Has anyone passed up on not getting the first fill ? I started off being 100 lbs over weight, I already lost 15 ore-op. just thinking of not getting the first fill to see if I can maintain eating small portions without a fill.

Usually the first fill doesn't do anything for restriction... I would say that you got the tool for a reason, so you should start getting it ready to use.

I was banded in October and I didn't get my first fill until January. I was losing steadily, eating only 3 meals a day, and easily keeping my daily calories between 800 to 1000 per day.

I have only had two fills thus far.

I was banded in October and I didn't get my first fill until January. I was losing steadily, eating only 3 meals a day, and easily keeping my daily calories between 800 to 1000 per day.

I have only had two fills thus far.

where you satisfied between meals? That would be my concern. I know I will opt for the first one because even though I am eating 3 meals and 1200 or less calories, I am still hungry in between.

I wasn't hungry between meals at all. My doc said that some people feel restriction with just an empty band. I guess I was one of those.

I wasn't hungry between meals at all. My doc said that some people feel restriction with just an empty band. I guess I was one of those.

Lucky you! I don't think I'll need too many fills, as I don't get crazy hungry like I used to on the same amount of food... BUT I definitely need that first one

Hi there, l was banded on the 15th feb and l said no to my first fill because l felt restriction and lm not hungry between meals. Sometimes l forget to eat and most times l am only eating 2 small meals a day. I have another appt this week and l still feel the restriction so most likely will be saying no to a fill. I eat healthy and lm no longer wanting to snack on the foods l use to pre- banded. I was also a huge soda drinker pre-banded and havent touched the stuff since, l just dont fancy it at all. Not sure how long this restriction will last with no fill but at the moment l am listening to my body and all the time l dont feel hungry l wont be getting a fill. No doubt the time will come when l will require a fill. My surgeon wasnt happy with me not getting a fill although he said my weight loss is good he reckons l still should of had a small fill because he said a week later that l would be feeling hungry. Well its been almost 4 weeks later and l still feel the restriction and not getting hungry so why have a fill.....

So...if you don't get a fill, can you not worry (as much) about tiny bites and chewing to mush?

And about the getting stuck thing as well?

Can you ever eat "normal" again after WLS??? I'm not talking about junk food @ every meal, I'm talking about good choices, but geez, can you not worry every minute about not eating and drinking @ the same time, tiny bites, chewing to mush, and getting stuck episodes??

Sounds like trading one obsessions for another, in a way.

So...if you don't get a fill' date=' can you not worry (as much) about tiny bites and chewing to mush?

And about the getting stuck thing as well?

Can you ever eat "normal" again after WLS??? I'm not talking about junk food @ every meal, I'm talking about good choices, but geez, can you not worry every minute about not eating and drinking @ the same time, tiny bites, chewing to mush, and getting stuck episodes??

Sounds like trading one obsessions for another, in a way.[/quote']

Yes you can eat normal. It becomes your new normal. I just had a nice dinner with the inlaws. It wasn't something I would cook for myself (veal parm and wheat pasta) but I just skipped the Pasta and ate small bites of veal until I was content. Gave hubby the rest. I didnt stress about sliming or getting stuck.

You get used to smaller bites. You get used to eating slower. It becomes normal.

I chat more. Take my time. No one pays attention to what you eat.

As for skipping fills... Why? That is the whole point of being banded. Some people are lucky and get restriction with just the band. If not, a few fills until you get restriction. There are different levels of restriction. Keep the band a little looser if you are concerned about getting stuck and sliming. Trade off is maybe a little slower weight loss and more work on your end. Your journey is completely up to you.

What is getting stuck? It sounds like choking. And sliming, what the heck is that???

It's a shame that in this day and age, all that is offered to us are these alternatives! I don't mind making good choices and eating small amounts, esp. if I'm not very hungry, but...tiny bites, chewing to mush, getting stuck and sliming...and that's after you go through a certain amount of risk having surgery, either jumping through an insurance company's hoops or spending $$$ out of your own pocket, so you can have a foreign object implanted in your stomach. Oh, or you can have most of your stomach lopped off or have your intestines rerouted. Wonderful.

Although l dont have a fill at this stage l do still have to watch how l eat such as chew my food to mush and tiny spoonful at a time, l cannot eat red meat or white bread. I can eat toasted wholemeal bread and a little bit of chicken if its in a casserole. I also have to eat slowly, after eating half a cup of food l begin to feel full and l stop eating. If l was constantly looking for food between meals then l would get a fill but until then all is good as lm not hungry. Guess l should think myself lucky really to have such restriction without any fill. Who knows how long it will last, be good if it was forever...

What is getting stuck? It sounds like choking. And sliming' date=' what the heck is that???[/quote']

Getting stuck basically is what it sounds like. If I eat too fast and don't chew well enough, sometimes the food doesn't want to go down. It sits there and you can feel it. Causes some chest pain and then your mouth starts creating saliva to try and move the food through. People call it sliming.

It's a shame that in this day and age' date=' all that is offered to us are these alternatives! I don't mind making good choices and eating small amounts, esp. if I'm not very hungry, but...tiny bites, chewing to mush, getting stuck and sliming...and that's after you go through a certain amount of risk having surgery, either jumping through an insurance company's hoops or spending out of your own pocket, so you can have a foreign object implanted in your stomach. Oh, or you can have most of your stomach lopped off or have your intestines rerouted. Wonderful.[/quote']

What do you expect? You didn't put the weight on overnight and it will take work to get it off. These are TOOLS to help. You don't have to do any surgery. Obviously you are here because dieting hasn't worked for you. If the surgical options disgust you so much, then go back to dieting. It is your choice.

It is hard work. No matter which route you choose. And since I don't own a magic wand that will melt my weight away... this is the route I have chosen.

Your journey to a healthier you is completely up to you. I hope you find your way.

I think it's a little early to say you will try it without a fill....you're only on the pre-op diet so why bother with the band at all? If you think you can do it without it, then that's great! But really, if you're getting the surgery I don't see the point of not utilizing it to it's fullest potential. Good luck.

Getting stuck basically is what it sounds like. If I eat too fast and don't chew well enough' date=' sometimes the food doesn't want to go down. It sits there and you can feel it. Causes some chest pain and then your mouth starts creating saliva to try and move the food through. People call it sliming.[/quote']

I'm post op one week but I've had no issues, nausea, nothin. I'm happy!

So, your food is stuck, youre "sliming". Then what? Do you vomit? I don't wanna vomit! Does drinking water help?