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I always thought I would feel something with restriction. THe only way that I know is when I don't chew well enough, then I know, it hurts. I am still getting used to it. I will be very hungry, eat 1/2 a cup of food then I am fine. It is still hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that such a small amount of food will take away my hunger. My doctor says that if 1/2 cup doesen't fill you up and you arent losing then get a fill. Many doctors put that number at 1 cup but I have not heard of many that go above that. Greg

I had 2 fills and I have pretty good restriction now. I am definitely losing much slower. I just got some restriction in early december. I am very tight in the morning and I don't eat much these days. I would recommend going to thedailyplate.com and putting in everything you eat for at least a week. If you are at 600-700 calories per day it is probably too low. I find I eat more than I think I do though. Greg

24 hrs clear, 1 week full liquids 2 weeks mushies then regular food. Your doctor does have pretty strict guidleines.

Had surgery wednesday and went back monday and felt fine. Greg

could be ketosis. Nothing to worry about though. The headaches and lethargy will pass in a few days. 14 days will pass faster than you think. Best of luck and drink lots of Water, Greg

It appears you do not have restriction. There is no amount that gives you restriction. I had my second fill and have 7.2 cc's in a 9 cc band and Though I am not as hungry I don't have restriction. Surprised they let you eat solid food the day after a fill but each doctor is different. Greg

I got my second fill last Thursday and started back on solids yesterday. I ate my 1/2 cup portions and felt hungry in about 15 minutes. Luckily my surgeon will give you fills as often as necessary. Should I go ahead and schedule another fill or should I wait a bit. I don't know if I should wait to see if it kicks in or would it have done it already? Also. I don't have to pay for any of my fills between now and the end of the year. Greg

I have 7.2 CC's with a realize band 9cc. I just started back on solids yesterday with no restriction that I can tell, 5.2 CC's first fill 2 CC's second fill

I lost 30 pounds prior to my first fill and 5 between my first and 2nd. which were 5 weeks apart The first fill of 5.2 gave me no restriction. I received 2.0 yesterday. Won't know for a few days yet if I will have restriction. As I have a 9cc band I only have 1.8 left so hopefully I will get restriction soon. Greg

If you are not satisfied with 1/2 a cup of food and you are not losing weight you probably need a fill Greg

I had my second fill today. 2 CC's so now I have a total of 7.2 CC's in a 9CC band. What is a little scary is that I now only have 1.8cc's left. Hopefully this will produce restriction. Are their others that are very close to the 9 cc's? I know there are no leaks. Did it under flouro. Just a little nerve racking to think I have so little left after only 2 fills. Greg

I think you mostly hear of the bad stories. I don't think you hear about those whose experience was a breeze like mine. I had almost no pain and felt totally fine within 3 to 4 days. Greg

thedailyplate.com is great

I don't think it matters if I chew 30 times or swallow a bowling ball whole right now. Nothing. come on December 3rd.

I would probably give it at least 2 weeks. Some tighten up over time. Not everyone though. I think within 2 weeks you have no restriction then I would try to move it up. My doc will do it every 2 to 3 weeks.

vastly different some people 2 some people 10. I have found no consistent number. I have a 9cc realize. Had 5.2 put in on first fill and have no restriction.

It is all inflated. My bill was $57,000 but after the discount it was about 15K. If I was self pay it would have been. You guessed it 15K. very little of this is real numbers. My guess based on what I have read is about 3k. 5K to the surgeon 2 K to the anesthesia group 5 K to the hosptial which leaves about 3K in real dollars.

I was full pretty easily for the first 3 days after my first fill then it took about 0 seconds to get full. I have no restriction. Next fill will be on Dec 3rd. I think it is very common for people not to be full after the first fill. He put in 5.2cc. Hopefully I am not too far away. Greg

That tends to be more the case with gastric bypass. Part of the reason bypass is so successful is that they reduce the size of your intestines which causes malapsorption of food. Over time the boday adjust to it and since their pouch becomes larger through the ability to eat more they tend to lose less after the first 12 to 18 months though they tend to be close to their goal by then. The same is not true for the band. I think as long as you keep it in adjustment you can lose weight indefintely. Greg

To answer the first posters question. I really doubt you would have caused any damage to your band. I was a major Coca- Cola drinker. Regular not diet. Probably 2 liters per day pre band. Haven't touched it since. My doctors opinion is more breaking the habit of carbonated drinks because he wants you to drink water. He feels the scientific evidence that it actually causes damage. Unlike some who are pretty much perfect with our band most of us have moments of weakness. I love an occasional resee's cup. I am fairly new to the game and have lost around 32 to 34 pounds since september (depending on the day I weigh). My personal opinion. Stay away from Soda's. Will your band blow up into a million pieces? doubtful.

I was banded on 9/23. I don't feel it at all. I had 1 fill and have no restriction. Probably why I don't feel it at all. I get another fill on the 3rd and hopefully some restriction. Greg

I go to support group with about 15 other people. except for 1 who has lost 54 pounds most have lost between 70-and 120 and are normal size. He is giving you a statistic. there is a percentage that don't follow the dr's advice and gain weight back. I think you can lose as much or close to as much over time. Greg

If you are PB'ing /sliming then you are more than likely not at your sweet spot. Sounds like you are a little tight. May suggest a .25 cc unfill to the doctor. It may resolve itself in a week but I would think it would have already done so.

I decided after tons of research and delibiration to go with the Realize band. My opinion is that you are comparing apples to apples. Sure they have some minor differences but not enough to sway me one way or the other. Some jackass spent quite a while trashing the realize band on this site and would have you believe that the Lap Band is a gift from the gods. Bottom line is they both work and are good, quality products. Good Luck, Greg

I was hopeful that my first fill 5.2 cc's would do the trick. I did it under flouroscope and there was just a trickle of barium flowing through. It must have loosened up an hour later. I could tell 4 days later when I went on solids that I didn't have restriction. (my apetite is less and I am sticking to the 1/2 a cup of food at a setting but it doesn't last long. Greg