Hi,

I'm Julie, 28. I got banded almost 4 weeks ago, and I am going to have my first fill as soon as I get the courage!

I've always been chubby, but when I started work 6 years ago things got out of hand and I tipped the scales at 208 pounds. After losing and gaining the same 15 pounds 3 times over 4 years I decided to get the lap band.

My first milestone is 187 pounds, when I will fit into all my clothes. I am really close! 6 pounds to go!

My next big milestone is 154 pounds, which is what I think is my sexy weight! I have pics of me my senior year in college and at 154 I looked good!

After I reach that, I will see - ideally i'd like to be between 140 and 120 pounds - but I will give myself time to get there without too much urgency or pressure.

But for now the heat is on!

I feel somewhat restricted now with the band just fitted and not tightened. I am using that to eat better - get a bit of what I like - rice, sushi, Pasta, bread - and a lot of the healthy stuff.

My mother's been hugely supportive even though she did not support this surgery. She has been cooking and freezing Soups and mashed potatoes and veggies for me and is being a massive help. She also notices every pound - which is great when you're losing, not so great when it's the other way around

My main concern is that I'd like to be able to eat like a thin person - small quantities of everything. I am scared of the horror stories of what gets stuck in the band. I am hoping I will be able to reach a level where restriction is reasonable and where I can enjoy everything - even white bread, rice and pasta - but in moderation. I want to be in the driver's seat with the band giving me a nudge, I really don't want to let the band decide everything for me.

Right now is not the time to be eating bread and mashed potatoes they are loaded with carbs. I would find something with more protein and get away from the potatoes and bread for sure

No need to be scared of your first fill. Just follow your doctors instructions completely. After the fill you will have to go back to liquids and mushies a few days (each dr is different on how long). Stick with it. And then chew, chew, chew and eat slow. Practice putting your fork down between bites. If you are lucky like I was, you can get a substantial first fill, feel some restriction and no stuck issues. Yet!

so when people feel the restriction with no stuck issues, why would they go for another fill? Is it to lose weight quicker? or do they reach a plateau after a while, and then they need to cut down again?

How will i know when i need another fill?

@sanction - my meal plan for week 3 and 4 post surgery includes both potatoes and brown bread - was that not the same for you? Should i just be on fruit juices and veggie Soup all the time? I did that the first two weeks now i alternate one day vegetable soup one day mashed potatoes with minced meat for lunch - then i stick to non fat yogurt and fruits the rest of the meals.

I guess when I get a filling things will be different, i'll have to measure food in a cup, right?

superluli, follow your bariatric doctor's rules. You will find as time goes on that there is no one rule as to how or when to graduate to different consistency foods.

This is a time for you to learn what being satisfied vs. full means/feels to you. The feeling of full as I had viewed it (stomach stretched) will never be for me again. as LB4me suggests, try different techniques that will allow you some time to think about whether or not you feel full, chew, chew and then chew some more. This is a learned technique for most of us bandsters.

I am a big advocate of measuring, weighing, and keeping a food journal. It works for some and for some it does not. Starting out, it will give you a good idea of how those portions look and the journal may surprise you at the things that you eat and allow you to keep track of your carb, protein, fat intake.

Fills are just apart of the tool. If you are hungry (besides around the time to eat) within and hour or two of your last meal. or if you hit a plateau (same weight for a month or longer) you may need a fill. Speak to your docotor to see what his/her view point is. You will find that there may be some foods that you will not tolerate and then you may tolerate some that others can't. It really is an individual thing. Fills are not meant to lose weight faster per se. People lose weight at different rates at different times.

Congrats on your new life as a bandster!