and I couldn't eat any solid food,so I had to go back to get some liquid removed. - correction

Thank you so much! Candy

Hi, me again with a follow-up question. That feeling of fullness that develops after a small amount of food and lasts 3-4 hours -- Do you feel anything different inside during that 3-4 hour period that helps you resist eating that may not be related to physical hunger? Thanks, Candy

Nope, I just don't feel hungry. :) That is... I don't obsess about food constantly (like I do when I wasn't at my sweet spot). If you overeat, it'll feel very uncomfortable. The feeling is because I over stretched my esophagus and/or stomach pouch to the point of just beyond full. This stretch is what causes the uncomfortable feeling and I have to stop eating.

If you had your fill in June, and it's already August, perhaps you should go in for another fill (usually 4-6 wks in between each fill). I've had as little as 3ml all the way up to 9.5ml total (that was way too much :P lol). Around 7ml for "my" band/body seems to work best but everybody is different so it's a little trial and error.

My total weight loss is 125 lbs, and have kept it off now since 2011 (my surgery was in 2009). I still feel like I have so many questions about the band lol. Even after all this time so I don't mind questions so ask away :D.

I wanted to add too... You can always switch doctors as well for fills. I had to because I moved. There are some doctors who are really good at finding your sweet spot, others are good at the surgery but maybe not with fills. Not sure if I made sense or not.

You have been so helpful. Your explanations are more encouraging to me than anything I’ve heard. You seem like a great person, and I’ glad you’ve had this wonderful success with the band. I did get a 2 cc fill (bringing it to 5) recently, but that night I had excruciating pain all night and the next morning they removed a cc. I have another appt Aug 26. Thanks

Yeah sounds like they overfilled. Sorry you went through that painful night. I've had one of those nights and I was absolutely miserable. I had acid reflux every time I fell asleep. Ugh. My last few fills have been ~0.2cc - 0.5cc. It's amazing what a little tiny volume could do in that band. Is everything comfortable now? Do you feel less hungry between meals? Like, can you go 3-4 hrs without thinking about eating? Let me know if you have any questions. It's helpful and motivating to me too :D

Thanks. Unfortunately, I’m clearly not at that “sweet spot” yet, but maybe with the next fill. You have helped me become more patient. Instead of believing it just isn’t working, I now feel more accepting of the process. I’m trying to limit my eating to keep off the weight I lost between the pre-op and first month post op diet. I am so glad I “met”. You have helped me so much. I’m glad it is useful to you too.

I seem to have an endless array of questions. Prior to an adequate fill, prior to reaching that “sweet spot,” did you have periods of overeating, even mini binging? Did you ever overeat a “slider” food, like ice cream? Did you lose weight? As I mentioned, I lost weight from the pre and post op liquid to soft diet, and I have been struggling to keep that off. Thanks again, Candy

Hi Candy, absolutely I have those times (and still do) that I eat slider foods. Especially when I was too tight >.< because it was the only time I could feel fulfilled (only people obsessed with food could understand that hehe). I did lose weight, albeit slowly. Anytime my weight leveled off for a long period of time (in the beginning), I went to see my doctor for an adjustment. I'm glad we met too. I always seem to come up with all kinds of questions too. I still feel like a newbie at times. That's why I welcome your questions. :D

I do log whatever I eat, and weighed everyday. Just to make sure that my calorie intake wasn't over the top. If you find you are ONLY looking towards slider food, that is a common symptom you may be have too much in your band, but if you don't feel that restriction, then you're ok. I think you're really close to your sweet spot though since you're within 1cc of it. Maybe next fill get 0.2 cc or something small like that.

Thanks so much. You are giving me hope when I so need it. I need to hear that you have lost weight in spite of a continuing obsession with food. Take care, Candy

Hi minutiae :) Glad that you found it helpful! Feel free to ask any questions or even just sound off here hehe. I completely understand about the inability to lose weight on one's own as well as numerous health issues due to the weight. It was so life changing for me as I was often in the ER before my surgery, and have never visited the ER since. This year was my 6th year band anniversary. Although 6 years older, I feel 6 years younger. I am thinking that the procedure itself will be better since technology gets better every year... So if you decide, please please write here and let me know how it is going. It feels good to talk to someone who is on the same journey as myself. Thanks for sharing bits and parts of your life. :D I hope you get your weight under control by some type of WLS especially since you have two kids and you have a lot of life left to live and to enjoy in your future. Cheers!