No restriction!!

[Kellybelli]

I've had one fill and I have absolutely no restriction. I really expected this lap band to do more. Am I just impatient?

[skinnyagain]

Yes...your impatient, like we all are/were...I didn't get restriction until my second fill... Don't make the mistake of thinking this band will do it all for you..You will fail if you have that attitude. the band is ther to help..You still have to do all the work...Those "rules" Dr Ortiz told you about. Those are real, and they work. If you don't follow them you won't lose...

Be good to yourself, follow the rules and get another fill when you can...

Kim

[Kellybelli]

Thanks Kim,

I'll keep that in mind.

Kelly

[AngieB]

I've had one fill and I have absolutely no restriction. I really expected this lap band to do more. Am I just impatient?

It took me 4 fills to get restriction that did not fade in a week or two....I then wanted to fine tune my fill level and went for a 5th, which they maxed me out on. I was tight for 5 months and have just recently had the squeeze let up.

I feel great at my current restriction. I am able to eat 1 cup for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! YAY!

Fills take time.....you will get restriction when you get there. Everyone is different. Take this time to form good habits, as they will be what holds you through the weight loss.

Yay! You have had your 1st fill!!!!! That rocks!

[EcMjawad1]

Hi,

I was banded at the end of March then had my first fill the first week of May..that fill felt like some restriction for a while, and did help keep me on my toes with my eating because I did not want to "BP" which after reading about on this forum I am terrified of..so far so good. I have over indulged a few times past the amount of comfort but no where near were I did before and although uncomfortable, I am also happy because I know the band helped stopped me from binging and has since it was placed. I guess what I am saying is aside from looking for restriction, look for other ways in which the band has helped you overall. For me it has helped me not to overeat or binge, it has made me face my compulsive eating demons, it has helped me to learn that I can go to party's have a good time and not worry about the food, "will I get some before the person in front of me eats it all," that I can get out and walk without fear of failing, I can eat what I want like a "normal" person and still loose weight (who cares how slow this is a new life baby), and most important I can feel "feelings" and survive without my drug of choice - Food. Now next week I go for my second fill which I am somewhat afraid of because I will be "upping" the level, and with that a whole new set of learning will come...for me each level has been perfect because it has given my brain a chance to adjust with my body...Hang in there we are all here on the same road and many have great advice and feedback.

[Aliveat55]

I was banded in December 2009, have lost only 8 pounds and my 11cc Realize band is filled now to 9.7cc. I have been back for fills, I think 7 times to date. My last restriction was the first time I really felt a restriction. I am going back tomorrow, because after 2 weeks, the restriction is relaxing some again. I would guess I am eating half of what I did before the band, but still no real weight loss. Maybe my situation is unique, but it has taken FOREVER for me to get to the "sweet spot". Maybe I never will, I don't know. I am not giving up yet, but I am pretty disappointed. I am going to up my exercise, walking with some running, and hope that this next fill gives me the restriction i need to start losing consistently. I am so sick of getting fills and there is also the expense of it. I think the Realize band, with it's 11cc capacity lends to many more fills. Good luck and I hope you get to the "sweet spot " sooner than i did!

that e

[Lindsay]

I've had one fill and I have absolutely no restriction. I really expected this lap band to do more. Am I just impatient?

I know there have been LOTS of threads on this exact topic, so I suggest you doing a search, just so you know your comment/question isn't an uncommon one.

But, it took me almost a year to get to my perfect restriction point - and that was about 5 or 6 fills later.

It's a long process, getting to the sweet spot, and typically takes a bit of time.

[Lindsay]

I was banded in December 2009, have lost only 8 pounds and my 11cc Realize band is filled now to 9.7cc. I have been back for fills, I think 7 times to date. My last restriction was the first time I really felt a restriction. I am going back tomorrow, because after 2 weeks, the restriction is relaxing some again. I would guess I am eating half of what I did before the band, but still no real weight loss. Maybe my situation is unique, but it has taken FOREVER for me to get to the "sweet spot". Maybe I never will, I don't know. I am not giving up yet, but I am pretty disappointed. I am going to up my exercise, walking with some running, and hope that this next fill gives me the restriction i need to start losing consistently. I am so sick of getting fills and there is also the expense of it. I think the Realize band, with it's 11cc capacity lends to many more fills. Good luck and I hope you get to the "sweet spot " sooner than i did!

that e

Besides the restriction, what are you eating? (including portion sizes)

Posting your diet is usually a quick way of telling on what's really going on.

