I am getting my second fill tomorrow. Does it get better from here on out because I don't feel like the first one did much of anything? Please let me know how people did with their 2nd versus their 1rst.

for most people, you really don't notice a whole lot of restriction and weight loss until you've had between 3-5 fills. Although it is different for everyone. I just went for my 3rd fill today.

There's a poll somewhere on here that asks "at what point did you actually start to lose weight and have restriction": most folks responded it was between the 3rd - 5th fills.

Hang in there!

I didn't really notice it until my 4th fill.

I had three ccs put in on the day of surgery and I have always had restriction. My band is 10 ccs.

You can try asking your doctor to be aggressive with fills. Be careful what you ask for though! If you tell him that you have no restriction what so ever, that you are hungry all the time, and that you can eat way more than you think you should be able to, he/she may decide to let you have a little bit extra. A lot of doctors like to go at restriction very carefully though.

Where do you live? I am coming to AZ next week. (Mesa)

My first fill was 2.4 cc's (10 cc band) - no restriction at all. 2nd fill was 2.0 cc's and I did start to feel some restriction. Not a lot, but definitely noticed some and also some foods were easier than others - bread is now tough to do. Looking forward to my 3rd fill in 3 weeks.

I live in the northwest valley (Glendale) You have done great with your weight loss! Have fun in Mesa!

I felt restriction on my 1st fill but loosened up within about 2 weeks - 2nd fill was great lasted from Oct to January - asked for a 3rd fill (like Denise says becare full of what you ask for) and was too tight (IMHO I rather be open than too tight) He had added 1 cc - had to take out .08cc - and that was the end of January - I am scheduled to go back the end of May but as it stands now - I don't need a fill..

I felt restriction on my 1st fill but loosened up within about 2 weeks - 2nd fill was great lasted from Oct to January - asked for a 3rd fill (like Denise says becare full of what you ask for) and was too tight (IMHO I rather be open than too tight) He had added 1 cc - had to take out .08cc - and that was the end of January - I am scheduled to go back the end of May but as it stands now - I don't need a fill..

Indiogirl, you have only had 3 fills and are already at goal??? Wow! What size band do you have? What is your secret?

My band will hold they say 4cc. It is a 9.75ml. band. My first fill was 1.25cc's with it, I felt very little restriction, if I ate too fast, I felt it, otherwise, it was business as usual. So 4 weeks later, I went for my 2nd fill. He only gives very conservative fills from there on out, and only gave me .50cc. a mere half a cc!!!! I was so dissapointed!!! I thought it would do nothing! WRONG!!! That little bit give me major restriction for about a week or 2....then it has slowly lessened. I still have restriction, although not a tight restriction. I prefer it that way. My band has eliminated my hunger----so I can deal with the lesser restriction. That second fill was 1 year and 10 months ago!!! I have never had another.

I am being unfilled completely in a few days for my TT---will approach refilling in a very, very slow, conservative manner. I do not want to mess up a good thing!!!

Yep little bitty second fills can make all the difference in the world!!!!!

Good Luck with yours!

Kat

Wow! to you too, Kat! I have a 4cc band, too. 1st fill was 1.5 cc and 2nd fill was 1.0 cc. I can feel some restriction, (def. more than 1st fill) but not like I thought I would at this point. I guess everyone really is different. I have heard that some people loosen up after a couple of weeks, and some people can actually get tighter after a couple of weeks. I am hoping the latter will be my case.

Indiogirl, you have only had 3 fills and are already at goal??? Wow! What size band do you have? What is your secret?

Thanks Jen - I still have 1.5 to go.. Size of band not super sure - He told my son after surgery I had the new Cadillac band and then in the office he said large once and then small - but I know I have 5 cc in it. It never really mattered to me size or how many cc's I had (the only reason I know is cuz when I was too tight and he took some out he said I have 5 cc's) the only thing that mattered was that I had restriction and I didn't care how we got there as long as we did get there.

Secret - There really isn't one - I had major frickin surgery - I was 52 when banded - I have fewer yrs ahead of me than what's behind me and I want to extend the years I have left and I wanted to improve the quality of my life. So my head is totally in the game.

I was told over and over again here on LBT by my 50+ ladies that the band was only a tool - So I knew going in that this had to be a LIFETIME LIFESTYLE change in my life. Also, I have the experience of all my other dieting efforts - and I am able to use the information I learned in Weight Watcher in helping me eat healthy (not diet) and exercise.

I eat healthy 98% of the time - I allow for treats 2% of the time - but those calorie are not in addition to my daily budget of 900-1200 but included in. I exercise 3-4 days a week (2 cardio - 2 weights) - I also keep a food diary (on my 5th book) where I track my calories & pt grms.

I bought a scale that gives me all the info on whatever I am weighing - I used it alot in the being but now I know what a portion size looks and know most of the calories by heart of the foods i eat (I still pull it out when I am eating something different)

I eat off of a sandwich plate - use children's utensils - and have a little bowl that holds one cup.

I still eat out - Mexican or Chinese - but I eat 1/4 what I ate before - I eat minimum 1 cup per meal - usually 1 to 1/2 - but some nights it can be 2 cups.. I eat low fat - mostly sugar free - and I do eat carbs/starches

I always have some form of starch with my dinner - usually 1/2 cup of rice.

So if the above is a secret - it's not any longer :cool2::tongue: I am more than willing to share - as I know how it feels to be the Fat Chick - and in my head I still have her - but before long she will be replaced by the new thinner & healthier chick and I want everyone here to share the joy in meeting and exceeding your goals and to feel so much better. Heck no wonder I was so tired before I was carring around 88.5 sack of potatoes on my back.

I firmly believe that 75% of the work is mental and the band does the other 25% by providing restriction. (this is the real secret - knowing that you are going to have to work at this - that the band isn't going to do it by itself)

Good Luck and thanks for the props - I really do feel 10 yrs younger...

Thank you Kat, you have given me hope!!!!

- I also keep a food diary (on my 5th book) where I track my calories & pt grms.

I bought a scale that gives me all the info on whatever I am weighing -

Do you just keep a food diary in a spiral or something, or do you do the online diaries? I think I need to start a food diary. What do you recommend I keep track of, (besides what I eat of course)?

I think I need to invest in a food scale as well, at least till I can get a grasp on this whole portion size dilemma...

By the way, I am more than happy to give kudos where kudos are due. You have earned it. Congratulations.

I've only had 2 fills, last one was Feb 26th. I have 4.5cc in my 10cc band. I cancelled my fill for today as I don't really need one yet, I am still losing, I have a little restriction and I sometimes get stuck. I am trying to work with the band and not depend on it competely for my weight loss. It is a tool to help me regain my life....

Great Job Indiogirl, You Rock!!!

Just from the responses, you can tell everyone is different!

I have the smallest band, and the doc thought I would have restriction without a fill. I guess I had mild restriction. It's 9.75" long one, and holds 4cc. My first fill of .5cc was too much. They took it out, then I lost more weight, and they added .5cc back.. and I had perfect restriction for a while. Lost more weight, and last month I stopped feeling it. They added another .5cc, so I'm at 1cc now and I am pretty darn tight. Some people don't even feel 1cc and it's a lot for me.