I had surgery May 13, my first fill June 17, second fill July 6 and thought things were going well. I've lost 29 pounds and I am very happy for this. My question is how often should I be needing my next fill. Sometimes when I eat it takes bites and other times bunches. I don't always make the best choices but try to keep my portions in control. I do okay for breakfast and lunch but dinner I am able to consume a cup or more before feeling full. I still struggle with small bites and chewing, resulting in small food stuck episodes. Slimming is not fun but I find myself doing it often. Therefore, I don't think i need a fill or could I. My regular day looks like...small chicken breat for breakfast(8:30), 1/2-1 cup for lunch(12-12:30 and I'm hungry by then), snack (3:00) usually 4 Triscuits (because my stomach is growling) and small portion of whatever I fix for dinner, usually meat and veg and sometime a small amount of starch (7:00 and I am starving). Nights are tough for me I like to snack, usually Triscuits or cereal if I cave. Any words of advice? I know I need to tweek my menu and get rid of the things I know i shouldn't have. I am 1-1.5 pounds from Onederland and just can't seem to get there.

Sounds like to me you do need a fill. You seem to be experiencing a lot of hunger. The getting stuck episodes are probably because your eating too quickly and not chewing enough. Best of luck, keep up posted.

Thank you for your post. I am a week past my second fill and although I have stuck episodes just like yours, I'm still eating more than I should and have periods of intense hunger. I appreciate the feedback that getting stuck doesn't necessarily equate to overfill but more likely chewing and eating patterns.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

Sounds like you need a fill. My Dr is a little aggresive with fills. I have had 3 since my surgery, may 25th, 8ccs total and I am feeling restriction now. After my second I was more like you, as the day went on I could eat more, unless I didnt chew well or ate too fast. My dr told me if I am still getting hungry after 2 weeks, come back for a fill. Your dr may be ok with a fill ahead of "schedule".

I personally dont think you need a fill, but I use my band a lot differently then a lot of people. I eat every 3 hours and I eat alot more then you do. I dont think I want to starve myself and live on 800 calories the rest of my life. I dont want to slow my metabolism down by eating only 3 times a day and barely anything, therefore I keep my band on the loose side. I keep it tight enough where I stay full for 3 hours and I cant overeat, but I keep it loose enough where I can eat anything I choose to eat and can eat pretty normally still just smaller portions but not insanely small.

My diet is usually pretty clean and I eat really well most of the time, so it does seem like I am still on a diet, but until i lose the weight this is how I choose to use my band.

Its all up to you on how you want to live with your band! Good luck to whatever you do!