Even with the band, you still need to really watch every single thing you eat. The band is definitely a LONG TERM solution.

While you maybe eating a bit less than you did before, you still have to put on your 'eating properly 100% of the time' hat.

That's the ONLY way you'll get results with the band.

Eating HALF a hot dog, instead of a full hot dog isn't going to give you the results you're looking for, nor develop the eating habits & lifestyle change you will need to be successful with the band.

As for the price of fills, I'm paying of pocket as well ($175 each) but I was well prepared for quite a few fills - I ended up getting at least 6, over about a years' time, to get to that sweet spot, you're speaking of.

[macleay]

I agree with what everyone has said. I was banded in January and have had five fills. It wasn't until the last one that I felt much restriction and have lost another 8 pounds during the past three weeks. <br /><br />What is hard it that you have to realize this isn't a quick fix for many people. You will see some lose a lot of weight early on and others seem to take longer. I'm one of the ones who isn't losing that fast, but I know that I'm not eating 100% right either, so I'm to blame for some of it. And you very well may need to get several fills before you feel adequate restriction. <br /><br />Remember, though, that even at the best restriction, the band won't do it all (believe me, it's taken me awhile to realize this! <img src='http://www.occforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />) You've got a larger role here than the band does, but it will help you once you get to the proper restriction. <br /><br />Hang in there and visit often--there's tons of good advice here and everyone has been through this and can help.

[btradio]

So I keep reading the threads about restriction, etc. and I suppose I am confused about what exactly restriction is. I am a month into this process and my first fill isn't scheduled until the end of the month. When I see you guys having 4, 5, 6 or more fills, I have to admit, it makes me curious what exactly you are searching for. What feelings are you experiencing that drives you to go and get these fills so readily? Are you feeling incredible hunger or what?

[macleay]

So I keep reading the threads about restriction, etc. and I suppose I am confused about what exactly restriction is. I am a month into this process and my first fill isn't scheduled until the end of the month. When I see you guys having 4, 5, 6 or more fills, I have to admit, it makes me curious what exactly you are searching for. What feelings are you experiencing that drives you to go and get these fills so readily? Are you feeling incredible hunger or what?

What I was told by Dr. Ortiz was that I should only be able to eat 1/3 of what I used to eat. That's what I was searching for. Up until my last fill, I could pretty much eat anything and everything, even though I knew I shouldn't. And yes, I was still hungry after eating only 1/3-1/2 cup of food. Now, if I eat too much of the right foods, I get uncomfortable and I really can't handle more than 1/2 cup to a cup of food.

Of course, if I eat the wrong foods, the sliders, etc, then I can still get all those empty calories and not lose weight. That's where it becomes my job and not the band's. It still all comes down to making good choices and not giving in to "head hunger".

[AngieB]

So I keep reading the threads about restriction, etc. and I suppose I am confused about what exactly restriction is. I am a month into this process and my first fill isn't scheduled until the end of the month. When I see you guys having 4, 5, 6 or more fills, I have to admit, it makes me curious what exactly you are searching for. What feelings are you experiencing that drives you to go and get these fills so readily? Are you feeling incredible hunger or what?

Okay here is my personal definition of restriction........

Early satiety - feeling full sooner than normal or after eating less than usual. Currently I am eating 1 cup of food for each meal. B-L-D

Having a satisfied feeling for 4 plus hours at a time. I tipically have breakfast around 7 ish, lunch at 12:30 ish and dinner 6 ish.....

Feeling full in the pouch/stoma not the lower stomach. (although I have binged on sliders and felt full in my lower stomach - this freaked me out as I have not feel belly full in FOREVER!!) Pouch full to me still doesn't feel comfortable....it's weird.

When you realize what "one bite to many" actually means. To me that means learning your new full notification. (Which equal restriction.)

