Unfilled LapBand Vs. No Lapband at all....What's the Difference ?

Was wondering what one experiences with an unfilled band. Is it like you don't have anything there at all or do you feel a restriction even when its unfilled ?

I'm curious because if I ever decide to remove band it might be easier to just have it unfilled.

Good question Ramone. I was wondering the same thing myself. Also, if you do feel the same unfilled (as no band at all), do you still have to eat small bites and chew,chew chew or can you eat pretty much the same way as you did before the band. I'm asking this to people who have no restriction when they''re unfilled.

I've head multiple reponses from veteran banders. some say they feal some restriction, some none at all. I guess is varies greatly about who did the surgery and body type.

Probably not the answer you were looking for though :P

This question is directed ONLY at the people who feel no restriction before their first fill. Can you eat the same way ( that is the same amouts ) as you did before your band or do you have to take smaller bites and chew, chew, chew once you get the band. this question is for people with no restriction yet.

Unfortunately Snuffy is right -- it's going to vary depending on the person.

If you have some complication or discomfort that could be relieved by unfilling, then that would definitely be the choice to make rather than having surgery again.

Back when I first had the surgery, before I got my first fill, I could pretty much eat anything and certainly in larger quantities than now. Now that I've lost a bunch of weight, I'm guessing I wouldn't even notice the band if I got a complete unfill. Which I hope I never have to do, because I don't want to get fat again.

I am unfilled still (12 weeks post-op) If you asked me this question 4 weeks ago I would have said I felt SOME (little) restriction as food was getting stuck fairly regularly and I'd have to stop eating...But not really full. Now, I haven't been stuck in weeks and I'm always hungry. I could eat as before if I wanted to. I have been pretty good though. I don't want to gain before my 1st fill. I'm curious about the responses...Good question.

I've had one small fill but I've never felt restriction or my band. I feel no different than before surgery.

I can drink and eat the same things and in the same amounts. I've lost 100lbs so I obviously don't eat the same way. I've changed my lifestyle and I do seem to get full faster now.

I don't have to eat slow or chew well. I don't drink with my meals though.

Wow Candle. You've lost 100lbs and feel little restriction. Arn't you lucky. I hope I have such great results after I'm banded on April 28.

Thanks!

I actually have NO restriction. Not even any swelling right after surgery.

I wish I had a secret to my success but I can't explain it either

I think the band is also very mental.... Knowing it's there makes me eat better and be more cautious. I did forget one time that I was banded and tried to eat a rather large bite of BBQ chicken (a bite I would have eaten pre-band) and it felt like a bowling ball going down my esophagus and then pain.

Before being banded I could have done that easily. And, I had no fill at the time and was wide open. So, even without a fill, yes, I had something there still telling me not to swallow huge bites and that mental thing that kept me in check. I didn't lose weight during that time like Candle did, but I didn't gain any weight either.. which was a big victory for me.

Thank you all for this insight. I guess I really won't know what it's like untill i'm banded and April 28th.

Hi all this is the first time using the forum and Ihave been stressing about this very thing, Ihad my band put in on the 23 feb, Ifeel no restriction at all I am eating as much as Idid before, my doctor said june will be my first fill, I am going mad to think I will not lose any weight until then

Good question.

Before my first fill, I could eat anything in any quanitity BUT I didn't. I knew I was soon going to have to eat the 'bandster' way, and thought of it as training. So, I immediately began (and was committed to) measuring the food, taking itsy-bitsy bites, chewing until the food was mush...all in anticipation of that first fill which was going to force this lifestyle. I successfully did it - no cheating, no 'just a little taste of', no compromises. Then eagerly had my first fill but first fill didn't 'do it'...no change in my body's response to foods or point of being satisfied with the amount of food, and still I persevere. I am going for my 2nd fill next week - I hope that is the one that becomes the emergency 'brake' for my stomach. I'm still in control, but just in case I fail, I really want that back-up system in place.

June is a very long time after your surgery -- have you asked your doctor to fill earlier, or why he/she won't? I would even consider finding another surgeon if mine told me to wait 4 months for the first fill!

I'm having my first on April 18 (7 weeks post-op) -- a bit longer than I'd like but it's a scheduling issue. I feel some restriction, as in the first couple of bites can cause pain if I'm not careful about chewing, but honestly I can eat quite a bit still if I don't stop myself. I find a bit of a delayed reaction -- I get uncomfortable some time after I eat too much. I hope a fill will make the reaction speadier.

Before my fill I could eat anything I wanted. I felt no restriction. My fill was quite large and he put 4.5cc in a 10cc band and I can hardly eat without a PB. I have to really retrain myself to eat right. I find it really hard but I have been loosing quickly.