Hey guys. it's me again (many weeks later!!!) with a question - for anyone who doesn't know me/my story, I live in Dublin, Ireland and was banded in Paris, France about 15 months ago - I am down about 70lbs which feels great but obviously, I could have lost more. Last October I found a band surgeon in England willing to do follow up care and fills etc for me, and went to him for a fill. I have an 11cc Inamed band which had a fill capacity of 9cc - I had 4cc put in during surgery - the fill doc found there was only just under 3cc in my band when he removed all the fluid - I gather this is pretty normal after a year - so he put back in 3.5cc but I was really disappointed to find I have pretty much no restriction still. I have never had that "golf ball" sensation, pb'd or had any discomfort really, but I do drink with my meals often - SO, here's the question - (at last!) - as I have to travel so far and so expensively ($160 for fill, + flight + car rental!) I don't want to get too little of a fill, which will make very little difference - on the other hand I don't want to get too much, and be back in Ireland spitting up saliva - all alone with no medical awareness of the band here!!!

My new doc says he'll fill me to "5cc or 6cc or whatever you want", which doesn't exactly answer the question - I want to lose another 50lbs at least, and do it quite agressively, as I have been working on willpower all this time.... I have plateaued for AGES, and am getting so depressed and despondant, feeling like a big fat failure - I'm afraid to rush into a big fill, and starve myself for the next few months - can anyone tell me what a "good fill" feels like - what is the most we should be able to expect from "hitting that sweet spot"?

Apologies this is so long and boring....I would really appreciate anyone's advice....

Yahoooo, Bright!! Isn't it the coolest to connect with other bandsters while waiting for a fill? I never mind going for fills because that's where I get the best info. It's like a mini-support group meeting right there.

Congratulations on gurgling!! That's totally a clue that you have restriction. Take it easy, girlie, you don't want to hurt yourself. :clap: :clap:

GOOOOO BRIGHT!!! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

NO Way. Amother Irsh person I dont believe it. Us Irish really do get around for such a small nation. When I was awya for the summer I could not believe the amount of Irish people I met and this was half way acroos the world in Asia.

Congrats on ur restriction bright. It really is a good feeling but can be a bit discouraging at times as it can be uncomfortable.

Well its 8.39 on a saturday morning and here I am in work while most people are sound a sleep in bed. Its not fair. Plus Im getting really irate callers. im really not in the humour.

Thanks for the info re gurgling Alex - I am grabbing any info with both hands here! I am going to stay on mushies/liquids for a few days to give any inflamation a chance to settle and next week I guess I'll find out if i'm very tight - I can't tell you how much a lift it was, emotionally, to meet other bandsters - Watch out Alex - hubby has been in Morristown twice already this year and is heading over there soon again, I may turn up on your door step - I'd LOVE to meet you xx

Blacknamaste - Please give us an easier name!!! Would you believe my surgeon in the UK banded about ten irish women in 2004 alone? Where are all these bandsters???

Good luck in work xx