HELP!!!

Okay bandsters, I really need your help. I had LB in May. I was given a 12cc Vanguard band that was NOT prepped after surgery. But no one knew this at my first fill. My first fill came a month after my surgery to which I was told I had a total of a 4cc fill. When my second fill came 2 weeks later, my fill level was checked after I made the comment that I simply did not have a bit of restriction! Come to find out, my level was not even 2cc! So I was given about 3cc to bring me to a total fill of 5cc in a 12cc band. I STILL do not have a bit of restriction! I can eat whatever I desire, bread, pasta, etc with no problems (not that I shouldn't make better choices of food). I can eat a very large quantity of food also. I tried to eat until I felt full, but I could keep eating! (Easily can eat 3+ cups of food) So knowing that I shouldn't eat that much, I quit. But I was testing to see where that "full" was. I do not drink with or after my meals. I am eating slow and chewing my food well. And I'm finding myself very hungry at least 2 times a day but desiring to munch in the evening. I fight the munchies by drinking Diet Lipton Green Tea and walking faithfully every night with the exception of last night because face it, here in Neb when it's still 84 degrees at 10:30, with a lot of humidity, no one should be exercising outside. What I'm getting at is, I don't have another fill unitl Aug 7 and I am going on vacation the week before. I am getting VERY discouraged because I feel like I have no assistance from the band. Is there anything any of you have done to get you through the first struggles with similar problems? My will power alone may not be able to sustain me for another 2 1/2 weeks. I know what I am supose to do, but doing it is another thing entirely!!!

Hi Marcia, Sometimes it takes several fills before you will feel good restriction. Don't give up. It will happen. Keep going back to your surgeon until it feels right. Keep making healthy choices.Eat the dense food to fill up your pouch such as protein, whole grain cereals, fiber, fruits and veggies. I know how frustrating it is to be hungry and wanting to eat everything. I also drink the diet green tea. It is wonderful. Hang in there. I hope this helps. Mona

Marcia--Don't give up! I had a very similar experience with my lap band. I could eat alot and I was hungry. I said the same things that you are saying. I really questioned whether or not the surgery had been worth it. Everytime I got on the scale though it went down and I soon could feel that I was losing weight. I had my LB on Jan. 31, 2006. I also have a 12cc band and it wasn't until I had a total fill of about 7cc's that I felt full. I've lost about 56 lbs in almost 6 months. Dr. Hollaway said this is just about right and seems happy with my progress. I can eat anything and haven't had any problems with food that others talk about having. I just eat when hungry and it's more than the once a day that they suggest. Good Luck to you! Hang in there! Right now I'm just very very pleased and hope you can say the same soon. Carmen_NP

Hang in there Marcia! It took me several months to get proper restriction. I was banded 12-8-05. I'd say I didn't get restriction until May and then In June hit the perfect restriction. So it took me about 6 months. So hang in there. It can be frustrating. Just follow the Bandster rules and you'll do fine! Jess 253/188/140

Thank you everyone who has responded! I am glad to know that I'm not alone on this journey. A dear friend of mine (Jimmy's wife, Donna) gave me a pep talk today and told me not to give up, restriction will come in time. I did very good today and ate only small amounts, drank plenty of water, and did get out to walk (I was dripping sweat by the second block). I know I need to be patient, this isn't a quick fix but I hate to see the scale stop moving so early in my trek. Beth, I had my surgery in SB. Jimmy and Donna have been encouraging me to attend the meetings but I have to work on Tuesday nights and it would require me rearranging my weeks' schedule far in advance, not that it couldn't be done...I will be out of town the first Tues in Aug so the earliest I could attend would be Sept. I'll try to make it work then. I'll not give up!