Too tight or not tight enuf? Help please!!

[marfar7 1,533]

HEy all!

I got my band on Oct 1, 2009 (8 mths ago) and I've only lost about 35 lbs. I'm happy with that because the first 5 mths I had lost about 15 lbs and the next 3 months - 20 lbs. About 3 months ago, I had my 3rd fill and it seemed to work. I was full after just several bites. But now, I'm still hungry even after I finish my meal, eating too much, too often - but yet I'm still throwing up (due to my one carelessness) (usually eating too fast or the wrong things, like bread!). I've heard someone on here say that good restriction doesn't necessarily mean Im throwing up - it could just be user error. But to feel good restrcition, I should feel fuller and for longer periods of time. I accidently missed my appt today (forgot what day it was) and I rescheduled for Monday the 14th. Will he give me another fill even if I still occasionally vomit? I wouldn't call it PBing - I didn't burp - I vomit (only food tho). I'd like to get to the point where I can only eat a small amt and be full for hours.

What do you think? Am I already too tight cuz I throw up due to human error, or do I need another fill because I'm not getting/staying full?

[cwm812 11]

I'd vote for the fill.

When I try to decide if I need a fill, I think about how hungry I am. Right now, I can eat about a cup of food at a time and I'm hungry again in about 2 hours. The amount of food doesn't bother me, although it could be a little less, but I feel hungry quickly. I've got an appointment for another fill on the 23rd. I know that it needs to be a very small fill, but I think it might make all the difference.

Good luck with your decision. I've been too tight and that wasn't any fun, either.

Cindy

[elcee 3,343]

You need a fill but you also need to learn to slow down and chew properly first. As you say you seem to be suffering with user error.After a fill the problems will only get worse.

I would call what you are doing PBing even if you are not actually burping. Vomiting comes from the stomach not from above the band.

Also don't expect a reall small amount of food to be able to keep you full from one meal to the next. that is a fairly unrealistic expectation and can lead to being too tight. To stay full you need to be able to eat a reasonable amount of food. You may also find that you need a healthy planned snack inbetween meals - i know i do. I cannot go from lunch at approx noon to dinner at 7pm without eating something inbetween.

[YoungBlackAndBanded 0]

You need a fill but you also need to learn to slow down and chew properly first. As you say you seem to be suffering with user error.After a fill the problems will only get worse.

I would call what you are doing PBing even if you are not actually burping. Vomiting comes from the stomach not from above the band.

Also don't expect a reall small amount of food to be able to keep you full from one meal to the next. that is a fairly unrealistic expectation and can lead to being too tight. To stay full you need to be able to eat a reasonable amount of food. You may also find that you need a healthy planned snack inbetween meals - i know i do. I cannot go from lunch at approx noon to dinner at 7pm without eating something inbetween.

This is suprising to me! I haven't been banded yet, but I was under the impression that a small amount of food WOULD keep me full from meal to meal. Was your experience different earlier in the game?

[JoiaRox 430]

If you only eat a small amount of food a few times a day, you're going to starve to death! I'm at full restriction and found that it's helpful to eat several times a day - granted, they are small amounts and more like "snacks" instead of meals (fruits, pieces of baked chicken I've chopped up, yogurt, pita bread/hummus, etc.), but it's imperative that I keep nutritious food in my body so that my body can burn fat and lose weight.

As for whether or not the original poster needs a fill...I had the same issues after fill #4. I COULD eat large meals on occasion, but then there were some days when I could hardly eat anything. I PB'd a few times a week, always due to my error. I acknowledged that to my doctor and went for two appointments without getting a fill - he said I was losing weight, so there was no need for a fill. Finally, on my last visit, I discussed the issues again:

1. I still PB on occasion, but have learned how to control my bite size and how to chew, chew, chew for the most part.

2. It frustrates me that I feel hungry most of the day. I try to eat healthy foods, but I can still throw down a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger if I'm out and about and feel hungry - I don't want to be able to do that.

3. Yes, I'm losing weight - but it's kickin' my hungry a** to do it!

The doctor agreed to give me fill #5 because of my honesty about how this band is working/not working with me and because I had mentally overcome the issues I had with PBing (not completely - it's still a daily trial!).

Now? I am RESTRICTED - for sure. It's even more important that I take small bites, chew well, eat slowly and listen to my body. It does a great job of telling you when the food you've chosen to eat isn't going to work, when you're full, when you're hungry...but you HAVE to be willing to listen and respond appropriately - otherwise, THAT is when the PB monster comes to get you!

Edited June 10, 2010 by JoiaRox
Spelling Errors :)

[flowerchild 0]

I am having the same experience as you with the band. Had been pbing at least a couple times a week but still looking for food sooner than I should. When I went in to get a fill they would not give me one. Said 2x a week is too much regardless of the reason why I'm doing it. Dr. told me that is enough to cause a band prolapse or slip. They advised me to wait another month and come back in to reavaluate. Has been longer than a month now but I decided I am not going to get another fill until I get the vomiting or pbing under control. It has gotten better only a couple of times a month now so think I'm about ready for another fill. To me a fill was not worth risking a slip. I have been banded around 10 months and I still have user error sometimes. Old habits are hard to break. Working with the band takes some real patience but it is so worth it.

[panwere01 0]

Iam having the same problems, I got my 4th fill on the 26th of May and at first I was vomiting with every meal. It was a major shock to me because I had no problem eating whatever, whenever and however before this fill. I am now down to only vomiting 2-3 times a week. I called my doctor because not only with the vomiting I was also having severe pain when I ate too fast or didn't chew good enough. He told me that was happening(the eating too fast and not chewing good) because I was going 4-5 hours without eating anything and by the time I did sit down to eat I was too hungry and not listening to my body. He said that ideally I should be eating 6 small meals a day each no more than 200 calories. So if you figure you are awake 16-18 hours a day then you should be eating at least ever 3 hours. Since talking to him I have done this and I am having no problems and have lost 5lbs this week. Hope this helped a little but as we know all bodies are different and every doctors advice is different. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

[LeighaMason 19]

If I go too long without eating I get too hungry and I eat too fast. So I eat something every 3 hours or so 3 "meals" @ 250 cal each and 2 Snacks at @ 100-150 cal each.

Also if I get caught without food and go too long without eating and I am STARVING, I have an EAS Protein Shake and wait 10 min before I eat. This tames my hunger and gives me the self control to eat slow, take small bites, stop before I am too full, chew properly, etc. It really helps with user error and at 110 calories it is not a deal breaker.

ETA: I think you need a fill but user error will increase with each fill and of course the risk of slippage does too. I recommend 2 weeks of dedicated eating training to get the PBing under control and then fill.

Edited June 10, 2010 by LeighaMason