What does restriction feel like?

[mom2girls 1]

I am curious I am 3 months post op and had my first fill 2cc on Monday and I feel the same as before no difference.

[vlp1968 83]

I didn't feel any different after the first fill either. But the second one has helped. I get a slightly uncomfortable hearburny type feeling when I've had enough. I have made the mistake of eating past this point and vomited. The heartburny feeling goes away after a few minutes and I am comfortably full.

[acasner 0]

I have 9cc in a 14cc band and I have limited restriction. It really frustrates me. My band is almost entirely full and I still am having problems feeling restriction. I am trying to just stay focused and hope that with my next fill I get a good amount of restriction. I feel like I am starving all the time, I know this can work, I just don't understand how most people are at their sweet spot around 7cc. Agggh!

[Crazy4MyK9 0]

Dear acasner,

You are not alone! I also have the 14cc band. As of June 2009, I thought I had approx. 8.5cc in there. I was surprised this past Friday when my surgeon told me that only 7cc came out. He put .25-.50cc in this time. I NEVER feel full for very long. My hunger signal is all out of whack. It has something to do with the vagus nerve. My surgeon told me that approx. 40% of patients experience constant hunger, and they don't know why. Therefore, the band can only help with Portion Control.< /p>

I've been on liquids all weekend. I've had mild discomfort from the swelling, but definitely no pain. I'm crossing my fingers that somehow things are going to improve with this fill. I've started a new food journal to help me refocus on this journey. I'm hitting the grocery store tomorrow for fruits and salad.

We need to remember to make healthy, high Protein, high Fiber choices. My sweet tooth has been an issue, so I'm working on this. Thankfully, I've been off soda since surgery (October 3, 2007). I've slacked off with Water, so this needs to be another priority, as well as exercise.

Good luck to you!

Anne

[SPENCERBE333 0]

I have 9cc in a 14cc band and I have limited restriction. It really frustrates me. My band is almost entirely full and I still am having problems feeling restriction. I am trying to just stay focused and hope that with my next fill I get a good amount of restriction. I feel like I am starving all the time, I know this can work, I just don't understand how most people are at their sweet spot around 7cc. Agggh!

I was told I had a 13 cc band and now I have 9 cc's in it and hope to feel restriction at this time. I just had it yesterday so I don't know yet. I too hope to reach my sweet spot and worry sometimes that it will never happen. I have been hungry also but not all the time. I was told when you know you have had enough then you just can't eat one more bite. That has never happened for me. I hope this 9 cc helps now. I don't go back for another month. I was banded Oct 21st and have lost obver 35 pounds so far. I gained 2 pounds at Christmas but have that and more off now. Sometimes I feel like it's just because I have will power right now. I know I can't eat soft bread or rice though. Good luck to everyone. We are on this journey together, Becky

[emjay 8]

Proper restriction will make you feel full after 1/2 cup to a cup of food and stay satiated for 4-5 hours. You shouldn't have too much trouble eating if you take small bites and chew them very well. Being too tight makes eating a chore and is very uncomfortable. When I am too tight, I tend to make alot of noises when I drink or eat something and feel alot of pressure in my stomach - sort of like if you would take a big bite of something on top of a huge belch that you can't get out.

I don't get hungry unless it's been 6-7 hours since my last meal, or unless my meal was softer foods. Some foods will stay with you longer than others. And hopefully after you remember to eat small bites and chew very well, you should have little or no pb'ing or sliming. But there are some foods that are better tolerated than others. And to be honest, some people do have trouble with certain foods regardless.

I don't have anything that I can't get down, but some foods are too much of a chore to eat or feel a little uncomfortable so I choose either not to eat them or eat them only occasionally. Hope that helps.

[mandyfsc 0]

Proper restriction will make you feel full after 1/2 cup to a cup of food and stay satiated for 4-5 hours. You shouldn't have too much trouble eating if you take small bites and chew them very well. Being too tight makes eating a chore and is very uncomfortable. When I am too tight, I tend to make alot of noises when I drink or eat something and feel alot of pressure in my stomach - sort of like if you would take a big bite of something on top of a huge belch that you can't get out.

I don't get hungry unless it's been 6-7 hours since my last meal, or unless my meal was softer foods. Some foods will stay with you longer than others. And hopefully after you remember to eat small bites and chew very well, you should have little or no pb'ing or sliming. But there are some foods that are better tolerated than others. And to be honest, some people do have trouble with certain foods regardless.

I don't have anything that I can't get down, but some foods are too much of a chore to eat or feel a little uncomfortable so I choose either not to eat them or eat them only occasionally. Hope that helps.

You definitely sound like you know what you are talking about! Thanks for the input. I'm only 11 days post op so I am still on liquids. But I was wondering what a typical day of food for you is. Can you give me a run down of what you usually each daily? Just an example would be awesome. Thanks!

[emjay 8]

You definitely sound like you know what you are talking about! Thanks for the input. I'm only 11 days post op so I am still on liquids. But I was wondering what a typical day of food for you is. Can you give me a run down of what you usually each daily? Just an example would be awesome. Thanks!

Sure Mandy -

Typically in the morning I just have a Protein shake with skim milk, and add a capsule of Biotin and 2 tbsp of Benefiber. It usually takes me about 2-2 1/2 hours to drink this and I'm usually not hungry at lunch, but I eat anyway to keep somewhat of a schedule.

lunch usually consists of maybe an egg & cheese omelet, or maybe shredded beef and cottage cheese or banana, or if I don't have alot of time - a Healthy Choice or Lean Cuisine meal. Sometimes it's smoked turkey or chicken or ham and cheese on high Fiber toast.

In the afternoon I have either a yogurt with homemade granola (Kashi Go Lean Cereal, choc chips, dry-roasted peanuts, toasted pecans, raisins, Peanut Butter chips), or a bag of 5 Factor chips (10 grams of Protein, 5 g of fiber, 130 calories) or fruit.

For dinner I like to have some sort of baked fish (cod, perch, tilapia) and cottage cheese, or a baked potato. Sometimes chicken, sometimes hamburger, but usually a healthy dose of protein.

I really frankly suck at eating vegetables and have my whole life. Some people have trouble with things like broccoli or cauliflower - fibrous vegetables. I get uncomfortable with hard apples, pineapple, and harder fruits. It's not that I can't eat them, it's just easier if they are dried, or grilled, or roasted to either make them crunchy or soft.

But before you think I follow a really good diet, just know that I've been caught eating pizza rolls and potato chips for supper too! (Hubby made that and FYI - pizza rolls did not go down well). But I try to limit my treats to only a couple of times a week or just a few bites.