Advice about restriction please!?

O>K I have been banded 5 months now and have had 4 fills giving me 6.5cc in my 10cc aps band. My question is this, Does restriction last a long time after you eat or does your' food seem to go down 5-10 minutes later? That is what i'm feeling now. Making me think i do need another fill that i have an appt for next week on tuesday. I was just looking for some advice from a mature banded person, mature meaning having been there and done that . Is your' food supposed to stay up in the pouch for a long period of time? I take one or two bites then feel the tightness, wait about 5 minutes and then i can finish my food. Not alot mind you, but usually enough. Its almost like after the first two to three bites, the tightness happens then it opens up. Anyway, thanks for reading or responding. Any help is appreciated.

Wow I couldn't of said it better... I know the feeling you are talking about, I feel the pressure and can feel the food pass through the band as I eat.. almost feeling like a clog but after it goes through you are able to eat more. I have 5 ccs in my 10 cc band. I can't wait to hear what you get for answers. I would think the food should stay up high and maybe our hole inbetween the pouch and and big stomach needs to be tighter to support the food and keep it up in the pouch where it should stay to feel full. Good luck I can't wait to hear what others say. I was banded June 07 and am still confused

sorry i didnt mention i was banded nov 07. Boy did you make me feel better. I was thinking, I dont know what I'm doing or I'm doing it wrong. Glad to know I"m not alone. Hopefully someone out there in lapbandland has great advice. Thanks! Support is wonderful!

I have 8.5cc's in my 10cc aps band, and what I've found out is that I have a tendency to take my first bite fast & not chew properly. After I get the 2/3 bites down, I realize .. whooo I need to slow things down a bit. This also happens at the end of my meal. I paid attention at the beginning of my meal & I get lazy, I'm taking larger bites and again, not chewing enough. Such a cat / mouse game. I would still go to your fill appt. Talk w/your Dr about your experiences and let him help you decide if you need another fill..

I think the key to proper restriction is this: if you eat the portion size you are "supposed" to eat -- around 3 oz of protein and 1/2 c of veggies -- and are not hungry for at least 3-4 hrs afterwards, then your restriction level is right.

If you are eating solid food in appropriate portions and get hungry too soon, then you likely need a fill.

So many complications come from having your band too tight. You don't have to use the band to prevent yourself from eating too much at one sitting. You can use it as a way to feel satiated once you've chosen to eat a small portion of healthy food. If that makes sense. And yes, I know that some people, by the time they get the band tight enough to help them stay satiated for 3-4 hrs, also have it tight enough that it prevents them from eating very much and they have foods they can't eat anymore. That's not true in all cases though.

It is typical to take a few bites and then the pouch opens up. That is first bite syndrom. You may find that you still have that response with a good fill. The difference will be that when you start to eat again you will not consume as much and you will feel fuller longer. That is when you get closer to your sweet spot. The first bite syndrom may be still the same with the fill but you should eat less and be hungry less often. HOpe this helps.