Need reassurance about when I will feel restriction

[Ricky 6]

I have 7cc in my Realize band (holds 10ccs I think) and I feel nothing..

I am going in on Wed for fill #4...I am so hoping (with the rest of you) that this will do something..I lost 20lbs on the liquid phase and have refound 7 of them...

[minpinmom 2]

Okay, I have to say I am pretty sure I have restriction. I can only have liquids early in the day. I have zero hunger until around 200. I can eat 2-4 oz of fish or chicken and I am done, like never before done. It is different. It has taken me 5 months and 6 fills to get here. I hope it stays.

[Kathyfrentress 0]

I was banded on January 21, 2008. It's been almost 6 months and I've lost about 23 pounds. I fluctuate from 20-25 pounds. Today I had .2 cc added. My band is almost full...out next step if I don't feel restriction is to have an upper GI and see if the band has slipped. My dr. pulls the Fluid out and then adds. I like that so I know its not leaking. I had a panic last week when I really thought about what was happening! I went through all of this surgery and needing the band to be a tool, but now I'm wondering if it will ever happen. I'm hoping for the best. I'm on liquids until tomorrow night. We'll see what happens.

I've wondered if maybe they put a band on me that is just too big. If so, who is responsible for that? Will the dr. re-do and put a smaller band in?? I hope I don't have to deal with that. Anyway, I understand everyones frustration!

[Northwest_Nance 0]

You guys are all playing my (sad) song. I've had four fills and am at 6.6 cc's in my 9 cc Realize band. I have very mild restriction... I do feel it if I eat a lot, but only if it's a big restaurant size meal. I'm losing weight but I am controlling my intake through will power and determination. It feels just like when I was on diets before, and my concern with that, is that I always gained my weight back after I lost it on diets. I understand that we do have to make healthy choices and watch what we eat, but I'm a little disappointed so far.

I went to a support group meeting last night and they had a lot of real food there and showed portion sizes, etc. and everyone was saying "I have a band, I can't eat all that", but I knew that I could. I talked to people who said they choose to make healthy choices but not follow any particular diet (like low fat or low carb). They just want to get away from that obsession with food and it's working for them, one girl was at goal and looked wonderful. They said "I just make healthy choices most of the time, and eat until I'm full and that's how I lost my weight". If I made healthy choices and ate until I'm full, I wouldn't lose any weight. (And I do understand the difference between "full" on the band, and the old "full" before the band.... I've had 1-2 days of restriction in the last 6 weeks right after a fill, which at least taught me how it should feel).

I know I just have to be patient.... but like the rest of you, I start worrying that I'm never going to get there! 6.6 cc's in a 9 cc band seems like a lot, considering that I have a long road ahead of me and will need more fills as I lose weight.

Sometimes I think that I just ~think~ too much about all of this and I'd like to clear my brain!

[bakerbunch 0]

I am feeling the same way all of you are, however I was banded in April 2008 and have lost 30 pounds to date with only 1 fill, so I do have a ways to go to catch up with alot of you as far as # of fills go. I do have a question though, if some of these people have 9cc bands and are already filled to 7.5 or 8ccs at such an early stage in weight loss, what happens when they really start to loose and the band loosens up but its already at capacity, then what?? Then your just stuck with willpower and be glad it got the weight off that it did?? Just a question, maybe I am missing something.

[Kat817 19]

Well even thought you continue to lose weight, your actual stomach size on the inside does not continue to get that much smaller. At least that was what I listened to the Dr. tell my SIL who was getting close to her 4cc. max fill. He told her, that once she gets to a point of restriction, the amount from that point will be VERY minor adjustments.

Personally I had 2 fills and lost my weight----then had a total unfill for my Tummy Tuck, and after being banded for 2+ years, I have yet to feel a need to refill. When I feel hunger, or gain weight, then you betcha, I will go for a fill----til then, I am waiting it out.

