elcee

Basically it means that you are able to eat less than before the fill and should not be hungry for a couple of hours. Once you have some restriction you will find that you have to take small bites, chew lots, wait between bites because if you don't the food can cause problems and may even get stuck.Some people find that there are certain foods that they can no longer eat. bread is one that a lot of people find difficult.
You have to relearn how to eat and what suits you and what doesn't.
It is possible to feel some restriction before a fill . Just the band being placed does make a difference to when you were preband. Also some Dr's put some fill in the band whilst you are in surgery.
The restriction does ease off after a while and then you simply go to the Dr and get another fill.
Each fill should make some difference.
What you shouldn't expect the fill to do is to suddenly make good food choices for you. That is something you have to do all by yourself. Unfortunately no matter how much fill you have a lot of the "bad" foods will still go down easily. Foods such as milkshake,icecream,custard,chocolate, Cookies etc. For this reason they are termed slider foods. Some people keep going for fills untill they end up too tight in the mistaken belief that there is some ideal place where they will just be able to eat a tiny amount and never feel hungry. Fills also do not control head hunger - that is something else that each person must learn to deal with in their own way.
Hope some of this helps.

To the Ladies and Guys on this site. I apologise for losing my cool ! It got under my skin, and I got carried away....
So that person has been put on a list where I will not here from them again.
So no prolems in the future from me.
Sorry if I upset anyone, I assure no HARM at all was directed at anyone.
Shirley.

I make my own muesli - raw oats, seeds, sultanas, other dried fruit that I fancy etc - and eat it with greek yogurt. It is healthy , filling and makes great roughage! If I want a little extra sweetness I have a teaspoon of honey or Stevia.

I have had to spend a fortune buying new clothes and have done serious damage to my credit card. I also keep having to reintroduce myself as neighbours and other aquaintances don't recognise me.

I have had to spend a fortune buying new clothes and have done serious damage to my credit card. I also keep having to reintroduce myself as neighbours and other aquaintances don't recognise me.

I have had to spend a fortune buying new clothes and have done serious damage to my credit card. I also keep having to reintroduce myself as neighbours and other aquaintances don't recognise me.

I don't know one person that has lost no weight with a band. Yes there are lots that do not lose as much as they would like or put it back on but the same is true with the other surgeries as well. The problem with the sleeve is that as it has only been around as a stand alone procedure for a couple of years we do not yet know whether the majority that have it will stay successful or if they will also regain.
What is obvious from reading the sleeve board is that there are people who are struggling, who have not lost as much as they would have liked , that still struggle with hunger etc.
Fluffy we know that you for some reason have not been successful with the band. This seems to make you bitter and determined to put everyone else off having the band. Whether you mean to or not you come across as some kind of missionary trying to convert people away from the evil band.
It would be better if you posted your opinion in a way that outlined facts and did not come across as so judgemental. Trying to scare the c@@p out of people who are struggling to make a decision is not helpful.

You can still eat too much of the wrong thing on the lapband, so this surgery won't magically make you stop being addicted to food. I can still eat a whole block of chocolate easy. But the band CAN stop you from over-eating in general if you're prepared to eat well. Protein takes longer to go down, so a balanced, healthy diet will mean you probably will eat small amounts. And only once you're restricted.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is: it's worth the risk IF you are ready to make a lifestyle change along with having the band. The band can help you with Portion Control but it will not stop you putting too many calories in your mouth. If you're ready to make some changes, then yes, IMO lapband surgery is completely and totally worth it. If you're not ready, it won't be worth it.
I have a friend who got banded a year ago who did it because she saw how much success I had with my band. She still eats chocolates and cookie dough and ice cream, and has only lost just over 20lbs in a year. She doesn't want to go for fills, she doesn't like being restricted and unable to eat as much as she likes, and therefore she hasn't lost any weight of significance. Ad she resents the lack of success she's had. But at the same time, she knows the changes I made and isn't prepared to make similar changes. To me, if you're going to have that mindset, don't get the band. It's not worth it.
But if you really want to lose weight, are prepared to put in the effort required to lose weight, the lapband makes it exponentially easier. So you have to decide if it's worth the risk, weighing all of that up.

That sounds sensible.

Oh really?
It's not is it?
Well if that is true how come so many people didn't lose the weight by themselves when they hit a BMI of 37 but instead they kept gaining until they reached a BMI of 40 or in some cases 50 or more?
I don't know who you are but I think you have a hell of a lot of cheek to come here and tell people that it is not that hard to lose weight. Yes it is and guess what it is even harder to keep it off. So if you have managed to lose weight and keep it off without a band or any other type of help bully for you. Most people on this site have been struggling with their weight for years, they have tried to lose and keep the weight off by themselves but have eventually realised that they need some kind of surgical intervention.
If you don't have a weight problem and you don't have a band or have had some other form of WLS then I suggest you go and preach about how easy it is somewhere else!

