Since surgery 5/05/04 I have had 2 adjustments. I am at 2cc. I am getting another next week. I am embarrassed because I think I should be doing better. I've lost 23lbs. But, I can really eat with no problem.. Doctor said he will fix me up next week. What do you guys & gals think.

Newlapper, the sensation of restriction is not the only indicator of the band doing its job. There are lots of times when I can't really say I feel "restriction" as I eat, but I know the band is working because, hey, after a tiny amount of food I know I've had enough. I could keep eating, and sometimes do because I'm a dumbass, but hunger is gone and I really don't need any more than what I've already eaten.

My point is only that we should look at several indicators of whether it's time for a fill. Chief among them is whether we are losing weight. If you are still losing, you don't need a fill just yet.

Let us know what your doc says!

oops

Newlapper,

How much you can drink and how much you can eat of things that melt at body temperature (almost) cannot be impacted by tightening the band. For many of us, there is almost no limit to how much we can drink and how much of stuff that melts we can eat. The band only works on solid food; the rest (much to our dismay) is all about headwork.

Many of us cannot eat even a tiny bit of potato, but we can eat a bag of potato chips. Can't eat an egg, but can eat the entire box of meringue Cookies. Can't eat two pieces of boiled noodle, but can eat a bag of fried noodles. Can't eat an orange segment, but can drink orange juice or a box of frozen orange fruit bars. I speak from experience here....this is NOT about restriction, this is the head part.

What getting overtightened does is teach you how to eat all the wrong stuff, since the tighter you are, the less good stuff you can eat. So if you can eat a half a chicken, you probably need a tighter fill. But if you can drink a six pack of soda, I think we all can. If you can eat a banana, you MIGHT need a fill. But if you can eat the entire banana split EXCEPT for the banana, join the club. And if you can eat a handful of rasins you MAY need a fill, but if you can eat a RitterSport chocolate bar except for the raisins, so can most of us.

Now, here's where it gets sticky...if you have the right fill but just need to do some headwork and get a tighter fill instead, then you will ONLY be able to drink the soda and eat the banana split except for the banana, and THAT'S when you start to gain weight.

For headwork, talk to Donali. She's the smart one.

Sue