I was banded in June of 2005 and have lost 48 pounds so far. I haven't lost weight in about 2-3 months but I have dropped sizes because I am going to the gym and doing cardio and weights. I am filled 3ccs in a 4 cc band. I definately have restriction - most meals I have to stop at least a few times to let things go down. My problem is that I can eat a ton of food and the non-existant weight loss. Should I get a fill of like 1/4 cc? I have always been able to eat more than the other people in my support group. I know that i am not losing weight because i am building muscle but i think that i should still be losing something because i do cardio at least 30 minutes 4 times a week. I definately am not the perfect dieter, i will eat some small amounts of higher calorie food.

I have a doctors appt at the end of this month. I am leaning towards asking for a small fill. Any ideas or opinions? I will appreciate all.

Thanks

I definately have restriction - most meals I have to stop at least a few times to let things go down.

Then my suggestion is no, I don't think you need a fill, if so very small.

You are doing great, 48lbs is wonderful, keep up the good work.

If you are working out that much you need to be eating more than you were when you first started. If you are dropping clothes sizes but not pounds.. then you are replacing fat (weighs less, takes up more room) with muscle (weighs more, takes up less room). If you have to stop while eating because your restriction is limiting you, then I would say you do not need a fill.

What feels like a "ton of food" to you now, is probably not a ton of food at all. I told Dawg not long ago that I was concerned because I can eat a "ton of food" and he asked, "Could you eat a foot long Subway sandwich?" Of course I couldn't and this helped me get things into perspective. I can eat 3/4 to 1 Cup of food at a time.. more if Im eating foods that go down easier or if I'm drinking Water with meals (big no no).

Are you writing down your caloric intake per day? If not, why don't you try doing so in order to get an honest look at what you're eating. Are you eating your Protein first? Are you drinking liquids with your meals? Take a good look at your eating habits now and re-evaluate things. Chances are, you are eating just like you should be, otherwise you wouldn't be seeing smaller sizes fitting so nicely, right?

You both are right. I have not been writing down my calories. I do try to get that protein in first especially since i do alot of exercise. Just today at work two people asked me if i was losing weight. I thought by now everyone knew that I had the lap band. It was nice to get the compliments

My weight has stablilized after a fill on 1.14.06 and my appetite seems to be increasing. However, I've just learned how to eat and haven't had a pb in a while which I like. I can also eat all foods if chewed well. I've lost 7lbs since my fill. Each day is different re: quantity of food - but I can eat a lot = a whole subway - maybe! yesterday before dinner i snacked on 2 granola bars, 1 yogurt and one hot cocoa and then had dinner. I'm only resisting becuz my hubby thinks slow is better and says even 25 lbs a year is good = generally (90%) i follow rules about drinking, protein first, etc. but i can eat all carbs so inlcude them too. Snacking is rare and i try to keep it to low fat yogurt. Someone tell me, should i get a fill - it's either this month or late april...thanks!

Well from what you said I would think a fill wouldn't hurt. I can't eat a sandwich at all. The only bread I can eat is an almost burnt english muffin or really crusty italian bread. I like being restricted because I don't have to make the decisions, my stomach has decided for me!

I stalled for almost 4 months in the 177-179 range. Sometimes I think the body needs some adjustment time. I've kicked back in now.

Good points made above - what feels like a ton of food now really isnt, I just find it really hard to let go of the idea that I have to be starving to lose. Everytime I get on the scales and see weight gone, I think "how on earth did that happen". It feels like normal eating to me, but it's obviously less than what I used to eat.

I think its a fine line between using the band properly and expecting it to do all the work. Its just my personal opinion and the way I choose to use mine, but I feel like I still need to perceive that I'm doing some work - ie. putting in the exercise, making good choices when I feel like eating rubbish, stopping when I know I should. I dont want a band that is so tight that I lose simply because I cant eat anything. That's not a lifestyle I want to lead.

If I were in your shoes, well I kind of am, because the loss is really slowing now, I'd do some hard thinking about what I could do better - for me I know I could exercise more regularly.

If you honestly dont see areas where you could improve, then try another small fill.

:help: I AM HAVING TROUBLE WHEN I EAT FOOD:confused: I AM AT 3 WEEKS AND JUST AM EATING SOILD FOOD.WHEN I EAT IT GOES DOWN FINE BUT ABOUT 30MINS LATER I START HURTING IN MY SHOULDER BLADES AND RIGHTSIDE.CAN SOMEBODY HELP:help: EILEEN

the pain in your shoulder blade and right side sounds like theres a possibility of gall stones rather than the band playing up and you having a PB

Id get that checked if I were you and in the meantime try to eat slowly and definately very little fat unless you get the all clear on the gall stones

Marys, I'd say you need a fill because we should be tight enough that and entire sandwich is out of the question.

Laura, I don't think you need a fill. The scale is a big fat lier and don't listen to it. You are droping sizes, and that's what counts. You are changing your body composition from fat to muscle, so you need more calories to maintain that muscle. Even better, it changes your goal weight so you don't have as much to lose!

Well i have decided to eat better this week and see if that helps. By eat better i mean more healthy snacks or no snacks at all if i can help it. That will also help me realize exactly how long i stay full. I know i am getting back into my pre-surgery bad habits.