Not So Newbie But New Again?! When Is Fill Enough? Re-Introduction

Hello Everyone -

I am on here to re-intorduce myself. I actually had a band put in 2 1/2 years ago now. I was doing really well until my gallbladder started acting up and I had it removed. Then I went through a long journey of bile reflux and problems (not band related but try conviencing doc's of that when you have a band and reflux issues!) (You may still find old post about it on here) . Anyhow, I was unfilled completely for a year. I managed to keep losing and eventually lost a total of 98lbs. I will say that A LOT of that was from being unable to eat due to the bile reflux problems. Earlier this year I decided that I had been symptom free for long enough that I would try fills again. I am up to 6cc and I feel like a newbie. The main problem is that the excitment and commitment with getting the band is no longer there. The other problem is that I am having to teach myself the rules all over again. I eat too fast, too big of bites and so on. I used to measure out portions and now I don't. The band does keep me from over eating but I have made many wrong choices lately. I spent almost six months unable to do anything but drink ensure because of the reflux. So when I could eat I would take whatever my stomach could handle! I found that sugars where the easiest to digest, I guess they break down easy.

I went on meds for depression and after switching around (under doc supervision) and finally finding one that agrees with me, I am learning that it gives me the munchies like a pot head! AND mostly a sweet tooth! I spoke to the doc today about coming off of that med. I am recommiting myself to this band. Do to the muchies, bad choices and such...I have put back on just over 15lbs. My doc says that is not bad considering I was unfilled for a year. It is bad for me.

I started low carbing last sunday. Until I get to a fill appropriate for me. That is one of the problems. I can't gauge it. Sometimes I feel wide open and at other times I get stuck (I imagine from eating too much or fast). I do feel hungry in between meals but sometimes have to figure out if it is head hunger or med munchies.

Right now I am having a fight with a piece of steamed brocolli and it is winning! Sometimes I can tolerate things and others times the same thing will not go down. This is a fical little device I have. I should also mention that before my gall bladder surgery when all was going normal and I had already lost about 50lbs, I had 8cc in my band, had NEVER had a stuck issue AND there where NO foods that I could not tolerate. Now the list of foods is long and I get little "sticks/stuck episodes" a lot.

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Sorry for such a long re-intro..... Would love to hear from some old timers about when and how you KNOW you are at the right fill for you and what type of foods you have problems with. Absolute no's for me are potatoes or eggs. (Try doing low carb with NO eggs for breakfast!).

Thanks

Outside-looking-in (again).