My 4th fill removed the hunger from me. I would be a supper skinny biotch if I would only eat my 3 meals a day and not snack/over eat after dinner. Even when I feel hunger it is muted and a softer hunger, not like a Omgoodness, I need to EAT!!!

Hope this helps you get a idea of what restriction is.....

[btradio]

Do you think some of these feelings of non-restriction are due to the types of food you are eating? I am wondering if the types of foods that one eats plays into how they feel afterward? I know that I am being incredibly sensitive to what I eat. High protein, low fat, low carb and I haven't felt hunger outside of my normal meal times. I am eating probably 1/4 to 1/5 of what I used to eat and feel great. Maybe I already have some restriction? I suppose I am wondering how much will power plays into the "feeling" of restriction.

[Lindsay]

Do you think some of these feelings of non-restriction are due to the types of food you are eating? I am wondering if the types of foods that one eats plays into how they feel afterward? I know that I am being incredibly sensitive to what I eat. High protein, low fat, low carb and I haven't felt hunger outside of my normal meal times. I am eating probably 1/4 to 1/5 of what I used to eat and feel great. Maybe I already have some restriction? I suppose I am wondering how much will power plays into the "feeling" of restriction.

The restriction a lot of people 'think' they want (or will get) will cause you to throw up almost instantly after swallowing.

Which is exactly what they caution you from.

So to answer your question HONESTLY, most of it is still will power.

But no one likes that answer.

[AngieB]

Do you think some of these feelings of non-restriction are due to the types of food you are eating? I am wondering if the types of foods that one eats plays into how they feel afterward? I know that I am being incredibly sensitive to what I eat. High protein, low fat, low carb and I haven't felt hunger outside of my normal meal times. I am eating probably 1/4 to 1/5 of what I used to eat and feel great. Maybe I already have some restriction? I suppose I am wondering how much will power plays into the "feeling" of restriction.

I believe will power has a good role to play in the new band lifestyle. Staying away from sugars in very smart and the dense proteins will keep you fuller for longer. I personal eat a lot of turkey, fish, chicken, and beans. For grains I eat whole wheat bread, oats and flax seed. My veggies are corn, carrots, green beans, broccoli, califlower, brussel sprouts, aspargus, soy beans, ect...As for fruits I stick to berries and bananas.

My diet is great until I make my sweet choices....then I completely bomb. I am a work in progress and I have come along way on the mental journey. I've been a HUGE emotional eater. That does not change when you get the band. For me that is my area for change.

Personally, I have not had my band so tight I couldn't eat without vomiting or PBing. I also don't keep my band so tight I struggle to drink my liquids either. I have had a few times when my band was tight first thing in the morning due to hormones, even that has been rare.

You sound like you are doing really good! Stay focused and keep on keeping on. Band tightness is a personal choice. Only you will know when you need a fill.

[EcMjawad1]

Great posts,

I have enjoyed reading them because I have only had one fill and am eating about half of what I can usually eat..going for a third fill on Monday hoping to reach the third way mark in my eating. Even though I have still been working with the band on this journey..sticking to high protein, lower carbs..and the emotional adjustment work..by biggest issue. It's funny because before the band I never let myself get to to point of hunger/growling stomach, now I can let my stomach growl..yes the more muted comment is right on for me..and say "wow, I can have a growling stomach and not die from hunger" a whole new world for me. This is for sure a journey and although I falter I get up and continue, and my life is already so much better than it was..

[madgatr]

It took me 4 fills to get restriction that did not fade in a week or two....I then wanted to fine tune my fill level and went for a 5th, which they maxed me out on. I was tight for 5 months and have just recently had the squeeze let up.

I feel great at my current restriction. I am able to eat 1 cup for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! YAY!

Fills take time.....you will get restriction when you get there. Everyone is different. Take this time to form good habits, as they will be what holds you through the weight loss.

Yay! You have had your 1st fill!!!!! That rocks!

[madgatr]

I am wondering about this...... If I have a few sips of liquid before any meal I can pretty much eat whatever I want. Is that normal? I think I may be sabotaging myself by having water with my meal. Is that really all it takes to eat everythinkg I used to be able to, or should I be more restricted?