Lisa65

I have found what helps me most - if done regularly - is taking the Pearl pills. They are acidophillus/probiotics (like what is in Activia yogurt), which is basically just the healthy gut bacteria that everyone needs to keep things moving. They help keep the system in balance. They do NOT have laxative effects but if taken regularly, you will go on a regular basis. I've had slow movement my whole life (even pre-band) and they help me a lot.

They can be found at most drugstores or supermarkets. They come in a bright royal blue box. They are tiny little pills that really look like small pearls. They are super easy to swallow (even though I have trouble with most any pill) and they are not the least bit harsh on your system. They come in regular and "IC" (Intensive care or control) which is 3X stronger than the regular. I really think you should give these a chance. Perhaps do the natural cleanse, then start taking them - they should keep you going once you clear out the backup.

Hope it helps!

Lisa

I am still alive! And trust me, that is saying something. I was Banded March 2007, I was going to go for the RNY but changed my mind. I am so grateful that I did. April 6, 2009 I was diagnosed with Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Stage 3 A. Being able to be unfilled and able to take the meds that I needed, not to mention being able to eat what I could is what kept me alive. Granted, I put on 50 lbs during chemo and radiation. Some from food choices, but most was from going totally inactive. My oncologist tells me that it is going to be a long haul to get back to normal. I have not given up and I keep trying every day. One day I will be back to my old active self. I have started to get filled again and I have lost about 15 of the 50 that I put on. Since I am missing most of my lung, walking is about the only exercise I can do, so it is a good thing I love it so much. Hoping this spring/summer will see me back to at least 75-80% normal. I do believe in my heart and soul that if I would have gotten the RNY, I would not be here today. I was given less than a 15% chance of making it and this April will be my 2 year anniversary for kicking cancers ass!! So all is good in my world. Think when I get off here, I am going to make an appointment for a fill.

My favorite quote is - Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.”

So have courage and never give up!!

Brightest of blessings,

Barb,

Your post has inspired me. I am SO happy for you that things are going so much better and congratulations on nearing the 2 year mark. That is SO awesome. I just had to say hello and that I appreciate your post. I also love your quote.

Lisa

GREAT advice Birinak! Super post.

I agree with the last couple posters - you have lots of room left in your band - don't give up yet! I had to practically max out my 9cc band, even a tad over (Doc got manufacturer's approval, since some cc's are in the tubing etc and not all in the band, plus they are designed to hold a tad more than the "label" says). I was SURE that it was going to max out and I still wouldn't have restriction. My doc reassured me, "Oh, we will get you restricted, don't worry." Alas, he was right, it just took me longer than most. Anyway, it's very possible that you just don't have enough fill yet. It took me over 6 months to reach good restriction.

You are doing wonderfully by following all the rules, and I sincerely applaud you for that! Keep it up, but also stay in touch with your doc and follow up on those fills. You won't regret it, I pretty much promise you. By the time you would have normally gotten tired of "dieting" and be ready to fall off the wagon, you will likely reach good restriction and it will help you to continue with the healthy plan you've started - without the hunger. I know it's tough and frustrating. Hang in there - we are all here to help while you wait for restriction.

Lisa

I'm certainly no expert as I have been struggling lately myself and not losing in spite of trying, so please take this in the context it is intended - as a suggestion in hopes of helping someone. Something struck me while reading the posts in this thread. To a person, almost everyone states that they can't eat ANYTHING until very late in the day. I think some morning tightness is normal with the band, but if you can't eat all day, is it possible you are all too tight? Bear with me here...

If you had less restriction during the day, you would be able to eat solid Protein in small amounts several times during the day, and I'm guessing this would go a very LONG way toward stopping the insatiable hunger in the evenings. Your body can not go without sustenance all day and not be clammoring for food once that band loosens to the point of allowing any to pass.

I have read many posts where people stated that once they had some of that fill removed, they actually preferred eating solid Proteins and veggies and were able to eat small portions and be satisfied. If you aren't losing anyway, what have you got to lose (besides your frustration) by getting a bit of an unfill and see if it helps you to eat more balanced meals throughout the day?

