Hi need advice had my band done end jan I am bigger now than I was!! I have a 10ml band and had 7 put in every time they do it for few days I think finally its working and I struggle to eat Nd feel full quick but within a week I can eat fine I can eat a big plate of food no problem - been told to get another done but what's the point if it only works for couple days a time?! I'm trying to cut down myself to lose weight I know the band isn't a miracle but I am wondering why I spent thousands on it as so far it's not helping me at all any advice or experience the same thing? Thanks

Thanks for all listening I know I need to put effort in too but just desire that feeling of ok I don't need or want anymore! I think il get another fill and see how I get on just kinda surprised I need so much last time I went it was new nurse she had no idea what I had I told her but she said she wanted to check so measured it then - I wouldn't ever eat if I was full but it takes a lot to make me full and I don't go 4 hours without feeling some hunger - think I'm going to cut carbs dramatically I lost a lot of weight before doing that and the hunger goes when I do that - thanks again for listening was very down yesterday over it - I didn't pay for it my dad did so kind of feel like I'm letting him down too

Bubbs - I think cutting carbs is an excellent idea. I myself notice that when I keep them to a minimum, I don't get as hungry, and I lose more weight. If I eat one egg and a slice of toast, I'm hungrier a lot sooner than if I eat just two eggs. Carbs have their place, but it's much better to stick with the "good carbs", in very very small portions. Protein is the key with the band, and sticking to that with maybe a little bit of veggies, you might find a better sense of satiety.

Keep your chin up! You can do this!! I wish the band could make us stop eating, too. But the signals can be very subtile. But I really think that once you're at the right restriction, and stick to mainly dense protein meals, you will notice a difference.

Bubbs, it could well be that you havent reached the right restriction yet, something that we used to refer to as the "sweet spot". It depends on what types of food you are eating. If you are eating lots of slider foods, chips, chocolate, ice cream - even normal food with a lot of sauce on them - then you will be able to eat a lot more than you should because they just slide past the band - hence the term slider foods.

I actually disagree with the other posters, I have had my band for nearly 5 years now and even now if I ignore the warning signs and try to wolf down that extra 1/2 a plate full I will throw it back up again. That isnt because my band isnt working its because it is! I call it my choke chain - it yanks me back when I get greedy.

The best tip that I can give you is to eat your food dry. By all means have chicken and veg - but you cant have mash because that sliiiiides down too easily - but you have to have the chicken dry, no gravy or mayo or anything else that will turn it into a soup in your mouth. I ate a lot of salmon mashed up with a smidge of mayo that I spread onto ryvitas ( dont know if you have those in the states) loads of chicken and fish and flavoured rice - but I never allowed myself a sauce.

If after doing that you can still eat whatever you want, you need a fill!

You should not be able to eat a 12" sub when you have a band - I know, I tried and it did not go well for me! When I could eat a 12" sub my doctor told me I needed a fill, the whole point is, as you rightly said, that it RESTRICTS the amount you can eat.

I also had no restriction at around 7 but reached my sweet spot at 8.5. The band is a tool that if you use it correctly will enable you to no longer worry about food, if you cheat constantly, it wont work.

Ryvitas in the states are called Ry-Krisp.

Thank you that's really helpful - this week has been better since I cut carbs not so hungry or bothered by food I think carbs are my demon soon as I eat them I just want to eat all day! Thanks again won't give up!!

Thanks bubbs for posting this. I really needed to read it. I'm going through the same thing and all the comments I've read have helped me too! Carbs are definitely my enemy! I'm going to cut them way down and see if it makes a difference. I haven't been following the rules. I need to get my will power back and eat protein first and veggies more. I know what to do I just need to do it. But that's been my life story with eating healthy and exercise. I wish you luck! Thanks for helping motivate me