Fill

How do you know when you hit your sweet spot.  You don't need any more fills.

Good question, but it's hard for me to answer because I don't believe in the sweet spot. I think it's a myth, and that it's more helpful to think of restriction as a range of experiences, not as a single spot. Allergan, manufacturer of the Lap-Band, publishes what they call the Green Zone chart. When you're in the red zone, you're hungry between meals, looking for food, and still feel hungry when you finish eating your small meal. When you're in the green zone, you're not as hungry, your meals satisfy you more quickly, and you're losing weight. In the red zone, you're having trouble eating or drinking without experiencing side effects like regurgitation (PB's), stuck episodes, and reflux. In the red zone, you need more fill. In the green zone you don't need adjustments. In the red zone, you need fill removed so that you can eat solid food without problems.

Even when you get to the green zone, it probably isn't going to last forever, because as you lose weight, the fat surrounding your stomach (the internal fat, not the fat under the skin on your abdomen) shrinks so that your band feels looser and you need more fill. After I got to my goal weight, I rarely needed fills, but some conditions can make your band feel too tight or too loose, so that you need adjustments until the situation is resolved.

I agree with Jean.  We all expect something a bit different. It is right for ME when I can eat normal food at a reasonable speed in small portions. And then, if I walk away, I will not think of food for a good few hours, longer if I am busy. I never expect the band to actually stop me eating. Some people need more than that. 

I agree 100% with Jean and Kate.  I just never found that spot.

Keep it lose!

 

Keep in mind that 20% of bandsters NEVER hit their sweet spot!!!

I'm on my way to find it to! We will get there...the road is slow though! I've had two fills. Hopefully my third on the 8th. My friend describes as bring more disinterested in food because you aren't hungry and feel satisfied with small portions. From reason other posts, you know when you are there. I'm sure someone will argue now, but everyone is different!

Good luck! see you smaller!