Just a thought....

Lisa

Ok, I'm back looking for more support. No activity in a while. How are we all doing? I'm chugging along, but not really making much progress.

I got a fill last month. I extended my schedule of getting back to regular foods in the hopes of breaking some bad habits. In other words, instead of 1 day of liquids, one of mushy, etc, I did a couple days of each step. I told myself all along that this fill would be the perfect one for me and by the time I got to regular food I would be very satisfied with 1/2C of food. I was, believe it or not!

I lost 4# the first week (not unusual for me as I tend to hold Water weight and drop quickly when I cut back a lot). Then the 2nd week, was still eating the same and lost nothing. Again, not unusual for me as I tend to do that too - my body takes a bit to catch up to the week before.

My problem is that the week with no loss even though I was eating tiny amounts of good food wreaks havoc on my motivation. It shouldn't, I know this, but it does. So I susconsciously started letting myself eat a little more, a "bite of something sweet" after a meal, etc. So therefore I haven't lost any more since. I've also had trouble getting back into the groove of working out at Curves. I used to really enjoy it, now I'm struggling to want to go.

I guess I'm just looking for some moral support, to know I'm not alone on this journey, and a little pep talk/kick in the pants - whatever you feel like dishing out, I'm ready for it. :-)

I'll do the same for you!

Lisa

Name*********Starting****Current******Goal******ToGo

Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97

Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60

Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84

Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66

Band_Groupie........172.5.............161.5..........158-148........3.5-13.5

BetsyB.................226.6.............215.2.........109...... ......106.2

BobbieND..............224................212...........150..... .......62

Bree99.................259................259...........155..... .......104

Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48

Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27

crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37

Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69

daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74

destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5

Diamondgirl81........317...............317.............250............ 67

ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5

HummingBird..........204...............193............150........ ...43

jenibeni.................224...............212............165....... ....47

Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... ......102

KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90

kyleegirl01.............211................209.............160...... .....49

Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95

Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... ......20!:thumbdown:

Liz........................193.4............193.4...........155...... ......39.4

lotzasunshine.........247...............245..............175........ ...70

newdicarlo.............187...............177..............135...... . ...42

Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... ..90

ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40

RandaPanda...........194...............183..............150........ ....33

RAYNE913.............234...............234..............160........ ....74

RobinAnn.............232.4...............224..............160........ ....64

scoutmama...........270...............270..............180........ ....90

shadst8................333...............317..............217........ ....100 :thumbdown:

skinny31................261...............258..............185..... .......73

SNDYCNRD.............207...............199.5............150..........49.5

sueinne.................220................220.............180.... ........40

Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44

TARASGIRL.............305...............294..............225....... ......69

tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96

Teacher2010..........192...............183...............150...... . ....33

Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139

TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62

TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94

unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97

Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40

Name***********Starting****Current******Goal******ToGo

Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97

Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60

Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84

Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66

Band_Groupie........172.5.............163..........158-148........5-15

BetsyB.................226.6.............215.2.........109...... ......106.2

BobbieND..............224................216.5.........150..... .......66

Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48

Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27

crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37

Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69

daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74

destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5

Diamondgirl81........317...............317.............250............ 67

ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5

HummingBird..........204...............193.............150........ ...43

jenibeni.................224...............221.5..........165....... ....57.5

Jennih...................232................232............130.... ......102

KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90

kyleegirl01.............211................211.............160...... .....51

Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95

Lisa65...................174.5............167..............145..... ......22

Liz........................193.4............193.4...........155...... ......39.4

lotzasunshine.........247...............245..............175........ ...70

newdicarlo.............187...............180..............135...... . ...45

Northernmist..........289...............279..............175.......... .104

ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40

RandaPanda...........194...............184..............150........ ....34

scoutmama............270...............270..............180........ ....90

skinny31................261...............258..............185..... .......73

SNDYCNRD.............207...............202..............150......... ...52

sueinne..................220................220.............180.... .......40

Tabithan...............244...............234...............190....... .....44

TARASGIRL.............305...............294............225....... .......69

tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96

TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62

TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94

unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97

Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40

Updating my weight...

