Im going tomorrow for my second fill. I was wondering if you are supposed to eat before a fill..or if it even matters!?:cry

When I get a fill, my doc wants me not eat 4 hours before. Clear liquids are okay. And after it's liquids for the rest of the day.

I've always eaten normally before and after fills. But I wouldnt have a huge breakfast and then have a fill, it generally tends to be mid morning when I see my surgeon so a few hours after breakie. I take lunch that day very carefully, but I've had no instructions to go on liquids or mushies after a fill. I've never had a problem.

My doc said nothing for 4 hours before, clear liquids for the rest of the day. 2nd and 3rd days full liquids 4th day start solids.

I'm to stop all food and liquids at midnight the day before a fill.

My doctor has no specific requirements before a fill. I chose not to eat breakfast because I was 5 weeks post-op and knew it would include a weight-in. After the fill he told me to go on mushies for the remainder of the day and back to normal the following day.

:-)

Marie

If my appointment is first thing in the morning I don't, but if it's in the pm I do.

carol134 vbmenu_register("postmenu_295541", true);

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Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetsue

Found this great article in a newletter on http://www.beliteweight.com/

Increase Your Chances of a Good Fill

The following suggestions are good rules of thumb and will increase your chances of getting a good fill.

1. Be sure you are very well hydrated when you come in for your fill appointment. That means at least 8-10 full glasses of liquid every day for at least several days before the fill.

(You really need this amount at all times anyway).

Drink especially well the morning of the fill. If you're flying in, it can be much harder to stay hydrated, so take a drink bottle and drink very often! Those little "to-go" packs of Crystal Lite are ideal - ask the flight attendants for a refill of your Water bottle, pop one in, and then you will have plenty to drink. Those little 4-oz cups of liquid they give you during flight are useless.

(Hint - While you're on the plane, also take a couple of those white barf bags –

good to keep one in your purse or car, both now and later for emergencies.)

2. Be sure not to have any solid foods for at least 6 hours before the fill. Don't eat a huge or late dinner the night before. If you're having any trouble (reflux, possible slip, etc)

please have nothing but fluids after dinner the night before.

In some cases, food can still be in the pouch for 12 or more hours.

3. Don't drink COLD fluids for an hour before the fill. That will shrink your stoma and give a false fluoro reading. Room temp fluids are fine. Let the ice in your drink bottle melt,

and then you'll have room-temp fluids to drink right up to the fill time.

4. Avoid getting a fill during a menstrual period or a few days before an expected one. During this time, we are usually retaining water, and the fluoro will not be as accurate.

5. If at all possible, hang around for at least a few hours after a fill. Don't run right back to the plane. It takes the normal swelling after a fill 1-2 hours to develop,

and by that time you might be too tight.

6. If at all possible, stay overnight and catch a plane out the following late afternoon or evening. If you are too tight, this will allow time to get a small unfill before you leave. This is not very convenient, but sure beats having to possibly return to TJ in a few days, on short notice, in pain, and at high last-minute plane fares! This is "prevention!" Overfills are not common, but they DO happen, even under the best of conditions. Be prepared, and think about this overnight stay.

7. After a fill, please have liquids only for at least 24 hrs. This allows the stoma to rest and heal. Then, a day of soft foods, then back to regular foods.

8. Review the eating and food guidelines again before every fill. You’ll need to refine your eating more and more with higher fill levels, and there will be less and less room for goofs.

9. Please don't get a fill if you are having ANY trouble with the current level of fill. This means ANY regular pain, PB or barfing more than maybe once a week at the most, not able to get enough

calories in, not able to drink enough, able to eat only soft foods or fluids.

More fill will NOT help, and will make things worse.

10. First fills are not routinely given at 6-8 weeks - but only as you need them. Many people do, some do not. We'll help you decide if you need a fill - just ask. There is no rush for fills. Too much can get you in trouble, and you end up further "behind" than if you had gone slower with fills.

Please remember that good fills are very elusive, even with highly- experienced people like The Kuri Team. There are just too many individual factors involved that the docs cannot control. Even the fluoro is only a clue, and not entirely accurate - for some of the reasons above. It usually takes 3- 5 fills to slowly and safely creep up on a good level, and they can be safely given a month apart.

Trying to go faster with a bigger fill is not the solution, and the stomach rebels at big sudden fills.

SLOW and GRADUAL is the key!

This can be frustrating, but is well worth the wait to avoid problems.

Here is the answer to all your questions.

Thank you Carol, for that very informative post. Answers to so many questions and discussions are included in it!

My doc says no food or liquid 2 hrs before a fill but last time I ate exactly two hours before (and a pretty big breakfast) and I don't think i got the right fill - i wouuld definitely go on a very empty stomach - the fill guidelines posted are good.b

I don't eat or drink before a fill. For the same reason I wear the lightest weight clothes I have.