I get left side cramps where my stomach is...is this normal?

Side cramps could be constipation, I know TMI. I know when I am full when I hiccup. I am also full when my serving size is gone. Sometimes the signal is slower than I eat.

it isn't constipation. i get this pain/cramping all the time. i had my first fill on tuesday and am now at 4cc's and i'm worried my band has slipped bc i feel no restriction, only this pain/cramping

You really should not be full but satisfied. The band for most people will not stop you from eating. That is why I always measure my foods so I know when to stop. It is really hard to learn what satisfy feels like because we are all used to eating too much. I also keep in mind that it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to register what you have eaten. When I am really hungry I stop about half way through my meal for about five minutes. You have to find what is right for you.

No restriction has very little to do with slippage. Most all of us felt no restriction for many fills. I felt no restriction at all till my 3rd fill and many more here will vouch that it took more than that for them. Many newbies believe as you do about band slippage but that's not how it works. It usually takes months and months of vomitting, overeating, reflux and/or poor band placement before a band would slip and that's only in a very small percentage of patients.

I can't answer your cramping/pain in the side question but i seriously doubt it's a sign you've slipped.

How much are you eating before the pain begins and what are you eating?

BTW-Your stomach isn't on your side.

I only felt restriction, for about one week after my third fill... I eat until I am satisfied. The band slows the foods passage to the stomach, which signals the brain that you have eaten enough. I know I could eat more without being sick, but I have no urges to do so.

Also, I've found when my Protein intake is sufficient, I don't have the urge to eat between meals. Right now I am doing around 950 calories a day, and avoiding starches such as breads or Pasta.

Frequently I stop eating because it takes me so long to eat that the food has gotten cold and unappetizing, or I'm just tired of chewing. Feeling full after the band is very different than before the band. Don't look for that "I'm stuffed" feeling because if you ever do feel that, you've eaten way too much.

Pay close attention to your body. A lot of people have different "soft stops", your body gently telling you to stop. My "soft" stop is several hard sneezes. I read other people refer to hiccups, nose running, soft burp, etc.

I have never felt full withthe band....I'm simply not hungry and have no desire to continue.....

For me, hiccups ar the warning sign I am about to get stuck if I take one more swallow, because I was eating unproperly....

We are all different. I have never had a single hiccup before a stuck episode. Stuck means eating improperly for me. A single hiccup... just a early sign, that and a runny nose!

I also get the runny nose. I thought it was just me!

I too get a hiccup and runny nose that let's me know I'm gonna be stuck if I try to put anything else in my mouth. .I Thought I was the only one that got these signals

I get cramps on my left side when I eat too much and/or too fast. I believe it's pressure against the vagus nerve but I may be wrong. Sometimes it radiates up to my shoulder. If I feel that and I'm still eating, I know to stop.

I just wanted to add. I do not always know when I am satisfied but I know when to stop because I measure out my food. Hope this helps someone.

That cramping is air/gas and it is hitting a nerve. I get the same thing in my side and sometimes my left shoulder...and I've had my band for almost two years now. I get it when I'm both very hungry and need to eat and when I'm full and need to stop eating. You may need a fill if you're having a hard time determining if you're full. It's very rare that I over eat, but if I do, I will end up having to throw up.