Name***********Starting****Current******Goal******ToGo

Astrasmom.............254...............254...........170..............84

Babe......................265...............265...........199.... .........66

Band_Groupie........172.5...........169.5..........158..............11 .5

BetsyB..................226.6.............226.6.........109...... .......117.6

BobbieND..............224...............221.6.............175..... ........49

Brigette.................198...............198.............150.... ........48

crzytchr.................217...............217..............180.... ... ....37

DANA36.................233...............233..............160...... .....73

destined4thinness...215.5.............215.5..........150.............6 5.5

ericanda1973..........198.5............198.5...........130......... ...68.5

HummingBird..........204...............202..............150........ ....52

jenibeni.................224...............221.5..............165....... .......57.5

Jennih...................232................232..............130.... .......102

KDEE....................240................240...............150...... ......90

Lisa65...................174.5............168................145..... ......23

lotzasunshine.........247...............246.2.............175........ ...71.2

newdicarlo.............187...............187................135...... . ...52

ol55andahalf........184.................184................144........ .....40

RandaPanda...........194...............191................150........ ....41

scoutmama............270................270...............180........ ....90

SNDYCNRD.............207...............207................140......... ...67

TARASGIRL.............305...............302................225........ ....77

TeriLu....................215...............215................150.. .... ......65

TIGGER71G.............224...............224................130....... ......94

Tabithan..............244...............234................190....... ......44

Or just simply say, "Maybe I'll adjust my goal once I get closer - who knows?!" - and then FORGET they ever said anything - and keep doing what you're doing!

It IS between you and your doctor - no one else. And it IS easy to become complacent when you hear it too often. So just maybe, if you pass it off with a positive "time will tell" attitude, they will come to realize that YOU are making your decision and it's not their place to influence it. Good luck!

Lisa6 (I thought this was an error, as my username is Lisa65!) ...

I have the Realize band - got it in April 08. I had to get to either 9.4 or 9.6 (I can't remember which now) to really feel much restriction at all. It's been good and I've been at that amount for over a year. I'm thinking now that I might need a TINY bit more, but when they went over the 9cc, my doctor called the manufacturer and was assured it was safe to do so - that some of the Fluid they put in is in the tubing etc and there is also some builtin "leeway". I think it really is an issue with the Realize (low pressure) band- that it has to get near (or over in some cases) to really offer restriction.

I definitely belong to this "group" also! Here's my story...

I was banded in April 08 and lost about 80# in the first 6 months - most of that due to following the band "diet" without REAL restriction (it took me to 9+cc in a Realize Band to really get pretty decent restriction) I was determined to do this so I stuck to the plan, as hard as it was. Thank goodness, about the time I would normally have fallen off the plan and gained it all back, the band kicked in and was there for me. Since that time (for well over a year) I have been up and down within the same 5 or 6 pound range.

Much of this was due to my complacency and not because I didn't have restriction. I could eat right with treats here and there and maintain, so I was allowing myself some leeway because I was feeling pretty good about myself even though I was still about 25# from my goal. I haven't checked in with my dr since last April - in spite of 2 years of free follow up care.

Then the recent holiday came and I went back to my old habits of eating junk through the holidays and thinking I'll get back on plan in January - which means I tacked on a few extra pounds. Well, January is here and I am once again determined - but struggling to get on track.

I want to not only lose the extra but to break through this LONG plateau and reach my goal. After reading several posts on LBT, I'm thinking I might need a tiny fill to really get the perfect restriction, so I think I'm going to call my dr. and make an appt.

I would love everyone's support and I'm certainly willing to offer much of the same!

Thanks,

Lisa

I was banded in April of 08 and it took many several months (probably 6 or more) to get good restriction. I have the Realize Band and was honestly worried as I neared "max capacity" and still had no restriction. My doctor assured me that I would get it - and I did. I had to get more than the max (can't remember if it's 9.4 or 9.6cc) before I was at my sweet spot. By the way, the Dr. called the manufacturer to make sure this was ok and they assured him there is some leeway there because the tube and port hold some, so the band itself really doesn't have more than the maximum amount in it.

