elusive sweet spot

[louisem]

Hi all

I haven't been on the board much of late, my life has been really crazy with school and applying to grad schools but I wanted to check in and get some feedback on what it feels like for you when you are at your "sweet spot"? I have been going back and forth from too tight to too loose. Tomorrow I am going back for yet another unfill because my band has tightened and I have too much work to do to feel like crap most of the day. Right now it takes me hours (4 or more) to get down a bowl of soup or even a cup of tea, though in the evening it's a bit better. I did have a period where I felt great, no discomfort eating, just really good restriction. Unfortunately it seems my band is REALLY reactive to my stress level, and I am currently putting in 80+ hours a week with really crucial deadlines, things are a bit crazy. Thankfully the end is in sight and my work load will return to normal after Xmas (hurrah).

The good news is I have lost over 60lbs and there is NO way I could be maintaining this schedule at my pre-op weight. I just wouldn't have had the energy. Also, it's almost a year since my surgery and I have yet to PB or vomit in any way, so I am something of an anomaly in that respect.

So I guess my question is, what does it feel like for you when you are at your sweet spot, what are your typical meals etc. when you have good restriction but aren't too tight. BTW I have seen the chart/guideline that Dr Ortiz has but I'd really like to hear some personal experiences.

cheers

Louise

[ValleyGirl]

I don't think it's a perfcet "science". IMO, it comes and goes. Stress also messes up my band. How are you feeling now?

Sabrina:)

[jhawkchick75]

Agreed it's really hard to say. I was at 3.1 and I was feeling like I was oh so close to the sweet spot. I was able to eat but not much and early in the day I was more restricted. I would PB now and again, but that was my fault eating too fast or things like that. But definitely when I got stressed it would tighten right up. I don't want to be super tight where I can't hardly get liquids down I want to be able to eat, but small portions. So hopefully on the 30th when I get my next fill we can get me back up to where I was.

[louisem]

Hi ladies

thanks for responding. I got another .5 taken out yesterday so now I should be at 1.7. My highest fill I was at 3.0 but I have been going back and forth with being too tight since then. I decided to get a big unfil to let things settle down. It was such a relief to eat something other than soup yesterday

Thankfully my Dr is around all through Xmas and we have tentative plans to get frequent small fills if things settle down in the next week. I have a predisposition to inflammatory problems and the super sensitivity to stress seems to be related to that.

Louise

[Smiley]

It does exist, but for me I didn't find it until after I reached my goal (not trying to bring anyone down). It really doesn't feel any different, I eat the same amount I always have since being banded. The difference is that I don't get hungry and don't even realize it is time to eat until I look at the clock and realize it is 1:30 and way past my normal lunch time. Regardless of whether you hit your sweet spot or not you can and will lose weight - I did.