Nicole74

I have an 11cc band and didnt get restriction until my 3rd fill and I have a total of 7cc's right now, Im not quite at my sweet spot yet but I was just like you after my 1st and 2nd fill. I thought I would never get restriction!! my doc wont do fills but every 6 weeks and they were the longest 6 weeks of my life! once I got my 3rd fill I had great restriction for about 3 wks than it subsided some...but I do have some small "stuck" epiosodes now as well if I eat too quickly or too big of bites. I remember posting on here a couple months ago, I was so frustrated and discouraged, I wanted it to happen right away since that was my expectation...I was hungry all the time and was doing weight watchers to try and not overeat..I did manage to stil lose some weight but was working out and eating the best I could. Its hard to stick with all that you have to do ..its alot of self discipline and its even harder before you get restriction...I finally have some but still struggle with food decisions and wanting to get lazy...hang in there and trust that it will happen..,you just have to try to have patience and keep busy with trying to exercise and change your old habits !! Good luck!

I feel very close to my "sweet spot" and Im at 7cc in an 11cc band. My next fill is on Tuesday and I am hoping that gets me there. its hard for to me tell if Im at my sweet spot because some days I feel like it and others I don't. I do get stuck sometimes when I eat too quickly or too big of bites but still feel like I can eat alot more than a half cup. I just dont want to be overfilled!!

I have an 11cc band and it took me 3 fills before I started to feel restriction. that 3rd fill took me to 7cc's..my doctor told me too most people feel restriction between 7-8cc's. I go back next week for my 4th fill but won't need much. I went from aug-november without restriction..you will get there will probably take a couple more fills!

Thanks everyone! @ Yetta...I didnt have restriction until November so I know how you feel..it was really hard to have no restriction but I still managed to lose weight...it is really hard for some people at first if you dont have restiction you just have to try an eat healthy and workout until you get restriction...I had some really rough days but it all goes so fast...you will her befor you know it.

My first big goal was to lose 50lbs and I got there!! It felt like it took forever..but so glad that I did it! I feel so much better than I did 5 months ago. It hasnt been as easy as I thought it would be and I struggled through bandster hell but after 3 fills, 3x a week work oust and watching what I eat I think Im finally getting the hang of this lapband thing......for those of you just beginning and struggling..hand tough and keep your head up...the first few months for me was tough but patience, persistance and positive thinking and a little help from this great website will get your to where you want to be! I am about half way to my weight loss goal so I am still in the game but it feels good to hit this weight loss!! I couldnt figure out how to post pictures on here so I just posted the before & after on my blog if you would like to see the difference 50lbs makes!! Before-302lbs July 30th 2010 After -251 lbs Jan. 5th 2010

I was the same way..I have had 3 fills and after the 3rd I finally had restriction...however, the really good restriction only lasted about 2 weeks than I was able to eat more again. after my 3rd fill I had a total of 7ccs in 10 cc band. My doctor told me most people start feeling restriction at around 7cc's. I still can eat close to 2 cups before feeling full. It depends on what I eat..somedays I feel more restriction than others and some meals I can eat more than other meals..I havnt figured it out yet. I got banded july 29th. before my 3rd fill and for the first few months after surgery I had no restriction! and it sucked! Im waiting for my 4th fill which is scheduled on Jan. 11th. I think this fill will get me at my sweet spot,at least I am hoping. I do get stuck occasionally now and can't eat a ton of food but I still can eat more than the half cup they reccomend. You will get there...before my 3rd fill I was freaking thinking I had 6cc with no restriction and that I may never get there ...but I thikn now with each fill I will feel a little more. I asked my doctor what happens when I get to 10cc?? and he said "not be able to drink water"..lol..so not saying everyone is like that but you may not feelgood restriction until closer to your max.

NO REGRETS! i was banded on July 29th and hit my 50lb weight loss today!! It wasnt as easy as I thought it was going to be and I have had to work hard to lose the weight with both with my eating and exercising and there has been some frustrating times but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Woa...slow down and take a breath.....how much did she put in? sounds like she just put too much too soon....I see you had surgery just about a month ago..possible you were still swollen or had some in there already before the fill. Try not to freak out...you just may be only to get like a half of a cc each time and slowly build up...wait and see how you feel after a few days to a week....you will look back in a couple weeks and things will be much better! no one said this whole thing would be easy .... hang in there and try to relax.

