Hey Everyone,

So I went in yesterday for my first fill. I was banded on the 13th of February so I was definitely starting to feel hunger and I was excited to have my fill. I got to the Dr.'s office and I was nervous because of how much I hate needles. To my surprise, it was fairly painless but I have to admit it felt a little weird when she injected the 4 ccs of saline into the port. It was like I could feel the band tightening around my stomach. Anyway, so she had me drink the Water and I didn't really know exactly what I was supposed to feel like. At first I could hear the gurgling sound, but I also felt like I could feel the water sitting in my throat. I (stupidly) thought that feeling would go away so I didn't say anything. BIG MISTAKE. Please please please do not ever do that! Like I said, this whole post is probably common sense for everyone but at the time I just assumed it would go away and I would benefit from having the band tighter. In my mind a tighter band = more weight loss.

So I leave and get out to the car and all of a sudden I start regurgitating the water. It started out that I was burping and a tiny bit would come up, but it progressed to me having mouth fulls at a time come up. By the time I got back to my office, I was drenched in sweat and felt MISERABLE. I went to the bathroom and the rest of the water came up. Thankfully I work with someone who has had the surgery, and she knew that I needed to go back to the Dr. She drove me back, and on the way there I was having back pains and pains like severe heartburn. I had to have 2 ccs out of 4 removed. As soon as they took it out, I felt 100% better! I couldn't believe how quickly my pains went away. I had some tea later that afternoon and some Soup for dinner that kept me full for hours!

I just thought I would share my experience with everyone. I feel stupid that I allowed that to happen, but I figured if I could make someone else aware and this not happen to them that I would do my good deed for the day! Just remember tighter doesn't mean more weight loss. It apparently means misery!

Yes my doctor has me take a nice sized sip..plus he can see it under fluro which is why i'm happy he does it that way...and a fill can takw 2 weeks till u feel the reall effects...so weird but true

Yes my doctor has me take a nice sized sip..plus he can see it under fluro which is why i'm happy he does it that way...and a fill can takw 2 weeks till u feel the reall effects...so weird but true

Great to know! my first fill is April 11th. I am nervous because I have been eating fine with no restrictions. I keep reading how much everyone is losing before their first fill. I have only lost 17 lbs and feel like I am doing something wrong. So I keep thinking "I need my first fill".

One of the BEST pieces of advice I got before my first fill was to not sip water, but take a big drink of water before leaving the office. This way, if you're over filled, you'll know immediately.

I had my 3rd fill today without issue, however both of my first two fills I ended up gurgling water back up. I took small sips with no issue, but both times when I took a big gulp I had horrible pressure and water gurgling back up my throat. I was totally unable to swallow and it hurt. My doc removed a little fluid and I was immediately fine.

Anytime you get a fill, take a BIG drink of water before leaving the office. You will save yourself so much time and trouble if you do.

just reading this and it makes sense. i certainly dont want to get caught out with my fills, mainly because i live so far away from the dr. so, as im travelling nearly two hours, perhaps if i took water with me and had a big drink just before going in ?? what do you think??

They give u water to drink when they test the band. U need to take a drink after they tighten to see how it goes down

This truly makes perfect sense and I will do it the next time I go in. They usually only give you a small Dixie cup of water so I could never tell for sure!!! Crazy!!! I've been banded almost three years!! Thank you for all the tips! Just goes to show you that everyday we can learn something new! I love this site!!

just reading this and it makes sense. i certainly dont want to get caught out with my fills, mainly because i live so far away from the dr. so, as im travelling nearly two hours, perhaps if i took Water with me and had a big drink just before going in ?? what do you think??

You have to take the gulp of water after the fill, not before it. Almost all doctor have you take a drink of water after anyway, but most people just take a sip not a big drink. It's the big drink that's necessary.

You have to take the gulp of water after the fill, not before it. Almost all doctor have you take a drink of water after anyway, but most people just take a sip not a big drink. It's the big drink that's necessary.

o.k.. so its not before its after, thanks for that.

This truly makes perfect sense and I will do it the next time I go in. They usually only give you a small Dixie cup of water so I could never tell for sure!!! Crazy!!! I've been banded almost three years!! Thank you for all the tips! Just goes to show you that everyday we can learn something new! I love this site!!

Jen75.. after three years do you have some tips for us?? things that you have learned along the way that you can share?? we would love to hear of them.

Jen75.. after three years do you have some tips for us?? things that you have learned along the way that you can share?? we would love to hear of them.

Hmm, I have tips on what not to do!!! Haha

First off, I am coming up on my banivesary! I was banded April 2, 2009. As im reading many of the new bandsters questions, I think back and say to myself, That's right!!! I should be doing this or that!! Lol I have so much to relearn from all of you! Thank you for this! I was fortunate, I suppose as my surgeon put 5 ccs in my band at time of surgery. Then my NP wanted to get me as full as possible by my 3rd month post op! I did really well, dropping about 78 pounds.... I didnt think I needed to exercise because let's face it, I was losing without it! (big mistake!) I felt good but a few episodes which I now know as sliming and PBing really irritated my band! I lived with the uncomfortable feeling for about 6 months. I wasn't losing anymore so I went to my surgeon and told them... I wasnt completely honest with them (as I had the thinking "more is better") i had about 8.5 ccs in a 10cc band. I would follow all the "rules" for a couple of months and then get tired of not eating because of being uncomfortable ALL THE TIME so I started eating "sliders." (another big mistake) I gained probably about 8 pounds. Went back to the doctor (was totally honest about my behavior, eating habits and the a forementioned "more is less" theory and after a year and a half had Fluid pulled out. I felt great and honestly, I enjoyed eating all the things I couldn't before.... Needless to say, I put on a total of 25 pounds. I wasn't happy. Went back to the doctor for a fill. I feel great now... Eating right, losing again and following all the rules! I go back again on the 4th for a checkup and honestly will probably have some fluid pulled out. Not sure where that will put me. I am following the rules but it is difficult to eat solids.

