Restriction/Fullness

[juliansmom2003 3]

I think I've driven the post-op section of the board nuts with all my restriction questions LOL!

I got my first fill last Thursday and I feel no different than before (which I kind of expected), but in some ways even hungrier than before the fill (which I totally DIDN'T expect).

I called the surgeon and they are getting me in for another fill, but we're looking at the second or third week in February :mad: so I am left to deal with this until then.

My question is: what signal(s) do you get when you're getting full? Everyone keeps talking about the chest pain, but I've never had that. I did actually have about a 10 ounce lunch and while I had no chest pain, sliming or PBing, my belly is FULL. No pain, no hunger, NOTHING! I haven't felt this way in awhile. Is it going to hurt me eating over 8 ounces? It was good food (6 ounces of chicken from the crockpot, a salad w/ lettuce, Tomato and green pepper and a 100 calorie pack--total about 450 calories in all). I just can't take being hungry any more and I need to make it to the next fill...

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Edited January 19, 2010 by juliansmom2003

[Libbyjane1976 1]

I would grab an extra apple or orange or some kind of fruit. That way if you are still hungry you have something healthy to munch on to get you thru.

[BandedCG 0]

The best way I can describe the "feeling" is...you know if you take another bite, you will puke. You literally can not eat another bite. You will know it and understand when your band is at that right tightness.

I've had mine too tight before, and it was no fun at all.

I didn't understand all this that others were talking about either until I experienced it myself.

[illuminationlady 7]

I have no restriction yet either. I had to have all the initial Fluid removed from my band the day after surgery. I couldn't keep anything down. Now I have nooooooooooooo restriction. I, too, fear not having any restriction either after my first fill. Thank God my surgeon is aggressive with fills. Tomorrow is my first fill and they said they would put 4 ccs in, because I'm empty right now. Then I go every two weeks there after until I hit my sweet spot. I know I have gained a couple of pounds during this time period too because I got sick of being hungry too. I eat healthy also though so I didn't go crazy. Try some Greek style yogart for the severe hunger. It's frustrating. I feel your pain. But soon you will have enough fluid and be losing that weight. Best wishes!!!

[TCarroll 1]

I guess I am really lucky. I have had restriction since day one-- to the point that I am always second guessing if I should have another fill-- when I am scheduled too. My major sign for being full- hiccups! I eat very slow.. (have to or else it wont stay down..) small bites and CHEW! and then hiccups will come.. that is my clue.. I stop, wait a few minutes and then sure enough I am so full that if I were to take another bite-- I would be sick.

One of the hardest things for me is if I am really hungry or something taste really good, I want to eat fast... I literally have to take a bite and walk away from it for a minute or two to stop myself from eating fast and not chewing. I have come to realize- this was my major eating flaw pre-band and probably why I comsumed too much food and gained weight. I ate too fast and didnt wait for my body to tell me I am full. I often wonder, if I would have tried and stuck with this pre-band if I would have lost weight.

My trick now, I tell myself to eat every meal like I have friends/clients eating with me that don't know about the band and I would be emarrased to PB or slime in front of.... and it works for me. I came about this during Christmas -- when we had a work dinner and my band was tight- and I was having a hard time with keeping things down... I was paranoid that it would happen at the dinner table...so I ate sooooo slow, small bites and honestly was able to not only get down my food... but felt so satisfied after the meal.

Good luck to you--- you will do great especially once you get restriction and find out the secrets on how your band works for you.