Hi. I'm sure this has been addressed before and hate to be repetitive; however, I need some help and reassurance please.

I have a 4cc band and was banded on 10/26/05. I don't know what my current fill is but the last one I got was 3 weeks ago. This last fill was the first time I really felt any restriction and I was PB'ing all the time because I was having to get used to it being tight. Then last Wednesday I went out to eat with my daughter. That day at lunch I had had some trouble eating but just thought it was the usual eating too fast, too big of bites, not chewing, etc. Then that night at the cafeteria, I could get NOTHING to go down. I had to run to the ladies room 3-4 times. I was sooo embarrassed...of course there were people in there that I knew! Once I almost didn't even make it to the bathroom. I tried later that night to eat, no go...the next morning...no go...and Thursday afternoon...no go. I called my doc and they told me to stay on warm liquids and not to worry about slippage, etc. Finally later Thursday, after much broth, I could eat. Now I don't have much restriction I feel. I have PB'd maybe 3x when I tried to take my medicine or when I just absolutely ate too fast running out the door! Geez, when am I going to learn. I am making bad choices, and not losing weight. I really thought it would be much easier. I see talk of people losing some restriction as time goes on...but I still seem to drink when I eat~! I struggle with this daily. How do I get my head on straight, and can a fill go from absolutely very tight to no restriction?

Here's what I have to do: I measure out 3/4 cup of food at each meal and eat it. I won't eat again for at least 2 more hours if I'm still hungry. That way I'm not going to overeat if I DO have restriction and if I don't have restriction then I can eat a couple hours later and not overdo it. My fills are very fickle and this is the only way to keep some sanity.

Not eating and drinking is a struggle for most of us, so this is what I do, I do not allow the waiter/waiteress to bring water and neither do I have it on the table while I am eating. Just out of habit we do things so don't make it so convient for yourself.

You difinately needed your band to rest, you gave it to much in a day. After any PB episodes you must allow your band to rest. Take it slow, it will be alright.

For me, fills are always a challenge. Usually up to 2/3 weeks after a fill I am very limited with what I can eat and then one day I wake up and I can eat things that have been a struggle. That's my sign for a fill. I usually wait 5/6 weeks in between fills. I waited over 2 months before getting my first fill so I feel like I'm behind on my weight lost but it's still been consistant and no weight gains since I was banded. That is a blessing for me all together.

Stay encourage and try to follow the band rules. I know it's hard just from my own personal experience.