You go girl! I cannot imagine seeing the 100's I cant remember the last time i saw that, probably middle school and Im 36 now..lol. I think too that I will never get there! I started at 300lbs and am down almost 50lbs so half way there but I still can't imagine seeing that on a scale!! Congrats to you and great job !!

Happy Birthday Phran!! I will be 36 on Friday the 17th so happy birthday to us!! thanks for your encouraging words...

Hey! I was banded in July and so far have lost 47lbs. It definitly is more challenging for me than I expected! I finally had my 3rd fill 2 weeks ago and finally had restriction but it only lasted 2 weeks and now Im starving and eating more than the 1 cup I was able to right after the fill. I actually just posted a question about that a few minutes ago because I was really hoping the restriction would stay until at least after the holidays!! mama needs some help with this God forsaken holiday food!! I have NO regrets and am so glad I got the band! even if I had to pay out of pocket..it was worth every dime. I have been working really hard and exercising and watching what I eat (most of the time) without restriction though its hard but I must be doing something right since I lost 47lbs in 4.5 months! So hoping one day soon I get my good restriction back and it lasts!! So glad you posted for a July update! I now have 7cc's in my 11cc band.

Hello! I had my 3rd fill 2 weeks ago and after 4 months since surgery I finally had some good restriction. I was only able to eat about 1/2-1cup of food at a sitting and I was full, I had to now chew really well and take small bites..I was in heaven! I lost 8lbs in less than 2 weeks and was feeling really good. All this past week I noticed that I suddenly was really really hungry and I was able to eat much more than the cup of food at a sitting before feeling full...now once again I feel like I did before my fill where I feel like I have very little restriction and I am back to struggling not to eat so much. I get hungry very quickly after eating too. I am really bummed cause its the holidays and there is so much food! holiday party's, catered lunches at work, etc...etc...I was so happy after I got this last fill that I would have restriction through this tough time and not gain weight..now after eating so much over the past week Im frustrated. My next fill isn't until Jan 12th and I am really upset that the restriction only lasted a couple weeks! Has this happened to anyone of you before? does this eventually not happen with a fill? I have 7cc's in an 11cc band and am scared that I already have so much fluid in the band but I am wondering if this is the norm and if I will finally get good restriction that LASTS!!

I tried to measure, weigh, count...whatever...but I pretty much wing it at least for now. I do pay attention to what Im eating, how much and try to stay healthy....and let the band tell me when Iv had enough. I still think measuring would be good to do though....especially if you can eat more than a cup of food at a sitting...I want to do that but find winging it much easier and its working for me...at least for now...if I was gaining weight Id probably become more strict.

I tried to measure, weigh, count...whatever...but I pretty much wing it at least for now. I do pay attention to what Im eating, how much and try to stay healthy....and let the band tell me when Iv had enough. I still think measuring would be good to do though....especially if you can eat more than a cup of food at a sitting...I want to do that but find winging it much easier and its working for me...at least for now...if I was gaining weight Id probably become more strict.

I tried to measure, weigh, count...whatever...but I pretty much wing it at least for now. I do pay attention to what Im eating, how much and try to stay healthy....and let the band tell me when Iv had enough. I still think measuring would be good to do though....especially if you can eat more than a cup of food at a sitting...I want to do that but find winging it much easier and its working for me...at least for now...if I was gaining weight Id probably become more strict.

1. Having more energy!!! I used to feel so tired all the time! 2.No more 2's in front of my pant size 3. wearing heels again 4. all the compliments!!! Keep um coming! 5. my husband saying " hey slim" and " man you are getting skinnier every day!" 6. Realizing I lost a 3-4yr old in total weight loss 7.getting up off the floor/couch without struggling or getting help 8. FINALLY seeing the weight loss in the mirror for myself! 9. This band actually working for me!

I was banded July 30th and I go through stages of being ravished!! I just had a really bad week of bein starving a couple weeks ago right before my 3rd fill. It really is hard but like Elfie said you need another fill. My doctor wouldnt do fills but every 6 weeks and wouldnt budge on that rule and I am even selfpay. If you can call them and get in sooner definitly do that. If not, just try to eat as healthy as you can and exercise if you are able to help. I am not sure how many fills you have had but I finally got my 3rd fill last week and it made a huge difference in my hunger!! hang in there!!

