bubbs

Thank you that's really helpful - this week has been better since I cut carbs not so hungry or bothered by food I think carbs are my demon soon as I eat them I just want to eat all day! Thanks again won't give up!!

Bubbs - I think cutting carbs is an excellent idea. I myself notice that when I keep them to a minimum, I don't get as hungry, and I lose more weight. If I eat one egg and a slice of toast, I'm hungrier a lot sooner than if I eat just two eggs. Carbs have their place, but it's much better to stick with the "good carbs", in very very small portions. Protein is the key with the band, and sticking to that with maybe a little bit of veggies, you might find a better sense of satiety.
Keep your chin up! You can do this!! I wish the band could make us stop eating, too. But the signals can be very subtile. But I really think that once you're at the right restriction, and stick to mainly dense Protein meals, you will notice a difference.

Bubbs, it could well be that you havent reached the right restriction yet, something that we used to refer to as the "sweet spot". It depends on what types of food you are eating. If you are eating lots of slider foods, chips, chocolate, ice cream - even normal food with a lot of sauce on them - then you will be able to eat a lot more than you should because they just slide past the band - hence the term slider foods.
I actually disagree with the other posters, I have had my band for nearly 5 years now and even now if I ignore the warning signs and try to wolf down that extra 1/2 a plate full I will throw it back up again. That isnt because my band isnt working its because it is! I call it my choke chain - it yanks me back when I get greedy.
The best tip that I can give you is to eat your food dry. By all means have chicken and veg - but you cant have mash because that sliiiiides down too easily - but you have to have the chicken dry, no gravy or mayo or anything else that will turn it into a Soup in your mouth. I ate a lot of salmon mashed up with a smidge of mayo that I spread onto ryvitas ( dont know if you have those in the states) loads of chicken and fish and flavoured rice - but I never allowed myself a sauce.
If after doing that you can still eat whatever you want, you need a fill!
You should not be able to eat a 12" sub when you have a band - I know, I tried and it did not go well for me! When I could eat a 12" sub my doctor told me I needed a fill, the whole point is, as you rightly said, that it RESTRICTS the amount you can eat.
I also had no restriction at around 7 but reached my sweet spot at 8.5. The band is a tool that if you use it correctly will enable you to no longer worry about food, if you cheat constantly, it wont work.

With my first band it took me 8.5cc in a 10cc band to get good restriction. Like you, I didn't even feel it until I got to about 7cc. Like you, I'd feel it for a few days then the swelling from the fill would settle and it would disappear.
All it means is you're not yet at your green zone. Get more fills.
Now to add to what Missy said, when I'm in the green zone, I actually FEEL like I can't eat anymore once I've eaten a little bit of food. I'm right now sitting in front of a plate of food and I've had 3 bites and feel no desire to eat anymore because I feel like I can't take another bite. That's what you're striving for when getting the right restriction, imo. Satiety. Satisfaction. But you can push past that feeling and keep going if you really wanted to, risking stretching your pouch and over-eating. That's where your band stops and where YOU kick in, to ensure you keep to band-sized meals. But with the right restriction, you shouldn't be hungry for a long while even after eating that little.

Yeah I was surprised especially as I paid private I said don't u check it she said I don't need to I can feel it!

Hi can anyone help I was banded end of jan and not lost anything!!! the weight i lost was post op and it allwent back on soon as i started eating normally after the liquid stage i am gutted but think I'm relying on band to work some miracle!! Had two fills and last one for first few weeks I had few stuck episodes and couldn't eat some stuff, however over month later I can now eat whatever and it doesn't get stuck? Is that normal or have I stretched it?! Going for another next weekend just stressed out and gutted I thought this was my answer but now not so sure thanks x

Marfar7 thanks you have made me feel better! Was banded jan 25th not lost one pound since then the weight I lost on liquid stage has gone back on and I can eat anything and I don't feel any different, I know I'm eating too much but its because I can and in hungry a lot still! Had one fi and hoped this would help but it hasn't so your post has given me some faith!! Thanks was feeling really down all this week that it wasn't going to work for me x

Your right thanks I just read on few other threads people recommending going on liquids when they have over eaten but your right will probably trigger a binge mode with me especially when my hunger has returned!! Eurgh Im never doing that again!

Thanks I do feel stupid I ate like I used too just didn't think and it feels like I ate three Christmas dinners its horrible! It's midnight where I am so might got for walk round the house thanks I hope I've not stretched my pouch doing this!! Maybe few days of liquids?

Thanks everyone was just confused how by having a fill it would help me lose weight if I'm on same calories anyway! Will try your suggestions thanks so much x

Omg I'm same hiccups are awful I thought sneezing was bad but keep having hiccups its horrible!! Lol the more u want them to stop though the more they carry on

Hi was banded two weeks ago and since then I have lost my appetite completely! Never thought id say that!! Know this is kind of the idea and not complaining but is this normal before a fill? I can drink liquids fine and having Soups etc but just not interested in anything! I'm only having it as I need the calories! I was expecting to be a bit hungry by now as my pain has gone has anyone else found this? Going for band assessment in 3 weeks I'm assuming I don't need a fill then?! Happy but baffled lol

Hi was banded two weeks ago and since then I have lost my appetite completely! Never thought id say that!! Know this is kind of the idea and not complaining but is this normal before a fill? I can drink liquids fine and having Soups etc but just not interested in anything! I'm only having it as I need the calories! I was expecting to be a bit hungry by now as my pain has gone has anyone else found this? Going for band assessment in 3 weeks I'm assuming I don't need a fill then?! Happy but baffled lol

Omg I'm same hiccups are awful I thought sneezing was bad but keep having hiccups its horrible!! Lol the more u want them to stop though the more they carry on

I'm confused now my surgeon told me u do get restriction so u physically can't over eat it may take a while to get to that as they do fills by stages but I can't understand why people are telling her you don't get restriction when u clearly do? Some people can't eat certain food that's nothing to do with head hunger is it that's restriction? Sorry but that article makes no sense to me!!

Hi everyone I go in for mine on 26th bit nervous but praying this works for me! Be lovely to have some people to share experiences with!

Hi everyone I go in for mine on 26th bit nervous but praying this works for me! Be lovely to have some people to share experiences with!