I'm very confused. It seems like the more time that goes on, the more I feel restriction. I have no fill yet. At my 2 week post op appointment I told my doctor I felt restriction already and he said he wasn't surprised because I didn't have alot of fat right around the stomach area where the band was placed. (Guess he found the one spot that was fatless!!!:huggie: ) Anyway This week I've been feeling really tight. I don't know why or what's going on. I also feel that gassy pressure feeling again that I did the first few days after surgery. I posted earlier that I had no food/water most of sunday (religious reasons but won't be doing that again if that's the cause) and that I chewed gum on Monday but here it is thursday and I'm still really tight. I wouldn't complain except that the gassy feeling is uncomfortable....

Any suggestions or thoughts on what's going on would be appreciated! Thanks!!!

Fast Sunday? me too. I was starving.

you're lucky you have restriction. i wish i still had some left!

I didnt have my 1st fill until I was about 2 months out of surgery, I had good restriction from the band. Dont know if your gas pains are from your fasting....Hope it goes away soon.

I would drink plenty of Water, stop chewing gum, and use a heating pad. Some of us feel the gas pain in our left shoulder. I used a heating pad for a good 2 months after surgery. I still use a heating pad if I get gas too bad.

Stay away from foods that are hard to digest until gas is under control. Hope this helps.

I had restriction before I had a fill. I PBed 3 days post-op. I'd say - enjoy it. A lot of people around me struggled when their appetites returned. I never got mine back. It made things that much easier.

I am only 1 week post surgery, but I find myself very restricted in the morning and more at night. It isn't letting up at all. How many post surgery felt like this??? How long did it last? I woulnd't consider getting a fill if I was this restricted, but I am going to make the appointment 6 weeks out just in case I am not restricted this way anymore.

Audree

Thanks!! I actually like where I am at and am guessing that this is what the "sweet spot" would feel like. Audree

I have had natural restriction since day one. My doctor told me that he has had a few patients over the yars who fall into this category and only end up needing a fill once they get to goal. Most of his patients have 3-5 fills to get to their sweet spots.

I have never had a problem losing the weight -- just keeping it off. He told me that as long as I am losing 5-10 pounds per month -- no fill. When it slows down to less than that, I will be getting a fill.

I was disappointed about the no fill yet at first, but after reading some of the PB stories here, I am pretty content. I can eat a moderate amount of healthy food, but cannot tolerate breads, pastas, Cookies, cakes, etc. -- nor can I shovel it in anymore. I have slimed a few times and have had a few golfballs, even without any additional restriction.

I am still consistently losing between 1.5 - 1.7# per week and I am a happy girl just like this. I did not gain anything over the holidays -- usually I gain 10-15# from Thanksgiving until now.

I'm still learning, though. At Thanksgiving I filled my plate like normal (old habits die hard, I guess) but when I started eating it I slowed down fast and ended up eating a little bit of turkey, a dab of green Beans and a wee bit of sweet potatoes and I was full. Today I was in the grocery store and walked through the bakery section and started to reach for a tray of freshly baked turnovers. As soon as I touched them, my brain said, "Don't be an idiot, Mary...you'll not enjoy them. They'll fill you up and you'll feel stuck." I set them down and walked away. I have told my doctor that I swear he did something to my brain when he put this thing in. He told me that this is not uncommon at all.

I don't want to be flamed about 'why did you get the band if you aren't going to use it'. I can tell you why I got the band. I got the band to KEEP the weight off once I actually DO lose it, so for me, the band is doing it's job.

Hey, if you have restriction without needing a fill, more power to you!!!!

Audree

BUMP, BUmp!!

Thanks...that's how I feel, too. The reason I wrote about the flaming was because one of the other members posted several months ago about losing 115# without getting a fill and was ready to get her first fill to maintain. She was blasted pretty hard.

My feeling is that I know I can LOSE the weight -- I just needed this fantastic tool to KEEP it off -- and to keep me on track so that once I start losing I don't get overly confident and end up back where I was.

I figure that all of our bodies are different and we all lose differently. This is no different. What works for me won't always work for the next person -- and vice versa.

Thanks...that's how I feel, too. The reason I wrote about the flaming was because one of the other members posted several months ago about losing 115# without getting a fill and was ready to get her first fill to maintain. She was blasted pretty hard.

My feeling is that I know I can LOSE the weight -- I just needed this fantastic tool to KEEP it off -- and to keep me on track so that once I start losing I don't get overly confident and end up back where I was.

I figure that all of our bodies are different and we all lose differently. This is no different. What works for me won't always work for the next person -- and vice versa.

Man, that sucks!! Why would they blast someone for having a different type of experience!!!!! We are all going through different journeys, and should all be supported and embraced!!!! :girl_hug: :girl_hug:

I actually have prayed for my band to stay with natural restriction. The other thing I was contemplating is that I am a normal Water retainer. I was just wondering if those who retain water all the time have a tighter band??? I have read if your tissues are swollen, so is your stomach and you will have restriction, especially during THAT time of the month.

So, retaining water might work to my advantage for the first time in my life!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: