raising3monkeys

Yes, today is my first fill. I've seen people say that they've taken several fills to get to what's known as the "green zone" - that perfect zen place where you can only eat the small amount you SHOULD be eating and not being hungry between meals, and it not being too small to get the food down (vomiting, feeling stuck, etc.). I asked my doctor about that before my surgery - "How may fills does it typically take to get to that sweet spot?" He said that I will always leave his office at that spot. But that over time, I'll notice that I'm getting hungry more often or that I'm able to eat more food. And that I should then come in for another fill. He said a fill tends to last longer over time; in the very beginning, I might need another fill after only a week or 2 or 3. But as time goes on, fills should last me several months. I'm very unclear on WHY that is. Is it because the stomach shrinks a bit? Is it because there is some stomach swelling after a fill, and it feels tighter then and then looser later? I see that some doctors only fill a small amount at a time - like 5 cc. Others don't seem to be that limited. But I'm sure I'll understand more later today, after a visit and having questions answered.
My diet has been good since the week prior to surgery, when they put me on an extreme no-carb, not-even-veggies diet to shrink the liver prior to surgery. Then it was 6 days of liquids, then it was straight back onto solids. My diet now is more just a few rules than it is complicated. 1) Only eat when hungry, 2) STOP eating when I feel satiated, 3) Low carb, low fat - NO breads, rice, pasta, grains or potatoes, 4) No liquid calories - everything must have mass, and 5) no drinking during or immediately following surgery. I have been eating largely that way since I started back on solids. Some days I've folded and had a granola bar when hungry, or have had a morning coffee or evening tea with sugar. But other than that, I've been really good overall. What I expect out of this fill is to be able to be less limited on meal consumption size, and to not be as hungry in-between meals.

Hi Mike,
Any update on a surgery date? I'm so excited for you!
I'm at the stage that you were when you wrote this - nearing the end of my pre-op medical appointments. I have not had one single class or a support group, though. None of that's even been mentioned to me. I'm learning all on my own. It's been difficult, because my surgeon won't give me info on the post-op foods (both short and long-term) until my pre-op visit, 1-2 weeks before the surgery is scheduled. I have no idea what to expect since the doctor's office says that we shouldn't be looking anywhere for info but our doctor. Kind of frustrating.
I loved this line of yours: "I find myself completely swallowed by the excitement and eagerness to get the surgery done and to get my life back!" Same here! "swallowed" is a great explanation of how it feels.
Best of luck to you -

Kel