So I got my first fill (1.4 cc added for total of 2.4 cc) on July 5th and I still don't feel any different. Can I request another fill or should I give it more time? What good is this tool if I'm still only using my will power? Grrr

It can take some time to get to the right level of restriction. Some sooner than others. But to your point I will say this: I lost the majority of my weight before achieving any real restriction. The reason for this is my belief that once the band kicked in, it would help me maintain my weight loss, something I had never been able to do before. So I worked on losing and waiting for my band to start working.

It took me getting to 8.5cc to get restriction, which meant a LOT of fills, in comparison to most. Once I was there, it was a cake walk maintaining the weight I'd lost up til then, and in fact I continued to lose for the following year without trying.

They will go slow because they don't know what fill level will get YOU to your green zone. So, as trite as this might sound, be patient. And keep trying to lose, because it's not for nothing.

Thank you for your reply! It opened my eyes more

Lellow gives good advice (as she always does!)

It takes time and patience to have adequate Fluid in your band. Until you do, it's very much just another diet. At this point it's a choice: White knuckle it and follow your eating guidelines despite not getting enough help from the band yet or have your weight loss stall out (or possibly even gain) until you're in the Green Zone.

Bandster hell (which you're in) isn't easy but it's survivable. As far as another fill, most doctors have a set schedule amount of time they'll allow between fills. For instance, mine will do them every 4 weeks. Most will make you wait a period of time just to be sure it's settled in and another won't accidentally over fill you. To know for sure, you'll have to ask your doctor what his rules are fills.

Hang in there, it does get easier.

Many of us have gone through Bandster Hell. I went 4 months and 3 fills before I felt some restriction. Took 6 fills to get to the green zone.

I would recommend you take this time to hone your Bandster eating skills at this time. I didn't gain any weight in those 4 months because I concentrated on eating healthy foods. I ate more than the 1 cup of food of course, but I never felt deprived like I did on diets.

It never hurts to ask for another fill. All they can say is no right?

tmf