first post -- decided to get some help from you guys!

I was banded on Nov 7th.   Surgery wasn't bad at all.  Recovered quickly etc.   I lost 15 lbs within the first two weeks.   Well after that my cravings came back & I could virtually eat anything.   I have now gained 8lbs back.   I had my first fill on this past Thursday which I can hardly tell.......  I don't know what to do.  I am so confused as to how I am suppose to be feeling.   The only difference that I can tell prior to surgery vs now is that I eat a little less.      When I was in the doctors office I was talking to another lady & she was telling me how much restriction she has & I am no where near that.    The doctor put 4cc's in my band.  Is that alot?    How much can you eat at one sitting?   For example.......before I had the fill, I ate a 6 inch subway.   I really felt nasea afterwards & won't do that again but I never threw it up.

I am just wondering how much is too much?   Should I be able to eat a sandwhich?  I can eat a whole pb&j with no probs.   I am trying to make better choices for myself but this is "really" hard.   I mean if I could diet & make the right decisions in the first place I wouldn't have had the surgery...............please give me something to go on here..........i'm at a loss!

Hi,
Funny you posted this...I just added almost the same kind of post to my blog.  I was banded on 11/12 and have not had my first fill yet...but after the first 3 weeks I now find myself really struggling too.  The advice I have received and the only way to break the bad habits is to take away the temptations.  Drink every time you feel the urge to give in; don't keep trigger foods in the house, keep a huge supply of "safe" foods around and pre-plan and pre-pare your meals.  I can't say that I really fallen off the wagon yet, as I have not eaten anything or enough to make me nauseous yet; but I am getting very bored with what I have on hand food-wise so I think some creative cooking with band-friendly recipes is definitely called for.   Good Luck and let me know if you find anything that helps!
Oh...and the other thing I found really helps-is keep a food journal.  Accountability will make you rethink some of your decisions.  It may not seem like it starting off, but you must write down everything you eat; and READ it each night.  Also, write down what you are feeling when you make the decisions you do and what you are thinking, then at the end of the day, write done some alternative coping strategies or food choices next to your "bad" ones...that way when faced with it again, you have ideas and alternatives written down...I carry mine with me always and then post it to the Realize My Success web site as well.  DON'T let your self fall into the "well I just won't write that one down" trap because then you just try to hide things from yourself...

Sonja

thanks for the positive re-enforcement.   I will definitely try the writting down part.   I guess I am just more self conscious of what I am eating now.   my husband seems to think it is his place to keep me on track & it is really grating my nerves.

I don't have any "sneaky" foods in the house.   It's just when I eat..........i eat big.......

I was reading your blog.   Are you only allowing yourself 4 oz a meal?    Are we suppose to be doing that?   I normally just eat til I feel full.

Oh well, It's nice to know that someone else is feeling some of things I am.

Hi, guys!

I had my Realize band surgery on Sept. 29th.  I will have my 3 month checkup on Dec. 22nd. I had had two fills and still do not feel restriction.  I am struggling almost every day and sometimes (often) loose the battle.  Oh, I'm not eating fast food like I was.  I only have "healtlhy"foods in the houls.  It's just I still don't feel really full.  I have lost only 25 pounds in the 3 months, which i guess is still good, but this is not as big a help as I had hoped for.

I also need to write down what I eat. I haven't been using the realize site and need to do that.

Thanks for being there.

Jeane

Yes, I am limiting myself to 4 ounces a meal because once you get a fill, that will be about the size of the pouch. Remember, right now, without a fill you have no restriction so you will be able to eat big. Practicing now and getting used to the 4-6 ounce meals at a setting will make adapting to the fill so much easier.
Sonja

It will take more than 2 or 3 fills before you really feel restriction.  This is how the band (any band) works.  Don't get discouraged.  The band really works.  However, IT TAKES TIME.  It is not a fast process.   I speak from experience.  Just hang in there.  Good luck to all of you.

i have 6cc on my band and do not have much restriction, yes i eat less,but i can chug water like before. i am going for my 3 month i  the 10th and i will get another fill, hopefully this will be the sweet spot....i have not lost any weight since my 1 month ck up......it is discouraging but i know i need restriction before this band will work properly.
hang in  there !
you can do it.
so can i!
lori

Hang in there guys.  I had my band placed in April of this year, and I'm just now getting good restriction.  It took me10 fills (8.5cc in a 9cc band).  Having good restriction really makes a big difference, but you do still have to make good choices.  If you're eating your protein first, you'll fill up faster.  That said, I do sometimes still eat ice cream and cake, and believe me, they go down easy even with good restriction.  So we need to MAKE GOOD CHOICES if not all the time, then most of the time.

I also started an exercise program at the YMCA about 2 months ago.  It's helping.  I never was one to exercise, but once I started, I realized I miss it if I don't go.

It will get better and you will lose weight, just maybe not as fast as you thought.  As my doctor keeps telling me, "it's a journey, not a sprint."

Stay with it.
Jan

Are you doing your protein ? This also helps you curb your appetite. Also your surgeon should have told you your band is a tool and that you have to make it work. You got the band for a reason and that was to reduce your eating and lose weight.  The band usually takes at least from what I have been told up to 3 fills before restriction is felt so don't expect it immediately. Let your band work for you. In the meantime Be careful of what you eat or you will be sorry you ate it. How long have you been on OH I have been here since March 2008 and I have gathered and gained support from everyone on here and thats what you need. If you get a craving drink some protein and above all drink your water. I have surgery this Thursday but I have also gained a wealth of support and advice from all the good people on here , so on that note get on the wagon and let your band do it's job but it needs your help. The next time you feel hungry don't fall to temptation. Let those demons go because thats what put the weight on you in the first place. Also be very careful of bread it is not band friendly. I have been on a liquid diet for 3 weeks now and it has put me in the weightlosing diet mode, which is essentually what you are doing right now is that for right now you are dieting.

Hi Renegade, just in case I don't get back on here before your surgery on Thurs. GOOD LUCK!!  You have hung in there so good on the liquids!  Get back on here when you get back home and tell us all how you are doing!