You couldnt of said it better! I too was on here several weeks ago struggling with bandster hell..I was posting and writing on my blog how frustrated I was and even though I was losing (slowly) it was sooo friggin hard! than I had my 3rd fill and it all just finally "clicked". I was banded on July 30th with no preop diet..I weighed in at 302...today a little over 4months later I am down to 254 and have lost 47lbs. I have gone from size 22 to a comfortable 18. I have lost a total from neck to calve...15 inches (yes i measured my neck ) so like you said all the people that are where we were just a short time ago need to keep the faith and know that it WILL get better and you just have to ride the waves until you get there! use that time to learn the band rules and start using them, start an exercise program so that by the time you do have restriction its already habit for you and the pounds will drop off even faster. I dont live at the gym. I go 3-4x a week and take an hour to an hour and half class each time and I now really enjoy going..I never thought I would like the gym. anyway..thanks for posting and congrats!!!

Hey guys. Wanted to update you that my 3rd fill has really helped me! Im on week 2 since that fill and can really tell a difference. I get full alot quicker and now I HAVE to chew my food really well and take smaller bites. I have a total of 7cc's now in the band. I really hope this restriction lasts a while. I really try to pay attention to my eating to avoid bringing it back up. I havnt had that happen yet but I have gotten a couple short stuck episodes..not too bad but it happened with a chicken wing last night and the other day a bite of a bagel. it only lasted a few minutes, thank God, but it keeps me on my toes. I have lost 8lbs in a week already! Im slowly learning how to change my behavior. I still have a long way to go and Im not even half way to my goal after losing 47lbs but I am so happy I finally feel like I have restriction...it does make all the difference but you still have to watch what you eat, make good decisions and exercise for it all to fall into place. I went from 302 on surgery day 7/30 to 254 as of this morning! My goal is 180! I cant even imagine being under 200!

Hi Kelly....I sure hope my third fill is my sweet spot!! did you notice it right away?? I start back on regular foods tomorrow so I am crossing my fingers!!

Yea I am having hair loss too..every since about 6 weeks ago. Its everywhere..in the tub, sink, floor on chairs on my pillow and on my clothes!! I cant stand it...its coming out alot!! I have a ton of hair so I can spare some but i dont like it! I can tell a difference in my hair big time. I asked the dr. about it he said to take biotin and to make sure Im taking my vitamins every day..Im not good at that so gonna start. I am getting plenty of protein and food too so not sure why its happening. my fill went well he put in 1 more cc for a total of 7. I dont feel much yet but only eat mushies. I will keep you posted!!

I had bronchitis really bad a few weeks back, I was about 3 months out...my band doctor told me that it would take an awful lot of severe coughing for a long period of time to cause something to happen to the band. I was really scared especially because im self pay, but after a few weeks of bad coughing I was ok and my band seems to be fine. I would be nervous too especially since your only a week out but I would reccomend you call your family doctor and see if they can give you something to help supress your cough. It sucks to be banded at the worse time for colds and flu's!!

My 4month band anniversary is tomorrow and I so happen to have my 3rd fill tomorrow. I still do not have good restriction and I am really hoping this fill does the trick. I have lost 41lbs since my surgery but the last 20 feels like it has taken forever! especially over the past 2 months...I have only lost a couple pounds and the scale keeps going back and forth. I am finding it harder to stick to the band rules since I dont have good restriction. I have never gotten sick, pb'd, slimed or gotten stuck. I do try to eat slower, smaller portions and smaller bites but since not doing that doesn't impact me I dont do as as much as I should. I have 6cc's in my band as of right now and not sure how much the dr. will put in tomorrow. I work out at the gym 4 x a week and that has helped me from gaining. I am just ready to have that restriction everyone talks about. I can still eat large portion sizes before I feel full and even though I dont eat quite as much as I did pre surgery I still can eat a good bit of food at a sitting. How many fills did it take you to really feel restriction? for those who have had the surgery 5+ months ago did you take a while to really feel like the band was working like it was supppose to??

do you know if you have any fluid in your band yet? I am almost four months post op and I wasnt suppose to have any fluid in and about a week after my surgery I still could barly get liquid down and when I went in for my 1st week visit they ended up pulling out 3cc's so with 3'ccs and the amount of swelling I had made me miserable for longer than most people. It is still normal though to feel the way you do..sometimes it just takes a few weeks. I would reccomend just taking small sips...my doctor told me a sip every couple minutes..I know that sounds crazy but it did work for me but you are literally drinking every minute of the day:) hang in there and call your doctor if you feel that something just isnt quite right...thats what I did and I am glad I did cause after they took some out I felt immediate relief:)