I'm going for my 2nd fill on Thursday and it seems just like last time that as my fill gets closer I start sabotaging myself by eating like an animal. I can still eat so much. For instance, today I had 3 eggs for breakfast, ham for lunch, 2 slices of pizza for dinner and an apple in between. It doesn't even make me sick to eat this much. (Well, not physically anyway.) I don't weigh myself ever. Only when I go to the doctor and I'm so afraid of looking at that scale. Can anyone still eat this much and does anyone sabotage themselves like I do? I'm really feeling overwhelmed and could use the advice. Thanks.

Yup, I do the same thing. I have already had 2fills for a total of 3 ml in a VG band and no restriction yet. I eat what I want and as much as I want. Whether it is sabotage or my "last dinner," I eat way too much. I sometimes wonder if I should have gotten the gastric bypass instead but I am hanging in there and waiting until I hit my "sweet spot." I do, however, weigh myself at home daily so that helps to keep me in check than not weighing myself. Maybe you should try that?

I'm struggling with what is too much?? I haven't ever had a fill. I was banded 12/11/06. Everyone told me that I wouldn't be able to eat a whole sandwhich or a whole piece of pizza. Which I can do both!! I haven't been gaining weight...but I do question whether or not I 'm eating too much. I'm just still getting use to eating to little. I feel like I don't eat anything, but then I feel like I'm eating I alot more than others. How do I know if I need a fill?

I just had my one week post op today. He said that when I need a fill is if I find I'm hungry more frequently or if I can eat more than I think I should or not losing weight. I completely agree with Jack. We have to win the mental game in order to beat the physical one that brought us to this point in our lives. Keep after everyone!! You can do it!!

I'm struggling with what is too much?? I haven't ever had a fill. I was banded 12/11/06. Everyone told me that I wouldn't be able to eat a whole sandwhich or a whole piece of pizza. Which I can do both!! I haven't been gaining weight...but I do question whether or not I 'm eating too much. I'm just still getting use to eating to little. I feel like I don't eat anything, but then I feel like I'm eating I alot more than others. How do I know if I need a fill?

I hate to say it, but you got some really bad advice and information.

First - it's not the number f fills that determines restriction, it's the capacity of the band. You could have a hundred fills at .0000001 cc and not be as restricted as one 8cc fill. When you reach GOOD restriction, things like bread might be difficult to clear, and a quantity as large as a sandwich might be difficult to eat. That's about as much as can be said "matter of factly".

But there's good news. A half a cc is WAY more than enough to take you from "I can eat anything" to "Holy crap that Water is just sitting there". I have moderate restriction. I can eat any foods, though some cause more pressure than others, and largely am controlling my portions myself. But if I don't chew well, or swallow too much at once, or fly, or... I CERTAINLY know it, and so does the kitchen sink.

About two weeks ago I went for a fill and was given a half a cc. And this little tiny half a cc brought me from that point, to the point that I was sliming over a Protein drink, and gurgling over a chewable Vitamin, and eventually had to have an unfill.

That's why it's a "sweet spot", and why it can take many, many attempts to get there. One lady I know goes from wide open to major restriction with as little as a 10th of a cc.

When do you know you need a fill? Sounds like you know you need one already. For me it's when I notice I'm eating more, and it's taking me more food to feel satiated. My surgeon always asks things like "Can you eat chicken? Can you eat Pasta?" And my answer has always been yes. Perhaps with a little more restriction it won't be.

Lana, I eat MORE than that every day and I've lost almost all my weight and I have 3ml in a 4ml band. Is it really too much - are you not losing? I dont call that a huge volume of food - the choices could be a little better - a few vegetables wouldnt go astray - but volume wise, it seems pretty much like what I'd get through a day. Although I couldnt get through two slices of pizza at a time, and you're right you probably need more fill.

You're not supposed to starve and live on a few grains of rice and one or two peas you know! Dont feel guilty for actually eating.

As long as you make good choices and balance with physical activity, you dont have to subsist on TINY quanities, the band helps you to eat less, which of course you need to do. But dont get the wrong idea - for many people its sufficient to just eat what someone with a smallish appetite would eat.

See where it takes you weight loss wise - dont strive to eat tiny quantities if you dont need to to lose - becuase basically the more you can eat and the wider variety you can eat whilst still losing weight at a reasonable rate the healthier (and probably happier) you will be!

What other people eat isnt really relevant - its balancing your own caloric needs that matters.

Thanks everyone for your support...It's a struggle but I'll keep moving forward. Jacqui - when were you banded? It's great that you've lost almost all your weight. It's good to know you can eat that much and still lose. My food choices were great up until I knew my fill was coming and that's when I started eating like crap again. I lose the weight and then when fill time comes I start putting some back on....

Don't lose focus. Its hard when you don't have restriction. Hopefully with this next fill you will. Good luck.