Results of fill?

I had my first fill one week ago today.  Dr Tom put 4cc in an 11cc band.  As of right now I haven't been able to tell a difference in the amount of food I can eat since before the fill.  Both before the fill and after the fill I haven't been able to tell much of a difference other than when I eat too fast or don't chew my food thoroughly.  I do eat less than before my surgery.  But I feel like a some of my portion control comes from self control not from getting full quickly.  I can still chug a whole glass of water all at one time.  Is that normal at this stage?   I've officially lost 20 pounds.  A year and a half with Weigh****chers and I only lost 17 pounds.  So I know the band is working.  I guess I thought I would experience more restriction at this point. 

What was some of your experiences after surgery, after first fill, etc?  How many fills until you got ideal restriction?  Am I "abby" normal or is this just my new normal?

Thanks for your support,
Valerie

Valerie, I have known people that never had a fill and had restriction and I have known those that it took several fills before they get restrition.  I had a fill on Tuesday with Dr. Sonnanstine and I am like you I can't tell it except when I eat too fast, don't chew well or are under stress.  It is different for everyone and just something you have to experience yourself. 

Good luck,

Jacqueline

Valerie,

I truly believe that everyone who has the band has completely different experiences. For example I have had literally 10 fills in a little over a year and a half and still have a difficult time feeling the restriction. My husband has had about 6 fills in a year and feels quite a bit of restriction. My mother in law had her surgery 2 days after my husband and has only had 4 fills and is very tight. We all used Dr. Sonnanstine.
So don't get discouraged everyone is different.

Wendy

Yep...everyone is different. I finally have hit my sweet spot at 9cc in a 14cc band!  i was getting so discouraged at the beginning of all this but let me tell ya...consider yourself in training at this point. This is when you need to use that self control and learn to eat smaller bites, not chug the water (you sounded like me there) and portion control.  You have to work the band right now...Someone once told me that when you have the band you work 80% at first and it works 20%. But over time and fills (if you are one that needs them for restriction) the percentages will shift and when you get to that sweet spot you will be on an even 50-50 basis.  It will never do it all for you. Thats why its a tool....not a cure. All weight loss types is like this though from what I have heard. You have to work it, get those fluids in, exercise...yadda yadda yadda....Have faith and patience...I thought I would never get there but am so thankful I am now.....

(Well except for when I tried to chug tha****er down right after the fill at the Dr....lol..) 

Lee Ann, glad you found your sweet spot.  I'm trying to do better so I can get mine back.  Take care and tell the other Babes I said Hi.

Z

I was going to add my 2 cents here....being as I needed 8.5 cc in a 10 cc band to get restriction BUT....I will just say...'Ditto Lee Ann"
P.S.   I just recently had an UN-fill back to 7.5 cc so I could eat enough to do the sports I do so DON'T be afraid to realize this tool is trial and error.

Also-many times after a fill I did not feel any effects for almost 2 weeks...then BOOM all of a sudden I would find I had some resrtiction. ( as I drove the porcelain bus back from being stuck..)

Sonja