Ok...I haven't had a fill for a long time and I haven't lost much weight. I was filled too much at first and couldn't eat. I was Pb'ing all the time, so I had the doctor's office unfilled me. I vary from day to day on the tightness. I don't understand how this thing is suppose to work. How do you feel, how much do you eat and what do you eat? Maybe I wasn't too tight? I am tend to eat the wrong things most of the time. :help:

I think you have to find the right balance for you - although PBing all the time isnt OK, its not good for you or your band.

But as to avoiding PBing, that depends on what lengths you will go to - how much you are prepared to restrict your diet and your lifestyle which dictates how tight you can be.

What others call a sweet spot I call WAY too tight. I like my band so that there is virtually no chance of a PB unless I really break the rules and stuff something down without chewing, and I can eat any food. But I've had to rely more on exercise for weight loss and have not quite gotten to where I wanted to weight wise yet as a result, and I think if I want to get those last few kilos off I'd have to venture into that territory.

So you're not "supposed" to feel anyway, its up to you to find the manageable balance.

Well, I don't know if everyone feels the same, but to me, the proper amount of restriction is when I can still eat real food, without PBing, but just not too much of it. There are certain foods that I try to avoid, because they inevitably get stuck, and cause a PB, or sliming. For me, those foods are soft bread, rice and pasta. Some steak if it is really chewy, and any meat that is just too dry is usually a problem, too. If you are PBing after everything you eat, that is not normal. Are you taking small bites and chewing really well? I can eat about a cup with good restriction--well, what I consider good restriction. I want to be able to eat real food, and for the most part I can. I, too, can vary on my restriction level from day to day, so you just have to experiment. Maybe try a small fill again,, and see how it goes. I guess i would say that 21 pounds since November does not seem average to me. What does your doctor say?

I feel the same way too, I had a fill of 2.4 in a 4cc band and I was PB'ing all the time on everything. I was on liquids for 5 days after the fill because I couldn't even move up to mushies. I went to the doc immediately and she took half out. I can't eat pasta, rice, or bread, but I can eat anything else. I haven't lost any weight in over 3 weeks now, so I'm not sure if I need another fill or if my body is in limbo for a while...what to do, what to do...

Well, I don't know if everyone feels the same, but to me, the proper amount of restriction is when I can still eat real food, without PBing, but just not too much of it. There are certain foods that I try to avoid, because they inevitably get stuck, and cause a PB, or sliming. For me, those foods are soft bread, rice and Pasta. Some steak if it is really chewy, and any meat that is just too dry is usually a problem, too. If you are PBing after everything you eat, that is not normal. Are you taking small bites and chewing really well? I can eat about a cup with good restriction--well, what I consider good restriction. I want to be able to eat real food, and for the most part I can. I, too, can vary on my restriction level from day to day, so you just have to experiment. Maybe try a small fill again,, and see how it goes. I guess i would say that 21 pounds since November does not seem average to me. What does your doctor say?

Thanks...I think I am feeling about the same way you guys are. I am trying to get in for another fill, but my doctors offices doesn't have any nurses that do fills and Dr. Malley hasn't been available. It is a 3 month wait.

Another thing I have found that I eat and eat...is salad, but if I have chicken in it...it can get stuck easily, if I am not careful.

I've actually lost about 35 pounds on my scales at home. I haven't been back to Dr. Malley's for several months, so on his scales it is only 21.

I have an appointment for July 16th! Another month!