(I hope this is okay - I also posted this on the "Fill discussion group", but since a lot more people read this group, am duplicating here):

Hi all-

I'm wondering if the ability to swallow pills or big Vitamin tablets could be used as an indicator of degree of restriction?

Do those of you who have good restriction (losing weight, feeling full easily) also have the ability to swallow regular size pills, e.g., aspirin, without the pills getting stuck? How about standard vitamin tablets - much bigger than aspirin? Or do you have to take chewable Vitamins or grind up your pills?

I'm trying to figure out whether I need a little more fill - I'm finally losing weight, but it's very slow, and I am able to eat considerably more than many of you - it generally takes a cup of food or more to feel "full", if I'm chewing well enough that nothing gets stuck. However, I'm a little reluctant to get more fill because I currently can just barely swallow a regular vitamin tablet or capsule; that is, I swallow the tablet with a little Water, and it may take 10-15 minutes for it to work its way all the way through the "stoma" where the band is - I can feel it moving through. Then I can take the next tablet. This is an improvement from immediately after my last (5th) fill - for a few weeks, I couldn't swallow any pills whole - had to grind or chew them (and some taste horrible!).

Is the fact that I am indeed still able to swallow a good-size vitamin tablet, albeit slowly, a sign that I could use more fill in order to get the full benefits of the lap band?

Thanks for any feedback,

Julie

Hi Julie... I'm not currently losing, i need to lose more.. Been banded 2.5 years. I have fairly good restriction. I can swallow small pills, but one at a time.. and I have to wait a minute or so between em. I wouldn't attempt a big vitamin, too big.

I do think that my ability to take medication in pill form is related to how restricted I am. I have had one fill and after it I noticed that I did have to be careful about even smaller pills -- I take Paxil for panic disorder and the pills aren't that big, but I would have to break them in half. Now, I know I need a fill b/c I can take them whole -- in fact I can take 1/2 of a vitamin pill. So, for me, it's actually a good guage of restriction.

I do think that my ability to take medication in pill form is related to how restricted I am. I have had one fill and after it I noticed that I did have to be careful about even smaller pills -- I take Paxil for panic disorder and the pills aren't that big, but I would have to break them in half. Now, I know I need a fill b/c I can take them whole -- in fact I can take 1/2 of a Vitamin pill. So, for me, it's actually a good guage of restriction.

Thanks, that's helpful! A question: When you've got good restricion, about how much solid food - e.g., meat, fruit, vegies - can you eat before you have reached your limit and/or are full? 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, 1 cup, or more?

I rather dread the thought of being any more restricted, because I'll have to be that much more careful about chewing thoroughly, etc., in order to avoid PBs or blockages. But if the weight loss gets any slower, it might be advisable. After all, we got the lapband to help with weight loss, and fills as needed are part of the process...

Thanks again,

Julie

Hi Julie... I'm not currently losing, i need to lose more.. Been banded 2.5 years. I have fairly good restriction. I can swallow small pills, but one at a time.. and I have to wait a minute or so between em. I wouldn't attempt a big Vitamin, too big.

Thanks for the info. It was over 4 months and 5 fills before it became at all challenging to swallow any pills or Vitamins, that it's a rather new experience for me, so it's useful to hear that it's to be expected if you've got good restriction.

Julie

Pills terrify me. Im 4 weeks out and I am still breaking, chewing, and opening capsules to prevent pain with meds. I take vytorin which is a small caplet but I break it. Prevacid is a capsule and I open it. I am going to have the next refill of prevacid done with the oral dissolve tabs.

My surgeon put a mental fear that anything larger than an asprin has to be broken, opened or chewed.