So Discouraged

 Am I the only one who has this feeling?  When I was doing all the research for my lap band 5 years ago, I read everywhere that I'd feel full for about 4 hours after eating a little food.  Here's what I feel:  If I eat  foods that easily pass through the band (bad for me stuff) and have enough of it, then I feel full.  If I eat according to the lap band rules, then I just feel stuck.  Since I've had the lap band, I've never had that satisfying full feeling that I thought I'd have.  I don't know anatomy, but is the trigger for the fullness feeling down below in the bottom of the stomach?

I have not lost weight and I'm so discouraged and defeated.  I'd love to hear from some others about this.  Thanks.

Sounds like either you are too tight, ie, too much fill or your bites are too large.  If you're not doing this already, try cutting your meat into english pea size bites and chewing well before swallowing.

You can also try using a small amount of low calorie "lube" to help the meat go down.  Like low sugar ketchup, mustard, bbq sauce, etc.

If you are doing the small bites, chewed well and still getting stuck, I'd lean towards too much fill.

Try drinking a cup  of hot tea or coffee immediately before your bandster meal.  Don't wait 30 minutes, eat pretty soon after finishing the warm drink. 

Just some suggestions.

What does your surgeon think about your dilemma?

I have to admit that I haven't seen my surgeon in a long time, but I have made an appointment and will see him in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your suggestions!

I had that same  when I was 7 months out.. it was for sure (in my case) that I was too tight. I could eat chips and cookies and all the bad stuff for me, just fine. When it came down to eating the "right foods" expl- chicken, salads, veggies... it would all get stuck.
I had an unfil done, and voila!! I'm back to normal. I do get to feel food when I eat, however I am hungry shortly after, it think its a mental thing...
So it really helps that my doctors has prescribed an apetite suppresant, phentermine.. I love it!!

Welcome to the club! I've had my band for 3+ years and have never had a full feeling. I followed allllll the rules diligently for the first year but after that I just gave up. While I haven't gained I also haven't lost anymore either. I recently had my band completely emptied because I always had that stuck feeling unless I ate mushies all the time. When I had it emptied the doc told me that they are finding that about 20% of people just can't tolerate the band and can never get a good restriction level. So if you are doing all the suggestions listed above and are still having problems it's time to see your surgeon and see if he has any other ideas. All I can say is life with an empty band is awesome and I don't care anymore if I gain weight, it can't be as bad as the last 2 years. Good luck to you!