Sometimes it takes a minute amount to make the difference from no restriction to TIGHT restriction. No one knows what that small amount might be----but it might surprise you!!

My first fill was 1.25 cc.'s (a 9.75ml band holding 4cc's max), I barely felt a difference, and then only if I ate a lot, or too quickly. Then my second fill was less than half that amount, I got .50cc's --only 1/2 a cc!!! I was so frustrated, I thought this is going to take forever!!! I barely felt anything with 1.25, now I get less than half of that! I noticed that evening drinking--I had to drink slow, so I thought I was dealing with swelling, so I avoided food for another day just to be safe, stuck to liquids. The 3rd day I got up and made myself an egg and a piece of toast----whoa!!!! I could not eat but maybe 2 bites and felt it. So I thought it was the bread, so I quit eating it. Later in the day I got a piece of cheddar cheese to eat, I could only eat another 3 bites, I had major restriction!!!! I did this for over a week, I was almost ready to go in for some to be removed, as I didn't feel like I was getting enough nutrition, when slowly I could add an extra bite, so I waited it out, and over the next year and a half it loosened enough for me to eat normally, but I never experienced hunger again, and I had to eat like a bandster.

Since the unfill, I still am without the hunger, but the way I can eat has changed, so I have to be on the ball and pay attention so I do not over do. I try to make myself chew well, and small bites, even if I don't have too. This is going to be the way I try to eat the rest of my life. If I can have any food, in moderation, and the only change be, in ME slowing down and portioning, without starving---then THAT I can do!!!!

Give it time, that next tiny .02 or .05 might be the magic fill----just work with your Dr. They want you to succeed too----and will slowly work you towards it!!

It is really hard not to overthink the entire band thing. Used to be when I got a stomach ache, I of course had nothing to seriously worry over, now a simple stomach ache and I panic that something is wrong with my band!!!

Kat

[bakerbunch 0]

Hi Kat,

Thank you so much for this reply, this is great information. Really helps me with my mind set, this is what I am hoping for with my journey. I go for my 2nd fill next friday and am hoping I can get that restriction you are talking about.

Again thanks so much for taking the time to share, this is a great write up, I am going to print it out and keep it in my wallet for when I get discouraged.

Renee

[Northwest_Nance 0]

Thanks Kat, that was informative and reassuring..... I feel a little better!

[michiganer 0]

Kat- Your veteran experiences are helping all of us out there that are doubters. I do want to let you guys know that I think I am feeling some restriction! I have had a few times when I swallow some chicken (maybe I didn't chew enough) where I feel like it is having a hard time passing. It hurts going down. This is not all food, just meat and big chunks of things. I think I am the only person who is happy to get something stuck! It proves to me that restriction is on the way. I am thinking for my next fill maybe I should ask for only .50 cc intsead of the whole 1cc he usually does. Anyway, just wanted to tell you guys that I am somewhat relieved and to hang in there!

[ellendeette 1]

I had my band inserted on May 20 and my first fill a month or so later. I have had the same concerns about restrictions and fills that you are going through. I have lost 26 pounds but seem to stop losing weight completely after my first fill so I have been very discouraged even though I am doing the same things I have always done.

I went to my support group last night and my bariatric surgeon answered questions from the group. He said something that I have not heard before. He said that his lapband patients would not feel restriction until their "second fill." I was relieved to hear this because I did not feel any restriction from my first fill and have been quite disappointed. He also said that it is a gradual process because it takes the stomach time to adjust to this whole process and the fills are part of the process. It gave me hope that I am still on track and realize that there is a reason that the first fill did not restrict my food intake. I am looking forward to my next fill in the next few weeks.

I still feel full even though I don't think I have the restriction that I desire. I still have to really make sure I take in the adequate amount of Protein and liquids. Protein shakes and eating Protein is incrediably satisfying and I can eat very small amounts. I hope that helps. It made me also realize that the band is only one part of the tool to help me realize my weight loss goals. I still have to monitor what I put in my mouth and how much. I also have to exercise more.