Question about restriction

Hi all,

I was banded on 07/07/2009 and had my first fill on Monday, which was 3 cc. I wondered what restriction felt for you all. It has been 4 hours since I have eaten and I am not feeling hungry. Could I have restriction with just 3 cc? Today was the first day of solid foods and I had less than 1/4 cup of hamburger helper with lean meat, 2 teaspoons of corn and less than 1/4 cup of salad. I "could" have eaten more, but didn't. So, here it is 4 hours later and I don't feel hungry. My doctor told me on my visit that if when eating I felt I could polish off a whole hamburger then to schedule for another fill. So, I didn't know if I should go by no hunger pangs or hunger rumblings after 4 hours OR if I should go by how many bites to feel full or satisfied.

Thank you

Yes you could feel restrictions with 3 cc. Remember every one is different, so there is no specific number you should feel restriction.

Now remember, as you lose weight, the restriction may go away (even after a few days). Try to think of it as you tighten your belt to a certain notch. If you lose enough weight, that notch may/will be "too loose" to properly "do it's job". Don't panic - this is all normal in the band world !!

Good luck on your journey !!

Tom,
I am glad I found your post.  I have been wondering why for the last couple of months I have been able to eat normally.  I have lost 100 pounds and have gained over 20 back because I have no restriction.  I am going to the surgeon on Monday so hopefully he will give me a fill so I can have some restriction again.

Thanks
Sheri

Sheri,

You sound like you definitely need a fill.

IMHO the best time to get a fill is when your weight loss has stopped; you start gaining; are eating larger portions; truely hungery more often. If you're loosing without a fill, why bother? Remember there are only so many fills that can be done until the band is full. Why waste the fills.

Well, you certainly have more 'restriction' than you had before your fill.
So -- for the time being, you are restricted -- it could change in 2 or 3 weeks.

I would plan my meals and snacks, and put your portion on your plate.
Eat what you can in 20 minutes --- and wait to eat until you are hungry again.

Eat your protein first, in case you can't eat very much or very often.

For me, I find that if I brush my teeth after meals, it lessens my desire to 'graze' or have 'head hunger' ---

When I had my first 2 fills, I felt like you did for 2 weeks, and then the time between meals went from 4 hours to 3 and 2 hours ---- and I got to go in for my fills 3 weeks apart.

this time (after fill number 3) I am 19 days from the fill, and I still feel restricted.  I will see the doctor on Tuesday -- and may (or may not) get more fluid.

Consider yourself lucky that you got some restriction on your first fill!!

 

Hi Kath,

Thank you for your response. I supposed that "restriction" lasted for all of one day! Because each day thereafter I have gotten hungry within 2 hours. I went ahead and scheduled my next fill for Monday. Thank goodness I have an aggressive doctor with fills. I just hope this next one gives me more restriction than this last one. I have been keeping up with my protein intake by logging and it does help so much. As far as grazing goes, when I get hungry I definitely have a tendency toward that. But when I feel nice and full, I don't even think about food. I am trying to keep the carbs down as well, as when I eat too many is when I have cravings.

I am just so ready to get some restriction. I am frustrated anyway and I know I shouldn't be, but I am just stuck at the same weight as I was a week after surgery. I fluctuate between 8 and 10 pounds lost, and it's truly driving me nuts! I have exercised at total of 137 minutes this week and I am going NO WHERE. This is weird to be, because in 2000, I lost a lot of weight on my own and actually ate more than what I do now and I am just baffled.

Once again, thank you so much for your input. We will see how this next fill goes. Keep your fingers cross for me!