Hi all,

I was banded on 07/07/2009. So, I am 9 weeks out from surgery. I have had 3 fills. The first one was 3 cc. No restriction. No weight loss since the week after surgery. Last week I FINALLY lost 2 pounds and so, far it seems I have lost 2 pounds for this week, but I fluctuate 3 pounds each day. My 2nd fill was .5 cc. I went last week to have my third fill under fluoro and it was another .5 cc, which brings me up to 4 cc in my Realize band. I really had hopes for this fill, as we watched the Fluid go through. I have noticed if I don't chew well, I will get things stuck, not to the point where I slim, but if I burp it will come up some. It is a bit uncomfortable. But, I could definitely eat more than 3 ounces of meat and 1/4 cup of veggies at one sitting, but I don't.

I know my doctor will give me another fill if I call and set it up, but I am just not sure what exactly I am supposed to be feeling or looking for. For instance, this morning for Breakfast, (and yes, I know this is a slider food) I had cottage cheese and 2 no sugar added peach slices. Then, since I work 3rd shift I layed down after taking my son to school. I woke up at 2 p.m. I didn't have anything until 4:30, which was 3 ounces of roast beef and 1/4 cup of green Beans. I felt okay after I ate, not full and nothing to signal me being full. By 6:30 I was hungry again. I didn't eat anything, but had about 2 ounces of juice because I wanted to exercise and wanted to curb the hunger pangs. I was feeling literal hunger pangs and had my husband listen to my tummy to hear the growling. So, I know it wasn't head hunger.

At 10:30, I ate a snack which was 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese and 2 no sugar added peach slices. And I am hungry again, but trying to stretch out my food so I won't be starving by the time I take my little one to school. lol So, far today, I have had 54 grams of Protein, and 54 ounces of Water.

So, would you give it a while longer, or would you call and schedule another fill? I am leaning toward making another appointment. My doc wants his patients to be at their green zone as soon as they can. I am really happy I started losing weight again, BUT, it is ONLY because of keeping myself from eating everytime I am hungry.

Thank you for listening to my rant.

Have you considered that you may not be eating enough and your body is "conserving"? Just a thought, because it doesn't sound as if that is very many calories. I would add up your total calorie intake and make sure to speak to the dietician about minimum calorie intake for the day. Hope that helps .

There really are variations in our eating pattersn even among bandsters. I have breakfast about 7 am., lunch anywhere from 10:30 to 11 and dinner between 5-6 - that's just when my body asks me for food so I go with the flow.

Are you able to have full solids? If so, those may hold you longer than the cottage cheese. It sounds like you are eating a pretty small amount (IMO) and your Protein and calories may be low. That will stall weight loss.

Do you track your food on dailyplate, or somewhere to know where your calories are, etc?

My advice would be to give it some time, assess where you really are, make sure you are getting ENOUGH calories, get your full amount of protein in and eat a little more substantial solids (if you can per doc's orders) and see what happens.

I'm new to all this like you. It took me 5 fills before I felt real restriction. And I think I am finally there. What I have noticed in myself and seen from others on here that feel they are at their sweet spot is that we are really tight in the morning--like you can only drink liquids, and as the day goes on you can just barely eat 3/4 of a cup and be satisfied. And as the day goes the band loosens up a bit.

I learned this week that dry=tight and that is why in the morn we are tighter. I heard someone say they drink warm tea first to loosen things up then eat breakfast. I'm trying that today.

I personally think you need a fill and are doing VERY well observing your body ques and measuring. Good Job!