A little discouraged

 I had my band put in on April of this year and have had one fill 6 weeks ago.  I am due to have my second fill this Thurs.  I have very little restriction from the band.  I can still eat almost as much as I could before surgery.  Has anyone else had this problem?  Does the 2nd fill usually give you a lot more restriction?

That varies greatly. Most do not get a lot of restriction after the 2nd fill. It usually takes a few more in general if they are going to reach restriction. Some ppl NEVER reach restriction. I got 16 fills in 14 months and still didn't have restriction. Hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ones!

 Melinda:

Some people have restriction with no fill at all, the lucky b*stards. Some people need ten fills. Everyone else seems to fall somewhere in between. It all depends on how large your fills are. Sometimes, as little as 0.1cc can make all the difference.

Please don't get discouraged.  It can take a few fills to really notice a difference.  Honestly, it is better to be a little loose than too tight.  Just give it time, and remember that just because you can eat more doesn't mean you should.

Hi Melinda...I agree with the other bandsters. From talking to the members of my lapband support group I find that everyone of us is different. Even though you do not have restriction yet I would strongly suggest that you continue to follow the band rules of having your protein first, keeping a log of your foods and include counting calories and protein grams and limiting your food intake to one cup. I once made the statement to my surgeon that I don't get full and he said that he didn't want to ever hear me say that again. Even with the band I have had to work hard and to do my part to lose 125 pounds. Stick with it and take it one meal and one day at a time. Best of luck to you.

Thank you all for your input. :0)

Did your surgeon give you guidelines as to how much you should be eating?  You can stretch out your pouch/ esophagus and cause lots of problems by eating too much when you get more fluid in your band.  Right from the start you should be following the amounts that your surgeon suggests.  I have never felt full with the band and that's okay.  I learned that my 3 oz of protein and a 1/4-1/2 cup of a veggie is enough and will hold me over for 4 hours at least. 

And for me the restriction is mainly about hunger being diminished and not about stopping me from eating more.

Kristi,
I did not get good eating guidelines from my surgeon but I am learning from all of the vets on this board. I think what took me the longest to realize is that the band is just a tool...it does not jump out and say "Diane walk away from the food". I thought I went into surgery fully prepared and knowing that it was not a magic bullet. But I am just now realizing that it is not about feeling "full", it is eating my 3 oz protein and 1/4-1/2 cup of veggie and being satisfied. Thank you for putting it into words that are finally making sense to me.
Thanks,Diane

Yes my program prepared me very well. Except for this post op part. I don't eat as much as I used to but if I wanted to I could. I was just thinking that I wouldn't feel as much hunger as I am now. I realize that the band isn't a miracle to make me lose weight without working at it. I understand that it is a tool to help me with the process. I was just saying that I don't feel that I even have that tool yet.

You are only a few months out, it will get easier!  Hang in there!