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Originally Posted by imb316  Why is there such a thing as bandster hell. I was banded on 12/31/07. Had my first fill on last week and will have my second fill tomorrow. Everyone says that the first 4-6 weeks is for healing not losing weight. But why don't the Dr's tell us that we have bigger bands (10cc) than those that got banded a couple of years ago? My mom had a LAP-BAND® done and had a restriction right away but her band is a 5cc band. I had NO restriction even after my first fill. Most likely I am driving my Dr crazy but I am not a patient person. I did not go through this surgery because I am able to control my eating. I NEED this band to WORK for me. What is the use of going through all this and psyching ourselves that it is worth it because after the surgery we will not be able to eat and then after we feel physically better (one week in my case) we realise that we can EAT ANYTHING. Is it only me. Is that fair. I think we need to get the word out and make sure that they put fills into a 10cc band right away. If they know we will not have restriction in a 10cc band why do they insist on leaving it un-full so we then have to take a day off from work, find childcare, pay for parking (NYC) just so we can get a fill. And on top of that they ony give a little fill so then you have to go back. Why can't they fill you, wait till you have a drink, if there is no restriction, fill you more? When they are trying to sell you on the surgery they don't tell you that even after the surgery it might take 3 months until you feel any restriction. I know I am rambling on but I find this so frustrating. I am not a patient person and I want this damn thing to work already. |
Why are you wanting to rush things?
I "get it" believe me-I'm going thru bandster hell where I'm watching my portions, etc. But I've also set myself up "mentally" with the expectation to only lose 1lb/week - but THIS time, that 1lb is gone forever.
I'll be "satisfied" with my band if I lose 50lbs by this time next year.
Honestly? What's the rush? For some, the first few months the pounds seem to 'melt off' effortlessly - but then they seem to plateu. For others (ME) the beginning is SLOW (and I'm hoping it gets faster soon - see I'm inpatient, too).
The reason they don't "fill" the band all the way up from the get-go is that as you lose weight, your band will need to be filled again - if you're at fill capacity from the start, when you lose 20lbs - and your stomach shrinks a little (thus becoming unrestricted) you won't be able to 'tighten' it because there won't be any "room" in the band.
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On another note, I'd be a bit concerned by a doctor that would give a patient TWO fills within their first month post op.
Most doctors make you wait a month between fills because the "tightness" can change over the course of that month.
