I've been reading a lot of posts latley about how people can still eat as much as they used to . Is that the norm?

If this is the case, how does YOUR band help you lose weight? Its making me nervous that I will feel no change after surgery, and it will be all for not. I'm prepared to do the hard work. I know its "just a tool." But if a screwdriver didn't screw, I wouldn't use it. Does the band really help or is it a "sugar pill?"

My band helps me just like it should. I am only able to eat very tiny amounts of food. It is so much more than a tool for me. I don't have to "work it." I don't work hard at it. There will be a time when you don't have restriction and have to "diet." But for me, that time was very short.

My lapband works fine for me,too. I went to a nutritionist before lapband, as a requirement of my surgeon. She had me start eating off salad plates instead of dinner size plates, and that helps, too. i find that lapband controls a lot of overeating urges,too. Good luck, Karen(kll724).

Very reassuring! Thank you!

My band is good! I think it does its job! I can only eat small (and I mean small amounts of food at a time). about 2-3 oz of food at each meal. It holds me over for about 3-4 hours and I am not snackin inbetween meals. I have my protein shakes in between meals and my water. I chew chew chew, and take my time eating...just as instructed.

I love my band! Although the begining was really tough for me! And I just got my first fill and trying to adjust yet again to my body and signs...but I LOVE MY BAND!

My band has been the best tool ever for me to lose weight. I would never have been able to lose 60 lbs without it! LOVE MY BAND!

I've been reading a lot of posts latley about how people can still eat as much as they used to . Is that the norm?

If this is the case, how does YOUR band help you lose weight? Its making me nervous that I will feel no change after surgery, and it will be all for not. I'm prepared to do the hard work. I know its "just a tool." But if a screwdriver didn't screw, I wouldn't use it. Does the band really help or is it a "sugar pill?"

When the band is properly adjusted with the right level of restriction it is an unbelievable tool. The posts you were reading were likely from people who had not yet had a fill or had not yet found their "sweet spot"

That is why follow up care with the band is so important. If you get your fills regularly you will do great.

Everyone is different in how they experience the band.

I personally could still eat as much as before banding if I really tried. However, I no longer desire to eat that much! I weigh my 3oz of protein and measure my 1/2 cup of (low carb, low glycemic) veggies, eat that and am done. If I'm still really hungry 20 minutes after finishing that, I can have more veggies. Most of the time I'm fine.

I used to need a high protein snack between meals, but I haven't lately (except when doing exceptionally vigorous workouts).

I don't drink protein drinks as a general rule, again, except after a very vigorous workout. My doctor says to avoid liquid calories as much as possible unless we are too tight to get solids down. Which is OK if this happens in the AM after waking up.. if that tight all day long, we need to come in for evaluation and possible unfill.

The immediate time after banding (usually about 6 weeks, but can vary a bit) before you get your first fill is a bit of a challenge. You may or may not have fluid put in during surgery. I did and had no issues with it. Some people have too much swelling and have to have some fluid removed from the band. The challenge .. whether or not the surgeon gives you a "starter fill" is to deal with normal hunger after the swelling from the surgery goes down. This is the time that many call "Bandster Hell", you've got a band but it doesn't have enough fluid in it to help you and you're "dieting" on your own.

And what some fail to realize (and evidentally some doctors don't reveal) is that it may take more than 1 fill to get good appetite dimming. But be faithful about going back for more fluid and you should eventually get to where you eat your small meal and are satisfied (NOT full.. the feeling is very different) for 3 to 5 hours. I didn't really believe it could happen, but followed my doctor's guidelines as close as I could (about 90% of the time) and it's working for me.

Hope this helps.

I've had restriction from day one. I really don't understand the people who say they have "no" restriction, I would think you would have to have some??? Anyway, I've always had some restriction but your head has to be in the game. I really have to think... am I hungry or do I just want to eat something? Usually, if it is between meals... I just want to eat something to eat. Old habits die hard! LOVE MY BAND!

Thanks for all of the feedback on this post. I'm glad I found it. I am actually a little surprised at some of the negativity on this site. It's like the old saying.....if you don't have anything nice (or good) to say....then don't say it. Maybe they need a sticky topic for ranting and complaining. It's hard enough to go through all of this, maintain hope, will power and motivation without reading the negative stuff. Being real is one thing and I think most of us who have been through the approval process understand the band is a TOOL and we will need to work to get where we need to be.

I can't wait to come back and post how my band has helped me once I get her strapped in (Feb 10th)

Thanks for the hope and motivation guys and girls

I've had restriction from day one. I really don't understand the people who say they have "no" restriction, I would think you would have to have some??? Anyway, I've always had some restriction but your head has to be in the game. I really have to think... am I hungry or do I just want to eat something? Usually, if it is between meals... I just want to eat something to eat. Old habits die hard! LOVE MY BAND!

I have to agree with you about people not having any restriction! Honestly! I would assume that when they put the band in the small pouch they made should only be able to hold a little bit of food! And the band should only allow small amounts at a time to pass through!

I have had good restriciton since the begining too! (fluid stage was a different story though) I felt like the shakes never really satisfied that hunger! But with solid foods I can barely eat! I can't even eat a full meal!

Thanks for all the good news! I was starting to second guess myself! I do have a (real life ) banded friend that can eat as much as she wants, and she has 10 cc in her 11 cc band.

I plan to follow all the rules, but I know I'll need restrictin to stay on track forever.

I can still eat as much as I could pre-band. The difference is that the band has taken away my hunger so I don't have the desire to eat the way I did before. So I eat 3 oz of Protein, 1/2 c. of vegies and 1/4 cup of starch at a meal and feel no hunger for about 4 hours.

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The reason why some people dont have restriction to start with is because everyone has different size stomach. thats why everyone has different fill levels. This is a difficult journey for some of us and we have difficult times and look to this site for support, hence the negativity. Not everyone has a dream journey with their band. I didnt have any restriction until I got my last fill.

Try not to judge others unless you had a meal with their band.