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kdalesandro773, it sounds like you may be like me. I also have had restriction since surgery, even when my band was still empty. It's not common but some of us are like that. I only have 3.5 cc in my 10cc band and have lots of restriction and am very much in the Green Zone. My doctor was actually concerned that was so restricted with so little in my band, but when I told him I wasn't vomiting and could eat anything (just in small quantities) he said I'm likely just one "one of the lucky ones" If you do get a fill, I would suggest a small one. Also, be sure to take a big drink of Water (not just a little sip) immediately after before leaving his office, just in case it's too much. Both of my first two fills he had to immediately take 1cc back out because I was gurgling up water and couldn't swallow it, and both were after relatively small fills to begin with.

I would do the 5 Day Pouch Test. It's a great way to get your head back into it and kinda "start over". http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ Also, then you can maybe get an idea if you need a fill, too.

I chose it because it doesn't permanently re-route my intestines or remove parts of my stomach. It's the only WLS surgery that is reversible It simply seemed like the most logical starting point. If the Lap Band didn't work for me, I'd then consider the Sleeve next, however I love my band and it's working beautifully for me.

Feel free to disagree, but this isn't my opinion, it's exactly what my surgeon told me when I asked him about people unable to eat so many foods and even vomiting. (yes, some do vomit from the band and I've seen them post here too) After reading so many horror stories on here, I asked him about all this specifically. Like I also said, there are some that can't eat certain food and have issues even without being over-filled. However, when in the Green Zone this sort of thing isn't the norm and isn't supposed to happen. He also pointed out some people actually prefer being over-filled so they're left less choices and rely even less on self control. Which of course is their choice, however he warned when living over-filled you also run a higher risk of band slips and prolapses.

There is a big misconception that you're not supposed to be able to eat breads, or throw up when you eat too much, or that not being able to eat hardly anything is normal. It's not normal, and it's not how it's supposed to be with the band. The problem is, many people assume just because liquids stay down they're not too tight. You can be too tight and still able to swallow liquids. The band is meant to be a tool not deprive you and starve you. Yes some do have issues and aren't too tight, but the majority ARE too tight and just don't realize it because they incorrectly think it's the norm. I have lost 62 pounds in 3 months since being banded. I can eat anything I want, I've never thrown up, and I'm very satisfied with a cup of food or less. I have had 3 fills and am definitely in the Green Zone. If I got another fill and suddenly couldn't eat bread anymore, or starting throwing up, or found I could only eat a 1/4 cup of food I'd consider myself over-filled and have some removed.

I have an autoimmune disease, Multiple Sclerosis, but I don't have issue rejecting foreign bodies.

You have to take the gulp of water after the fill, not before it. Almost all doctor have you take a drink of water after anyway, but most people just take a sip not a big drink. It's the big drink that's necessary.

One of the BEST pieces of advice I got before my first fill was to not sip water, but take a big drink of water before leaving the office. This way, if you're over filled, you'll know immediately. I had my 3rd fill today without issue, however both of my first two fills I ended up gurgling water back up. I took small sips with no issue, but both times when I took a big gulp I had horrible pressure and water gurgling back up my throat. I was totally unable to swallow and it hurt. My doc removed a little fluid and I was immediately fine. Anytime you get a fill, take a BIG drink of water before leaving the office. You will save yourself so much time and trouble if you do.

It sucks, but something we all go through. I had 2 weeks clear liquids, 2 weeks full liquids, then 2 weeks of mushies before I could finally eat actual food. It was a long 6 weeks but worth it. This is your time for healing. Stick to it, it's worth it

You're eating the right amount a day, you're not drinking during meals, and you're not drinking soda. Yes, exercising would help, but at that level of calorie intake you should be losing even without it. It sounds like you're doing everything right. I would go see your surgeon and be sure to insist on seeing him, not the imbecile woman that clearly knows nothing about doing fills and unfills. I would also insist he do something like an barium swallow scan to check the size of the pouch and the condition of the band. Best wishes to you, I hope you find answers and soon.

You're fine. If it were stuck, you'd know it, believe me. You'd feel a severe tightness and likely pain, possibly even vomit. I take small pills all the time without issue.

The first 4-6 weeks post surgery aren't about losing weight, it's about giving your stomach time to heal. Healing should be your focus right now, the weight loss will come once you're fully recovered.

