Hi guys, how are you? I hope all is well. I am a new member. I have been having my band for almost 3 years, since May 2009. I have never found restriction. I am ready for the green zone!!! Lol. Here is my story, I am currently 299lbs. When I decide to have the band I was young and uneducated on the whole procedure. All I knew was I was 22yrs old at 320 lbs. I lost the 15lbs pre surgery my Dr. required on a two week liquid diet. After the surgery I would go up and down like 20lbs nothing major. I have an 11cc band, I am filled with 8.5cc. I sometime do throw up if I eat to fast or if I don’t chewy food smaller. I can feel any liquids go down as I drink them, but I don't have any restriction. October 2011 I got up to my biggest 332.6lbs. I lost 33lbs of it on my own with cutting my carbs and calorie intake. My last visit to the Dr. was January of this year, I was 307lbs. and my band was at 8cc she added .5cc to bring me to 8.5cc. I only lost 8lbs since January. I have made an appointment to see the Dr. in May. I want to try 9.5cc, to see if that is my green zone. What do you think? On my last visit my Dr. said that the band may not be for me, that crush my heart. Idk what to do. 5 days before my next visit to the Dr. in May , I am going to do a 5 day pouch test to help reset my band. I just want to loose 100lbs. Is there any hope left for me. Thank you for listening bandsters...I wish I would have gotten involved in this support group prior to surgery. I love all the advice and support you all give one another. Thanks again

If you have to drink to get the food down then you're defeating the purpose of the band. The purpose is to keep the food in longer to stay full. There is no point if your going to drink and eat. I have not in two years drank one thing with my meals. Get moving. Its spring go out and walk, cut out the bad carbs. Eat your meat fruit and vegetables for now. Your body only needs 20% carbs for your total weight regardless of what people think.

Listen to Cazzy, she lost 237 lbs. She has done, if she can do it, you can too! You are the only one that can make a decision to loose your weight. Best wishes, and stay around, this site is very helpful! Karen

Thanks for all the support, I feel great that I can come here to get help!!!!

#I.Just.want.to.lose.100lbs

I was thinking the same, but I honestly dont know if I am truly hungry. I have read several post describing head hunger. I thought maybe, that is the case with me. Also, some people I have talk to are unable to foods such as bread, chicken, Pasta, rice...I can eat ALL of these. Is that a sign that I am not tight enough

#I.Just.want.to.lose.100lbs

I have read a post by someone who says when they can't decipher between head hunger and real hunger, they go to the fridge and grab a healthy fruit or veggie. If they don't want it, then they aren't really hungry.

I also have the same problem. I had my band placed in Dec of 11. I have lost 30 lbs and now seem to be staying around 244 and 247, which is so frustrating. And like you I can eat anything. I was hoping this band would be my "road block" which it has so far but the last month has been horrific. I feel hungry I eat and then I question if it was head hunger. How do you know the difference and if it is head hunger how do i bypass...strategies?!

When u feel hungry, chug some water. It will help so much with the head hunger.

I also have the same problem. I had my band placed in Dec of 11. I have lost 30 lbs and now seem to be staying around 244 and 247, which is so frustrating. And like you I can eat anything. I was hoping this band would be my "road block" which it has so far but the last month has been horrific. I feel hungry I eat and then I question if it was head hunger. How do you know the difference and if it is head hunger how do i bypass...strategies?!

Maybe you need another fill, if you can eat more than 1 cup at a time?

As for the head hunger vs real hunger, I am just learning myself.

head hunger is something I have really been battling lately! Sometimes I will have a cup of tea, take a bath or go watch tv in bed.

OK, I am here in the strange place with you. 3/09, got about 65lbs. off and was very happy to be in a size 12. I got lazy and careless, I have never had what I thought restriction was for most people. I didn't get hungry, I had to work very hard to get in the 65g of portein. I eat fast and get unhappy real quick. I have never really exercised with regulariity, but the weight was coming off. My band is fickle, I never know from day to day what it wants. Something that went fine at lunch won't work for dinner. Some mornings the thought of food makes me run away, other days no problem and I eat easily. Today, a simple 1 egg omlete took me 20 min. to get down. Changes in weather mean change what I eat. My current problem is a liquid one, I don't drink with meals; but I started drinking to much coffee. I can take it without sugar, but the creamers have been kicking my butt. The only thought I can give you is this, Don't do a fill. I have been to tight and it really is hard on you. If you are getting hungry check some of these things. Don't drink when you eat. What are you eating? The protein in the right amounts should hold you. Greek yogurt is a good source of protein and it can hold you over as well as help with keeping you "regular". Drink plenty of water during the day, it helps with hunger. If possible, don't keep things in the house that you really shouldn't have. It is a lot easier to not eat it if it isn't there. And lastly, step away from the fried foods. When you add the coating and oil to a skinless chicken breast it is no longer a friendly food. Good luck, you can do this; just have to think about what your choices are.

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You really got some good advice here! Yay........I would disagree w the suggestion to weigh every day however. That is self sabotaging to me. It is normal to go up and down a bit, just w fluid flucuation, which discourages me. I'd weigh once a wk, in am before eating. Same day and time each wk! Just sayin...........