Ok, my title says it all. I ate a south beach diet meal today, and I figured ok, its small enough, I chew it well I will be ok. NOPE. Uggh and its so aggravating. Anyone else going through this? Im know when I forget to chew, I can have some issues, and it hurts, but then I stop and rest a bit then start it again going slower. Man, that meal did not cut it for me. I hated that. And the fat content wasnt what I had expected. Anyway, Need feedback. I had my 1st fill last week, a week ago today. Maybe I need another.

hello, i have very little restriction as well.. can eat quite a bit and i have had like 4 or 5 fills ( can't remember now..) 8 cc in a 10 cc band and i can certainly eat an entire frozen meal... they keep saying well you can eat like 1 cup after surgery i can eat 3 or 4 times that comfortabley...

I have never understood when people say you can only eat 1/4 cup per meal or whatever - that just isn't true - I can sit down and eat an entire meal no problem - not as much as before the band but way more than I should if I let myself. I get my first fill next week and am counting the minutes. Why do they tell you that?

Okay guys - hopefully I can be a ray of hope for you all!

I too didn't feel any restriction in the beginning. It wasn't until my 3rd fill, and even then it was only minimal or light restriction, but I knew we were getting closer to that sweet spot because I could feel the difference, even though I could still eat a ton of food.

I had my fourth fill today - and I can honestly say that I tried to eat some mashed potatoes tonight and was only able to eat 3 bites!!!! This is what I had heard about pre-op but had never experienced. I am very excited. And to be honest with you - the potatoes tasted so good, I really wanted to eat more, I even tried, but then I had to get up and run to the restroom so I could spit all the excessive saliva out of my mouth and I had to wait for the sharp chest (epigastric) pain to go away. I will not push it again - I am learning to live a different life because I am finally restricted. The bad habits I had before are getting easier to break because I physically get sick if I try to continue. The band is forcing me to change my eating behaviors. This is what I wanted and needed the band to do for me because I knew I could not do it alone.

So - moral of the story is - DO NOT GET FRUSTRATED, I know how you feel, because I felt the same way - I really started thinking the band was a huge waste of money and that it would never work for me. But I went in every 2-3 weeks for a fill until I found that sweet spot. Stay optimistic, stay on top of your fills and you will get restriction!! Good Luck to you all, I know you will do great!!

I have been missng the restrictive feeling I had right after surgery - I can't wait until my first fill next week and to see if my band and port are in the right place. I bought a new pair of jeans today two sizes smaller as incentive to do the right thing. Like I have said over and over and I am sure everyone is tired of hearing me say it - the ONLY thing I am unhappy about is the goose egg below my port scar. If I ever want to wear a two-piece swimsuit again it has to go. It is very depressing.

that does make me feel a little better. I think i am a wierd case because i just eat slightly less than i did before the band... and the last time i was up to 8 cc ( had it taken out and eventually re added) I had that pain feeling every time i took one bite... but i had to keep eating no matter how painful becuase i felt physical hunger. that is what i want to go away! lol. this time at 8 cc.. i only feel that pain if i don't chew as much as i should and early in the morning

Hi Guy's! I also can eat whatever I want and allot more than I thought I could. This Friday I go for my second fill and I have allot of questions for the doctor. Let me know if any of you have these feelings. My insides always feel like there being pulled. My hips and my back are always sore now. Let me know.

Here are a few things that I dont think people understand about fills or docs dont explain that might help :

1. normally you will not get restriction your first fill . In fact do not count on it and you wont be disappointed . If you do get it great bonus !!

2. Once you do get restriction from a fill IT WILL Go away , meaning as the fat around your stomach melts from you losing weight you are going to need ANOTHER FILL ! I think people think that once they get the fill and have restriction they will be fine and that's it .. its takes matienence to hold on to that restriction

3. restriction should not and does not "HURT" or "FEEL" meaning you should be able to eat a meal and not feel it go down or have it HURT , If your eating to the point of it hurting your eating too much THAT Is not restriction !!

That is you eating too much !

4. BE PATIENT !!! If you do not get restriction your first fill wait ! sometimes fills take up to 2 weeks to kick in and after your first fill you WONT KNOW That after 2 or 3 days.

5. The weight did not come ON Over night its not going to come OFF over night !!

6. Some days you can eat more than others , some days your tight as a drum others your not

I had restriction my first fill . BUT I have had to continue to get fills to keep that restriction . Its not magic it takes time .

Also I would say on a good restrition day i can eat around 1 cup of food at a sittting. Everyone is different every day seems to be different w/ the band in regards to what you can and cant eat !!

HTH

Mindy