I was banded May 9. It's about time for my first fill. And I don't think I want one. :nervous The fills come with the aftercare, so it isn't a financial issue.

I'm afraid that if I get a fill, I'll start pb'ing and sliming and such. Like it will ruin a good thing because now I'm able to eat anything I want. I still eat small quantities but can eat normal sized bites. I feel full, and I am losing 1-2 lbs a week.

I've only had one golf ball and it wasn't awful, just uncomfortable. Is the whole process really so much better after getting fills?

Hey Stitchy,

I am fortunate enough to have a Dr who really examines my eating patterns before deciding to do any adjustments. I wasn't sure I wanted my first fill for all the reasons you've listed. After further discussion with my Dr, I decided to go ahead and get 1cc. His goal was to see me eating 3 times a day, no snacking, and spacing my meals 4 hours apart. That small fill in my 4cc band was perfect. I could eat anything but I had to be more careful about chewing well and eating slowly when it came to meats, and it controlled the quantity of food I could eat.

Over the last couple of months, I've really struggled with the decision to get more put in. I haven't had a PB either, only that golfball feeling when I know its time to stop eating. But I saw my portion sizes slowly increasing. Last month I told the Dr I thought I needed a fill, but after he looked over my food journal and considered my weight loss, he said he'd rather I just keep on the way I was.

My portion sizes continued to increase. Last Sunday night I ate a 9 ounce steak, baked potato (no skin) and broccoli. My intent was to take half the meal home, but I ate it all. Tuesday morning I was in the Dr's office asking for a small fill. He agreed and gave me .5cc. I'm on liquids so I don't know how it affects my ability to eat solids yet. My hope is that it will only control the portion size and not restrict what I can eat. I enjoy eating salad, broccoli, chicken and steak and rely on those healthy foods for my calories and Protein. If I find it does interfere, I'll be in there getting some taken out!

Don't worry about schedules or what other people do. Only you can know your body and what you feel comfortable with. My Dr told me that it's important that I use the band to its full potential to get the most benefit from it. I told him that it's also important for me to learn how to modify my eating habits on my own. I don't want the band to do it all for me. It's my helper. I do not want to end up bewillered, scared and 300 pounds again should I ever lose my helper.

Hi bajhealthy!, Just about 2 weeks ago I really have no knee pain at all. Some lower back pain but not much. Every day my band is different. Today I have no appetite at all. Its amazing. Next week I go to Las Vegas for the weekend and have to deal with going to the buffets. This should be interesting.

hi Photonut! I agree with your post. I really have to go with how I feel. I know someday I will need a fill but the time is not now. I manage to loose every week. Even if the scale goes up a few lbs its off in a day or 2. I guess everyone is different.

I received my first fill yesterday and I don't feel any difference what so ever. I am still very hungry, and I put back on 5lbs because of my lack of feeling full. I was at a 43lb weight loss after being banded April 27th, I don't want to continue to put on weight. I'm calling my doctor back today and let them know that I have no restriction what so ever. If your doing OK without the fill, then don't get... My weightloss has turned into weight gain and frustration has set in... Can you tell LOL!!!

I'm in the no fill boat too. I like eating normal serving sizes. I chew normal too (not chew chew chew to goo). I also eat normal bite sizes as opposed to micro bites and I eat at a farely normal pace as opposed to taking over 30 minutes to eat a meal and a minute between bites. I'm happy and content with no fill, but after today's binge I was starting to question my position.

If you are losing 1-2llbs a week - you don't need a fill. I know way too many bandsters that are so tight they have liquuids all day and choke down a small amount of dinner and that is not good. Why don't you wait until you weight loss slows and or your food intake increases etc? You are learning to eat well, take small bites and chew which will help at any restriction level to not pb - believe me I've done it and I'm not too tight, just bad habits and it is not a good thing. And one more thing, most of the people I know who get filled in the US have a standing appointment every 4-6 weeks and they do tend to put in a little at a time but there is no reason you have to follow this - you shoud get a fill when you feel like you need one and you don't seem to now. good luck!