Bottom line - it WILL come- keep the faith. I know how you feel as I was in the same situation, but keep the faith. The problem is in eating right until you get it. Because you CAN eat anything doesn't mean that you SHOULD. It really is about doing your absolute best to stick to a "diet" (bad word, I know) until you get restriction. The beauty of the band is this - you will eventually get that restriction, so if you can just stick it out, you will never have that rebound weight gain from going "off the diet". The band will help you immensely to do what you are now doing all alone.

But it's SO worth it - hang in there! And feel free to ask for the support you need- that's what this site is all about. Good luck!

Lisa

Weird, but pills seem to be the one thing I have the most trouble with. I've been at good restriction for many months now. I can eat bread (which many can't) but pills just seem to get stuck and hurt like all heck until they finally pass. I have sworn off some OTC ones that I can't split - others I have to either split, ask for liquid, or do without. I recently had to take Augmentin - a HUGE antibiotic pill. They assured me they were scored so could be cut in half. Well, half was still way too big so I had to try to cut them into smaller pieces, at which point they usually crumbled - talk about nasty! Next time I WILL be making sure I get liquid!

Apparently different things bother different people, so I say as long as they don't hurt going down you are probably fine. If you reach the point of needing to change the form, you'll know it! Good luck!

Name***********Starting******Current********Goal******ToGo Astrasmom.............254...............254.................170............84

Babe.....................265...............265.................199.... .........66

BetsyB..................226.6.............226.6..............109...... .......117.6

Brigette.................198...............198.................150.... .........48

crzytchr.................217...............217.................180.... ... ......37

DANA36.................233...............233.................160...... .......73

ericanda1973..........198.5............198.5..............130......... .....68.5

HummingBird..........204...............204.................150........ .....54

Jennih...................232................232................130.... .........102

lotzasunshine.........247...............246.4..............175........ ......71.4

newdicarlo.............187...............187.................135...... . ......52

RandaPanda...........194...............194.................150........ ......44

scoutmama............270................270................180........ ......90

SNDYCNRD.............207...............207................140......... ......67

TARASGIRL.............305...............305................225........ .......80

TeriLu....................250...............215..................150..... .......65

TIGGER71G.............224...............224.................130....... ......94

Lisa65...................174.5............174.5...............145.................29.5

I've been banded since April 08 and have become complacent and never managed to lose the last 25# - plus now I've tacked on a few thru the holidays. I'm ready to FINISH this thing. Here's to US! ....Lisa

Hi everyone. I don't post often because I just don't have much time to spend on my computer it seems. I do check in when I get a chance to see how everyone is doing. This thread was a HUGE incentive to me when I was considering the band and in my early months. KUDOS to everyone on here - you all are amazing!

Yesterday was my 1 year bandiversary so I figured it was time to finally post my own before and after photos. I've officially lost 84.5# (including my 2 week pre-op diet). Even though I've been somewhat stagnant for the last few months and still have about 25# to lose, when I look at these side by side, I feel pretty good about myself and all I've accomplished so far. Here we go...

Lisa

I'm a patient of Dr. C, who no longer takes insurance. I'm having complications and really need help. Who are Docs in Cincinnati who do lap band surgery. Dr. Rodriguez refuses to take me. Anyone know anyone else?

Please help.

You might try here...

Click here: Cincinnati Weight Loss Center :: Home

I do not know anyone who goes here so I can't give a personal reference, but thought it might be a suggestion for you. I'm actually a patient of Dr. C myself. Good luck.

Lisa

Well, I am pretty sure I not your normal fill patient. I have a 4cc band and yesterday got a fill that put me at 4.75cc. It wasn't until I got to 4.5 that I felt 'good' restriction. It has taken me a long time to lose weight but I hadn't been giving it my 100%...

I just found out from my Doc yesterday that I have free fills for 2 years not the typical 1. YeeHaa! That was good news.

Is anyone else out there filled to the brim like me?

