2nd fill no restriction- ugh

[sewillia 0]

I had surgery on June 4th. I just had my 2nd fill and nothing has changed. I still can eat a normal size meal- anything I want. I'm still going on will power.........and like usual some days are better than others. I'm hungry all the time and feel like I'm just on another diet. Does it really get better after you feel restriction??? I don't even have to chew anything...I try sometimes for practice.......but I know I don't have to- and sometimes don't. I walk everyday. I have lost 25 lbs since surgery..........I should be happy- but I just think of how far I have to go. Just getting frustrated I guess............how many fill and how did it change after the band actually "works",,,,,,,,I hate the feeling that everyone is waiting for me to lose _ I wish I never told anyone!!!!!

[coloradobanding 5]

Don't get discouraged! Every person is different, I know you've probably heard that a million times by now, but it is absolutely true.

It took me 3 fills to reach restriction, it took a friend of ine 6! Just keep doing what you need to do and when you get there it will be SOOOO much easier!

Being at the right restriction basically allows you to eat small portions and feel "full" (not the full you used to feel, but close). Then you won't even THINK about eating until at least 4-5 hours later. Eating becomes an afterthought because you're just not hungry.

For me right now, eating is a "checklist". Did I get enough Protein, did I get enough Fiber, did I drink enough Water? etc. I do splurge and eat what I want. I guess I am very lucky as I am at my "sweet spot" but can still eat whatever I want in whatever portion I choose, I just don't want to. For example, I ate like a total pig Thurs & Friday, then didn't feel like eating a single thing Sat or Sun so I didn't. My body works in odd ways since banding, but I LOVE IT!!

I only chose to tell the people closest to me for the very reason you wish you hadn't told anyone. It's hard enough to stick to the plan and lose weight without a million people watching and waiting to see massive weight loss.

I would suggest you educate these people in the REAL way the band works, which is slow and long term. That way they can understand and support you during this difficult time, instead of you feeling pressure to lose faster. Nothing is worse than that. Keep up the good work, it WILL come off just be patient!!!

[Unforgettable 0]

Like coloradobanding, I also chose not to tell everyone for that exact reason. I just don't want to deal with the added pressure.

It takes a couple fills to kick in. Everyone really is different. I've only had 1 fill and I think I'm only less than 0.5cc away from my sweet spot. Some people it takes multiple multiple times before you hit it. Try not to get discouraged. You also need to be doing your job too, even if the band isn't doing it's job. You better start chewing things up well because if you aren't used to doing that by the time you get restriction, you're going to end up getting stuck. For now, just try using that will power to make healthy food choices and try to limit your portions as much as possible. In the mean tim e with no restriction the best thing you can do is focus on healthy food choices, and really get some good exercises in.

Try to be patient! Hang in there, you can do it!

[fcampbell 0]

I feel your pain. I had my surgery on June 3rd and also have had two fills. One 5 cc and one 1 cc. I also don't feel restriction yet. I am going in for my third fill tomorrow. I hope this one does the trick. I've lost 29 lbs since surgery but it is because of the pre-diet and pure dieting. I am fighting to keep off the pounds that I've lost and have been at the same weight for about a month.

How many cc's of saline do you have now?