Hi! My name is Denise and I am 44 years old. My husband of 13 years has been very supportive of my experience. I was banded on 5/24/10 by Dr. John Marsden in Hurst, TX. It was a good experience. I have had 2 fills, and it seems like I am waiting for some kind of "magic" to begin. I am not at my sweet spot just yet. I remember the satiated feeling postop, and I am not there yet. Preop diet weight loss was 18 pounds. Weight loss since surgery is 19 pounds. I do not have extreme hunger, but I feel like I eat too much at mealtimes. I have progressively began eating more, faster and swallowing larger amounts of foods. It also can take me only 15-20 mins per mealtime. I know the rules. I think I just need #1) another fill, but we travel full time and maintaining a fill spot is going to be challenging; #2) someone to encourage me to maintain proper eating techniques. I just feel like I am going through this alone. Even though my hubby supports me, he doesn't have a LAP-BAND®® and unless you do have one, you never truly understand. I know I didn't until I had mine! Any help is appreciated very much!!!!!

Hi! My name is Denise and I am 44 years old. My husband of 13 years has been very supportive of my experience. I was banded on 5/24/10 by Dr. John Marsden in Hurst, TX. It was a good experience. I have had 2 fills, and it seems like I am waiting for some kind of "magic" to begin. I am not at my sweet spot just yet. I remember the satiated feeling postop, and I am not there yet. Preop diet weight loss was 18 pounds. Weight loss since surgery is 19 pounds. I do not have extreme hunger, but I feel like I eat too much at mealtimes. I have progressively began eating more, faster and swallowing larger amounts of foods. It also can take me only 15-20 mins per mealtime. I know the rules. I think I just need #1) another fill, but we travel full time and maintaining a fill spot is going to be challenging; #2) someone to encourage me to maintain proper eating techniques. I just feel like I am going through this alone. Even though my hubby supports me, he doesn't have a LAP-BAND®®® and unless you do have one, you never truly understand. I know I didn't until I had mine! Any help is appreciated very much!!!!!

You are probably right - you are not at your sweet spot yet. It is critical in the first year to get to see your doctor about once every 4-6 weeks so you can:

1. get to proper restriction

2. review your eating habits and get suggestions on improving and breaking old habits

3. make sure you are following the doctor's "rules"

4. make sure everything is good with the surgery - no port problems, etc.

So, to give you a kick start, make an appointment with your doctor!

Next, are you drinking with your meals? If you are, this could account for the volume increase.

If not, try putting down your fork/spoon between bites, and putting your appropriate amount of food on a small(dessert size or kid's size ) plate.

When you have finished eating what is on your plate, you are done. Since you're not hungry this will probably help you get your portion size down.

Next, if you eat in restaurants, and do not order a kid's meal, have them bring you an extra plate and just take what you are going to eat on the plate in front of you.(same idea as the dessert size plate) Either have the rest put in a "to go" box, or have it removed from the table, or you can, as I often do, put salt, sugar or ketchup on it to ruin it totally so you will not be tempted to eat more than is on your plate.

Finally,(for now anyway) look at your food choices - are you using "food lube" so you can get down higher volumes? Are you choosing good dense protein?

Those are just a few ideas. I'll be glad to offer any other help I can.

Check out this article about using your tool at Lap Band Rules Or How I Use My Tool

You may find it helpful.:thumbup:

Sandi! Thank you for the reply. You are truly amazing, and I cannot wait to join bandedliving and get "started". What I have read and seen so far, you and Gloria have phenomenal stories and experience to share with others! I read some of your blog and I too am at the point where I eat either too much or too fast and my band 'rears its ugly head'. I have contacted a bariatric hospital/surgeon in the city where we are currently (my husband and I travel with our jobs) and am scheduling my 3rd fill with them (it was due the middle of August). I feel that will help me a lot along the way at this point! I have already saved bandedliving to my favorites and I will be visiting it each day and following you! Thank you again!

Denise