Ok, I was banded in Sept 09 and have had 4 fills and am now at 9cc's in a 10cc band. I've had some restriction but I've definitely been able to eat more than a cup. After my last fill I've been getting things stuck a lot more often when I FIRST start eating so I guess I need to chew better and eat slower. I've been able to get the food to go down by taking a drink (which does hurt some of the time) but my problem is that even though it's getting stuck a lot, I'm still not full and can still eat a large amount of food after I get it to go down. I didn't think the whole point of this band was to deter you from eating because your food gets stuck. Just because it gets stuck doesn't mean I'm full/satisfied!! Is anyone else having this problem????

9cc's in a 10cc band WOW! That scares me because I am just like you so far....I get stuck and boy is it painfull but if I eat slowly enough I can get a lot in. I however am still on my first fill , I have 3.5 in my 10cc band but I go tomorrow for fill #2. What have your docs said to you about your situation?

Ok, I was banded in Sept 09 and have had 4 fills and am now at 9cc's in a 10cc band. I've had some restriction but I've definitely been able to eat more than a cup. After my last fill I've been getting things stuck a lot more often when I FIRST start eating so I guess I need to chew better and eat slower. I've been able to get the food to go down by taking a drink (which does hurt some of the time) but my problem is that even though it's getting stuck a lot, I'm still not full and can still eat a large amount of food after I get it to go down. I didn't think the whole point of this band was to deter you from eating because your food gets stuck. Just because it gets stuck doesn't mean I'm full/satisfied!! Is anyone else having this problem????

Exactly, if I eat slowly I'm still able to eat a lot. Yeah I didn't really get much restriction until I had at least 8cc's in my band. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones that needs a lot for restriction. So far the only thing I've gotten is "if it's getting stuck on your first bite then you're not chewing well enough and you need to eat slower and just because you can eat more than a cup doesn't mean you should." Well that's helpful considering I thought the whole point was to get fuller faster than before the band. Obviously we're not the best at self control in the amounts we eat or we wouldn't be here! I also need to work on not drinking while eating because I'm really bad about that since I drink a lot to get the food to go down.

So what is your next step? Will they give you another fill? How about that poutch test?

Exactly, if I eat slowly I'm still able to eat a lot. Yeah I didn't really get much restriction until I had at least 8cc's in my band. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones that needs a lot for restriction. So far the only thing I've gotten is "if it's getting stuck on your first bite then you're not chewing well enough and you need to eat slower and just because you can eat more than a cup doesn't mean you should." Well that's helpful considering I thought the whole point was to get fuller faster than before the band. Obviously we're not the best at self control in the amounts we eat or we wouldn't be here! I also need to work on not drinking while eating because I'm really bad about that since I drink a lot to get the food to go down.

I'm not sure. When I had my last fill (which was just 3 days ago) I was told it should last me for a good while. So I was going to give it another week or so to see if anything changes. What is the pouch test and how do they do that?

Oh gosh...your post scares the crap out of me. I just had my 2nd fill and have little to no restriction and can eat ANYTHING. According to their scales....I gained but according to my few scales, I lost. Anyway, I have a 9cc band and have a total of 5cc and feel like I could use at least a few more. Did we make the wrong decisions getting this procedure? Can you fill a band to the max and still need more restriction? Uggghhh

What is a pouch test?

I've had some restriction but I've definitely been able to eat more than a cup. After my last fill I've been getting things stuck a lot more often when I FIRST start eating so I guess I need to chew better and eat slower. I've been able to get the food to go down by taking a drink (which does hurt some of the time) but my problem is that even though it's getting stuck a lot, I'm still not full and can still eat a large amount of food after I get it to go down.

At 9 cc's you most likely do have restriction. The fact that you're getting stuck is another indication that you most likely have restriction.

You're most likely able to eat to excess and not feel full because you're breaking one of the cardinal rules of the band. No drinking with meals. Not for 30 minutes before, not during and not for an hour afterward.

By drinking with your meal, you're 'sliding' your food right through your band and basically negating what the band does.

The band only works when we follow the rules:

• Do not drink anything 30 minutes before, during or 60 minutes after your meal.
  
• Start with your Protein. Then your vegies. If you still have room, then your carbs if you choose to have them.
  
• Take small bites. Chew thoroughly (to mush).
  
• Put your fork down between bites and wait for 30 seconds or so before taking the next bite. This allows time to see whether we're going to have problems with that bite. If you do, STOP and wait. Adding another bite will just compound the problem.
  

I'm not sure. When I had my last fill (which was just 3 days ago) I was told it should last me for a good while. So I was going to give it another week or so to see if anything changes. What is the pouch test and how do they do that?

I posted some excerpts on the pouch test and the web link here.