Hi all, Ok, here's my story. I have my 3rd fill next week and almost 4 months out from surgery (banded 2/19/2008). Really I have hardly any restriction and can eat anything (even tho I know I shouldn't and try willfully not to eat it) like bread, rice, etc. Am NOT eating chocolate, fast food, or twinkies - the things I ate before surgery. I am losing inches and some weight as I work out almost daily. Of course I have more restriction then before I was banded but just not what I need/want. Not even close to my sweet spot. Its my will alone that's floating me. So my question is, will it happen? Will it get to the point where physically I CAN'T eat bread, my nemesis, and not have to really just on will power alone? Can 1/2 cc make a difference? Is my stomach the size of a watermellon (just kidding). Thanks! :confused2:

:huh2:Hey everyone. I noticed that it had been a while since anyone posted here and I'd like to know how you are doing now???? My daughter has the 9 cc Realize Band and was banded in april 08. She dropped 20 right away but thats pretty much it. Shes been up a couple and down a couple since then. She has 8 cc in her band. Some weather issues kept away from the docs office during December/January becuase of the distance to his office. But shes still not to that magical sweet spot. She knows it there but is still able to eat more than she should. She could stand to exercise more yes but the way I see it is that this is mostly about very very small portions. The 1/2 cup thing that I read about for some definately is not where she is. I would love to hear that one of you has now found the sweet spot and has starting going down...down....down. Sent doc and email and he said not to sweat it much that there is a lot of restriction in that last cc so I hope thats the case. We go again next week to see him. She about ready to give up and just figure that she has failed at this too. I need to hear it I guess becuase this payment is choking me. Dont get me wrong its worth every penny if it works.

You say she has 8cc in there, well I have 8.7 right now and I think I am at my sweet spot I am finding that I need to help the band not totally rely on it if that makes sense. I mean I have restriction and can eat a lil more than a cup. But things like bread and rice really remind me that I have the band, meaning I try to eat those bad things but they make me feel horrible. Yesterday I was feeling yucky so I decided to eat 100 calorie soup and a very toasted grilled cheese I only got half of it down and had to stop. Some people say that even a .1 cc can make a huge difference. I am going to try that this next visit and go up to 8.8 and I am almost sure that will be my spot for a while. Good luck I really think she just needs a small small small fill is all....

I just had my 3rd fill Monday (3/2) and have very good restriction. My first fill was 3cc, second was 2cc, and third fill was 1cc - total of 6cc at this point. I am pretty tight still - the restriction from the first 2 fills seemed to fade away as the swelling went down. This one is hanging around so far. My surgeon will continue to give me fills, each one will be a bit smaller until I reach the point where I am satisfied with 1/2 to 1 cup of food per meal. From that point she will make adjustments as needed. I am there right now - but I'll have to see how I am after a week or so.

I find it is absolutely necessary for me to make healthy choices and practice portion control. If I had not been doing that during the last three months I would not have lost any pounds, because restriction was not there yet. The band is not designed to do it all. It is a tool that helps you control your portions, but you have to make the good food choices - particularly when it comes to hard Protein. That is the food that stays in your pouch the longest and provides the best hunger protection. For myself, I have found that if I measure my food, eat what I am allowed, then wait a few minutes, I do have a sense of fullness and decide I don't need anything else. I think my brain just needs a few minutes to catch up with my appetite.

and I do believe exercise is a very important component. Muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue does, so building muscle helps your metabolism. For most of us we can start small (walking for 30 minutes) and build - just like everything else. In the end it all comes down to calories in-calories out.

I hope your daughter has success and reaches her sweet spot with another fill.

You say she has 8cc in there, well I have 8.7 right now and I think I am at my sweet spot I am finding that I need to help the band not totally rely on it if that makes sense. I mean I have restriction and can eat a lil more than a cup. But things like bread and rice really remind me that I have the band, meaning I try to eat those bad things but they make me feel horrible. Yesterday I was feeling yucky so I decided to eat 100 calorie soup and a very toasted grilled cheese I only got half of it down and had to stop. Some people say that even a .1 cc can make a huge difference. I am going to try that this next visit and go up to 8.8 and I am almost sure that will be my spot for a while. Good luck I really think she just needs a small small small fill is all....:scared2:

THANKS. YOU'VE BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND ENCOURAGING. :thumbup:THIS JUST HAS TO WORK FOR HER. TRYING TO FIND A CURVES TO GET HER INTO. THE ONE IN OUR TOWN CLOSED.