Oh really?
It's not is it?
Well if that is true how come so many people didn't lose the weight by themselves when they hit a BMI of 37 but instead they kept gaining until they reached a BMI of 40 or in some cases 50 or more?
I don't know who you are but I think you have a hell of a lot of cheek to come here and tell people that it is not that hard to lose weight. Yes it is and guess what it is even harder to keep it off. So if you have managed to lose weight and keep it off without a band or any other type of help bully for you. Most people on this site have been struggling with their weight for years, they have tried to lose and keep the weight off by themselves but have eventually realised that they need some kind of surgical intervention.
If you don't have a weight problem and you don't have a band or have had some other form of WLS then I suggest you go and preach about how easy it is somewhere else!

I also wonder what some of these people are expecting.
They say they never reached restriction that their band was either too tight or too lose.
What do they think restriction is?
It is not having your food choices limited.
It is not only being able to eat healthy foods.
It is not something that will stop you from eating Cookies, chocolate, icecream etc.
It is not something that will make correct food choices for you.
What it is or should be is the ability to eat a small portion of recommended foods and that keeps you satisfied for a fairly long period of time. That could be 3 hours it could be longer. Some people can manage on 3 meals per day, others need a healthy snack in between. If you are not hungry then it should be easier to not constantly graze but because grazing does not come from real hunger but from boredom, or stress or some other reason it can't stop it. Your head has to do that.
So to me if someone says that their band has not helped and they have no restriction that would mean that they could eat as much as they wanted in 1 sitting( of any food whatsover), without taking small bites and chewing slowly, that it would not cause them to get stuck and that they would still be hungry soon afterwards.
That I find very difficult to believe.

Oh really?
It's not is it?
Well if that is true how come so many people didn't lose the weight by themselves when they hit a BMI of 37 but instead they kept gaining until they reached a BMI of 40 or in some cases 50 or more?
I don't know who you are but I think you have a hell of a lot of cheek to come here and tell people that it is not that hard to lose weight. Yes it is and guess what it is even harder to keep it off. So if you have managed to lose weight and keep it off without a band or any other type of help bully for you. Most people on this site have been struggling with their weight for years, they have tried to lose and keep the weight off by themselves but have eventually realised that they need some kind of surgical intervention.
If you don't have a weight problem and you don't have a band or have had some other form of WLS then I suggest you go and preach about how easy it is somewhere else!

The green zone is a moving target. You get a fill and for a while it is just right. Then as you lose weight the band loosens up so you need to go for another fill. Also as honk says small amounts of the liquid evaporate over time. But it's no big deal. It is quick and easy and it is also good to be able to checkin with your Dr and be assured that everything is OK.

Oh really?
It's not is it?
Well if that is true how come so many people didn't lose the weight by themselves when they hit a BMI of 37 but instead they kept gaining until they reached a BMI of 40 or in some cases 50 or more?
I don't know who you are but I think you have a hell of a lot of cheek to come here and tell people that it is not that hard to lose weight. Yes it is and guess what it is even harder to keep it off. So if you have managed to lose weight and keep it off without a band or any other type of help bully for you. Most people on this site have been struggling with their weight for years, they have tried to lose and keep the weight off by themselves but have eventually realised that they need some kind of surgical intervention.
If you don't have a weight problem and you don't have a band or have had some other form of WLS then I suggest you go and preach about how easy it is somewhere else!

I think it is perfectly normal to have these fears and start second guessing our decision before surgery. It is a case of fear of the unknown. Rest assured you will enjoy food again. Not in the same quantities and probably different foods to the ones you are currently eating but you will enjoy them. Any foods that you give up you will discover that you don't really miss. And what is even better is that being slim, sexy and healthy feels far better than any food ever tasted.

I had another NSV today .
I live in the country on 5 acres so my neighbours are not close enough that I bump into them very often. Today I stopped to get the post out of my postbox which is at the end of our rd. My next door but one neighbour pulled up behind me and we both got out of our cars.I said hi and asked how she was. She said fine and asked if I was the new person that had just moved into the street. Now I know I haven't seen her for a while other than waving as we drive past each other but she seriously didn't recognise me. When she realised who I was she was gobsmacked and told me how amazing I looked and asked how much weight I had lost.
This is the second time this has happened in a couple of months. the same thing happened when I saw one of my other neighbours at the post office.
It's amazing how fantastic something like this can make you feel.

