Restriction Question-Help!

OK...did my second "fill". I have 7.5cc and is wondering what does it feel like to have restriction??? Let me start my saying that since my surgery (15 weeks ago), I am down exactly 15 pounds. When I eat, I notice that i do no feel the urge to eat for at least 5 hours. Is this my restriction or is there something else..So confused. Please note, I can get like 8oz of food without feeling satisfied. Should I be able to eat this much?? Please help!!!!!!!!

Restriction can feel different at different levels of a fill and for different people.  Not feeling the urge to eat is great, but I don't really consider that restriction. 

Do you have a 14CC band? 

For ME,  I feel restriction when after eating about 3/4 cup of food, sometimes more or less, I have a sensation of not being able to eat any more food.  What I have chewed and swallowed is most likely backing up in the pouch and I know I have to stop eating at that point, or else it will come right back up. 

When I have restriction, there are certain types of food that just don't work well, such as doughy bread, meats that aren't chewed extremely well, or dry meats.  I also have trouble with most foods early in the morning as I experience a bit of swelling and bloating overight, which also makes the band feel tighter. 

You will find the right level that helps YOU to lose weight.  Some Bandsters never need a fill, some prefer a very loose fill....personally, these guys are my heroes, as they really have to display a lot of self control.  I prefer a fill that stops my hunger (snug enough to keep the vagus nerve in check), but loose enough that I rarely ever PB or slime.  If I do, it's because I am eating the wrong foods, eating too fast or not chewing well enough. 

What fill we have and what we prefer can be the entire trick with the band.  Most days, my fill level is where I want it, but then at times my band will be tighter for no good reason.  I understand when I am on my cycle, got stuck on some food, PB'd or when I am upset that  my band tightens, but when none of the above has happened and the band is a bit tighter is maddening. 

So, long answer, short.......if you don't yet feel your band stopping you on the amount of food you can eat, then you probably  have a very loose restriction level.  Nothing wrong with that!

Melly !!  

I prefer a fill that stops my hunger (snug enough to keep the vagus nerve in check), but loose enough that I rarely ever PB or slime. 

That is a perfect statement.


  I just had a small unfill and this is exactly where i am at .

 This help a lot..thx so much. I have the realize band and I am not sure the max CC.

I have a Realize band and am 4 weeks post op.  I have some restriction without a fill and the doctor said to see how that serves me the next 4-6 weeks.  I have noticed restriction during the 4 weeks in ways different to me from pre-surgery. I don't feel it so much in my "upper" stomach at first. I'm learning though. I have felt a fullness that goes mid chest and on one or two ocassions I felt like the food was in my throat (it wasn't). Now I stop eating earlier, start with less and when I'm done I'm not hungry. Its definitely going to take some getting use to but feel comfortable that I'll get there.  Good luck to you.

It sounds like you have a fair amount of restriction now if a meal keeps you from getting hungryb for at least 5 hours.

8 ounces of food is more than I could eat at one time, but it partly depends on the type of food. I could eat 8 ounces of yogurt, but not 8 ounces of animal protein. What does your surgeon or nutritionist say about how much you should be eating at one time.

If you're eating 8 oz. of food without feeling satisfied, you may need to adjust your idea of satisfied. I was used to eating such enormous quantities at one time pre-op that it took me at least a year to mentally and emotionally get used to eating small quantities of food. Even now, I sometimes feel "unsatisfied" in that I'm enjoying the food and want to eat more, but I try to ask myself, "Are you still physically hungry?" before I put another bite of food in my mouth.

The signs of physical hunger are....well, physical. A hollow, empty, uncomfortable discomfort, rumbling tummy noises, irritability, lightheadness, dizziness & anxiety are my signs.

The classic defintion of band restriction is that you experience early and prolonged satiety. You've already got the prolonged satiety, and now you need to start paying really close attention to how you feel when you eat. Look for the "soft stops" - subtle signals like a hiccup, a sigh, the urge to clear your throat or cough, a sneeze, etc. When you get one of those signals, stop eating even if you haven't finished the food. Think about whether you still feel physically hungry before you continue eating.

Jean

 Jean..thank you so much for your response. Today, I purposely ate less (4oz of lean protein) and wanted a full hour before drinking. I was totally satisfied!  Thank God for obesityhelp.com...I couldn't do this "band" thing without this type of support!

Melly, terrific post!!

I agree with both Melly and Jean.  One of the hardest habits to break was the amount I was eating, and I did not realize what a volume eater I'd become. After a year, some of those old habits want to sneak back in, like grazing.  My doc believes your band should make it so that you are satisfied from meal to meal.  He doesn't really want you to snack because he's afraid that leads to grazing.  I have no problem with that from breakfast to lunch.  But between lunch and dinner, and dinner to bedtime, I usually have to have a snack, especially on the days I work out.   But I really have to watch the grazing.