Hey guys and gals! I am 3 wks banded (yea!) and supposed to get my first fill on Monday but I'm super nervous. I have only lost 8 pounds post op but that was mostly the first week and havent done anything one way or another in 2 weeks. My food intake has gone up and occasionally I feel what I guess is restriction, I dont know. I am however very scared of my first fill because I dont want my pouch to stretch and I want to be able to eat real food soon (so far mushies). If I have too much restriction, or too little, how will I know? I have nothing in my 10cc band and my Dr wants to put in 4cc but should I tell him I want to start a little slower because I'm scared of the unkown or just go with it since he knows best? Help?? Thanks!!

Everything you're feeling and dealing with is perfectly normal. I had my surgery on 2-23 and went back for my first dr. appt. 4 weeks later (last week). As time went on after surgery I became hungrier and could eat more if I allowed myself. I think it has to deal with the swelling (inside) going down slowly. I had my first fill last week and it was

3 cc's. I honestly can't tell much difference from before with no fill. However, my doctor said that it could take up to 3-4 fills before she'd get it to the right spot. She told me that their goal is to have me at my "sweet spot" within 6 months. That seems like way too long for me, but i'm determined to do this and watching what I eat ALL the time. Hope this helps some. Hang in there and good luck!

My first fill was uneventfull. I don't remember how much it was. I felt no different, it took 3 fills for me to feel any restriction. I wouldn't hesitate to voice your concerns to your doc. but also listen to what he/she has to say. Come to a decision together. I don't think your pouch can stretch from a fill, that would take months of overeating from what I understand. Hope this helps and good luck.

Do not worry hun!!!! I was super scared!!! I got banded on 1-7-11 and after my surgery... no joke, I could eat the same amount I was eating before! I was SOO discouraged!!! I tried my HARDEST to stay on that 'diet'...but I couldn't! at one point I said 'I think instead of giving me a Lap band they made my stomach a endless pit!' I ate the same before surgery and subconciously as I was eating I was wanting to get sick!!!

I had my first fill in the begining of Febuary... he put 5cc's in there! He then told me 'These first couple fills, might not give you restriction. There is a 'Forgein object' in your body and your stomach is trying to 'fix' itself. So, what hapendens is that the stomach linning will try to adjust to the band, as it gets tighter your stomach will get thinner. HOWEVER, your stomach is NOT going to put itself in DANGER so it will ONLY get so thin and then you will start to feel restriction'

My first fill... I am NOT going to lie, it did NOT hurt... but the THOUGHT of it made it UNCOMFORTABLE your sitting there, and he does (which I'm hoping he told you this) stick a needle into your stomach... and you feel a pinch... but that's it! My doctor had to move around a little looking for the port... and I could see it, and hear it... but the creepy part of it was... i could NOT feel it!!!

My first fill lasted about three days. Then it was eatin' time!!! I ate alot... but not as much as I did before the surgery

The second fill, lasted for five days... then I started eating again, not as much as the last fill.. but still, more than I should have!

At each weigh-in I did lose weight!!!

This last fill... I HAVE the restriction I want! It is awesome! My husband is really small so, he doesn't eat much. Now.. when we go out to eat, he orders a meal I eat the salad... and maybe two bites of his food, and I am done!

In conclusion, it IS 'weird' feeling, however... there is NO Need to be nervous about it. And as far as '4cc's being alot' it is NOT alot!!!! the 2 cc's are to get it 'turned on'

I have 8cc 's and I am at my perfect amount!!!

The best of luck to ya, honey!!!

I think everyone gets nervous before their first fill, but it really isn't a big deal. 4 cc's doesn't sound like that's too much. My doctor had told me, that most people don't start to feel restriction until they have 7-9 cc's in their band. I had a fill last month that brought me up to 8 cc's and it was too much for me, so I got a slight unfill and at 7.5 cc's I finally have restriction.

Thanks for the tips. I guess that I will just have to experience this as I go and hope for the best. I am one of those control freaks that over analyze everything and research the death out of stuff. I just like to KNOW whats gonna happen but since everyone is different I will just have to wait and see. I have no fluid in my band but I can definately feel it's presence.

My first fill was 5.5 cc's and my restriction level is no different. I can still eat anything.

But getting the fill was a piece of cake. =)

Hey guys and gals! I am 3 wks banded (yea!) and supposed to get my first fill on Monday but I'm super nervous. I have only lost 8 pounds post op but that was mostly the first week and havent done anything one way or another in 2 weeks. My food intake has gone up and occasionally I feel what I guess is restriction, I dont know. I am however very scared of my first fill because I dont want my pouch to stretch and I want to be able to eat real food soon (so far mushies). If I have too much restriction, or too little, how will I know? I have nothing in my 10cc band and my Dr wants to put in 4cc but should I tell him I want to start a little slower because I'm scared of the unkown or just go with it since he knows best? Help?? Thanks!!

My first fill was 5.5ccs. I don't have any problems eating any type of food, But the fill killed my hunger. I could probably go all day without eating if I had to. If your doctor has a fluoroscope machine he can measure how much you need in your band. It saves time, trust me one fill is better than 10.

It's not exactly about restriction... after a while you start to be less hungry, and desire food less, and are full longer. But remember you have to control what goes in, it won't stop you. That's the hard part.

My first fill was 5 ccs. I was really nervous about the size of it because I was already doing well with my portion sizes and what I was eating, the only problem I was having was getting hungry within 2 hours of eating. I started to request a smaller fill but decided to trust the PA doing it and I'm glad I did...my portion sizes haven't changed (3 oz protein, 1/2 cup veggies) but I am no longer hungry at all between meals. I actually have trouble getting in my calories on most days because I am just not hungry.