I have 2.5 cc in my 4 cc band and I hardly feel any restriction. I see these people who have great restriction at 1.5 cc and it frustrates me. I go back April 17 and hopefully get a fill. Is it possible for me to have stretched my pouch after 4 months post op? I don't overeat so I don't think I've stretched it, but maybe I'm just worried over nothing. Any suggestions?:help:

thatgirl, don't be frustrated. It took me 8 months to get there. I have lost 13 lbs since Jan 11th so now I am really moving. You will be fine. Just keep going back for fills until you can only eat 1/2 cup of food at a time. That is what works for me. I take in 800-1k calories a day only. Julie

thank you so much, Julie- I cannot tell you how much it means to hear that others struggled slowly as well. I know we are not supposed to compare ourselves to others but sometimes it is how we know what we need to tweak or improve.

that is a good point, and just being more active is a victory.. the other night I started mowing the lawn and after about 25 minutes I remember when I tried to do it last year and I practically threw up I was so dizzy and sick from being too out of shape.

Comparing yourself to others will only frustrate you. There are so many factors you don't know. We all have different starting weights, ages, heights, medical issues that affect how quickly we lose. You can only focus on yourself. Make sure you celebrate NSV(non-scale victories) as well! Measure yourself, have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked and progress in those areas will motivate you. Remember, we did this for our health, not just to look great! You are not a failure! You have already lost 15 pounds in 2 months!

On the stretched pouch issue, it is possible to stretch your pouch 2 months after surgery. But, usually only if you have been consistently overeating and Pbing. Find ways to keep busy and distract yourself when "hungry". It may pass if it is head hunger.

Reading these posts has helped me too. I have been really frustrated because I have had the band for 3 months now and haven't lost anything except for what I lost the first 4 weeks on the liquid diet. My dr. took a vacation and rescheduled my 2nd fill from 3-26 to 4-9 so Monday I will have my 2nd fill. I hope the heck I start losing from this one.

Hello,

I had my band put in on January 15th. I had my first fill on March 8th (1.5cc). I could still eat a lot of food and anything I wanted. I was very disappointed and discouraged. I kept saying....I hope I didn't waste $15,000 for nothing. I was actually putting on some weight because I could eat anything I wanted - and I did.

I just had another fill this past Tuesday (1.0cc). This one has seemed to work wonders. I was on liquids Wednesday and Thursday and today I am adding some mushy foods (apple sauce). I haven't had any overwhelming hunger pains and when I do feel hungry, I grab a Protein drink or heat up a can of V8. It's amazing the difference between my first fill and my second.

I'm telling you this because everyone has their own special fill point. My doctor said it's usually between 2.75 and 3.75. Well if she gave me more than 1cc this past time, I know I would definitely be overfilled because it's still a little hard to get down some mushy foods. So I'm at 2.5 and this is a good spot for me. You will probably feel much more restricted next time you get a fill. Ask your doctor if he/she will give you another fill if it's two weeks past your prior one and you still don't feel a restriction. I know most doctors will do that.

Good luck.

Stacy

Reading these posts has helped me too. I have been really frustrated because I have had the band for 3 months now and haven't lost anything except for what I lost the first 4 weeks on the liquid diet. My dr. took a vacation and rescheduled my 2nd fill from 3-26 to 4-9 so Monday I will have my 2nd fill. I hope the heck I start losing from this one.

Stacy, congrats on getting to a good fill level. It makes a world of difference. Julie

Thank you for posting that Stacy. I really hope this second one makes a huge difference for me too. I am so tired of being at a stand sill. I am like you were,

feeling like I wasted my money at this point. I want to find out what everyone talks about.

Wow, alot of good information here. I guess if you keep in mind that it is just a tool it is a trial and error system.

Pat

Thank you for posting that Stacy. .... I want to find out what everyone talks about.

I agree- I think this next fill is going to be it for me, but if it isn't I will keep trying. The band is a great tool but I am not going to miss out by being to lazy to pursue the sweet spot.