I had a question. I have had one fill, I have been able to eat anything. But I have noticed that my first bite of dense food for the day I'm always getting stuck on. After I get stuck once then everything else goes down fine. It took me awhile to figure this out, because I kept switching to just liquids after. Is it possible to get stuck on green Beans one day but not the next. Does anybody know why I would be getting stuck on my first bite of a meal? It has to be dense food though mushies go down fine. And this is just not in the morning. Would I not need another fill with this going on. I don't stay full for 4 hours on a cup of food. Thanks for your help

~~~Stephanie

Hi Stephanie, i could have written your post! I am having the same thing happen to me. The first bite gets stuck right in my throat, but once it goes down, I don't feel anymore restriction and can pretty much eat anything. The only thing that slows me dwn is when I feel like that, but I still don't get a full feeling. I have 6.5cc in a 14cc band. I'm wondering how much more its going to take. Also to anyone who can help, is there a vitamin or supplement i can take for hair loss? It seems to be coming out a little more than usual.

SaraJ= BIOTIN for hair loss.. it's over the counter

Stept04= 1 Fill usually isn't going to provide restriction...Sorry but you will be able to eat anything, that is where the reduced calories part of having a lap band comes into play. Is it possible that the First bite is too large?

As banders we have to learn early on to chew, chew, chew until it's like mush. reason for this is because as the band is fuller the stoma is smaller and were unable to eat large pieces of food. So it's better to learn now opposed to later when it might really hurt and get stuck.

It's possible to get stuck on anything one day and not the next, the band is a fickle beast.

Normal fills are done 6 weeks post -op then monthly thereafter ...so it depends where you are in that process...also some Doctor's go by what you tell them in respect to how you have managed your last fill. SO getting your Dr's advise as to whether to have another fill is important.

I believe your too early into your experience to have satiety from 1 cup of food and expecting it to last for 4hrs...BUT you'll get there eventually.

You should also be testing you band on dense protein not mushies. If dense protein cannot go down in small bites, then you are too full and not eating properly for the band. It is not about restriction, it is about eating right and being satisfied. For the first six months, you are going to have head hunger. It is truly hard to figure out. Eat the appropriate amount 2-3 ounces of dense protein along with 1/3-1/2 c of veggies and 1/3-1/2 c of good carbs. Wait 20 minutes after you eat that and then you should decide if you are still hungry or not and how long before you are truly hungry and not head hungry. Test yourself by getting a drink, go for a walk, or something when you think you are hungry and if you can avoid the food, it was head hunger. A stomach growl is not hunger, typically gas as you are swallowing a lot of air!