Hi All!

I can use some advice. What do you mean by restriction? I mean I know what restriction is..but is saying 'I have good restriction' mean 'I am not hungry now'? I want to know when you talk about knowing if you have a good restriction if that means you just don't feel hungry or does that mean you have trouble getting things down.

I have this fear that if I get 'restricted' from a fill that all that means is it forces you to not eat certain foods and things can get stuck.

If a 'good restriction' means that you feel more in control, less hungry, can eat less and get full faster...I feel much better about getting filled.

I am just curious what these fills do for us. I don't want to have to be afraid of things getting stuck, etc. I travel for my job and OH that would suck if I was on a plane having problems. I don't want restriction to mean FEAR for me.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. I guess I am just curious if getting a fill is right. I think if it does make me less hungry and full faster it would be worth it for me.

Jessy - i see so much of myself in you - especially the desire to eat those wonderful carbs - even after all this time being banded I still try - not too often and very carefully but I have learned I am a stubborn hard headed woman - most people here seem to have given up so many foods and I understand but i want to eat everything - just in small amounts!

- I try to eat starchy carbs like condiments now - maybe a slice of toast or 1/2 grilled cheese sandwhich (never white bread) maybe a few crackers, melba toast, a little rice works for me, Pasta is not a problem - again i only eat a small small portion and after my main Protein. And, by the way my nutritionist said it is perfectly ok to eat those carbs if you can and watch the portions.

Banding is such a learning process and i just want to encourage you to be patient with yourself. Every day I am amazed at the changes I am making - my overeating and bad relationship with food and my body just isn't going to go away quickly. If I don't think about it - I take too much food, eat too fast - etc. nothing or not much is really automatic and that is why I got the band.

I also think you might be too tight - many live like that but think hard if that is working for you and maybe get a little out. Since my last unfill I can eat three meals of solids a day - sometimes Breakfast is still tough but I actually lost two pounds since that unfill and I never lose weight. Plus if I'd rather eat than not -

No matter what eventually the band can't do it all so learning how to chose wisely, stop when satisifed etc is better than living on liquids (in my opinon).

hang in there - you are not alone.

Thank you Mary... I do think I am too tight as well. I don't think it's helping that I'm irritating my stoma/esophagus by PB'ing nearly every day either. I've decided that I'm going to keep the fill as is and go one week on a combination of slimfast, atkins and other low carb shakes to give my body a rest. Who knows... I might loosen up just by doing that?

I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your encouragement. It's exactly what I needed to hear.

Jessy

Hey guys.

I talked with my doctor. I have decided to go ahead and get the fill, especially after what Kat said. I want to have more control. I don't want it to be too tight though. So, I guess it will be a matter of just figuring out what is best for me..for the fill. Now that I really understand what everyone means by restriction....no longer being hungry, getting full on smaller amounts faster, etc...I know I need this. I have been eating more and more each day. I am starting to see my old patterns creep up and it scares the hell out of me.

I am able to eat whatever I want with no problems now. I am confident that having the 'right' fill will allow me to continue eating the foods I enjoy (at least most), but get me more of a sense of control.

They are willing to fill me now, but I have a business trip for the next couple of weeks and I certainly don't want to be having problems from a too tight band while traveling. So I am going to wait until I get back.

You guys are so great to have here. Everyone is awesome!

Jessy, I too, struggle with head hunger. I am trying to become aware of when I am really hungry and when it is just a craving. Right now, I am eating more from head hunger and I have to constantly fight myself to not eat this or that. Then if I give in and eat, I feel completely guilty and feel like a failure. I think I won't EVER lose the weight. That the band won't work for me. Now, I am trying to rethink all that. Change my self talk to positive words. I hope after I get the fill I will have that sense of more control.