I am almost 3 months post-op and I have 5cc's in an 11cc realize band - and I still have no restriction at all. I have been dieting and working out and working really hard am down about 45 pounds, but for the last month I seem to be gaining and losing the same 5 pounds and feel stagnant. I really look forward to finding restriction so I am not tempted and able to eat too many calories- how long did it take you to find good restriction and really start losing?? I could really use some motivation that this is actually going to happen/work as I am not sure I can do it on my own (without the band to help) and keep it off. Thanks in advance!

So I had 4 fills. I'm currently at 7cc with a 11cc band & I'm at my 'sweet spot'. I had surgery though last October. I liked it gradually, because I could still eat things that I enjoyed in moderation & was losing weight because I had a little restriction, & food went down differently of course. I am down 58lbs since surgury. I'm still in awe that I'm still losing & I'm not really ever hungry. I have to think about eating. You will get there! It's gradually- stay motivated!! it's really exciting when you get to go buy a different size Jean & shirt. That's been my favorite part besides my clear skin from not putting all those toxins in my body!! Good Luck!!

Around Fill #5, I had perfect restriction.

it took me 8 fills to get to restriction...be patient

You aren't looking for "restriction" you are looking for hunger control. To be able to go 4-5 hours without eating. The band when filled properly presses on a nerve, which prevents the hunger hormone from being released. I have 5.5ccs in my band, and after a few weeks, my hunger was gone. Yes, I can still eat plenty, obviously less than pre-band, but I have to control what goes in. But my appatite is so little it makes it really hard to over eat.

I honestly think, there is no point when you will be able to just eat less food without controlling it yourself. It's up to you to mentally figure out when you are full.

Everyone is different when it comes to "restriction". I only have 2 cc's in my band...on the weeks of my period I have too much restriction! It's almost 2 weeks out of a month that I am on liquids and/or softs, mushies. Then the other 2 weeks I am fine and can eat! I could go with less Fluid in my band; which at my next appointment in May I am going to ask that they take out 1cc. So that would leave me with 1 cc in my band. As Heather said... Its hunger Control! How long you are staying satisfied for? I can have a Protein shake in the morning and be ok till about 12 or 1pm. then be ok again until 5 or 6 pm. If you are hungry sooner... then you may need more fluid in the band!

Good luck!

I say it is a step by step process. Which means fill after fill until you get to a point where you are not hungry for 5- 5 1/2 hrs. that's the normal range.

So you have to understand, until you get a fill probably every 6 weeks, on the in between if you are still hungry,,, you have to stick to your calorie plan.

Journal your calories, and keep seeing your surgeon. He/She will make the decision on how your doing, and your calorie intake, and how often you eat. So hang in there and remember protein helps take the edge of hunger. (for a while).

I'll be banded for 6 months on Friday and I've just got restriction. I have 8 cc's in my band, I got a fill last week, and I'm finally at the point where I'm feeling satisfied every 5 or so hours and with much smaller portions.

Thanks for all of the responses. I definately have NO restriction - just will power. I am sticking to my diet (including protein, water and calories count) as well as working out - I just wanted to hear from others on when you found restriction. Thanks for responding!

I am at 9.5cc in my 11cc band. I do feel restriction but not enough to call it my sweet spot. There are still things I eat that I just know I shouldn't be able to. I haven't started working out because I don't want them to think I am at my required fill level, I want to start losing because of the band and then also the working out, if that makes sense. I am curious about the fill levels of other 11cc patients. It has been a long process because he will only do 1cc at a time.

I am almost 3 months post-op and I have 5cc's in an 11cc realize band - and I still have no restriction at all. I have been dieting and working out and working really hard am down about 45 pounds, but for the last month I seem to be gaining and losing the same 5 pounds and feel stagnant. I really look forward to finding restriction so I am not tempted and able to eat too many calories- how long did it take you to find good restriction and really start losing?? I could really use some motivation that this is actually going to happen/work as I am not sure I can do it on my own (without the band to help) and keep it off. Thanks in advance!

I was up around 7.2cc's before I felt real good restriction.

I have been at 7.4 in my 10 band for the last couple of months and it was perfect. But I have now gone under my goal weight by 11 pounds so my stomach has shrunk again and I need more saline to get back to controlling my hunger and portion size. Everyone is different though. When I am in the green zone I experience hunger control AND restriction of the amount I can eat.

It takes a long time. I was starting to feel like the band wasn't going to work but it did! It took me about 8 months of fills every 6 weeks to get the fill level. I was losing weight very slowly before this but my weight loss has really picked up since getting restriction. Hang in there.

Thx, I guess I'll be a little more patient. Always wanting those 'miracles'!

It takes a long time. I was starting to feel like the band wasn't going to work but it did! It took me about 8 months of fills every 6 weeks to get the fill level. I was losing weight very slowly before this but my weight loss has really picked up since getting restriction. Hang in there.

It takes a long time. I was starting to feel like the band wasn't going to work but it did! It took me about 8 months of fills every 6 weeks to get the fill level. I was losing weight very slowly before this but my weight loss has really picked up since getting restriction. Hang in there.

This was a very good explanation for me because i had my first fill last friday and I still have little restriction so I am happy to hear that it will take a few more fills and I have a 10 cc band so i am thinking that at 7 cc's i should be at that sweet spot because right now i have 4 cc's in. Thanks everyone!!

I would say don't focus on your fills so much, just evaluate your body and see what it's saying. My doc didn't even want to tell me how much he put in, he said don't worry about that, just follow your diet. I think people are too focused on the amount in there, when there isn't a set answer.