I'm confused, do lap banders ever get that "full" feeling? Some people tell me the food just piles up in their esophagus and the physically can't eat more without purging. Does anyone get that full satisfied feeling at all? In having the new iband (band with plication) so maybe that helps more with feeling full??

I am one year out and felt full for the first time a few weeks ago. I don't miss that feeling stuffed feeling any more!

Do u at least feel satisfied? How do you know when u should stop eating?

I don't think that it is really fair to compare regular banders and ibanders because those with the iband have two ways to feel restriction (the band and the plication) whereas those without plication are only dependent on the band.

Generally it seems everyone gets that full feeling in the first few weeks because of the swelling associated with getting the band. However after the swelling goes down, those without plication may not feel any restriction because they don't have that much (if any) Fluid in their bands and that is where the restriction comes from. Once the band starts getting filled, food has a harder time getting past the band and if you continue to eat the food with then start piling up and that is what causes most of the complications (PBing, throwing up, slippage) Also during the fill process if you haven't gotten restriction food is going into a regular sized stomach, so you aren't really going to feel full on a tiny portion. Also slider foods will be a problem even if you have restriction because they are also going into the full sized stomach.

However with addition with the plication, even without having the band filled you will feel full on a small meal because the stomach is now much smaller so even without band restriction, there is only so much you can eat before you feel full. The one problem i have is that since I don't have any fluid in the band I can eat faster than I probably should which means that while I don't eat near as much as I did before surgery, by the time the "you're full" signal gets to my brain I'm way past satisfied to post Thanksgiving dinner full and I'm uncomfortable for about an hour or so, and if I try to drink anything in that state it can get painful. I know I need to work on eating the right amount from the start, this usually happens when I eat out and order a regular meal

There are nerves at the top of the stomach that when stimulated, tell our brains that our stomach is full. Bandsters, when at proper restriction, fill their pouches with much less food and stimulate these nerves sooner. If we all stopped eating when we were full though, most of us wouldnt be overweight in the first place. There are other side effects such as, yes, bringing food up, when we've had too much. I think banded individuals who are diligent and willing to work with their doctors can certainly feel satisfied after a few fills.

Hello im 6 weeks in and lost 41 since sugery and my inital weight was 352 when i started nutrition last yr

I feel full on a small meal (3/4 to 1 cup) of any food. Its like I have eaten a big meal. If I eat one or two more bites I will feel uncomfortable.

Thankyou for the replies everyone!

Do u at least feel satisfied? How do you know when u should stop eating?

Sometimes I am satisfied, other times I am not. I measure out what I am supposed to eat stop there. Rarely will I take seconds of anything, but if I do it's usually no more than 2 more bites.

I have 5cc in my band had my surgery on Sep 12 n my doctor didn't want to do my fill in I had to get another Dr to get my fills which I found one so he put 5cc in n I only have lost11lb since Sept.. Going for my other fill on Mond when am I going to see my Green Zone!!? I seem to be the only one stuck this sucks n I feel like this was not worth it... Could there be a problem with my band? I don't have any pain..

I have 5cc in my band had my surgery on Sep 12 n my doctor didn't want to do my fill in I had to get another Dr to get my fills which I found one so he put 5cc in n I only have lost11lb since Sept.. Going for my other fill on Mond when am I going to see my Green Zone!!? I seem to be the only one stuck this sucks n I feel like this was not worth it... Could there be a problem with my band? I don't have any pain..

I am the same way. I had surgery nov 8. 3 fills 2 cc each time. I don't feel too much restriction eating less but definitely don't get a full feeling. I almost feel a little cheating. I need a green zone- I need to feel full or be restricted. Is it not working

My doctor doesn't put anything in during surgery. Six weeks later, he put 5cc in my 11cc band. I am scheduled for my next fill on April 9th - can't wait. I can still eat alot in my opinion and don't feel any restriction with 5cc. However, I joined Weight Watchers on Monday and have lost 4 lbs, in one week - whoop whoop! So I think it is a combination of both WW and healthy eating while "pretending" I have restriction - lol. I am hoping that I can get true restriction on the next fill. Until then, it's amazing how good it feels to finally see that scale moving after being at the same weight basically since the surgery. Happy Banding everyone!

I have been in the Green Zone for some time now. And I have NEVER FELT FULL.

Maybe it's a play on words, but feeling full is the same thing as it was after a Thanksgiving dinner, or a trip to the Buffet. it is the "I'm Stuffed" feeling.

If that is what everyone is looking for, you're not going to find it.

Under the definition of "Green Zone" it never says anything about feeling full. What it does say is you will be "Satisfied"

It is more behaviour, a mental thing. Since being banded, have you ever sat down at a meal, taken 2-3 bites and said "I'm finished, I have no desire to continue"? Well, that's what your band does. It sends a signal to your brain that "You are satisfied" Finished...no reason or desire to continue.

When this happens, don't force it. Listen to your band! Don't get hung up on "Am I getting enough Calories in?"

When the band say stop, you don't want or need to eat, then don't! This is also the signal that takes away your hunger cravings, etc, if you start practicing to listen.

It is as though the band sends the signal to you brain that you are full, and you do not need to continue, but physically you're not full. You may not have had anything to eat at all! But your brain says you have.

Well said and good advice B-52. Never try to overeat. It has bad experiences with it. Sometimes, satisfied is one or 2 bites. You usually get a notice from your body when yyou have ahd enough. A lot of people get hiccups or burp. Best wishes. Karen