I got the 9cc Realize Band on May 19th. After the first week of liquids, I had a normal appetite and all food went down fine (without even chewing). This was not at all what I expected. Then June 29th I got a 5cc fill and I still feel about the same, but I feel a mild constriction every once in a while. But then the food slips on through and I can eat more. I don't feel full after small amounts of food like I thought I would. I don't have to chew a lot either. Its almost as if nothing was done and I'm not losing any weight. Discouraging.

Is this normal for this time frame? Do I just need to be tighter? My next fill isn't until July 31st.

We're all different, but until you have a good amount of restriction in the band, odds are you'll struggle, not lose, get hungry in between meals, etc. My surgeon is very conservative with fills and for me, after getting banded 8/29, I didn't really "find" restriction until March. Some personal school stress issues arose and I had a slight unfill, and the tightened back up May 7. Since May 7 I've lost almost 50 pounds. You can see from my ticker before that...not so much! So yes restriction makes a huge difference and yes it can take a while to "find" restriction. Hang in there. Many who lose early on do it just through sheer willpower and dieting. I opted not to do that; you'll have to choose what method is right for you. But keep the faith, when restriction happens you'll see what all the fuss is about!

I got the 9cc Realize Band on May 19th. After the first week of liquids, I had a normal appetite and all food went down fine (without even chewing). This was not at all what I expected. Then June 29th I got a 5cc fill and I still feel about the same, but I feel a mild constriction every once in a while. But then the food slips on through and I can eat more. I don't feel full after small amounts of food like I thought I would. I don't have to chew a lot either. Its almost as if nothing was done and I'm not losing any weight. Discouraging.

Is this normal for this time frame? Do I just need to be tighter? :thumbup: My next fill isn't until July 31st.

This is so me...finally. My surgery date was May 26th, have a 10cc band. Was filled up to 4cc after surgery (no restriction). Have had to fills since @ 1cc each...still no restriction (although if something is rather large it will get kinda caught) but i am no where near a "sweet spot" Worried, i know it's still early, but I am still having do it all just like before lap-band!!!

I got the 9cc Realize Band on May 19th. After the first week of liquids, I had a normal appetite and all food went down fine (without even chewing). This was not at all what I expected. Then June 29th I got a 5cc fill and I still feel about the same, but I feel a mild constriction every once in a while. But then the food slips on through and I can eat more. I don't feel full after small amounts of food like I thought I would. I don't have to chew a lot either. Its almost as if nothing was done and I'm not losing any weight. Discouraging.

Is this normal for this time frame? Do I just need to be tighter? :thumbup: My next fill isn't until July 31st.

I got my second fill today .6cc, total is now 5.2cc. I really didn't feel restriction and was schocked to learn that I had some in at surgery. I had lost 20lbs. since the mid April fill. On Mon. I ate a 16oz. prime rib without a moment of trouble.(really needed that fill) Funny thing is that I just admitted to myself that I was just flat out overeating. I wasn't hungry between meals beacuse I ate to much at meals. When I tested myself by measuring out the 4oz of food I was allowed, I found out I was full and didn't get hungry before time to eat again. You might want to try measuring your food, use a food log or calorie counter and make sure you are getting in the full amount of fluids; that helps with hunger. You might also limit the amount of time for eating and eat ONLY what is on your plate. If you feel restriction, STOP!!! Think of your choices, they might have more calories than you think.

I am exactly the same. I have a 10cc band and have only had one fill upto 4cc...and since then, I haven't lost ANY weight. I feel like I am constantly hungry and was worried about having to wait until my second fill which was scheduled for Sept 9....so I called up and brought my appointment forward to August 13th...I honestly CAN'T WAIT until I get jabbed with that needle again! lol

I was banded on 5/28/09. I lost 18 pounds in between surgery and my first fill on 6/29/09. Since then, I've lost ONE pound. I too am frustrated, but I know things will start moving along soon. I've been stuck between the same 3-4 pounds for 4 weeks now. I know there are some things I could be doing better especially with food and I need to get more Protein in. I think we just expect so much right away that we get upset when we don't see those numbers just pouring off the scale. I just have to remind myself of the overall picture and some of things that have changed in my life since making the decision to get the band. Just focus on some of the changes that you have made and look at your non-scale victories. I've heard it can take quite a few fills until some good restriction comes and then the 1-2 pound/week weight loss starts to kick in.

The Swenson Family

I'm in the same place!!! I just had a second fill. I now have a total of 5cc's. I can feel the food slowing down, but it's not stopping like it should. Sounds like we are all in the same boat. I would love to keep in contact with you all to update each other. Oh ya, I gained 4 pounds since surgery.

Wow, Its seems like I am reading my own story. I was banded on 6/19 and have lost a ttl of 7 lbs and that was the first week. Since then I have gained 2 lbs and then lost 2 again. I am at the gym 4 days a week and eat "normal" portions of food. Not restricted portions like I had hoped. I had my first fill 4 days ago and was suprised to find I had 4 cc in my 10 cc band then another 1 cc at my fill , the only change I see is that I am fuller longer, not that I can eat smaller portions. I have never felt restriction or the stuck feeling. Im already half way through my band! My friends and family keep asking me how much weight I have lost and I when I tell them 7lbs in since surgery, I feel like a failure. I just keep focused on the future and hope I will get to that "sweet spot" sometime soon.