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How Can I Help My Band Shrink Up?



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Today I got my 6th fill which puts me at 9.6cc. I am still at a stand still. I am wondering if I need to do something to help my band shrink my stomach. I am considering a liquid diet? And suggestions???

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Are you still hungry? Is that why you think you need to shrink your stomach?

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Yes what exactly is wrong? Eating too much? Hunger between meals? Still able to eat chocolate and icecream?

If you give us more info then we can hopefully supply more informative answers.

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There are times when I'm going along and I feel my portions are starting to get larger than ususal.....I don't measure/weigh food, I rely on the band to give me feedback.

But in cases like that I go to iquids for a day or 2, Protein shakes, Soups, etc, anything but solids.

This usually "tightens" things back up for me,

We used the term "Tighten up the band" I'm not sure that is what is happeneing, as much as our pouch stretching and contracting.

You can try the 5 day pouch test as previously mentioned. It is someones clever way of structuring a liquid only, then mushie schedule, and abbreviation of a post op diet.

It does work.

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Today I got my 6th fill which puts me at 9.6cc. I am still at a stand still. I am wondering if I need to do something to help my band shrink my stomach. I am considering a liquid diet? And suggestions???

Do you have a large 14cc or a standard 10cc band?

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We used the term "Tighten up the band" I'm not sure that is what is happeneing, as much as our pouch stretching and contracting.

I think if I have more understanding of the ''mechanics" of how and what stretches and moves, I will avoid a lot of mistakes. So far all loss is only few days after the fill, then looks like the pouch stretches more, and I can hardly keep the plateue, as I am eating not those 1/2 a cup, but almost full size portions.

I have lost only 40 in 4 months after surgery. Had 2 fills so far. Anyone can prompt me ?

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I think if I have more understanding of the ''mechanics" of how and what stretches and moves, I will avoid a lot of mistakes. So far all loss is only few days after the fill, then looks like the pouch stretches more, and I can hardly keep the plateue, as I am eating not those 1/2 a cup, but almost full size portions.

I have lost only 40 in 4 months after surgery. Had 2 fills so far. Anyone can prompt me ?

If you are able to eat full size portions, you do not have restriction. 40 pounds in 4 months is on track, but you may need more restriction to stay with that rate.

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Only restriction I feel is shortly after the fill - it backs up and I feel like a toothpaste tube being squeezed blush5.gif . But then in couple of weeks it goes away, no restriction whatsoever. I am afraid that it will continue stretching more and more. If I am loosing anything only due to old-fashioned way- just close the mouth.

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Only restriction I feel is shortly after the fill - it backs up and I feel like a toothpaste tube being squeezed blush5.gif . But then in couple of weeks it goes away, no restriction whatsoever. I am afraid that it will continue stretching more and more. If I am loosing anything only due to old-fashioned way- just close the mouth.

That is how it feels after the first few fills sometimes. That is why we sometimes need several fills to reach the green zone. After you reach the proper restriction level you can go many months, maybe a year, before you will need another tiny little fill to maintain your sweet spot.

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My band holds 11cc and I am at 9.6cc as of now. I have been on liquids since the 19th and feel okay with it. I just looked at the 5 day pouch and think I will try it since Im already at it. I dont eat much but only get hungry in the evenings so that could be my problem.

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I have done the 5 day pouch thing and had really good results. I will have to admit (grudgingly) that I was probably bending the rules a little which led to my decision to try it. I lost 8 pounds that week and got back on track. My portion sizes went back to 1/2 a cup and I felt full for longer periods of time between meals. Good luck! biggrin.png

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Going to have to try this...

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