I posted this question on my blog and got absolutely no feedback, so I figured either nobody wanted to step up to the question, or everybody was reading somebody else's horror story, or I was spitting into the wind.

After my first fill (three weeks post-op appointment), I asked my surgeon when should I have another fill and he rattled off what sounded like a zen koan: when you are able to eat most anything, keep it down yet still feel hungry shortly after your meal, and you are not losing weight or it has really slowed down, then call for an appointment . . .

You know the sound of two hands clapping; what is the sound of one hand clapping . . .

So pretend I am your grandchild and explain it so I can understand it, please!:ohmy: When should I ask for another fill?

I think I am doing great with this whole thing but how do you really know? What are the metrics for success? Along the way I have hit a few plateaus, the longest was three days and zippo: my scale was frozen. So I thought maybe this is what the doc meant. Sure enough the next time I stepped on the scale I was down 1.8 lbs.

So here is what it comes down to: Can anybody offer some sound advice to this newbie bander?

With affection and gusto,

WB

Hi Will,

Sounds like you're losing weight slow and steady. I was told 1-2 Lbs. a week is what to expect. Stay off the scale, It'll drive you nuts. Fluids swing your weight all over the place. So just don't look every day!!! Slow down and let it just happen. I get my band June 16th. I can't wait!! But my expectations are to go slow. I don't want a bunch of hanging skin.

The 60's forum is not that active. So I go to several other forums. Check out the Post-op and the General Most Asked Questions Forums. Look and Lurk at all the forums. Hang in there, we didn't gain the weight over night and it's not gonna come off over night,

Good Luck,

CarolD'

Hi Will,

It is hard to give an exact answer to your question, there is not a set formula, as every body works so differently. After my first fill of 2cc's, my surgeon said to come back in a month or sooner if I was very hungry between meals and started eating an amount that caused me to gain weight. I never gained, so I would go in for a fill each month. I had 3 fills of 2cc and my last fill was just 1cc and I think I am either at my sweet spot or very close to it. I found my surgeon's direction of 'if you are eating enough to cause weight gain, then you need a fill' a good guide line.

I'm new to this too. I got my first fill about 2 to 3 weeks post op. My 2nd about a month later...my choice. And I just got my 3rd fill after about 3 months. My surgeon told me that I will learn to read my body so I'll know when it's time for an adjustment give or take. When I sat down and ate a tostada and didn't feel anything stop me...I called for that 3rd appointment.

I have 6 cc's now but my doc want's to see me back in 6 weeks to see how I'm doing. We'll adjust it then if I need it.

I'm averaging about 2 lbs per week. I thought I was doing pretty good but like I said earlier...when I sat down and ate that tostada..I was like no way..time for a fill.

I posted this question on my blog and got absolutely no feedback, so I figured either nobody wanted to step up to the question, or everybody was reading somebody else's horror story, or I was spitting into the wind.:cursing:

After my first fill (three weeks post-op appointment), I asked my surgeon when should I have another fill and he rattled off what sounded like a zen koan: when you are able to eat most anything, keep it down yet still feel hungry shortly after your meal, and you are not losing weight or it has really slowed down, then call for an appointment . . .

You know the sound of two hands clapping; what is the sound of one hand clapping . . .

So pretend I am your grandchild and explain it so I can understand it, please!:w00t: When should I ask for another fill?

I think I am doing great with this whole thing but how do you really know? What are the metrics for success? Along the way I have hit a few plateaus, the longest was three days and zippo: my scale was frozen. So I thought maybe this is what the doc meant. Sure enough the next time I stepped on the scale I was down 1.8 lbs.

So here is what it comes down to: Can anybody offer some sound advice to this newbie bander?:cool:

With affection and gusto,

WB

There isn't a formula for when to get a fill. The doctor's are looking to get you to a "sweet spot". That means you are at the place where you don't feel hungry after eating 1 cup of food. One cup of food means meat and vegtables. If you eat soft foods that go through the band too easy, you don't getting the full feeling as soon. Eat slowly and chew well, to give yourself time to feel full. Try not to make the band do all the work, and eat meat and vegtables that provide good Fiber that is filling. Also, I found getting my 80 grams of Protein a day helped to keep me feeling full. I had my surgery nearly two years ago, and had 5 fills to date. Some people get a fill every month. If you are eating the right things, eating slowly , getting in your protein, and exercising you should lose weight without too many fills. I hope this helps. Good luck!!!

Thanks for your reply and helpful suggestions, too. I suppose the only thing worse than being hungry is coping with the anxiety of the scale. Losing weight is so motivating; anything else seems, well, failing although I know it isn't. I have to appreciate where I am rather than where I am not. Sounds easier than it is. Regards in any case.

Will

Thanks for the response. Good luck. I will have to try the tostada test sometime!

That is great advice and I appreciate you reaching out to me, too.

Thanks for the other sites you shared.

Good luck with your banding. Seems like you are intellectually ready and working on the emotional side, too. Relax. It was a great and life-saving choice. Brace yourself for a great ride ahead of you!

I've also had two friends that did the Gastric Bypass. The best advice...don't hop on that scale too often. Your body has been used to eating and receiving calories a certain way. It's going to fight to keep your weight because your body will naturally try to regulate itself. so don't sweat the scale too much. Instead focus on how your clothes are fitting you. I had my surgery in December and what I notice is that I'll drop weight and level off then it starts again. I visit my scale about every two weeks. I've dropped from a 26/28 to an 18/20 and I'm sure I'm about to dip further.

I love to cook and I love good food. I don't substitute the real stuff, such as sugar. But I will, when I can add tofu for Protein, rice paper for flour tortillas and sandwich thins by Oroweat for bread. And stay away from carbonated drinks, it took me a good two months before the carb and soda cravings stopped.

Good Luck

I'm grappling with the same problem. I have had three fills, but still find I can eat whenever and whatever I wish. I take that to mean I have not yet reached my "sweet spot."

I assume my doctor is going slowly so that nothing goes wrong. But weight loss is not going terribly fast. I guess the tostada test would be as good as any!