If you're discouraged about never achieving restriction, read this...

[Bullwinkle 1]

Nealy two years after being banded, I finally have restriction! I was banded 05-05-07 with a 10cc band. I've had 6 fills and, although I knew the band was there because I frequently got stuck, I never got full from eating. In fact, the only reason I ever stopped eating was (a) because I guilted myself into stopping, or (:thumbdown: because I was so miserably stuck that I would throw up, and then was scared to eat anything else. I even went to the doc last July for an unfill, but he didn't do that and, instead, had me swallow that white stuff to check my opening, and I was told that I had plenty more room for more fills and that I was eating too big of bites.

So, since July, I worked on eating more slowly, chewing more thoroughly, and not getting stuck. It worked for a few weeks, but I just found myself being able to eat more food. I gained a few pounds, lost a few pounds, regained those pounds -- I was the poster child for the yoyo effect.

I came to this forum nearly every week and read of others' success -- success that eluded me. I reasoned, "Well, I've got 7cc in my 10cc band, so I should have restriction and feel full." But, I didn't. So, I simply resigned myself to the fact that the band didn't work for me. It happens. I guessed that I was just one of the statistics. I mean, I could eat nearly 4 or 5 cups of food at a meal....easy. I would get stuck because I didn't chew my meat well enough. But, if I chewed really well, I could eat 2 hamburger patties, a large salad with ham bits and shredded cheese and dressing, and 2 cups of yogurt...at one meal...and still had room for 6 or 7 sugar-free Cookies without getting stuck or, more importantly, without getting full.

But, guess what? I made an appointment and went to the doc yesterday to discuss it. The nurse checked what I had in there and discovered that I had lost some Fluid from my band, refilled everything to 8cc's, and......drumroll, please.....

I HAVE RESTRICTION!

I went to work after the appointment and drank a cup of coffee with Splenda and cream. I immediately noticed a difference. I was belching a little after a few sips. When I had my clear broth for lunch, I felt myself getting full....on broth...I was amazed!

For dinner, I had 1/2 cup of sugar-free yogurt and 1/2 cup of egg salad with celery and onion bits...and for the first time since I was banded, I was full.

Hones-to-goodness comfortably full. Not that "I ate too much Thanksgiving dinner" miserably full, but I knew that if I had eaten any more, that I would be miserable.

Do you know what this MEANS to me?! This means that I am FINALLY at the stage where I am eating 3/4 to 1 cup of food at a meal, and feeling full! I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD HAPPEN FOR ME!

In fact, I told my husband this morning that I might be too tight now because I experienced a wee bit of heartburn last night when I laid down to sleep. But I know that the band will ease a bit in the coming weeks, and it will be okay.

And now that I know how to use this tool implanted inside of me, and now that it's working at proper restriction, I can get down to losing this weight properly. I've already been exercising four times a week, and now I FINALLY have the help I've been yearning for.

When I got on the wii balance board this morning to exercise and get my BMI and weight, I had lost 1.8 pounds since yesterday morning! Instead of seeing the chart line go UP, it had gone DOWN. I weigh 248 this morning. I was 292 when I was banded 2 years ago.

So, take heart, mates......if you think that you'll never hit that sweet spot, YOU WILL. If I can, then anyone can!

PS: I was admonished by the doc to come back every six months -- on my anniversary date, and 6 months later. So, I have another appointment for another fill on May 5th, if I need it. And another appointment in November to reassess the situation.

For anyone who is discouraged about never hitting that sweet spot, I hope this post helps. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Talk with your doc, follow the lap band rules, keep getting fills/unfills, and just keep going forward. You'll get there.

[kjhack 3]

Great story! Thanks for writing it. There are weeks when the scale doesnt move, I'm so glad it moved for you now.

[Handrews 0]

I am so happy for you!! Congrats!!! Be proud of yourself that you were able to keep positive and now can put that positive outlook to melting away.. You go Lady!!!!!!!

Take care and much luck! :thumbdown:

[MissBS 3]

Thank you so much for this post!! It answered a lot of questions that I've been having and gives me renewed hope!! I'm going to keep it and read it often. Congratulations on finally getting to a spot that is where we all want to be. Take care and thanks again!!! Becky

[rcruz 0]

Sounds like my band life story too...thanks for sharing I was like you wouldn't give up I asked that everything be taken out and measured and sure enough I didn't have in there what had been noted gave me a slight fill and I have been at my sweet spot for 2 months now...Thanks for your story I just know it will help lots of people!!!!!!!

[vsnowrn 0]

Hey,

This is exactly my problem. I was doing so great in January, then I got a fill in January, after that fill I was Pbing alot, so in Feburary when it came around time for me to get a fill, the doctor told me to hold off and come back in 2 months. Now I know I need a fill because I can eat way more than a cup of food in a sitting. I wonder if some of my saline came out, it is possible. I have been stuck give or take a few pounds for 2 months now. I will lose a few pounds, them regain the same pounds I just lost. I need to get back on that steady road down with the pounds. I am calling my MD today and making them get me in earlier. I just ate a large banana and a cup of yogurt and I could eat more but I will not because I don't want to see the scale go up. Thanks for posting your stroy, it has helped me to realize now is not the time to give up. I was sitting here thinking to myself. Well 53 pounds is all I may lose.

V