mominoc

Sounds like the unfill worked. Must have just been too tight. I have had days where some foods I ate the day before more easily, were much harder to eat. I've never had days where water or soup didn't stay down. I've not ever been that tight, I guess. I'm at 8cc, I think that is right, and I don't want any more fills. I'm doing okay where I am. What I do notice is that sometimes the band is tighter than other times. It's kind of strange, but it changes. I've accepted this and try to drink warm liquids in the mornings which seem to help. I have gone over to crock pot cooking as this makes foods moist and easier to eat for me. I think everyone has to figure out what works for themselves, but the band does seem to change. It's good that if you couldn't keep liquids down, that you got an unfill. Glad things are better for you. I was banded Feb. 7th, 2011, 80 pounds lost so far. I hope to reach 100 pounds by my first anniversary. Then just keep on losing until I reach goal. My band works well for me. Thanks.

Hello, I wondered about these two procedures also. I ended up getting banded back in February of 2011. For me I realized I could lose weight well enough with the band and I liked that I needed to check in more often with the doctor to get fills, etc. Being held accountable to someone whomever it is, for me is important, so having to check in with my doctor helps me. I've lost over 80 pounds so far and hope to lose 20 more by my 1 year anniversary, Feb. 7th. Banding has worked well for me, I've had no problems and I have been able to lose a lot of weight with the band. I also had a sweet tooth before banding and was told banding might not work as well because of that, but it has worked wonderfully for me. People lose a lot of weight with the band. For me, I consider my band my best friend because it helps me know what foods are good for me and which foods aren't so good for me. My band helps me make better food choices, healthier food choices and helps me not overeat. All the things I always wished I could do on my own, but never could. I no longer have high blood pressure, I can keep up with others better, I am more active, I am less self conscious, I feel normal in my every day life. I can buckle seat belts and fit into booths easily. I no longer worry about being able to fit into seats. My joints don't hurt much at all unless I walk for hours and hours, then I might feel a pinch, I don't have to take any Advil and before banding I was taking 8 Advil a day and taking more to sleep. I have had many health improvements so far and I will continue to feel better as I keep losing more weight. I can walk up a flight of stairs now without heavy breathing. With the band, I lead a normal life with food. I no longer obsess and I don't feel cheated or deprived beause I feel my band protects me from food dangers. I didn't use to be able to control any of my overeating, but now with the help of my band, checking in often with my doctors, being accountable to others, I manage my food rather well. I'm proud of myself for getting banded because it was a huge decision for me. It's definitely not the easy way out. For me, banding was the best decision I ever made. I have no regrets. Thanks.

Yes, seems like tiny meals, protein shakes and such are what works. I started making my own fruit smoothies so I could get more fiber, but I think they might be too caloric. I'm now making them smaller, so will see if I can keep having them. Main thing is to keep losing. One thing I sure notice is how quickly I feel full. And, how much of my appetite is gone. Don't know why, but I'm glad. Love my band!

Hi there. I always thought I had restriction until I truly had restriction. I got 2cc fill then another 2cc fill. Then a 3cc fill then 1 cc fill to now total 8ccs. @ 4cc I felt restriction, but not the same as 7cc. Then @ 8 cc I learned another level of restriction. I like where I am now. In the beginning I lost due mainly to compliance. I did what I was told,. But now I have true restriction which tells me what I can eat and how much. I don't have to focus a lot on my eating as the band keeps me in check. Plenty of Protein, fruits.....and I'm not hungry for hours.

My doctor wants me only eating 1/2 cup of food at a time. I drink protein shakes, eat greek yogurt, make fruit smoothies with protein powders. Love chili & cheese. Love not having to diet. Lost 75 so far. Very happy.

Keep sharing! Love what all you are saying! Exactly same place. My band is my best friend now and keeps me in line. I don't deprive either, why should I? Losing weight.....no high blood pressure, no reflux anymore, joint pain practically gone. Its been amazing to me having the band. I eat very tiny and more often. I drink premiere shakes, smoothies, greek yogurt......60 grams protein....and lots of fruits. I also eat cake. Lol........my band is the best thing I've ever done.

Enjoy reading your comment and relate. I walk around too and I forget about the food & then I notic all went down. I have to eat tiny bites and eat slowly. I have no choice. I'm ok with it because it works for me. When I eat out I usually order soup because I can relax, enjoy company and not worry about my eating. Its just easier.

Thanks, I am the same way. I like a tight fill and also eat very tiny meals. I lose weight & don't diet or have to go crazy with exercise. I eat what I want but very tiny bites and not much of it at a time. I also need a tight band. Maybe later on I won't, but I may always need it tight and that's okay. I don't mind it at all compared to crazy dieting/struggling before banding. I have found eating this way much easier.

I have an 11 cc Realize band. At 7cc I felt 'real' restriction tho I did lose weight before then. I just had another fill this week of 1cc, so now @ 8cc I think I'm at my 'sweet spot'. I always thought I had restriction, but I really didn't have much before I reached 7cc. I lost weight before due to me really trying to comply. I've had 5 fills total. No problems. Love my band.

Relate to your comments. My Dr is the same. Its been a team effort since I got banded. Its been great getting fills that I know I've needed. Love my Dr too!

