Hello All,

I'm looking for support and answers and some motivation. I was banded on 9.23.2008 and have had 6 fills to an approximate total of 5.5cc in a 10cc band. Since I am still questioning the feeling of restriction, I don't think I am there yet. During my last fill [on Friday] the PA filled the band until I couldn't get Water down. I think I could tell it was really tight ~ when water hurts, it's tight! So the PA removed some of the fill, I tested with water again and was able to get it down. I was very optimistic. But alas, that optimism ended quickly. I am still able to eat anything and in any size ~ sometimes I forget and eat a bigger bite ~ no pain, nothing gets stuck, nada. I understand that I'm still looking for my sweet spot but I just realized [duh] that it's not just the band. My 'participation' is also required. Again...DUH! So even though I 'can' eat anything doesn't mean I should wait until the band kicks in and 'stops' me. How can such an intelligent woman be sooooo stupid????!!!!!????? LOL!

Question #1: Herbal supplement. I take a few herbal supplements faithfully that are pretty large capsules. Any ideas what I can do once I reach restriction? I tried taking the 'herbs' out of the capsules and the taste is nasty in water... and yougurt. Any ideas? I tried and failed to use a pill-splitter on them [no surprise!]. Has anyone found chewable herbal supplements?

Question #2: Why should we avoid drinking water while we eat ~ assuming there is restriction [i'll eventually get there!]. What are the general rules regarding drinking before, during and after a meal?

Many thanks in advance for your insights, reocmmendations and good thoughts!

Cheers!

Hello All,

I'm looking for support and answers and some motivation. I was banded on 9.23.2008 and have had 6 fills to an approximate total of 5.5cc in a 10cc band. Since I am still questioning the feeling of restriction, I don't think I am there yet. During my last fill [on Friday] the PA filled the band until I couldn't get Water down. I think I could tell it was really tight ~ when water hurts, it's tight! So the PA removed some of the fill, I tested with water again and was able to get it down. I was very optimistic. But alas, that optimism ended quickly. I am still able to eat anything and in any size ~ sometimes I forget and eat a bigger bite ~ no pain, nothing gets stuck, nada. I understand that I'm still looking for my sweet spot but I just realized [duh] that it's not just the band. My 'participation' is also required. Again...DUH! So even though I 'can' eat anything doesn't mean I should wait until the band kicks in and 'stops' me. How can such an intelligent woman be sooooo stupid????!!!!!????? LOL!

Question #1: Herbal supplement. I take a few herbal supplements faithfully that are pretty large capsules. Any ideas what I can do once I reach restriction? I tried taking the 'herbs' out of the capsules and the taste is nasty in water... and yougurt. Any ideas? I tried and failed to use a pill-splitter on them [no surprise!]. Has anyone found chewable herbal supplements?

Question #2: Why should we avoid drinking water while we eat ~ assuming there is restriction [i'll eventually get there!]. What are the general rules regarding drinking before, during and after a meal?

Many thanks in advance for your insights, reocmmendations and good thoughts!

Cheers!

I agree with you that you need to participate but obviously your band is not working properly. what's the point in paying for the band if it's not providing help.

I can sooo relate to you. I have had 6 fills myself, since July. I had my band in Mexico on May 31st. It has been a real struggle for me, and finally began losing weight in September. I have lost 25 pounds since September, and though I am happy with it, I wish (and expected) to have lost more by now. I finally feel restriction on most things now, I still have foods that I can eat. I wish I didn't know what my sliders were, but do...I am scheduled for another fill on January 26th, and hoping that it will be THE ONE. As far as supplements, the only thing I take is Flintstone vitamins, so can't really give you any advice. I do know that I have a lot of trouble drinking anything with my meal. If I PB it is because I drank something on top of my meal. My fill doctor told me that the reasoning behind not drinking was the liquid would help flush the food through the band faster.

I can sooo relate to you. I have had 6 fills myself, since July. I had my band in Mexico on May 31st. It has been a real struggle for me, and finally began losing weight in September. I have lost 25 pounds since September, and though I am happy with it, I wish (and expected) to have lost more by now. I finally feel restriction on most things now, I still have foods that I can eat. I wish I didn't know what my sliders were, but do...I am scheduled for another fill on January 26th, and hoping that it will be THE ONE. As far as supplements, the only thing I take is Flintstone Vitamins, so can't really give you any advice. I do know that I have a lot of trouble drinking anything with my meal. If I PB it is because I drank something on top of my meal. My fill doctor told me that the reasoning behind not drinking was the liquid would help flush the food through the band faster.

Yelp! You're right and that's what I was told, that the Water just flushes the food down. But I am hard headed and I still drink while eating :tongue2:. It will be two years since I got banded on 1/11 and things are fine. I have only had three fills (I think my last one was in July) and I don't think I have found my sweet spot. So I am on liquids until 1/11 to see if I can reach my goal of 170 (yeah right!).

Be blessed!