and I feel absolutely NO restriction what so ever. I mean I can still chug water and although I HAVE been eating the bandster way I put the band to the test yesterday:nervous I wanted to see if anything would happen if I ate faster than normal. I made tacos and spanish rice for dinner. Although I only ate 1 taco and a little of rice I could have easily eaten another one!! The only thing that was visible to me was afterwards (about 10 - 15 mins later) I got the hiccups. So my question is this - should I wait a little longer for it to "kick" in or should I call the doc and have another fill?

Hello! I had my second fill a couple of weeks ago and am experiencing sort of the same thing you talk about- I can eat more than I think I should be able too...but then again, I don't think I've wrapped my mind around being able to eat ANYTHING and loose weight...so, I talked to some bandster friends and they kindly reminded me that....

it's not how much you *think* you should or shouldn't be able to eat- it's if you are loosing an average of 1-2 pounds a week.

I am loosing about a pound a week, and to tell you the truth- I love being able to eat. I don't feel deprived, I'm not on some diet, I'm just eating like a normal person.

So, be patient- we didn't gain this weight in a month, we're certainly not going to take it off in one.

And- how cool is it that you can eat a taco and some rice- get kinda full- but stop because you know you should? I know before my band, I would have eaten two tacos and stopped- but I could have eaten another one ot two then, too.

I don't know if that answers your question or not...let us know what you decide!

Megan

Megan,

You make some good points. I am pre-band, but I have been wondering how I will feel when I start getting bands and will I get hung up thinking too much about food and what to eat.

I know that everyone's experience is different, but it helps me to hear about all the differences that do exist.

Thanks for your input.

Originally posted by megan0318

it's not how much you *think* you should or shouldn't be able to eat- it's if you are loosing an average of 1-2 pounds a week.

That's the reason that I asked the question. It has been a week but I haven't lost anything since I have had my fill. I eat much less but ........ well I don't know. That's the reason that I wanted to know what the vets thought!!

There are a few things to do (I'm sure you know all of these, but thought I'd just remind you in case :-))

1. Make sure you are eating Protein first, veggies second, and carbs last.

2. Get moving...increase physical movement.

3. Don't drink with meals- or for at least an hour after (I wasn't loosing for awhile because I would drink too soon after eating and I'd be hungry again- so I now don't drink for at least two hours)

4. If you've done the above three things at least 80% of the time (who's perfect?) for at least three weeks and you still aren't loosing, then you probably need a fill.

You may be on a plateau, you may have Water retention from your period, you may not be getting in enough calories (under 1000 and sometimes you metabolism drops significantly and your body holds on to every peice of fat).

Hang in there, and remember it's not a sprint, it's a marathon.

Again, let us know how you're doing.

Megan

Originally posted by megan0318

You may be on a plateau, you may have Water retention from your period, you may not be getting in enough calories (under 1000 and sometimes you metabolism drops significantly and your body holds on to every peice of fat).

Well woke up this morning and wouldn't ya know it!!! I am 1 1/2 weeks EARLY so I bet that is the reason for the standstill. I am not going to stress on it anymore until after I finish my cycle. Not to mention stressing isn't going to help. I really do need to keep reminding myself that this is for the LONG HAUL!!!! Rome wasn't built in a day and I didn't gain this weight in a day!! I feel much better now cause I really thought I was doing something wrong or the band just wasn't working for me!! Thanks so much!!!!