I have had 3 fills now and I have no feeling of restriction! I was banded 14 weeks ago and have lost right at 40 lbs, that is slow right?:smile: I can pretty much eat as much as I want, I just don't. There have only been 2 times that I felt like I couldn't eat another bite, that my chest was feeling tight. Every time I get a fill and drink the water after, I feel like it is going down slower than before, it seems to gurgle and the doctor says that is good. But then when I get home and drink it is like nothing has changed. And when I start on mushies or solids again there is no restriction. My doctor doesn't seem concerned. But I am very frustrated.:frown: I can just imagine how the weight would be falling off if I wasn't able to eat as much. Can anyone relate? What do you all think? I need some feedback please.

Thanks!

This is terrible I know but I can't remember if I'm on my 3rd or 4th. I think I have like 5-6cc's in a 10cc band. I feel the restriction that things get stuck if I'm not focusing on my chewing.. but as far as lack of hunger... it's not like I feel it should be. For about 3 days after one of the fills... my stomach would be growling but I wasn't hungry or wasn't wanting anything to eat. I LOVED it! Now... I am hungry alot more. I have another filled scheduled for 11/20. That can't get here fast enough!

Yeh I have the 4 cc band and at first I felt a bit of a change and some of teh time I feel so restricted I cant even get two bites down and other times I can eat like before. I have never been a big eater, but I agree I do make poor food decisions.AFter I have the surgery I will probably go and get a fill to be at 3.0 and see how that goes.

how often can you get a fill?

My doctor advised that you can get a fill as needed, I think you should use good judgment and not do it too often, but like I said I have only had three in a year and a half. I will get one done next year right around my 2 year anniversary so that I can maintain my wieght better after my LBL.

I've been banded 3 months and already had 4 fills. I don't think there is a limit to how often -- it just depends on the individual. I am sensitive to fills so I can only get .5 ccs at a time. Even though I've had 4 fills, I only have 4.5 cc in an 8 cc band.

There's another way to look at this. First of all, congratulations on your progress so far. I have discovered that I cannot wait for the band to tell me I am full, and eat until its tight. That isn't how it works for me. I have discovered that I have to be in control and pay attention to portions of Protein and healthy filling foods. Then eat slowly and wait 30 minutes to decide if I am hungry and want more. Unless I eat "slider foods" I am satisfied, however it is not meant to make you feel full like after eating a huge meal. I cannot rely on the band to stop me, I have to be proactive and portion control and let the band help me feel satisfied and stop the hunger.

I think sometimes people want the lapband to be a brake, and stop you from eating, but I don't think it works that way for many people. Try to use it for satiety only and see if that makes a difference for you. You must be doing a really good job with your food choices to have lost that much weight so far. Hopefully looking at it in a different light might help.

I appreciate the advice. But, I have no willpower.:wub: I don't eat the best foods like I should. I NEED the band to stop me. If I could do it on my own I wouldn't have had surgery. I know I have to work harder and I am trying. I am just really looking forward to the restriction kicking in like I know it should be. I am hopeful after all of the replies that it WILL happen. :biggrin:

Thanks!

I appreciate the advice. But, I have no willpower.:wub: I don't eat the best foods like I should. I NEED the band to stop me. If I could do it on my own I wouldn't have had surgery. I know I have to work harder and I am trying. I am just really looking forward to the restriction kicking in like I know it should be. I am hopeful after all of the replies that it WILL happen. :biggrin:

Thanks!

Dustilee! You KNOW the band doesn't make food choices for you. In fact, many people gain with super restriction because what goes down easy are foods like milkshakes, mashed potatoes and gravy, and so on! which they choose because the healthier options hurt. Of course you have willpower and control. You chose the surgery, didn't you? Of course you want restriction, but if you get too much too fast it can cause esophageal spasms and other bad effects. There's a reason you didn't select bypass surgery and I assume it's partly because you were willing to USE the band. It doesn't STOP you from making bad choices. BUT it can help keep you full longer if you eat the right foods. You know this; you're just frustrated! Hang in there. It'll happen.

If at 14 weeks post-op I have lost 40 lbs, I will be elated! You can ALWAYS count of RM to give good, sound yet direct advice. Thanks RM.