I had another NSV today .
I live in the country on 5 acres so my neighbours are not close enough that I bump into them very often. Today I stopped to get the post out of my postbox which is at the end of our rd. My next door but one neighbour pulled up behind me and we both got out of our cars.I said hi and asked how she was. She said fine and asked if I was the new person that had just moved into the street. Now I know I haven't seen her for a while other than waving as we drive past each other but she seriously didn't recognise me. When she realised who I was she was gobsmacked and told me how amazing I looked and asked how much weight I had lost.
This is the second time this has happened in a couple of months. the same thing happened when I saw one of my other neighbours at the post office.
It's amazing how fantastic something like this can make you feel.

I had another NSV today .
I live in the country on 5 acres so my neighbours are not close enough that I bump into them very often. Today I stopped to get the post out of my postbox which is at the end of our rd. My next door but one neighbour pulled up behind me and we both got out of our cars.I said hi and asked how she was. She said fine and asked if I was the new person that had just moved into the street. Now I know I haven't seen her for a while other than waving as we drive past each other but she seriously didn't recognise me. When she realised who I was she was gobsmacked and told me how amazing I looked and asked how much weight I had lost.
This is the second time this has happened in a couple of months. the same thing happened when I saw one of my other neighbours at the post office.
It's amazing how fantastic something like this can make you feel.

You keep eating like that, so close to post surgery - 10 days, and your band will slip - OR WORSE.
You ask for help? What can one possibly tell you? Did your Dr. not give you specific instructions?
When I first read this post I was skeptical it is for real.
Without getting into much detail, I work in Healthcare. I travel to different Hospitals, clinics and see patients all day. All pediatrics with their families. I am there to provide a service because they have a need.
In order for me to work with them and have successful positive outcomes, they have to meet me half way and be cooperative.
When a patient does not, it is though I am wasting their time, when actually they are wasting mine.
In other words, Your Dr. is providing a service for your benefit...LISTEN TO HIM. If not, don't expect his best either.

I don't know one person that has lost no weight with a band. Yes there are lots that do not lose as much as they would like or put it back on but the same is true with the other surgeries as well. The problem with the sleeve is that as it has only been around as a stand alone procedure for a couple of years we do not yet know whether the majority that have it will stay successful or if they will also regain.
What is obvious from reading the sleeve board is that there are people who are struggling, who have not lost as much as they would have liked , that still struggle with hunger etc.
Fluffy we know that you for some reason have not been successful with the band. This seems to make you bitter and determined to put everyone else off having the band. Whether you mean to or not you come across as some kind of missionary trying to convert people away from the evil band.
It would be better if you posted your opinion in a way that outlined facts and did not come across as so judgemental. Trying to scare the c@@p out of people who are struggling to make a decision is not helpful.

I don't know one person that has lost no weight with a band. Yes there are lots that do not lose as much as they would like or put it back on but the same is true with the other surgeries as well. The problem with the sleeve is that as it has only been around as a stand alone procedure for a couple of years we do not yet know whether the majority that have it will stay successful or if they will also regain.
What is obvious from reading the sleeve board is that there are people who are struggling, who have not lost as much as they would have liked , that still struggle with hunger etc.
Fluffy we know that you for some reason have not been successful with the band. This seems to make you bitter and determined to put everyone else off having the band. Whether you mean to or not you come across as some kind of missionary trying to convert people away from the evil band.
It would be better if you posted your opinion in a way that outlined facts and did not come across as so judgemental. Trying to scare the c@@p out of people who are struggling to make a decision is not helpful.

That is great. Didn't take long at all.

I've seen it before. Do NOT change anything to do with your diet until speaking with your surgeon. Every surgeon is different in aftercare rules.

It is difficult to explain how things change.
For some people they give these foods up entirely, others eat them in smaller portions.
For me some of the changes are subtle. I still eat just about everything with the exception of dry meat as that always causes me problems, but I have never been big on deep fried , unhealthy food. My problem was more one of constant grazing and eating too much chocolate. Technically a band does not stop you from grazing and it won't stop you eating chocolate but I eat far less of it these days. It works because it helps to control your hunger. If you are not hungry then it is a lot easier to cut out the snacking. We do have to remember though that not all eating is done because of hunger, a lot of non hungry eating goes on too - eating out of habit, boredom, because it looks good etc.So although the band helps to control your hunger you still need to take charge and ensure you have ways of controlling your non hungry eating.
I still eat bread but far less of it. I can eat a burger so long as it is not too dry but I eat it without the bun. I can still eat fries but only a few as after that I know I will have a problem. Unfortunately the shop bought really greasy ones are a lot easier to eat than the oven baked healthier kind.
What is strange is that somehow your tastes change and you don't really miss the foods that you no longer eat. I loved big juicy burgers but I don't miss them. Ditto chips etc.
It is impossible to predict in advance what you will/won't be able to eat. It seems to be a very individual journey. Good luck and hope you soon enjoy being banded, slimmer and healthier.