I had to document this somewhere, because this is huge for me!! I got my 4th fill yesterday and instantly had good restriction. So I woke up this morning and for the first time in forever food was not my first thought. I did not go looking for it, and still am not feeling hungry. It is just so wonderful to feel a sense of control over my hunger!!! Thanks for allowing me to share!! Have a great day bandsters!

Linda :thumbup:

Hi Linda,

Thanks so much for your post, I needed it! Congrats on finding restriction, I am having my 2nd fill this Friday...and I pray for some restriction. I am not only hungry but I exercise like mad and nothing seems to be happening a few pounds since surgery but nothing signifigant yet. Your post was encouraging, thank you...

Lana

Thanks for posting Linda and congrats on your weight loss! Your story really, really encourages me. I was banded 6-12-08. I've had one 4 cc fill in a 9 cc band and I'm down 18 pounds but I can still eat way too much. I've been on a 6 week plateau with 80 pounds left to go and quite discouraged. I'm having a hard time following my surgeons diet. He wants us to resume our post op diet after every fill... 2 weeks back on straight no calorie liquids plus 2 Protein shakes, 2 weeks of mushies, 2 weeks of 60 ccs of solids plus the shakes. Psychologically it's defeating in my opinion so I chuck it all together. I've been trying to eat healthy and enjoy without overindulging but I'm waiting for my tool to start helping me more. I know it takes time but I want to get the weight loss going again. I feel my surgeons extreme protocol causes my body to plateau (metabolic suicide according to the nuts.). Maybe the 2nd or 3rd fill will do the trick. In the mean time, I'll hang in and wait for the next fill.

Thanks again for your encouraging post!

This is so great to hear. I am truly getting frustrated and feel like I blew over $13k away. I had surgery about the same time as you, had a 2nd fill two weeks ago, felt "some" restriction, but now it is back to the same and all I do is think about what I can eat and when. I have my 3rd fill in two weeks and haven't lost any since the second fill....

Lana,

Let us know how you do after your fill on Friday. Either way. Maybe we can either encourage your or Celebrate with you!

By the way.... Linda, Lana & Stef,

What does your surgeon or nut (nutritionist) have you doing after your fills and in general for food intake? I'm trying to find a healthy balance here. I've self imposed a 800 to 1400 calorie intake daily since I feel I have to improvise from what my surgeons protocol is. It's basically what I learned to do at Weight Watchers (which works well) but I'm still wanting too much on some days.

Congrats on finding the 'sweet spot.' When I got to that point, I really felt like my brain had been rewired. It is truly amazing not to be always 'planning your next meal.'

OH MY GOD!!!!!!! thats what i'm still doing...planning my next meal.. i thought i was at good restriction... after calling surgeons office and speaking to nurse she recommended an adjustment because i'm hungry in between meals...always ask questions because what you think you know...you dont know l ol.... thanks for this post...i've had 6 adjusments and feel some restriction...but 2 hrs later...hungry..going back tuesday next week..gl everyone

I felt the same way you all do - I was upset thinking I had wasted over $11,000 on something that simply wasn't going to work for me. I even gained weight after fill #2. I felt the little restriction I would gain from fills would slowly go away - so frustrating! But my doc said it's not over until you have 12cc's in that band and I have never had to get to 12cc's to get good results! I remembered that and stayed diligent with my fills, getting one every 2-3 weeks. And it finally paid off!! I have even lost 2 pounds since yesterday! I am super excited for me and for you all - because I know it is coming for you too!! Just please stay optimistic.

WeePaula - That post-fill diet sounds crazy - LOL!! My doc has me do full liquids for 24 hours and then slowly resume my regular diet. He wants me to try to eat bread, chicken, steak and when I go back every 2-3 weeks he wants to know how I am tolerating those certain "problem" foods. Every doc is different though. Do you have to wait 6 weeks then between each fill? Even so, you will get there, it just may take a little longer. Try to stay patient - it will happen!!

