What does restriction feel like?

[Itsforlife 0]

I had my first fill last week. I had 3 ccs during surgery and she added 2 more ccs in an 11 cc band. Before my fill I could eat anything and I was hungry after a couple of hours. I did experience getting stuck with rice and some dry meat before. Since Thursday I have lost 4 lbs in 4 days. Today I could eat normal foods but all I had was Protein Shakes a small salad at lunch and I am not hungry. It could be that I have sinus problems and I don't feel that great. I never thought I would get restriction after my first fill. I always heard it takes 3-4 fills to get to your sweet spot. I ate a little bit of rice and chicken and I felt like I was about to get stuck. So I'm not sure if I have restriction or was is just the rice that I couldn't tolerate.

[bandaide 1]

after a fill you are what my dr calls "tight" this tightness usually loosens up within a week to a week 1/2. At first you do feel good restriction and you think Oh wow, this is it. Unfortunately if it's your first fill then you probably are just tight and not quite at your sweet spot, but it's not to say that you aren't. Rice is one of those foods that can't be chewed really well and goes down much like you see it on your plate, whole. I use my band as a funnel and imagine rice for a second trying to go down a funnel....not really gonna go too well. The texture allows it to "compact" as I call it. It doesn't flex like a piece of chewed up chicken will. Feeling restricted to me feels like alot of pressure in the lower part of my chest and oddly, I get this itchy feeling in my nose.....sounds strange I know, but that's how I know. At the time of my surgery I was at 2cc's and first fill took me to 4cc's, I now am at 5cc's as of May 5th. I have a large band, one that can go up to 14cc's, so 5 is really nothing, but I do notice a change in the amount of food I can consume depending on the texture of course. I'm still able to tolerate most breads and alot of other foods people claim to be a problem, so I don't think I'm at my sweet spot either. I'd try measuring 4oz of any given thing you like and use a trial and error method, learn to listen to your band and you'll just know with instinct as time goes on. good luck with everything, I wish you the best.