still not losing after 4 fills

I'm on two thyroid meds and my levels seems to be fine.  I do eat after I get that feeling that's supposed to "satisfy" me.  But not so much that I feel bad or sick.  I've never vomited.  I eat at least 1 cup at every meal.  Sometimes more.  The only really bad thing I do is have a bowl of cereal after the kids are in bed.   I really hope this starts working.  Does anyone have more than 6.5cc in their realize band?  Max is 9cc.

I have 7.3 in my Realize band.  My restriction isn't always what I want it to be - I'm sure I'll need more fills - but at some point we do have to regulate what (if not how much) goes into our mouths. 

Part of the "process" is eating differently than we ate before.  The first part of our meal should be the protein, followed by vegetables, then if still hungry, the carbs (bread, pasta, potato).  If a food goes down easily, like mashed potatoes or ice cream, we're not going to feel any restriction.  I remember one of our nurses telling us to "challenge" our band.  Eating meaty protein is going to do that, as well as get us to our minimum protein for the day.

Also, how much water/sugar-free fluids are you drinking each day?  We should be getting 6 to 8 cups in between meals or snacks.  Are you drinking with meals and washing the food through faster?

I know this all sounds like work, and believe me, over the years I've looked for the easy way out, too.  But if you don't track what you eat, you'll never know how many calories are going in.  And that's really the first place to start.

Sorry this isn't as easy as you thought.

Jan

I don't drink with my meals.  And I don't drink sugary drinks.  I drink diet drinks which make me want to eat all day.  Anyone else have this problem with artificial sweetners?

Thanks for letting me vent my frustrations.

Rachel,

You may be one who needs a huge amount of fill before feeling enough restriction to help.  There are some who are fine on only 2 or 3 cc, and others who need up to 8.  If it's been at least a week or two since your last fill, I'd call the doctor for another fill.

Let us know how it goes.  Don't give up yet.

Jan

Rachel it's sounds like the CARBs your eating. Cut the carbs out to only take in Proteins.
Do you keep a Food Journal of everything you put in your mouth? Also drink only Zero Calorie drinks. Don't drink within 30-60 minutes before and after eating. Do you attend any Support Groups in your area? And lastly are you on www.RealizeBand.com  tracking your Weight Loss Journey?

This is not magic without any effort on your own part!! 

I hope you weren't eating french fries to test your band? and no, none of the surgeries are effortless--each has it's own complications

I'm shocked and worried you thought that the band was effortless. No WLS is effortless. It takes serious comitment and dedication to yourself. You need to be working out, following up with your fills and not eating junk food. It sounds like you may need to contact your surgeons office and ask for some support.

Thanks to everyone for the comments.  I still feel that this is not supposed to be this difficult.  I'll see my surgeon again Thursday and hopefully get a fill.  Maybe then I'll finally realize why I decided to get the band.  Until then.....

And to Jan...thanks for reminding me to eat my protein first, then veggies, then carbs.  I forgot that part.   I followed those rules at dinner this evening. 

It takes an average of 3-5 fills to achieve good restriction.  If your surgeon is conservative with fill volumes, it may take 5-8 fills.  It's way to early to write your band off...hang in there!

Thanks everyone.  I haven't given up yet.  Just frustrated.