As of yesterday, I am at 9.4cc in a Realize 9cc band. Before that, I had only the slightest indication of any restriction. I had liquids all day yesterday and I'm on purees today. I only had some pureed chili for lunch and took tiny bites, so I reallyd don't know how this fill is going to affect me either. I'm certainly hoping I feel good restriction, or I'm not sure where I'll go from here.

Just wanted you to know you aren't the only one! I thought I was, and I'm glad to know I'm not. :-)

Lisa

Thanks to all who have answered so far. It's great to have people like all of you to turn to. I appreciate your words of wisdom.

Nancy and Illinois - my heart also breaks for both of you. I know it's so hard to deal with loss like that at a time that you are already weak and stressed. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. I hope you are both able to be strong and learn great lessons through all this. And again, I appreciate you sharing that wisdom with those of us who need it.

Best of luck with your band, and please do keep us posted.

Lisa

Actually, you sound like the poster child for a very good band patient. Your surgeon must be proud. The fact you're losing weight, is a good indicator that the band IS doing it's job. The fact that you are doing everything right, despite very small set-backs, and you're not PB'ing, sliming (ew), means that you are doing everything right! Just because you're chewing your food well the way you're suppose to and not having all the problems others have experienced doesn't mean you are not experiencing restriction. You have what I call FILL-power. You're getting your fills, but using will power at the same time. You're working with your band and you are losig. Don't worry! You're doing a great job, in my opinion!! I hope this helped.

DesertRose,

Thank you so much for the compliments. I truly appreciate them. I have worked hard and I'm proud of myself for getting where I am at this point.

I guess my fear comes into play for 2 reasons:

1 - I've been able to lose weight in the past. My problem is in keeping it off, or maintaining my "new way of eating". Granted, I've lost more so far than I've been able to lose on a diet ever, but the fear is still there - what if I get to the point of falling off the wagon like I have in the past and I really do not have true restriction to help me?

2 - my band is nearing full capacity. I still have 50# to go. Will I max out my band and not be able to maintain restriction as I try to reach and maintain my goal?

This is why I'm so concerned about if I really AM feeling good restriction. I'm afraid if this is not it, I might lose the willpower I currently have and be left with nothing to help me. I guess I think if what I'm feeling now IS good restriction, then maybe I CAN keep the momentum I currently have and actually make it to my goal. Does that even make sense?

Lisa

I am wondering if I can get some feedback from experienced bandsters about the feelings of being at an optimal fill level - or the old proverbial "sweet spot".

I had surgery on April 29th and I went for my 4th fill last Wednesday. I now have 8.4cc in a 9cc Realize band. The nurse who did the fill said he thinks I'll be at good restriction now, and I don't have to go back for 2 months. Of course, if I feel like I need to, I'll be back in a month instead! I just really am not sure.

I know I have some restriction. If I make myself eat small amounts, I will be okay (not too hungry) until time to eat again. However, either I have not experienced, or I still haven't learned to recognize, any sign that says "stop eating now, you are satisfied" or "your pouch is full" or "DO NOT SWALLOW ANOTHER BITE" like some people say they get. I still don't have any issues with any certain foods going down, but I have been chewing really well. There have been a couple of times that I experienced pain in my chest for just a minute or so after swallowing something. I'm guessing it was too big a bite or I ate too fast without chewing properly. This is the first and only physical sign I have had that proves to me I'm even banded. I guess maybe it just takes some time to recognize the feelings and signals to stop eating.

I'm a little afraid that they tried to tell me I would be at a good level of restriction just because I'm getting so close to having my band full. And maybe I am - who knows? If I only eat a little, I am ok (not hungry) for quite a while - plenty long enough to eat 5 times a day like they say. But if I am supposed to feel satisfied or a new kind of "full" at 1/2-3/4 cup of food, it hasn't happened yet.

I'm looking for some help from all of you to know what signals to be looking for to know if my restriction is good, or if maybe I'm close but just not quite there? I have never had a PB or slimed or anything. I am grateful for that and would be happy to never have to experience either one. However, I feel like there have been times that I have eaten too fast or too big a bites (not intentionally) and if I were at the right level, I would be getting these obvious reminders to do better. Am I wrong?

