Okay,

So I got banded on May 20th 2009 and before my first fill ( one month later) lost 16 lbs. I just got my first fill on June 24th with 5cc's I have a realize band that has a 11cc capacity. Since my fill I've lost probably another 3 lbs which isn't much to me at all especially because I was losing so quickly the first couple of weeks. My biggest concern is that I feel barely to NO restriction at all. I personally stay away from breads, sweets (rarely eat them) and eat no junk food. The thing is that I CAN eat them. I've nibbled and they go down with no problems. My stomach gets full a lot sooner than before the surgery but I feel like I may have something wrong with me. I feel as if restriction is the main key to major weightloss with the band. I've also started going to the gym and working out doing cardio for 30 minutes 3 to 4 times a week (never did that before).I called my doctor's office and the nurse told me that what I'm experiencing is completely normal and that I have to wait another month for the second fill.... PLEASE HELP GUYS! Has anyone had this experience... I feel completely lost and I would hate to start having a negative attitude about this whole thing because I love my band!

First of all take a deep breath, now relax. You lost weight quickly in the beginning because you were on liquids for the most part, now that you are eating more solid foods until you get to your "sweet spot" you will probably see small flucuations up or down. And everyone is different, some don't need a fill for a long time, some need one every 6-8 weeks restriction can't be compared. And it's not normally achieved with just one fill.

It's important to remember that the band is just a tool, you have to work at making healthy choices and the 2 together will help you achieve weight loss.

It's good that you stay away from junk food because foods like ice cream, chips and Cookies will slip right through the band. And by the way bread is not a forbidden food.

So bottom line, join a support group, meet people on this site, and try to stay focused on the big picture.

This was the hardest time for me . It took 5 fills to get restriction, but you will get there!! It is very hard not to get discouraged, but just hang in there, it takes awhile to get there!!

Hi. What you are going through is perfectly normal. Not fun.... but normal. I felt no restriction after surgery, none after my first fill, and none after my second fill. It was my third fill, which was 3 months after my surgery, that I began to feel real restriction. I had read about restriction and fills on here, so I knew it was going to take awhile. It was HARD!! Relying on willpower alone for 3 months was a real challenge. I just had to stay busy, stay focused, and stay away from my red light foods. Was I always good?.... of course not. I spent that time working on how to live life without my best friend, my tranquilizer, my love - food. I spent a lot of time here, on LBT. Met lots of nice people, learned a lot about me and my band, got great advice, found out there were many others that were going through what I was going through, and I made some very good friends here. Just do your best and keep in mind why you had surgery in the first place. I know you can do it. One day at a time. Good luck. Becky