I have 6.75cc in a 10cc band. I do not think I am at my sweet spot yet...but I must be getting close.

*I can eat anything I want---no problems with bread or chicken.

* I do not PB or throw up and I only get stuck if I am eating too fast and not chewing.

* For the most part I forget I have the band...and just stop myself from eating too much by weighing/ measuring my food.

* I did a 2 day Protein fast to break snacking habits.

* I lose between 4-5 lbs a MONTH but this month has been slower. Maybe only 3 lbs.

I am on the fence about getting a fill before vacation. I am supposed 4-6 weeks between visits. I am scheduled for my next fill on Thursday May 27 and we start vacation the next week. That would be the 4 week mark.

On one hand I don't want to get the fill before we go because I don't want to chance that I will start PB and having food issues.

On the other hand, I have to stop myself from eating--- and what if I don't have the self control to do that on vacation.

I don't want to gain weight ya know??

So.....should I get a small fill before I go and try to get to my sweet spot? Or should I just do the status quo and get the fill as soon as I get back.

Everyone creeps up on restriction a little differently, but from the way you've described the way you're able to eat now, it doesn't really sound as though restriction---at least, not restriction at a level that would hinder your enjoyment of a vacation (as long as you're not defining fun as eating whatever you want!)---is a fill away.

A few days between fill and vacation will give you a chance to address any overfill issues, should they arise. Chances are great that you will have no problems, though. Each fill is a little less aggressive than the last---as the band gets snugger, a smaller volume does more, and a skillful doctor is careful to gauge what you are likely to tolerate, and give you no more than that amount.

I think it likely that you will more gradually approach restriction than you are anticipating. Most of us do.

I mentioned having to fly while at my last fill and they were concerned. When I told them that it was 3 weeks in the future they relaxed but said they didn't really want me to fly within a week of my fill...just in case. So you might want to check with your doctor and possibly put it off until you get back.

i got my fill may 6th, i am just now feeling restriction, it seems to hit all at once, at first when the doctor gave me a fill i usually hear it going down, this time i did not.i say wait until after vacation.this band is fickle. sometimes its on, an sometimes it is not.

I seem to get tighter about 10 days after a fill. So for me I wouldn't but it depends on how your body reacts to the fills. If you waited till you get back would that put you 2 weeks behind on your fill schedule? Can you live with that? Also if you needed an unfill while you were gone because you couldn't drink water, is there somewhere you could have it done?

I have to vote for waiting on the fill. I love vacation and traveling and I would not want to spend my trip worrying about get stuck or trying to find Protein drink s because I couldn't manage anything else.

You may overeat on vacation, but it's not the end of the world. In fact, I'm always so active on vacation, that I lose weight, no matter what I eat. But even if you gain a pound or two, you will get right back on track when you return. You're going to have this band for life, waiting 2 weeks for another fill won't ruin your success.

Have a great vacation,

Cindy