One of my concerns is that I don't want to wait 2 months to go back if I know I still need another little tweak. And if I need to go back at the 1 month mark, I probably need to call them NOW to get on the schedule!

I have to add - I have done extremely well with my weight loss and I'm very happy with my progress. I am not complaining in that department at all. However, it's been because I have followed all the band rules and eaten small portions and healthy choices - for the most part, no one is perfect - and not necessarily because I've gotten any help from the band until very recently maybe. I'm just ready for the band to do the job I got it to do!

Thanks for your help!

Lisa

Thanks, Lisa, for the heads up on the band pressure. I'll update here after my doctor appointment and let you all know how it goes.

I live in Alexandria, KY, about 15 miles south of Cincinnati. Looks like we not too far apart.

Jan

I guess we are pretty close! I'm in Oxford, OH (home of Miami University). I'm about 40 miles north of the city of Cincinnati, but Dr. Curry's office is north of there, so I'm closer to him than I am downtown. I consider myself lucky. I think he really is an awesome doctor, and his office staff are all wonderful. I've had nothing but good experiences with them.

Lisa

I'm so glad to hear that! I was told yesterday that they think this one will do me good and for a while so I didn't need to come back for 2 months. I was a little worried about that, in case I need another fill in a month. But if what you say it true, and what THEY say is true - maybe I'm finally at my sweet spot and will stay there for a while! I'll probably figure it out pretty soon when I start eating after my day of fluids and day of puree... :smile2:

Hey Lisa - I see Dr. Curry did your surgery. Do you live in the Cincinnati area?

I have 7.3 in my Realize band, with 7 . . . count 'em, 7 . . . fills. I'm going for my 8th fill tomorrow and my doctor is going to remove the Fluid first to see how much is really in there. (He doesn't typically do that, but I pressed the issue.) I haven't felt much restriction either. I've lost 27 pounds since my surgery 4 months ago. But the "work" of dieting is harder than I'd like. I want my band to be more involved!

I think we all need to hang in there :smile2:

Jan

Jan,

I live about 45 minutes north of Dr. Curry's office. As for them drawing out the fluid, just want to let you know. I asked Dr. Curry about that at my 3rd fill. He said that the Realize band is a much lower pressure band so when they do that, it never draws out all of the fluid. He said with the old style of Lap Bands, you would put the needle in and the saline would literally squirt out! But the newer ones are lower pressure, so you really don't draw out all of what is in there. At the time I was supposed to be at 7cc, and he went ahead and drew out what he could and got 6cc, and he said that was about right. It was enough to show him I didn't have a leak or anything, because probably about 1cc would stay in the band and not be drawn out. Just wanted to let you know that so you won't be freaked if they don't get as much out as you think you have in there.

On that same visit, he gave me another cc which put me to 8cc. That was the first time I felt restriction. It was definitely not my sweet spot, but I could tell I had some. Then yesterday, they gave me .4cc more, and the male nurse who did it said he really thinks I will be good this time. I hope he's right! I'm with you, I can diet - Lord knows I've done it enough in the past! - my problem is sticking with it for the long haul, so I am/was more than ready to have some help from the band. After all, that's why we got these things, right???

Lisa

I'm so glad to read this thread! I was concerned because until today, I had 8cc in my Realize band, and only felt minimal restriction. I went today and they did a barium swallow to make sure everything looked okay and to see how fast the barium went through the band, then gave me .4cc and said they believe that will really give me restriction. Of course I'm on Clear Liquids for tonight so no real test, but when I swallowed the Water there, it felt like air went down with it. The guy who gave my fill said, "Yeah, I believe you'll have restriction now! So be careful."

I've heard that the Realize band is a lower pressure band, so I'm wondering if it just needs to get fuller than the others to really put much pressure on the stomach. This was my 4th fill, and I'm hoping for great things now. I've lost 55# since April, but it's basically been by conscious choices and small portions, not because I had a lot of help from the band...yet. I'm hoping I will now and it will help with the 2nd half of what I have to lose. Good luck to all.

Lisa