Thanks Linda! I think it's crazy too! And proving to not be do-able for me. But I'm not going to use it as an excuse to not follow SOMETHING or beat myself up because I "failed" at it. It is a head battle though to come up with your own diet...

I've too worried that I've blown my $14,000.00 of self pay. But it's making the payments each month that makes me more determined to tweak this tool until it finally works. Keep fighting the good fight you guys! As Linda and Angel have posted... it'll pay off for us too. We've just GOT to believe it!

Thanks everyone!

Hey Linda,

Congrats on your weight loss and reaching your sweet spot. I still need to get my first fill. At the moment I am still not feeling too hungry, but I am sure I need to schedule a fill anyway since I have been at a standstill for over two weeks.

See ya on myspace.

Stephanie

Wow Linda, You really struck a nerve that no one wants to touch on---thank you!!! I was banded on June 21st and had a fill on July 25th to 3.4 cc. in a 10cc band. I have lost maybe 1 lb and am constantly hungry. Your post was so encouraging for all of us who are waiting to lose weight and blaming ourselves. A few of my friends who know about the surgery want to see me and I know when they do they are thinking that this failed just like all of my other diets (that would be every diet you can think of). I have tried to explain about the fills but it is difficult to explain and of course they think I am making excuses about why I haven't lost any weight. I have to see three of these friends on Sat. as I have been putting them off for almost 2 months and I am embarrassed that I haven't lost any weight. Anyway, thank you for the encouraging post. My doctor does fills only once a month so my next fill is Aug 20th. I am hoping my fill nurse will be more aggressive. Thanks again for the encouragement.

Do you have to wait 6 weeks then between each fill? Even so, you will get there, it just may take a little longer. Try to stay patient - it will happen!!

Yes, I do have to wait 6 weeks in between fills. I've got 4 weeks to go. I guess we risk erosion of the band if it's tightened too quickly. I know some surgeons will do 4 weeks or less. At least I get a lot when I do get a fill... (4.0 ccs last time). I'll use the time to work on the head hunger issues.:thumbup:

Steph - u better go get your fill so you can bypass that standstill cause girl when we get skinny I am driving down to Waco and it's gonna be Nurses gone wild - clean version, LOL!!! We will party for sure!!

lessme - I know how you feel. I felt the same way at my daughter's first birthday party in June. I hadn't lost hardly anything and it was already one month after surgery, I had to see all my family and friends and explain (as I ate my chili-cheese dog) how I was still able to eat everything and needed to get my band filled. They still did not understand, but my family & friends will see the results at Christmas!!! Just rest assured they will see your results in time.

Lessme -

Thanks for your post about the family/friends struggle. That has been getting to me also and even though I explain, I too feel that they're just looking at me like I'm making excuses. You said it well. But like Linda, Angel and Katy, time will show them and then we won't have any explaining to do... just basking in the compliments!

Right? Or am I full of it?!? (Can you guys tell I'm really trying to give myself a pep talk?) :-)

I had to document this somewhere, because this is huge for me!! I got my 4th fill yesterday and instantly had good restriction. So I woke up this morning and for the first time in forever food was not my first thought. I did not go looking for it, and still am not feeling hungry. It is just so wonderful to feel a sense of control over my hunger!!! Thanks for allowing me to share!! Have a great day bandsters!

Linda :thumbup: I'm surprised you had your first fill on 6/10. I had to wait six weeks after surgery to get my first fill 7/29/08, a week ago. I had to be on Clear liquids for 2 days, full liquids for 3 days. Yesterday I started with soft foods. I'm so excited I've lost 9 lbs. It seems like is to much and it might not even be healthy to loose that much weight in 7 days. My doctor advised me to take multi-Vitamins so I am every day. I'm glad I got the right amount of cc's to give me the restriction I need to help me loose weight.

Congrats on your weight loss!!!!!!