I have only had one fill and have lost 66 pounds, currently, I am hungry all the time. I have a Dr appt next week to discuss fill#2.. From what I have read it takes 3 or 4 fills before you hit the green zone. Is it TRUE ? Is there really such a thing as the "green zone"? And, for those of you that have experienced it, how long did it remain? After I eat, I could set clock to my 2 hour hunger pains that follow.

What I want from a "green zone" is not to be obsessed with food. Like I felt when I first had the surgery.

Please give me hope...

It's definitely real, however the number of fills it takes to get there is really dependent on both you and your doctor. Some are there with no fills and others need many fills.

How long you remain in it depends on you, too. The first time I was in it for about 4 months, but as expected my stomach shrank when I lost weight and eventually needed another fill. Since I got into the Green Zone the second time, it's been 8 months (and counting).

As far as the food obsession, I'd like to be able to tell you being in the Green Zone will "cure" that but I'd be lying. You have to remember, the band is around your stomach not your brain. If the food obsession is do to food addiction then that is something you'll have to come to terms with. If the food obsession is because of physical hunger (not head hunger) then being in the Green Zone will help.

Best wishes.

It's not a measurable thing and is different for everyone (in terms of what it feels like and how long it takes to get there and stay there). I had my doubts also, but then at one point was like OOOOOhhhhh. I get it now! LOL You just know it when you're there. It definitely doesn't last forever, and my best suggestion is to take advantage of it while it lasts. Now that I'm basically at goal, I know I'm no longer in a green zone and am doing this mostly on my own with no restriction. As long as I can keep that up, no more fills for me. It's good to know I have the option to get back in the zone if I need to though.

possible for some (?)

Yes, the "green zone" does exist...though my surgeon has advised that some of us will not find it.

When I was in the "zone", it was very easy for me to go 4-5 hours without even thinking of food or eating. That was after 4 fills, to 4.5cc of Fluid in my band.

I believe that it will always be up to the individual to develop a healthier belief about our relationship with food. With that understanding, you can continue to be successful with maintaining a healthy weight, green zone or not.

Soccer,

Hello. Fill #1 rarely gets you to green. Depending on how aggressive your doc is with fills, it may take 2-5 more fills to get you there typically. After my first fill I was in every 6-8 weeks for more fills. Once I got to 5cc I was in my sweet spot. I have no idea what you are at currently, but don't let fill 1 be the gauge for what it means to have the band. We say it over and over again, that you have to get to green before the band can assist you with portion control/hunger management. You have gone a very long time w/ just a single fill. Time to press doc for quicker fills in my opinion. It should not take over a year to get there. When you start feeling restriction, you will see your food volume decrease and the sensation we feel when we've had enough (call it full, satisfied whatever).

When I had my first post-op appointment for a fill, or a "Adjustment" as my Dr. calls it, he showed me the big "Yellow-Green-Red" on the wall, and said THIS is where we want you to be. He then explained the whole adjustment process, regurgitation, adverse effects to certain foods, etc....everything I could expect....

It took me 3 fills, 4 months after surgery to get there...BUT...even though I was there I did not know it...I had a hard time adjusting myself and my bad habits...I even went in and he convinced me to stick it out, and lectured me on eating techniques, etc....it took 2 months after my last fill for things to start settle down and even out...after that it just got easier and easier....maybe a full year after surgery with my last fill 4 months after surgery.

That was over 2 years ago. Have not had a fill since....I have been in the Green Zone ever since. My hunger and appetite is as under control as it was back then....I do not have to think about it anymore. Every day has become just another day...as though I had total knee surgery 2 1/2 years ago, and I no longer have to think about walking.....although in the beginning I did have to learn all over again...eating food that is, my knee is fine.

Short of having some kind of medical issue, I don't see what it wouldn't last forever....the band is a constant..it's not going to dissolve away...and I do some self maintenance things to keep it optimum.

It is NOT for everyone...or should say not everyone will find it....I read posts here all the time and I feel that I can see, IMO anyway, that there are many people going to have a tough time....but it's none of my business to tell other people anything, all anyone can do is share their story.

I've heard stories about large # statistics where the lap and will be unsuccessful....at first I could no understand or accept that...I could not see how that can b possible after surgery of all things....but I have to say,sadly, I can see how that might be possible.

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Thank you all for your opinions. My Dr appt is next week, and can't come soon enough. As of sunday, I had lost 70lbs. I go to the gym 5 or 6 times a week, and watch my calories and fat content. I'm proud of the work I have done, and hoping for some more help from the band. Honestly, I think it's the weight that I have lost that has made it lose, and the amount of exercise is making me hungry.

Hope to get help from the band. I'm getting tired of being hungry!

It's actually common that as you lose, the band can get looser too, so you're right in that respect. Plus exercise can make you hungrier too, so yes, it's a double whammy!

Soccer,

Hello. Fill #1 rarely gets you to green. Depending on how aggressive your doc is with fills, it may take 2-5 more fills to get you there typically. After my first fill I was in every 6-8 weeks for more fills. Once I

got to 5cc I was in my sweet spot. I have no idea what you are at currently, but don't let fill 1 be the gauge for what it means to have the band. We say it over and over again, that you have to get to green before the band can assist you with portion control/hunger management. You have gone a very long time w/ just a single fill. Time to press doc for quicker fills in my opinion. It should not take over a year to get there. When you start feeling restriction, you will see your food volume decrease and the sensation we feel when we've had enough (call it full, satisfied whatever).

Your post was directed to "Soccer" not sure if that is me or not ... (?)

But, if you look at my signature / ticker, I have had TWELVE (12) adjustments to my band in in FIFTEEN (15 months).

At my appoint in June, my surgeon would not let me schedule before August .. said I had to wait eight (8) weeks ---> my next appointment is tomorrow; so, we shall see