A couple things, can you give an example of what you eat during a day? Roughly how many calories a day do you consume? Are you drinking Water with meals or right after eating? These are all necessary questions to give you an honest answer. You said if anything you under-eat, and that can also seriously slow (even halt) weight loss. Your body goes into starvation mode and starts storing everything you eat. Also, how much do you normally eat in one sitting, volume wise? 1/2 cup? 1 cup? Do you feel full?

I get stuck if I eat too fast or don't take small enough bites. As Dulci said, as long as you can swallow and keep down liquids, you're ok. More often than not getting stuck doesn't mean you're too tight it just means you're not chewing enough.

My first appointment was around December 5, 2011 and I was banded on January 6, 2012. So yes, mine went that fast, and it was covered by insurance.

For me, when something gets stuck I get a lump in my throat and chest. It's very tight and if it's really stuck, it does hurt a little. It always passes fairly quickly for me, I just make myself burp and pat my chest and it passes. Only once I got really stuck- it lasted almost an hour and I finally drank some warm water to wash it through. That was also my first stuck episode and taught me to chew, chew chew! Now when I get stuck, it's just a momentary thing and no big deal.

I was banded on Jan. 6, have had two fills and currently have great restriction, and I've lost over 60 pounds so far. I can eat anything I want and I've never once thrown up. I eat bread, lots of fish and lean ground turkey. I eat chicken. I eat veggies, both cooked and raw. I eat crackers, I've even had pizza. I eat out at restaurants. There is nothing I can't eat. For me, the key is to take very small bites and chew the food 'til mush. I have had a couple stuck episodes, but those were my fault for not chewing enough, and they passed on their own. Everyone is different, but there are many others like me. I love my band!

I've had two fills so far (third is this coming Friday) and I feel it immediately.

Many people don't feel noticeable restriction until after a couple fills. Because of that, those first couple months post surgery tend to require a lot of white-knuckling-willpower until you have some restriction. I was banded on Jan. 6 and have lost 58 pounds. I have had two fills and believe I am in the Green Zone. But, thankfully I have never once thrown up since having surgery. I've had a couple minor stuck episodes but nothing that didn't pass relatively quickly on it's own. There are no food I can't eat- I can eat anything so long as I chew slowly and thoroughly. Just because you're banded doesn't mean there will be foods you can't eat or will throw up. Many (like me) don't have that problem at all.

Yes with all the fluids pumped into you, plus the gas, it's very normal to temporarily gain. I honestly wouldn't touch a scale until you're at least 2 weeks post surgery, this way you don't unnecessarily bring yourself down. Best wishes to you.

I can eat whatever I want. I don't, as I try to make good food choices, but there's nothing I can't eat and I've never thrown up.

Were you catheterized during your surgery? That can cause some residual problems a couple days after, If you're having problems urinating I would contact your doctor immediately. It may be nothing, but it could be a urinary tract infection or even kidney issues too, Whatever the case, it's much better safe than sorry.

If it's not oozing, warm to the touch, or otherwise infected looking I wouldn't worry about it. It probably just pulled the new skin a little when the scab came off. Just keep an eye on it, and if you notice any changes or it continues to seep blood after a day or two, give your doc a call. Best wishes to you

By restriction we mean in the band, it's tightness thus restricting the amount that can be eating, not restricting what you eat. For instance, I can eat 1 cup of food at the very most before I feel very full and satisfied. That is because of the restriction in the band making me feel full. The fullness is different than it did before I was banded, but in a good way. I feel very satisfied and don't feel like I'm missing out on anything whatsoever.

I have used an Android app called "Lose It" since the day I came home from the hospital after being banded. Before I had restriction, I used it mostly for accountability. For me, it's harder to justify over-eating when I have to see the numbers in front of me. With Lose It, not only does it tell me my calories but my fat, carbs, and Proteins too. It was very hard for awhile there, I was preoccupied with food and hungry every 2 hours like clockwork. But I religiously logged everything I ate to force myself to "see"' what I was doing and be accountable. For me, it worked. I've now had two fills and I'm pretty sure I'm in the Green Zone. I am very full after eating very little and can go 4+ hours between meals without any hunger. Honestly, right now I am loving my band and I'm so glad I did this. It does get easier. Hang in there, it's so worth it and you'll be glad you did