Don't give up on the sweet spot

[AnnetteT 77]

I was banded on March 1, 2012. I am very thankful for my lap band. It has helped me to get off of all diabetes meds after being on 7 insulin shots per day.

I always wondered what the green zone or sweet spot felt like. I've done great with my band, but it took me until this weeks fill to finally understand what all the fuss was about. The band has helped me lose over 100 pounds, but I'd hit a 6 month plateau. Well now I feel like I've finally had the aha moment. I see just how wonderful this tool is. Those of you who have been having trouble finding the green zone...be patient. It took me 17 months of small fills to find it. I lost most of my excess weight by eating by my band rules and exercising despite not being in the green zone. Now I feel like there is hope for me to lose the last 40 to put me at goal. It's been one week and I feel like a different person! I rarely think about food, i don't snack and I'm having no trouble sticking to correct portions. I feel so blessed to have this wonderful tool that has helped me get my health back.

Thanks for listening fellow bandsters!

[ready4animprovedme 54]

This is so great to hear! I'm 14 months out & finally feeling like the green zone is in sight!

[AnnetteT 77]

I was finally able to switch doctors which also got me a new fill nurse. She is phenomenal! She was aggressive with my first fill and then tweaked it monthly til we hit the perfect spot. My previous doctor spent 12 months giving me 1/4 to 1/2 cc every 6-8 weeks. I am so thankful I switched.

[Lady VS 1,147]

Congratulations!

[shady2121 74]

Thanks I needed that. I have been stuck with the same 5 pounds for a few months now. I have not had a fill for the last two months. I go back on the 10 of September. I think I will request a fill. I thought I had hit the green zone once but I don't think I'm quite there yet. 35 more pounds to lose.

[NaNa 878]

Congrats! The sweet spot is sweet when you get it, it's like golden high .

[line-dancer 810]

I am getting a fill next week for me the sweet spot has always stopped the head hunger and stopped making the junk food unrelistable I am beginning to fall in love with it again so in for a fill next week...I will not gain this back and only 13 lbs to go.....this has been the greatest thing I ever did for myself. good sweet spot to all

[dawalsh 919]

Wow, great to hear because I'm 8 months out and still have not hit the sweet spot. So happy to hear from you!

[PJ Geeser 108]

OMGosh this is just what I needed to read. This whole process is NOT at all what I expected despite all the research I did. I am at about month 11 coming up...it is the hardest and most frustrating thing I have ever done. I have virtually no help from my band and it is a struggle yet and a damn hard to stick to diet. If I could have stuck to a diet I wouldnt have needed surgery-that is what is really gets me roiled up....LOL! I do well most of the time(outside of a few awful days since surgery) , watch my portions, eat healthy but have only lost 45 lbs. I know this is not a fast process but there are not many who have lost this little amt by this time.

I cant tell you how I ENVY every one ( while I really am happy for them but....) who gets on here and says they have only lost 40 lbs and had surgery like 6 weeks earlier. Then they complain that they havent lost any weight in 3 days???? Are you kidding me?? grrrr.

I was so hoping to have lost at least 80 lbs in a year and figured it would take 4 to 5 months to find this elusive green zone and was expecting that. I wasn't t expecting to be 11 months out and still not much of anything different that before I had surgery. These last 2 weeks I have been just ridiculously hungry and have gained 3 lbs...despite eating all the healthy garden produce etc.(yeah yeah-more Protein I know) Sad to say...I am about to throw in the towel and realize this is all the better it is gonna get...for me.

Really, I dont need a lecture, I know the rules, I follow the rules, I track...

My dr. says I am never going to have that "Im not hungry or never think about food feeling that many of you say when you find the spot" She said its not possible??!!

I want to scream "thanks for the encouragement- something to look forward to"

Sad to say...but my time is running out as I have a year carry over and then I have to start paying. She is not hep on doing this flouro fill thing either????? I myself dont understand why they dont do this on month 4 or so If one has had no help yet since surgery so they can visibly see where you are at and get you there faster??? does anyone else think that??

Oh welll....I know we are all different but I didnt want to be one of them in this "situation".

Again, I am really happy for everyone who has had great results....I just wanted to be with you all too :/

[Amberley 97]

I went in for my second fill today. I now have 7.5cc in a 14cc band. No restriction yet but waiting to see if this fill gets me closer. I take comfort in the thought that if I can lose weight consistently without being in the elusive green zone by taking ownership of my own weight loss and controlling my quality and quantity of food then imagine how amazing its going to be when I finally find the green zone!!! Right now the weight is coming off steadily albeit slowly. Even though the band is not currently giving me assistance through restriction it is giving me focus. 3 months ago I could not have imagined being 50 lbs lighter. Now I am aiming for then next 50 pounds!! The green zone may be the brass ring we are all reaching for but it is not the be all and end all of our journey. We are more than just our band.

[ladyjordan 105]

Good luck ....

[shaziajan87 4]

Ok I I had my surgery on April 3, 2013, then I had my first fill on April 30, 2013. 2 cc, then on May 28, 2013, 2 1/2 cc, June 28, 2013, 1 cc , July 22, 2013, 2 cc, and now August 22, 2013, 1/2 cc, ok before the 1/2 cc there was no sweet spot and now after 1/2 cc I feel like even if I drink Water or Protein shake it sits in my throat and if I swallow it comes up and then goes down, because I absolutely have no energy I try to mix a little coffee in my Protein Drink but that doesn't help either.

Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

[girleyq 14]

OMGosh this is just what I needed to read. This whole process is NOT at all what I expected despite all the research I did. I am at about month 11 coming up...it is the hardest and most frustrating thing I have ever done. I have virtually no help from my band and it is a struggle yet and a damn hard to stick to diet. If I could have stuck to a diet I wouldnt have needed surgery-that is what is really gets me roiled up....LOL! I do well most of the time(outside of a few awful days since surgery) ' date=' watch my portions, eat healthy but have only lost 45 lbs. I know this is not a fast process but there are not many who have lost this little amt by this time.

I cant tell you how I ENVY every one ( while I really am happy for them but....) who gets on here and says they have only lost 40 lbs and had surgery like 6 weeks earlier. Then they complain that they havent lost any weight in 3 days???? Are you kidding me?? grrrr.

I was so hoping to have lost at least 80 lbs in a year and figured it would take 4 to 5 months to find this elusive green zone and was expecting that. I wasn't t expecting to be 11 months out and still not much of anything different that before I had surgery. These last 2 weeks I have been just ridiculously hungry and have gained 3 lbs...despite eating all the healthy garden produce etc.(yeah yeah-more Protein I know) Sad to say...I am about to throw in the towel and realize this is all the better it is gonna get...for me.

Really, I dont need a lecture, I know the rules, I follow the rules, I track...

My dr. says I am never going to have that "Im not hungry or never think about food feeling that many of you say when you find the spot" She said its not possible??!!

I want to scream "thanks for the encouragement- something to look forward to"

Sad to say...but my time is running out as I have a year carry over and then I have to start paying. She is not hep on doing this flouro fill thing either????? I myself dont understand why they dont do this on month 4 or so If one has had no help yet since surgery so they can visibly see where you are at and get you there faster??? does anyone else think that??

Oh welll....I know we are all different but I didnt want to be one of them in this "situation".

Again, I am really happy for everyone who has had great results....I just wanted to be with you all too :/[/quote']

I am right with you! Surgery February 2012 and 30 lbs gone. No restriction and 9 cvs on an 11 cc realize band! I could (and do) scream!!!!!