Getting hungry after fill

[Surby 1]

Be patient!! I had my 4th fill 3 days ago, and I FINALLY feel a lot of restriction. It is GREAT! My doctor is very conservative with fills, but the PA did it this time, and she said she was giving me an agressive fill. It worked!! Don't give up!!! I think I'm all set for a while now. You'll get there, but keep bugging the surgeon's office for fills!!!

[I'm still here 0]

Carole - Did Dr. Spivak do your surgery? I was also banded on 1-12-07 and am wondering if we were in pre-op together at Park Plaza Hospital that morning ???

I am in the same boat as you - no restriction after the swelling went down and have not had a fill yet. I think I am going to see if I can go tomorrow for my first fill. I am ready to drop some weight and see and feel a difference!

Lynn :rose:

[barbara465 2]

Fills are the iffy part of this procedure. It takes time and patience until all is well and you are at the sweet spot for YOU.

The time after surgery, and before a fill, you are wide open. Some experience swelling from the surgery, but for the most part the band is there waiting. It is a time to heal, but you should be careful not to gorge.

Each fill can be different and each person has different reactions. They like you to wait at least 2 weeks between fills because some people don't react until then. I am one of those people that don't swell or react until 6-15 days after a fill.

Trust me you don't want to be too tight. Try to use a little self control while you are seeking the sweet spot in your fills. Remember it is a process. As you lose weight you will need more fill to get restriction. Agressive fills can cause some severe pain.

The fluro doesn't necessarily show restriction. I've gone in when I couldn't swallow spit and the fluro showed me wide open. They take a little out and the pain goes away and I can drink Water again. No change on the fluro.

Fills to me are like trips to Vegas - it's a crap shoot. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. In our case, sometimes there is restriction, sometimes too much, and sometimes not enough.

Give each fill a chance. Get to know your reaction to fills, how much you can take at any one time, and then play a more active role in your fill frequency and amounts.

The best way to combat the challenges of fills is also to balance your intake. I know most don't want to hear that. They think the band should do all the work. Well, that simply is not true. Just because you can eat a whole chicken doesn't mean you should.

Good luck to all.

[cjkerr 0]

Carole - Did Dr. Spivak do your surgery? I was also banded on 1-12-07 and am wondering if we were in pre-op together at Park Plaza Hospital that morning ???

I am in the same boat as you - no restriction after the swelling went down and have not had a fill yet. I think I am going to see if I can go tomorrow for my first fill. I am ready to drop some weight and see and feel a difference!

Lynn :confused:

Lynn, I had Dr. Marsden in Euless. I liked him a lot. Still no restriction here. I had my 1st fill on the 25th and I want to schedule another in a week or so. I don't know if they'll let me! Keeping my fingers crossed:)

[Bawilliams1 1]

Don't feel bad people! I am going for my 7th fill on February 16th and I still don't have good restriction!

[catfish 0]

:speechles I had a fill on Jan.29, 2007. The Dr. put a 2.4 cc fill in my 11 cc band. I got a good restriction. Since this was my first fill I'm having to learn to stop eating before I PB. I can only eat about a 4th cup of food. I was banded in september and my Dr. won't due a fill for 3 months after surgery. Because I was wide open for so long I'm having a hard time adjusting to the restriction.......but I'm getting there. (Lisa)

[cfincham 0]

How do you know when you need a fill?

[cfincham 0]

I had my surgery Nov 1st lost 20 lbs....gained 8 over Christmas...went for second fill.....still able to eat..any suggestions?

Desperate in Illinois:help:

[Betsyjane 2]

I have great news! I was so impatient, discouraged, and guilty trying to be good without feeling restriction. I kept trying to work the program, but fell back on old habits so often without the help of the band. Well, it's the difference between night and day now. My last fill worked! I love it. I love it! What was impossible is now just good hard work. I am eating according to plan, feeling satisfied, and that's it! I am just tickled! Cfincham.....I also lost 20 pounds, hovered, and then started to regain. Second fill didn't help me either. Try to be kind to yourself, and just do what you can....when you get the right amount of fill, it's a new day.

[Betsyjane 2]

Cfincham: Here's a great post that has been posted elsewhere, about how to know when you need a fill....