I didn't get 'real' restriction until 7cc's. I made good choices before that just because I wanted to be compliant. I did have some, but @ 7cc's I realized the difference. 4cc wouldn't do it for me. I always had weight loss and my Dr. Still gave me fills because most patients go up to 7 or 8cc's eventually. I have an 11cc realize band & 8cc's is feeling great for me. Keep up the protein and you won't be as hungry. I still drink protein shakes along with food. Good luck!

My card I got from my Realize Band surgeon's office saying I had weight loss surgery and to allow me to eat from a childrens menu which I've done many times. I order fish usually. Its the smallest portion. That was @ IHOP. No restaurant has ever given me any problems. A buffet is not anything I can do anymore. I can't eat that much and enjoy it anymore. Buffets don't work for me anymore. Children's menu portions are the right size and if I want something like mac n cheese on occasion, its not a huge deal.

Glad you shared. If I didn't have restriction I wouldn't lose. I have restriction now and I get full. If I eat too much it hurts. If I don't comply with how to eat, foods get stuck. I never could keep weight off with just diiet and exercise. I needed the band to help me shut my food nightmare down. Restriction is what helps me pretend to be a nornal type eater. Without the band for me, I'm a continous eater. I've been in therapy for food issues for years and nothing got me to calm down about food like the band has. Restriction changed it all for me. Otherwise, I would never stop eating. For me, I couldn't calm down by myself. The bamd is my internal 'good mother' who says stop. Getting to the root of overeatinng never made me stop. I could understand everything and not stop. My band finally put a cork in my bottle....food. good luck and you're not alone.

Popcorn goes down fine, but watch out for any kernels not popped. Swallow a hard kernel and it may mean trouble. Same for chewing gum. Don't swallow it. I eat popcorn sometimes, but for some reason now its not a food I get excited about anymore and I can't eat much of it because now I get full. Its a treat I guess, now.

I like Premiere shakes from Costco. 30 grams protein I think. I usually get chocolate, but vanilla I like too. Muscle Milk I didn't like. I also use protein powder from my Dr that mixes with anything. I add it to regular milk sometimes. I have a shake in between meals sometimes for a snack or for a quick meal. With kiids and busy, I don't always have time to sit and chew for a long time. I keep those shakes around all the time to make sure I get adequate protein esp on busy days. Thanks.

I'm at 7cc and the Dr said a lot of banders are happy at 7cc to 8cc in an 11cc band. I asked because I wondered. My restriction is good, but as I lose I think I need a little more fill. I read where it gets loose again with less fat arund it? Something like that.

7cc is where I finally felt restriction. Have enjoyed being at that level. Lost weight and now think I might need a little more fill next time. My band sure helps me. Just can't really overeat and its not anything I have to think about. It just happens. Love my band. Restriction is great when you reach it.

Your fills sound like mine. Quick and to the point. Don't think it should be so much. My insurance paid for first 2 fills, then one fill every six months. If I get one before the six months I pay 150. I paid 1,000 for my surgery out of pocket. Banding hasn't cost me that much yet. My Dr is in network.

I wouldn't want it all taken out. And, my second fill I felt similar for a few days then it got better. I can eat most foods if I eat slow enough, take small bites and don't drink. I think the body has to adjust to these fills slowly. I was on liquids for like 3 days, but then it got better so I could eat. My second fill I finally felt like I understood proper restriction and how I was suppose to comply to the eating rules. It does work.

P. S. I've lost 65 pounds and feel like I might need a fill next Dr. Visit. I've been doing well and want to keep at it. Banded Feb 7, 2011. Dr has me drink a glass of water. So far all is great.

Not sure when you wrote this, but wanted to say that my Dr. Did a 4cc fill the first fill then a 3cc fill second fill. I've not needed more fills. It wasn't an issue because I could tolerate that much. I live in California, but wanted you to know Dr did those amounts for me.

Wish I lived in Boston........I am just now 5 1/2 months out. Maybe in So Ca sometime............?

Hello! I was banded Feb. 7th, 2011. I've loved having my band! I've lost 55 pounds so far. Another 5 and I will be below 250 for the first time in many years! Can't wait to be below 200! I will really Celebrate that one! Wow! My osteoarthritis is better, my breathing is better, my asthma is much better, and soon hopefully I will be able to get rid of my Cpap. I can do so much more already and actually go swimming in a suit now. I went with some friends for a weekend getaway and put on a swimsuit. It was so fun being able to participate. As I lose the rest of my excess weight everything will just improve or completely go away. I know that now. I forgot how much of a drain all the extra weight makes on a body. Denial, I guess. I love that food is no longer an option really in that I have good restriction and aim to get my Proteins in before anything else. I'm going through a divorce right now and this would have been a time when I would really overeat, but because of the band, I can't. I don't have to eat through my divorce. It's wonderful! Very grateful for my band and have had no problems so far. I wish I could have been ready to get the band years ago, but at least I did get it put in this year. I don't feel hungry very often either, which when I dieted I was always white knuckling. I can take long walks now too.........swim.......bike ride..........it's a good summer this year! Thanks.

I had a third fill which made 7ccs in my band. For a long time I had great restriction, but now it seems like I can eat more different foods. I'm thinking the 20 pounds I lost after the 3rd fill may have caused my band to be less tight. I'm having to watch what I eat now to not gain until I can have a 4th fill in July. It was perfect restriction.....phooey!

Its interesting how we sometimes have a distorted body image. Thinking 145 was big.........I did that too. I didn't know at the time that it was "enough". Acceptance is so important.