I was going to just respond in Lila's thread, but thought we'd get a better array of answers if it had it's own thread.

Lila was saying how tight she was. Mandi was explaining how tight she was with her last fill in the first few weeks after. I remember when Mandi went threw that, she could barely eat anything. I was also the same, I went for my third fill in November, took a few days, then bam, was sooo tight, could barely eat anything. Then after a month or so, just like Mandi, could eat a little more close to normal. I'm even contimplateing another fill in January.

So whats the deal???? Why, and how can that work?? I'm not complaining, I just don't get it??? Who knows the answer??

No comment... I dunno. I contemplate fills now and then. As much as some days I think a fill would definitely benefit me, then the next day comes, and I have problems with EVERYthing I eat. Way too fickle!!! Look at me... I've been milkin' the same fill since August! It's good, and lucky for me, I suppose.

I'm not complaining either... I'll take it. I will truly wait until I don't lose for at least 3 weeks in a row, make sure I'm doing things the way I should be, then see about making the trek to NS for one!

I have a problem with Jacks response. I haven't been able to find consistently what habits I should be forming. I was told to follow the Canadian food guide but found out quickly that whole grains don't go down so easy. Fresh fruit and raw vegetables are quite an ordeal. Breakfast is almost impossible and from day to day some foods are OK and the next forget it. So for now I try to get some form of Protein during the day and anything else healthy is a bonus.

To fill or not to fill, that is the question.

Im totally in agreement with Jack, I tend to think this is the "secret" of the band's success, and its why I'm glad I have a band and not any other type of WLS. I actually WANT to make those decisions, I WANT to feel as if I"m learning and its my conscious actions that are getting me the results I've enjoyed. If I were to lose my band I would want to think that I have made some quite significant lifestyle changes that would stand me in good stead for a lifetime of good health. I really feel that I have.

But, lol, if I could turn a dial and select perfect restriction to the point where I would just lose but not PB, then I would do so in an instant. I dont have much left to lose but I just want to lose it quickly!

Wheezy we're all different in what we will or wont tolerate but I personally would call that too tight. It would alarm me greatly not to be able to eat 3 healthy squares a day, and I wouldnt tolerate it, I'd be having fill removed. In the same vein as what Jack is saying, I do think that to have that balance, where you can eat well, you have to also have that leeway where you can eat badly or overeat if you choose, its just the way it works.

At my last appointment the lady explained to me this way: if you are too tight, and eat something that inflames the band, you will become tighter. Then it will heal and loosen up again until you upset it again. Then it becomes a vicious cycle. If you retain Water, you will be more restricted.

When I told her my way of eating (coffee in am, little lunch, eat alot at dinner, but always a lot of mushie type stuff) she told me that I was too full. When she looked at my images she decided that removing .4 cc's would be best. Now I feel wide open, but when I eat I feel no pain.

Give me a week and it may change, it may change with each thing I try, but at least we can have it adjusted to fit our needs. Fickle, yes. But what works for you (1.6 in 4cc band) may not work for me (.8 in 4cc band). That is the beauty of the thing.

Good thread Cloe. No comment other than yep...I agree it is fickle. But I do need another fill (12 Jan!) but I haven't had one since Aug!

When y'all figure out how this fickleness works.....call me!