When I go to support group meetings, or “talk” with other members of our Banded Living community, on line in forums or by email, I often am asked, “How much fluid is in your band?” My answer is usually something on the order of “I don’t really know, and I’m not sure it really matters to me”. I am not trying to be flip here, I just learned that there is no point comparing how much fluid I have in my band to how much is in somebody else’s lap band. I went my entire first year without adding ANY fluid to my band and I lost over 100 pounds. For me that meant that I was in a place that kept my hunger sufficiently at bay between meals, and gave me a feeling of a “soft stop”, a reminder that I had had enough to eat at a meal.
When people I mentor ask me about tracking their fill volumes, or comparing their fill volumes to others, I often wonder why. I find it is more helpful to track protein and calories than fill volume. Once again, I am reminded that we are all different and there are different brands and models of lap bands. Even when two of us have the same brand of lap band, like Gloria and I do, our “sweet spot” may be at very different fill levels. It took Gloria 5 or 6 fills to get to the same level of portion control, lack of hunger between meals and satiety, while I was there with no fill for over a year!
I do want to know approximately how much fluid I have in my band so that if I suddenly become hungry, and my doctor checks my fluid level and it has dropped significantly we can investigate the possibility of some type of system failure.
When I first began investigating lap band surgery, back in early 2004 I went on line and tried to follow some of the conversations on the forums. Since lap bands had only been FDA approved since 2001 there was not much information to be found. At that time, I was frightened off the message boards by two things:
- People concerned about not being able to eat and throwing up all the time.
- People who wanted to know exactly how much fluid they should have put in their bands so that “it” worked right.
These conversations actually left me confused and concerned and I decided that I would pursue my investigation of the lap band by talking face to face with people who had the band and asking my prospective surgeon all of the questions. What I learned over and over again is that there is just no magic fill level. The most successful patients seemed to be those who really listen to their bodies and those who really learn to work their tool. Unfortunately, it is just not as easy as a magic fill volume.
Now that I have six years of experience (and 250 lbs gone forever) I know That if I am having problems keeping my food down it’s usually because I am taking bites that are too big, eating too fast, choosing the wrong foods (bread just will NEVER be comfortable for me). I personally have never been adjusted too tight, but I have met people who have had fills that kept them from eating any solid foods. As much as I would love to find the magic bullet, or magic fill, that would make all of my decisions, I have learned that I am responsible for my choices and there really is no magic fill level; for me there is a fill level that gives me a soft stop and keeps my hunger under control the majority of the time.
I would love to hear from all of you out there on this really important topic. Please share your insights and experiences by posting a comment or sending an email.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the enlightening article. I am ready for my 5th fill. I too don’t know if I have a restriction. i just follow what I eat. I have experienced several scares of being overfilled. Ugh, its a terrible feeling. I am more watchfull of my calories and protein now. I measure my foods to avoid overfills. Thank you both Sandi and Gloria. Ilene
Sandi,
As usual your blog was right on time for me. I am scheduled to see my surgeon on Friday to see about my second fill. I’m not sure that I need one. I do still feel restriction and I am satisfied by a high protein meal for 3-4 hours, sometimes a bit longer. I don’t think about food all the time any more either…( that is such a God send ). I don’t really care how much is in my band compared to others. For me its about how my body responds to the foods I eat. I am starting to learn that one can not survive on protein shakes. I made that mistake for 3 weeks after my first fill. Then I hit a 2 week plateau. I started to eat “real” foods that I am allowed to have and have lost weight in the last week. I am really finding out it is all a learning process and EVERY BODY is different. I don’t think I will ever get through learning what my body needs because it is always changing.
Thanks so much for your blogs….I really enjoy them and have learned a lot from you and Gloria.
HUGS,
Meg
My only concern is that i seem to have a cast iron stomach. While i have not done anything really silly like say eat a giant pizza or a big steak, so far i can get most stuff like bread down without any discomfort. One day i had a seemingly healthy vietnamese cold roll and it seemed to sit there for a bit but i think i possibly ate it a little fast. I have only just had my first fill so it is all trial and error so far and i have so far lost every fortnight but i think it might take a few fills to get things right.
Yolanda I can relate to you. I have had one fill but really can eat anything. What is interesting to me is how one day i am hungrier and can eat quite a bit and then the next day i will feel more restricted. I definitely want to know how much fluid is in my band, its part of my body and me after all. It is a whole learning process and a very individual experience for each person.
yeah i know what you mean there about he hunger. Like usually around 11 in the morning i am super hungry. But I will have lunch be fine and feel full after dinner but then around 11 pm if im still up ill be starving again. I figure it will balance out with time.
I’ve only had one fill about and have been trying to get used to how this works but seem to be having a tough time. Some days I’m so restricted it is fluids only for me. I’m getting an unfill tomorrow. I told the doctor I didn’t want to get an unfill just to come back later and get it filled again. He said I wouldn’t (shouldn’t) be that way. Wish me luck. I hope my ’sweet spot’ is a day away. (BTW, my doctor gives ‘one good fill’ not many which is different than most)
i have have 4 fills and still dont have good restriction sometime i may get a little chest discomfort but if i wait a second it goes away i have gained weight i go for my next fill monday hoping for good restriction
I am 8 months out, I’ve had 7 fills. I’ve lost over 130 lbs, but I have not yet felt the effects of the band. The doctor says I’ve got 6 cc’s in a 14 cc band. I have noticed lately that I am eating more and feeling hungry alot, although I do realize I am eating because of stress. I am worried that I have become so complacent with the way I am eating that once the band is where it should be and is working right I will be getting stuck alot. Thank you for the article I realize I’ve got to go back to measuring and watching my calories and protein intake. I’m not afraid to say I’m scared of gaining back the weight. Thanks for letting me vent.. Blessings to you all !
I dont know how many fills and unfills I have had in the past 18mo. But I Have 10.5 cc in my 11cc realize band. We are all soooo diferent. I have good restiction that changes every day. I can eat most anything and only have trouble when I eat too fast. I love my band!