Do I really need a fill??

hopeful_Vicki · March 8, 2006

Hi all,

New to this board and pretty new to banding as well. I have been trying to stick to my diet which is protien, Protein, protein. I only eat small portions (around 3 to 4 oz) twice a day and I have a protien shake in the morning. My problem is I am still hungry so I am thinking about getting my first fill. I just question if it's really what I need because I know I'm tight. Well, some days I do and others I don't feel like I have ever been banded. The other day after only a few bites of chicken breast I felt like I was going to have a "heart attack" the meat was just stuck and it was the most awful feeling ever, I had to force it down with drinks of Water because it just wouldn't move up or down. This to me doesn't sound like someone in need of a fill from what I've read but yet I am still finding myself hungry and doing the mental fight not to eat. I actually fell off the wagon on Monday and ate a piece of my sons birthday cake and it went down with no problems other than the huge onset of guilt that came after finishing it. Wondering if getting a fill will help or if it's all going to be mind over matter from now on and I have to get tougher with this battle? I know that not eating is depressing and eating is depressing so I find myself in some pretty bad moods sometimes all because of FOOD! Looking for advice from anyone who has had fills or just has more experience with the band. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Vicki

228/198/140

down 30 .lbs but a lot of that was lost on the pre-op diet

cashley · March 8, 2006

I'm also pre-fill and go back and forth with thinking the band is tight to thinking it's too loose. I'm getting a fill on 3/21 and my doctor said things will get better. He said I wasn't chewing well enough if stuff was getting stuck at this point. I hate to admit but he's most likely right. I think I'm chewing well but put too big of a bite in, then swallow part and chew chew chew the rest. Well that first swallow is the big chunk that's getting stuck. I'm trying to learn but it's a hard habit.

JJB · March 9, 2006

I was feeling the same way. I would eat and I didnt feel full but I would get hungry in about an hour. It actually scared me to know that I could still over eat if I had a weak moment. I went yesterday for my first fill and I am really feeling better just knowing that there will be more restriction. The great thing about this band is if you get a fill and it seems like your to tight. You can get some taken out. I was so scared of getting a fill but there was nothing to it. I really worried for nothing. So just make sure you get one if you need.

hopeful_Vicki · March 9, 2006

Thanks to both of you for your advice. I completely believe you are right about swallowing that big bite before chewing it all up. I took much smaller bites today. I also have decided to go ahead and get the first fill and see how things go. I am pretty sure it will be a couple weeks before I get in to get one because my surgeon likes to do a whole bunch at one time. I wish you both good luck as we all travel on this journey.