So with that said... Things you can learn from me are LISTEN TO YOUR BODY and GET FREQUENT CHECKUPS and be HONEST with YOURSELF and the DOCTOR! We can be our own worst enemy at times! Like some of you I didnt know what to expect and just DEALT with things because I didn't know. This site which I just found has been a huge inspiration!

Some other things I have learned, I had to deal with my emotional eating issues... Head hunger and my addiction to food. It is was my friend, I was a closet eater, eating because of the stress, loneliness, anxiety, etc. it has been tough and I have to be mindful of it DAILY! One thing I also never expected was the attention I received when I was losing. The comments of "your so Pretty or wow, you look great" were actually an enemy and not inspiring. (still working on this one) well intentioned comments make me feel even worse because it makes me wonder what they thought of me before. My own self talk and self esteem are my worst enemy. Reminding my self it is not about what I look like but my Heath helps.

As for the physical side of things, I have learned that I can't eat for several hours after I get up. Stress does not allow me to eat. Nighttime is an enemy because of old behaviors. I rarely eat out because it is simply not enough time to eat( for me at least) Fortunately, my husband who is extremely supportive is a large part of my success. My parents are also a huge support system. I still have issues with portion control. Even though I eat on small plates, I still occasionally load it up because my "eyes are bigger then my stomach." I don't eat it all but the "you must finish everything on your plate" theory is still engrained. Although I suspect I am close to the "green zone" I will always have to be mindful to eat the Protein and veggies. Not the bread and pastas.

I AM NOT someone that you should model after as I have not done everything correctly, but I do hope that you "newbies" can learn and NOT DO what I did. I am fortunate that I did not have any band slippages or other issues. My band is a TOOL not a "FIX IT" and although I knew that going in it is easy to FORGET.

I'm sure I will get a lot of flack about this post, especially from those that are so successful and have sone everything correctly, but just know, it is a JOURNEY of self discovery and constant MINDFULNESS. I am STILL learning. I have recommitted and my goal is to not become COMPLACENT so that I can lose my remaining 40 pounds. I have started exercising and find it a great stress relief and wonderful "me" time. I was so used to giving to everyone else, I didn't know how to take care of me. I hope this helps. Know that I am learning from all of you also. Thank you for all your posts. They have been inspiring to me! This is a long post but has been cathartic in the fact that I can reflect on the things I have done wrong and learn to correct them DAILY! Thank you for asking!

One last thing... The band did not fail me... I failed the band. It was always doing what it was supposed to do...waiting for me to do what I was supposed to do! I wasn't following the rules like I should have been. I have never regretted nor will I ever regret getting it. I did my own self sabotage... Not the band! Just wanted to put that out there!

I'm surprised they let you leave without drinking water in the office? Definitely bring water with you and wait for 15 minutes in the office after your fill. Drink some; I would say medium sized sips. You will know then if you're too tight. I remember after one fill, I had some water and was immediately feeling nauseous and like I was going to throw up. Too tight! They took some fluid out right there.

Jen thank you for being honest. I understand what you mean when you say "receiving flack" about your post. I too have cheated and it gives me hope knowing and reading the what NOT to do. I have only been banded for 4 weeks and feel absolutely NO restriction. I won't have my first fill for another 2 wks. All I hear is how much progress everyone has had before their fill. I've only lost 17 lbs since my pre op liquid diet. Unless I go back to liquids, I'm eating like normal. Just small portions.

I hope it gets better and I'm thinking the fill will help. Feeling hungry and wanting to snack is my battle right now. My surgeon didn't fill my band during surgery. So please tell me what I need is a fill?

One last thing... The band did not fail me... I failed the band. It was always doing what it was supposed to do...waiting for me to do what I was supposed to do! I wasn't following the rules like I should have been. I have never regretted nor will I ever regret getting it. I did my own self sabotage... Not the band! Just wanted to put that out there!

thank you so much for your post. sharing some of these issues has been a real eye opener for me as well. i see myself in what you are saying, even though im only just post banded. Nevertheless, this last 10 days has forced me to re evaluate how i perceive myself , what weaknesses im going to have to confront, and how to adapt with a new mind set. after all, there really is no going back. who in their right mind would want to have this surgery to just continue on the same old lifestyle??

Im going to have to deal with lack of self worth simply because i was so overweight. im also going to be careful how i deal with compliments. ive had a lot , just in the last few days. i dont want to place all my self confidence on how i look either. there is way more to me than that. i am grateful now that i have a support system in place, within my body, that is there to help me all the time.

Im heeding the traps that you fell into. thanks for sharing that. im going to remember these. forewarned is forearmed they say. lol. .. well, its true. Im so glad that you have a supportive family with you in all this. its so important. i have my husband supporting me.. well, as much as he knows how to. lol. He is trying , thats for sure.

i see my specialist today. you have just reminded me how important it is to start off being completely honest about my eating behaviour, right from the beginning. this is my first visit. bless you Jen75 judy

Thank you Judy! Your kind words are so very helpful!