Hi everyone.

I am new here. I was banded about 18 months ago. I have the smallest band (4cc?) and I had a partial fill when it was put in and then one fill since then. I don't know how much the second fill was but the dr treated me like I was a liar when I kept saying I hadn't felt anything yet as he was filling little my little. He eventually stopped because I think he thought I was trying to get an overfill or something.

Since then I have been battling in my head wether I need a fill or not. Most foods go down and I don't feel anything. I don't feel satisfied any sooner and I don't feel them passing through the band. Some foods however, mainly bread and meat, do not go down at all without tremendous pain. This started me drinking with my food. I know its a no-no but I get the feeling and if I don't drink a ton of Water to flush it through, it is crazy painful.. it just sits there stuck.

I've tried chewing better, but then Im back to the first issue where it goes through so easy that I don't feel any restriction at all.

I can't tell whether I need a fill or an unfill or what? I know some say that if it's stuck, your done, but it's literally the first bite most times. Am I suppose to never eat meat or bread again? Even if so, the other things pass too easily still.

Any thoughts are appreciated

You definitely don't need a fill, in fact I worry your band is too small. Most doctors stopped using that size band a couple years ago, and you just got yours 18 months? I would be very tempted to ask your doctor why he used that band to begin with.

Honestly, if I were in your shoes, I'd be getting a second opinion from another surgeon. Between the size of the band his reaction to you, yours really worries me.

I disagree. I think you quite possibly do need a fill. You shouldn't necessarily be able to feel food passing through but if you are choosing the correct type of foods and eating them correctly you should feel satisfied sooner(not full) and not get hungry again for a number of hours afterwards.

Stop eating bread, you don't need it and it is causing you problems. Only choose tender meats that have been cooked using slow cooking methods and have them with some sauce. Small bites , chewed well should be fine. Do not drink with your meals. If you still cannot eat meat this way then you may be too tight.

The size of the band should not be an issue.

I think a lot has to do with the way you are eating

If you can not eat 3 oz of solid protein you are too tight. If you can't go 4.5 hours between meals (which consist of low fat protein, low fat/cal veggies and some fruit) you may need a fill. I don't eat bread, pasta, rice. Just no worth the calories.

Read Jean McMillans article on the right side of this page under "Recent magazine articles". Here it is:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/page/index.html/_/support/post-op-support/how-to-eat-like-a-bandster-r58

You may need to find those foods that are nutritious and satisfying. It can take some time, sometimes months to sort this out.

tmf