I am getting really frustrated. I have read plenty of posts like this, but I will say it anyways. I have had my first fill and since that time(May 12) I have had no help from my band. A few things about my experience so far since the surgery - I have never gotten stuck, never felt like hurling, I lost weight good at first(6-8 lbs a week), I can eat anything - bread, rice, any meat, chips, cheetos, etc., I can now eat fast without feeling the discomfort I felt before(I still do occasionally).

Now, I know that some of the responsibility is on me, but I have tried and I am still trying. Perfect example yesterday:

• I ate chicken salad on a wheat bun for Breakfast with some more chicken salad on a plate for breakfast(it had grapes, apples, onions, light mayo and boiled chicken - so fairly healthy)
  
• I started getting a little hungry and empty but I drank Water and some G2 gatorade until lunch. I ate a child portion of beef tips and fries at Logan's roadhouse. I did not finish the fries. I was satisfied, but could have eaten more.
  
• Mid afternoon, I was starting to get hungry again, so I started forcing down water to get by.
  
• By 5 pm I was pretty hungry - on the verge of binge hungry. I ate more chicken salad - basically a repeat of breakfast. I ate slowly and stopped eating when I felt satisfied. I immediately went outside and worked for a couple of hours on my daughter's tree house.
  
• I was hungry when I finished working so I started guzzling water again. I held off the hunger for about 2 more hours but by 9pm I was going crazy
  

Okay so long story short - I can't even tell the damn $18K thing is there! I tried, but not very hard to get in for another fill to which they replied I have to wait an month for the first three fills.

oh yeah and as far as exercise - I do something everyday - walking between 2 and 4 miles a day or playing tennis on average of 2-3 times a week for 2-3 hours a pop. I also stay busy working on my house, yard or daughter's tree house.

DAMNIT!

You are where all of us have been. Everyone has high hopes that one fill will do it but it rarely does, each fill makes things a little better but on average it takes around four fills to get to that sweet spot. It sucks that your doctor makes you wait a full month, but be patient and your restriction will come.

You are where all of us have been. Everyone has high hopes that one fill will do it but it rarely does, each fill makes things a little better but on average it takes around four fills to get to that sweet spot. It sucks that your doctor makes you wait a full month, but be patient and your restriction will come.

Yeah, what she said!

Try to be disciplined about your food intake. Try to eat like you do have some restriction, otherwise you'll be in for a cruel lesson when you do feel it!

I have my first fill April 27th. I plateaued for just over 2 weeks.

I am surprised how much I can eat. I have a very slight restriction. It's been frustrating. I am trying to schedule my next fill for early june.

Dude I just went through the same crap. I am now at the very close to Sweet Spot. I have lost 21 lbs in 7 weeks. If you hang in there it will work. And like he said be careful cause it friggin sucks when you stuff your face and the band finally works. Good luck Bro.

I am new to the game. My surgery date was April 21st and I today I received my first adjustment. So I don't have much experience but it sounds to me that you are not eating frequently enough. My doctor and dietitian said not to go more than 3 hours without eating although I haven't been able to eat that frequently I have found that eating multiple small meals has kept my "binge" personality in check. (so far!)

Good Luck!

I can also state that once the "sweetspot" show up, it doesn't stay around. As i have lost the restriction has gone away. I still occasionally feel it, but I am mostly getting by oh hard work and determination at this point. The last time i went in for a fill, the Doc told me the band had done all its going to do, and the rest is up to me.

Sure hated to hear that, but I have lost 20 pounds since then. Also put on considerable mass in my arms and shoulders.

I think I might make an appointment to get a fill though. Been able to cheat a little to much lately.

How do you know when you're really at the "Sweet Spot".

I was banded 5/11/09. My first fill is scheduled for 6/11/09. I currently can eat anything I want. I stick to three meals a day and drink lots of Water,etc. I do get hungry 2-3 hrs after a meal. I am very aware of my intake. Will not eat more than 4-5 oz of Protein and 1-2 oz of veggies, then I'm full. If I over do it, I start to feel a slight pain in the middle of my chest. (THE SOFT SIGNAL TO STOP).

Is it when I can eat what's listed above and not be hungry for 6 hours??

How do you know when you're really at the "Sweet Spot".

I was banded 5/11/09. My first fill is scheduled for 6/11/09. I currently can eat anything I want. I stick to three meals a day and drink lots of Water,etc. I do get hungry 2-3 hrs after a meal. I am very aware of my intake. Will not eat more than 4-5 oz of Protein and 1-2 oz of veggies, then I'm full. If I over do it, I start to feel a slight pain in the middle of my chest. (THE SOFT SIGNAL TO STOP).

Is it when I can eat what's listed above and not be hungry for 6 hours??

Your sweet spot is where you can eat a small amount of food and be satisfied until your next meal and you are losing weight. It is individual, there is no exact measurement of time or food that works for everyone, it is what works for you.

For me, if I can eat three meals per day around 3/4-1 cup per meal and not be hungry in-between then I am at a sweet spot. I like to go around 4-5 hours between breakfast and lunch and between lunch and dinner.

You sound like you are on track but if you are hungry in 2-3 hours, I would say your not quite there yet. Know that the sweet spot rarely comes with one fill and for me, it did not stay around forever. As I lost weight, especially in the first 5-6 months, the sweet spot would go away and I would need another adjustment or two to get back on track. As you go on through this process it will become easier for you to figure out what works best for you.

Edited June 3, 200917 yr by Jodi_620

Thanks for the info. I'm curious to see how I'll feel after the first fill. I' scheduled for three fills every two weeks starting 6/11/09.