My last fill was sometime in May I think. Anyway it was so tight I had to have an unfill and I went 2 weeks on just liquids. After those 2 weeks I was good. I could eat small amounts and wasn't hungry.

Now suddenly for the past week I'm starving and I can't seem to stay below my daily calorie count. After being in so much pain from the overfill I said I would not get another fill any time soon so how else do I handle the hunger? I can also eat bigger portions than what I was eating. I'm drinking 8-10 glasses of Water a day and I try to focus my meals on solid Protein like steak, roast etc. because they keep me full for longer.

I would like to do my best to manage this without a fill b/c I'm scared of getting overfilled again and because I now weigh 161 and my surgeon doesn't want me getting below 160 so I don't think he'd even do another fill. My personal goal though and the goal my PCP set for me is 145- That will bring me to a normal BMI.

Advice? How often should you be doing fills? Oh and in the middle of starving for the past week last Friday I suddenly got tight for several hours and couldn't eat, but then it went away and I was fine again.

What's going on?

Have you lost weight or inches since your last adjustment (fill or unfill) ? If you have, that may explain the change in appetite dimming.

As to how often to get an adjustment.. my surgeon requires a minimum of a month between appointments (well, unless there's a need for an unfill.. that's different).

If you don't want to go in for a tiny fill.. you can try adding extra Water..yes, above 8 to 10 glasses. When I'm feeling less tight, I water load before my meals.. 20oz right before I eat seems to help me. You could also try low calorie, high Protein Snacks between your meals. I like the weight watcher's string cheese.. they're only 50 cal & 6grams of protein. Or a small Protein Drink if you like those.. Muscle Milk Light (8.5oz boxes) has 100 cal & 15 grams of protein.

Mild exercise, like walking, also seems to curb my appetite a bit. If I do something sweaty.. it tends to increase my appetite.. but that's not all bad as the calorie burn makes up for it a bit.

If you do decide to go in for a fill.. see if they will do just a tiny bump in Fluid. As I've gotten close to the same amount of fluid that you have, .2cc's (point 2) is plenty. I had my last .2 about May 26, and I was tight for quite a while. My next appt. is in Sept., and I don't think I'm going to let them adjust me then. But that could change if I miraculously lose a bunch before then. I'm sorta thinking that my next fill will be Nov-Dec-Jan.. sometime in there.

Best of luck in figuring out what's right for you!

Oh, and Amanda, I don't know how long you were obese, but if it was for an extended period of time, the BMI may not be accurate for you. People who were obese for a while tend to have heavier bones and that skews the BMI tables. And age makes a difference too. And your level of fitness.

Having a normal BMI is a worthy goal, but just wanted to share some reasons that it might not be reasonable for all people.

Thanks! I'm down 12 pounds since my last fill. My PCP has set a lower goal weight for me because I have arthritis in my knees. The theory is less weight=less knee pain, I hope anyway:)

Up your protein and fats, if possible.

Welcome to the Band...

If you go in for a fill, and they give you one because of the weight loss. Let your Dr. check you with a glass of Water, while the needle is still in the Port. I know that sounds gross, but he can adjust you, so if your to tight he can pull some out rite away. Then stay on Fluids for a while.

Also is it head hunger? or is your stomach growling?

You mentioned at times you are full ! That's the Band.. You never know which way it's gonna go. So if you choose a fill, there will be times you have no appetite at all, and it could stay that way for a while sometimes. Just so you know.

I am facing the same problem. I go in to the Office for a fill on the 25th. I can't let them get to tight because it can be very uncomfortable. So it would have to be just a Tweaking.

So I am trying to stay between 800-1100 calories a day, and I'm doing it.

Low fat foods like cottage cheese, and meats high in Protein, besides a shake.

So I don't know if I'll go, or Wait till next month when more weight is lost.

I guess I'll see by the end of the month.

Let me know how it turns out for you.

Where are you in your cycle (if you have one)? I have noticed that during ovulation, I am way hungrier than at other times in my cycle. I've learned to knuckle through it until my body returns to "normal". You might track hunger with your cycle to see if you notice clear patterns-- it might give you peace of mind and/or info on whether you really need another fill or if it's just a temporary hormonal fluctuation.

Shirley- it's stomach growling hunger

Zen-I've had my uterus removed but still have my ovaries so it could be cycle related

If your stomach is growling,,,, then your hungry.

Make your Dr, aware of this, so he's not thinking Head Hunger.

Once you have ate something, how long before your hungry again?

How long has this been going on?

Have you considered a protein with less fat/calories. Red meat is high in both. You may be able to cut your cal from protein in half by switching to chicken/fish.

Where are you in your cycle (if you have one)? I have noticed that during ovulation, I am way hungrier than at other times in my cycle. I've learned to knuckle through it until my body returns to "normal". You might track hunger with your cycle to see if you notice clear patterns-- it might give you peace of mind and/or info on whether you really need another fill or if it's just a temporary hormonal fluctuation.

Me too! I am worst around my cycle. I get so hungry, it's almost impossible to stay strict on my food intake.

I;m 3 months post op and still so hungry every day I have real physical pain not pangs. I am talking to my doc tomorrow about it again.

I wish I had some advice for you in this case! Good Luck!

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