I know a lot of people ask themselves that question before they get the band, and now here I am, asking it too. I'm scheduled to be banded in a few weeks, and I'm definitely ready...been thinking about it and researching for about a year, went through the insurance approval process (with a few setbacks), got approved, I'm ready (at least, as ready as I can be) for all the changes in the way I'll have to eat. But will it really work? Will I lose 20 pounds and then not lose any more? I have about 120 pounds to lose, and I know I'll feel so much better when I do (and even when I've lost half that), but I'm just so worried that I'll be one of the few for whom this just doesn't work.

Anyone else going through this, or been through it? Any words of inspiration and encouragement are super-appreciated!

Restriction.No one can really describe it but everyone wants it. You have restriction when your band is adjusted to the point where you can eat 3-5 bites of well-chewed food and you are full. When this happens you have what is called good restriction

Say what??????? Are you kidding me?

I said the same thing...3-5 bites?!

I know I need another fill. I am terrified that it is not working for me.

But I keep excercising and getting fills and I hope it will work.

3-5 bites?! I thought it was like 1/2 cup of food?

Great information, Sunshine2! very helpful.

the band will work, even if differently for each one of us. I guess we all have to find how to bet cope with it and work with it, not against it.

niki

I eat 3-5 bites and have to stop. Is that unusual?

When I'm in my sweet spot, 3-5 bites is all I can eat before I'm full. But then MY problem is, I'm hungry again ~ 2 hours later...

I thought one of the things a properly placed band does is to stop hunger, or at least lessen it. My sure seems to.

A properly placed band doesn't necessarily stop hunger, it reduces the amount of food it takes to be satisfied and stay satisfied until the next meal. I will get hungry before the next meal but I am not starving. It is a wonderful thing!

I think we all have these thoughts.

I thought this even 6 months post-op, when the fills didn't do anything for me. I was lamenting to my monthly group about how it's not working for me. Then they found out the port was flipped, fixed it, and I'm not a failure with the band!

The plus side of the band (to me), is that it's reversible. If I did RnY first, and failed.. then what?

If I fail with the band, they can take it out and I can find something else.