I was banded 11/28/11 and I've had 5 fills(14 cc band w/10.5 cc now). food gets stuck easily starting 3 fills ago and have progressively become worse so I know I'm getting restriction. My problem is that I don't seem to ever get full if I eat soft foods and chew well. Oh, if I eat and don't chew well or I swallow too big a bite it gets stuck and then I go through the pain of having my pouch massage(more like gyrate) the bolus painfully through the band. Now that's a full feeling and I can't eat anything till it passes but OMG, that can't be the full feeling that most bandsters feel? Ouch!

I had this image in my mind that at some point in time I would feel full after eating a cup or two but that isn't the case. I can't eat as much as before or I don't want to, but I keep looking for that feeling of fullness to take over.

I've lost 6 lbs in the last 5 weeks but that's mostly from dieting and heavy exercise. I want that full feeling after just a cup so that I'm eating less. I don't believe my band is the tool I had hoped it would be?

I rarely feel full. It was hard to get used to because before I would eat until I was stuffed. Now I eat and I am satisfied....well, for the most part!

You need to be eating protein but not too much soft stuff.

I was told to stop after 20 min. and wait. I also usually ( sometimes) have a soft stop of a runny nose or hic cups then i know to stop. You maybe full but your eyes see more food and your head says that more food = hunger.(head hunger). Measure your food then be done and don't thnk about the rest, you may find later you weren't hungry after all.

Wendy

I am 4 plus years out and just recommitted. I could have wrote your post many times over the years. Many many times. I never felt like I found my spot.

The last few weeks I have been focusing on the rules and really concentrating when I eat. When I eat white fish that is soft and mushy, I can eat way more. I love home made chili but I can overeat it. So I portion out a cup and stop. Mushies take discipline.

When I eat a denser fish like Salmon, I really have to slow down and chew well and be mindful. chicken, forget about it. We don't get along. Hamburger, same thing. I realized I was avoiding foods that were dense and I couldn't eat as much of. Well duh. That is the point of the band right? Or I would take too big of a bite and not chew well and get stuck. Viscious cycle.

On Sunday my hubby and I had a nice turkey dinner at the inlaws. I was so scared to eat because I thought for sure I would have issues with the turkey. I ate slow, chewed well and listened to my soft stop signals.

My soft stop signals are usually a slight runny nose, or I sigh. If I push it, they turn into hiccups.

It seriously took me 4 years to finally LISTEN to my signals. Now I stop. And guess what, I really am full for a good 4 hours. I am not going to lie and say that head hunger doesn't still come around before that 4 hours... but I don't listen to it anymore. (Well most of the time... I am not perfect... Yet)

Recognize the difference between head hunger and real hunger. Focus on dense Protein and avoid mushies.

Soft foods will mush up and pass through. You will be able to overeat soft foods. Trust me. I did it for a long time. Focus on dense solid Proteins.

Proteins first. Green veggies second. Winning combo.

I definitely do get that full feeling on a cup or less of food. If I continue a bite or two past feeling full, I'll get a huge lump in my throat that can be a little painful. I also seem to burp right as I get full, too. If I go too far and get that lump in the throat sensation, I get the hiccups. Also, I can go 4-5 hours without hunger after eating.

Thanks everyone. I guess I listened only to the bandsters who seemed to find success as the best case scenarios from the Doctors and band makers offices speak about. I now know it doesn't work the same for all of us. I think I wanted this band to do it all for me. No more hunger(of any kind) and no more wants. That's not going to happen sadly.

I do feel fuller than 6 months ago after a meal.

Adorkbl, I followed you and many others on the Kirschenbaum forum back in 08. Did he do your surgery? I've met some of the girls for dinner once and it's a great group.

Dan

Mis73, You're my hero I want what you have. That's how I envisioned this to be. I want that signal to stop eating. I get the same thing as you when I don't chew properly. Hiccups and pain. But that can be after just one bite of food.

Dan

Adorkbl, I followed you and many others on the Kirschenbaum forum back in 08. Did he do your surgery? I've met some of the girls for dinner once and it's a great group.

Dan

Yes, he did my surgery in Jan 08. I had my gallbladder removed in July 08 here locally and have continued my follow up with surgeon here. I had a leak for quite awhile before I decided to fix it. I replaced my port in Jan '11.

My biggest struggle has been head hunger and depression. I start off strong and then go back to old habits. I lost 100 pounds initially and then gained back 56. I am on the downward trek again.

I recently got diagnosed with hiatal hernia and severe gastritis. I am doing things right finally to avoid losing my band. So far so good.

I think I thought the band would do more. But when I really examined what I have been doing, I realized I was doing everything to cheat my band and work around it. It is harder starting over 4 years out when you know how to work around your tool. But I am determined to be a success.

Mis73' date=' You're my hero I want what you have. That's how I envisioned this to be. I want that signal to stop eating. I get the same thing as you when I don't chew properly. Hiccups and pain. But that can be after just one bite of food.

Dan[/quote']

That first bite gets me a lot. Too big and too fast. Frustrating and painful. Really really be mindful with the first bite. Keep it small and chew well.

Yes, he did my surgery in Jan 08. I had my gallbladder removed in July 08 here locally and have continued my follow up with surgeon here. I had a leak for quite awhile before I decided to fix it. I replaced my port in Jan '11.

My biggest struggle has been head hunger and depression. I start off strong and then go back to old habits. I lost 100 pounds initially and then gained back 56. I am on the downward trek again.

I recently got diagnosed with hiatal hernia and severe gastritis. I am doing things right finally to avoid losing my band. So far so good.

I think I thought the band would do more. But when I really examined what I have been doing, I realized I was doing everything to cheat my band and work around it. It is harder starting over 4 years out when you know how to work around your tool. But I am determined to be a success.

How did you know you had a leak? I'm almost 5 years out and just last week lost ALL restriction! Kinda scared. Going for fill on Friday. can the Dr. tell I have a leak when he takes the Fluid out?

How did you know you had a leak? I'm almost 5 years out and just last week lost ALL restriction! Kinda scared. Going for fill on Friday. can the Dr. tell I have a leak when he takes the Fluid out?

Sorry. Just saw this.

My surgeon pulled all the fluid out of my band and several cc's was missing. We did it a second time to be sure, and cc's were missing again.

Some people will get their leak diagnosed under fluoroscopy.

Good luck!!

I have had almost exactly the same experience as 2muchfun --Since banding I have never felt full or even near full--I get "hangs" almost daily now but I cook my food especially to get them using mostly chicken breast meat and pork cooked very dry because I want this band to work--I wonder if the hangs come from the band being almost tight enough--I quit my surgeon for fills because he only guested at what was happening and found another clinic which uses the fluoroscope for every fill doing it before and while filling only stopping after seeing the amount of restriction--no matter how experienced your surgeon any other way is just a guess--I lost 114 lbs before banding by dieting on only 26 lbs in 5 months after--I can lose by feeling starved but that's not what I was told would happen and definitely not what I paid for

I know I am too full when I get this pain between my shoulders and in my chest. It is like I am "clogged up". I seem to have been getting stuck more lately, but I have had a ton of sinus drainage (sorry for that image). I asked my doc if the constant drainage doesn't fill up my pouch somewhat and he said it made sense to him. I get the sliming effect much worse if I am not feeling well to begin with. Otherwise, I do good. I feel like I am in the green zone most of the time and then there are days where it feels like I ate the house down. I know I didn't, but it feels that way. Started exercising and oddly enough, it is like I can eat more after I do. I don't know what to think sometimes. I am down 50 pounds, so that is great and I can't complain. Jen