Yvonne, diet pills should be unnecessary because the defeat the purpose of the lapband or any other weight-loss surgery.  Losing weight after surgery requires your own responsibility.  People have surgery and never lose weight because they eat the wrong things in huge amounts (cake, chips, etc.), just as they always had.  Surgery and drugs aren't intended to be magical "cures."  Surgery is an aid to be used while making wise food choices.

The band is intended to diminish appetite.  The only way to really know that appetite has been diminished is to pay attention for the moment when we think, "I can eat a few more bites....but I don't need them because I feel satisfied right now!"

If you insist on taking pills, it is likely that you will never achieve good weight loss or maintain weight loss.  f you lose weight by depending on pills, you will also deprive yourself the satisfaction of owning an accomplishment.

It's important to be aware that one fill may not be enough. It is common to need a few or even more to get to a good place. A "good place" is having the band adjusted so that it is a partner to losing weight. 

My best suggestion is that you start attending surgery support groups given by the practices in your area.  You'll have a chance to ask questions and share info with others.  Not all groups are run very well, so you may have to try a few to find one that is really helpful.  Call the surgery offices to ask about group schedules.  Most welcome people who had surgery elsewhere.

You very well could have developed scar tissue around your band and it is causing the band to tighten on its own.  Before I had my revision I had an unfill for two years yet I still had restriction to the point of reflux/heartburn/pbing daily. When I went in for my revision my surgeon found my band encased in scar tissue and that was what caused the restriction.  It also damaged a small part of my stomach that had to be removed.

My advice is not to wait for better insurance as things can get worse.

I had a hernia Hietal I think is the actual name and it was causing similar issues.  I still have a little one (first one got fixed), what I do is go to liquids for 3 days then soft food for 4.  Then I pay attention, to everything from the time of the day to the weather.  I find that in the mornings I am tight so I have a veggie smoothie (veggies and 2%greek yogurt) then I sip warm or room temperature water through the morning, chew my vitamins and for lunch depending on how I feel I eat a salad, soup, or veggies and meat of some sort.  

I cannot eat cold stuff or drink them for that matter it tightens my stomach (since it is a muscle) and causes issues with my band.  Now I know this sounds like a pain in the ass but once you figure it all out it becomes second nature. I also know my triggers, pork for one, just cannot do it in any form! And over cooked seafood or eggs.  But I find I can eat nearly anything in soup I guess since it is warm, so I make tons of it, different varieties Oh and chili I make lots of chili.

Good luck! 

Sorry this is happening. :(   I would not wait 6 months to get it checked out though.  A revision or removal sure, if there is nothing urgent.  Otherwise perhaps they can do a partial or complete unfill that will allow you to eat more healthy foods in the meantime.  Would your insurance cover a scope to see what's going on?

The problem with waiting is the impact on your stomach and your health if it is something serious. Perhaps if you explain the insurance situation they can try to minimize your out of pocket expenses right now and start with less expensive diagnostics?

Good luck!!

From a previous post she has never had a fill and won her band with no follow-up.