My gastric band adjustment history........

I have realised I have not really documented on here my adjustments (fills and aspirations).  I know many bandits want to know what others have in their band - everyone is unique, of course, and just because two people have the same sized bands and the same amount of saline in their band does not mean they will have the same experience of satiety & satisfaction.

Also, numerous factors affect the apparent 'restriction' provided by the band; including:

• weight loss/gain (less/more fat around the band and stomach will result in less/more pressure being placed on the tissue under/around the band);
• water retention (effectively 'plumping up' the tissue under/around the band);
• atmospheric temperature (heat can cause body tissues to swell - potentially including the tissue under the band);
• emotion (it is no coincidence that 'feelings' are often described in physical terms; butterflies in the tummy, gut wrenching, stomach turning etc);
• water distribution in the body (resulting in many bandits feeling 'tighter' in the morning);
• and potential swelling/bruising of the tissues under/around the band due to vomiting/food regurgitation.

My Gastric Band Adjustments

30/12/2011          +4.5ml                    = 4.5ml      (added by Mr Hewin at surgery)

09/02/2012         +1.0ml                    =5.5ml

09/05/2012         +0.5ml                    =6.0ml

26/09/2012         +0.25ml                  =6.25ml

22/07/2013          -5.0ml                     =1.0ml       (aspiration of all removable saline before surgery)

27/09/2013          +3.5ml                    =4.5ml

24/05/2014          +0.5ml                    =5.0ml

20/07/2014          -1.25ml                   =3.75ml     (aspiration due to being in red zone due to heat)

Restriction???

On the forum that I frequent, there has been some interesting debate recently about 'restriction' (a term I, personally, do not like with reference to gastric bands).  Geldof (my band) has never restricted me from eating and nor would I like him to. 

I much prefer the 'red, green and yellow zone' terminology used by the company who manufacture the band.

Optimal band adjustment

I urge any bandits, or would be bandits, who are not already familiar with the Adjustable Gastric Band Systems Manual [clicky clicky] to become so.

Since being banded I have had three small fills (two before I reached my goal and one since). I was offered 3 or 4 other fills but turned them down because I was already in the 'green zone' and did not want to 'fix' something that was already working.  Getting a fill when I was already in the green zone would likely have pushed me into the red (not a place I EVER want to be). 

My band adjustment history:

• My surgeon put 4.5ml in my band when he positioned it.
• My first fill added 1ml and took me into the green zone.
• My second fill added a further 0.5ml.
• My most recent fill increased the amount in my band by 0.25ml. Taking the total amount of saline in my band to 6.25ml. 

I requested fills only when I slipped into the yellow zone and was experiencing more hunger and feeling less satisfied with small meals.  each small fill took me well and truly back into the green zone (satiety and satisfaction NOT restriction).

BeBea xx

PS I've noticed my blog has become less focused on band stuff and eating recently - I guess that reflects me :D  I too am much less focused on eating and dieting.  I'm busy getting on with living as a slimmer person :) :) :).