I am still just so confused and uncertain about this whole thing!! I was banded on 12/11. At four weeks I was allowed to go on full regular diet because I had no problems whatsoever tolerating food. I had my first fill of 1cc into my 10 cc band (it already had 4.5 cc in it from surgery) two weeks ago so I'm at 5.5 cc in a 10 cc band - I still don't feel restriction. I try and portion out my meals to what I think I should have and stop eating at that amount. I don't feel hungry after stopping eating but don't feel full or restriction, I just stop because the food is gone. The problem is when someone else serves me (like at a relatives or when going out to eat.) I have trouble with the portion, don't realize if I'm full or not, and eat more than I know I should. I still eat WAY, WAY less than I did prior to surgery but more than I should be eating. (for example: prior to surgery I could eat a whole club sandwich on italian bread, an order of regular fries, appetizer and dessert with two sodas. Last night I had 1/2 a club sandwich on wheat and about six sweet potato fries) I don't snack - only eat three meals a day. I don't think I'm eating enough either. I don't take in 1,000 calories a day, I'm more around 500-850. I get another fill on 2/10 - thank GOD - because even though I have been losing weight slowly, I feel like a failure and that I'm not doing what I'm supposed to or that this hasn't worked. Anyone else feel this way, experiencing this?

Its been a year and two days since my surgery date and I am in the same boat as you are.. I had to have my gall bladder out as well couple months ago and I was throwing up all the time if you get any stomach issues then go get your gb checked out. But even after surgery i still get sick : ) kind of want this out!!

Hello, I am soooooooooooo frustrated with this entire process. I got banded on 12/23 and had my first fill 2/1, any weight that i have lost is due to my self control. I am able to eat everything but bread. My doctor says I need to wait six weeks till my next fill. Does anyone know how soon I can get another fill? Please help.:thumbup:

hi KK

I am in the same boat.. I had my 2nd fill and i still have no restriction and loossing very little weight. Now i have to wait till the end of MArch for my 3rd fill hopefully this will get me closer to my "sweet spot"

Good luck!!!

Hello, I am soooooooooooo frustrated with this entire process. I got banded on 12/23 and had my first fill 2/1, any weight that i have lost is due to my self control. I am able to eat everything but bread. My doctor says I need to wait six weeks till my next fill. Does anyone know how soon I can get another fill? Please help.:redface:

Next time ask for an aggressive fill.

Hello, I am soooooooooooo frustrated with this entire process. I got banded on 12/23 and had my first fill 2/1, any weight that i have lost is due to my self control. I am able to eat everything but bread. My doctor says I need to wait six weeks till my next fill. Does anyone know how soon I can get another fill? Please help.:redface:

Weight loss with the band is a slow jog, not a sprint. Especially while you are trying to find proper restriction.

Some doctors will allow fills as close as two weeks--maybe less, some don't. It sounds as though yours might not. You could call in a couple weeks and tell your doc how you are doing, and ask if you can move the schedule up. The worst that can happen is you get told no.

My surgeon liked to go at least a month between fills.

I was supposed to have a fill on the 10th but because I had a major stuck episode a couple weeks before and because I had lost 8 pounds in the four weeks between appointments my doctor opted not to give me one. I was SO disappointed!!! I had lost eight pounds because I am dieting and exercising NOT because the band is doing anything for me. I have NO restriction. I am HUNGRY all the time. I am just eating what I "think" I should eat and no more. Still only about 800 to 1,000 calories a day. He told me if I was still hungry after eating my 1 cup of food to eat more until I'm full, well okay, I did that and I do eat less than before surgery but I know it's WAY more than I should be eating according to the standards. For instance, I can eat 1/2 a sub, 1 cup of coleslaw, 1/2 an apple, and a cheestick - NO PROBLEM. Before surgery I would eat a whole sub, a small bag of chips, a whole apple, a large drink, and maybe a cookie or something, but now I should only be eating the 1/2 sub MAYBE. I have not lost any weight in two weeks. I go back on 3/12 and I'm definately asking for a fill then....

:confused: I thought I wasted my money, But I see that most people here feel the same way and are still fighting hunger. I have had my band for 2.5 months and lost 38lbs but still was not happy. I can still eat good size meals because i feel no restriction,,. I once eat a full Ny steak, mashed potatoes, green beans and a full ceaser salad on my first month and 1/2. I guess its based on will powe, After I ate all that food I went to my doctor for an ajustment and now have abot 7cc in a 10cc band. I still fill very little resrtiction and my stomach almost never fills full. I ahve been depressed many times and somtimes think it not working at all. I was told before i got lap-band that it was a tool and will tell you when you are full. It seems i have to tell myself because your brain tells you too eat all the food you see or want. I admit i love food and its like a drug addiction. The funny thing is that now I only eat about 1,000 calories a day, like chicken salad and beans for protien about 60 cal, 3 eggs in the morning.

Just got your reply. Ive had to go in and have some taken out again because all I did for a month was throw up. Couldnt get food down --finally had to have some fluid taken out. Ive lost around 45 since my surgery last 9/11. Its been very slow going----how has it been for you

I am still just so confused and uncertain about this whole thing!! I was banded on 12/11. At four weeks I was allowed to go on full regular diet because I had no problems whatsoever tolerating food. I had my first fill of 1cc into my 10 cc band (it already had 4.5 cc in it from surgery) two weeks ago so I'm at 5.5 cc in a 10 cc band - I still don't feel restriction. I try and portion out my meals to what I think I should have and stop eating at that amount. I don't feel hungry after stopping eating but don't feel full or restriction, I just stop because the food is gone. The problem is when someone else serves me (like at a relatives or when going out to eat.) I have trouble with the portion, don't realize if I'm full or not, and eat more than I know I should. I still eat WAY, WAY less than I did prior to surgery but more than I should be eating. (for example: prior to surgery I could eat a whole club sandwich on italian bread, an order of regular fries, appetizer and dessert with two sodas. Last night I had 1/2 a club sandwich on wheat and about six sweet potato fries) I don't snack - only eat three meals a day. I don't think I'm eating enough either. I don't take in 1,000 calories a day, I'm more around 500-850. I get another fill on 2/10 - thank GOD - because even though I have been losing weight slowly, I feel like a failure and that I'm not doing what I'm supposed to or that this hasn't worked. Anyone else feel this way, experiencing this?

Please make sure your Dr. Understands that you have "NO" restriction. Speak up to them...I made that mistake. Tell him/her over and over....to make sure they fill your band properly. :confused: good luck

You are not a failure at all. I experienced the exact same things you are. I have very good restriction right now but it took me 9 months before I got it. Every person is different I required my band to be almost full before I felt resrtriction. I know how you feel I started thinking I had made a mistake that this was not going to work for me, but I am 40lbs lighter than before the surgery and my doctor says my bloodwork is really improving and my health is the most important thing righ now. Try not to compare yourself to others on this forum who are rapidly loosing weight or have great restriction early on were not all going to get to our goal at the same rate of speed. I have learned that the band takes a great deal of patience and communication with your doctor.