HowtoTellWhenYouArePerfectlyAdjusted:

You are losing 1-2 pounds per week.

If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week:

A. You may need an eating adjustment

1. Are you eating 60 grams of Protein a day?

2. Are you eating 25 grams of Fiber?

3. Are you avoiding all liquid calories?

a. Soup can be sign of soft calorie syndrome

b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories 7 calories per gram.(It's also a stomach irritant).

c. fruit juice is just sugar Water

4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods?

a. Are you avoiding soft foods

b. You can't just eat what's easy

c. cheese is glorified fat

5. Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of Water a day between meals?

6. Are you eating too much junk?

a. chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, Cookies and other highly processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a healthy diet. But don't avoid them completely to the point where you feel deprived.

b. Stay out of fast food places

7. Are you getting in two servings of Calcium daily?

8. Do you always eat the Protein first?

9. Then the vegetables or fruits

a. Five servings a day

b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable

10. Is your portion size appropriate?

a. meat or fish (3 ounces the size of a deck of cards)

b. Vegetables (½ cup the size of your fist)

c. Starch (If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don't need much - Avoid: rice, potatoes, pasta)

11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners

a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite

b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar

c. They teach you to like things too sweet

d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner than people who don’t

12. Avoid most diet foods

a. Real food usually tastes better

b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes

c. When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not that great (Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine.

d. The body has no way to break down artificial fats).

a. They may go into permanent storage

b. Some people think liposuction is the only way to remove

hydrolyzed fats from the body

B. You may need a behavior adjustment

1. Are you eating only when you are hungry?

a. If you're not sure drink 8 ounces of water and wait

2. Are you eating three meals a day?

a. With maybe 1 or 2 small Snacks

3. Are you sitting down to eat?

4. Are you eating consciously?

a. No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper away, pay attention to your food and your companions

5. Are you eating slowly?

a. Put the fork down between bites

b. Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal

c. Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying

6. Are you taking small bites?

a. Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork

7. Are you chewing well?

8. Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals?

a. Practice water loading between meals

b. You won't be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal

9. Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness?

a. Sometimes it's a whisper: not hungry, had enough

b. Hard stop versus soft stop

10. Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing.

11. Do not eat when you are not hungry

C. You may need an activity adjustment

1. Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week?

a. Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day

b. Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week?

c. Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes?

2. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your physical activity?

a. Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators

b. Walking on the escalators instead of riding

c. Parking your car further away from the entrance

d. Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through

e. Getting off the bus one stop before your destination

f. Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash

g. Playing with your kids

D. You may need an attitude adjustment

1. Are you committed to your weight loss journey?

2. Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are eating and exercising?

a. Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days

3. Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional

issues?

a. Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your

eating?

b. Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those

emotions?

c. Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor?

4. Are you attending and participating in support group meetings?

5. Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends?

6. Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically?

7. Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss journey?

8. Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating?

a. Obsessive compulsive thoughts (Obsess about something else)

b. Perfectionism (All or none, black and white thinking)

c. Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss

9. Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards?

10. Have you learned how to take a compliment?

11. Are you giving up diet mentality?

a. Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day

b. Stop dieting

c. Stop depriving yourself

d. Stop defining food as good and bad

e. Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food

12. How do you feel about all the changes taking place?

E. You may need a band adjustment

1. You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate portion sizes but getting hungry between meals?

2. You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large portions.

3. You are having to struggle to lose

4. You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and having a good mind set.

F. You may need your band loosened

1. There are times when you can’t get fluids down

2. You are vomiting too much

a. How much is too much?

3. Do you have frequent reflux or heartburn at night?

a. Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating

b. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime

c. Rinse your pouch with a glass or water an hour before bedtime

d. Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux:

(1) Rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods

(2) Chocolate

(3) Caffeine

(4) Alcohol

(5) Some fruits and vegetables

(6) Oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers

(7) Peppermint

(8) Baking soda toothpaste

(9) Carbonated drinks

e. Eat slowly and do not eat big meals

f. If you smoke, quit smoking

g. Reduce stress

h. Exercise promotes digestion

i. Raise the head of your bed

j. Wear loose fitting clothing around your waist

k. Stress increases reflux

l. Take estrogen containing medications in the morning

m. Avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime (Tylenol is OK)

n. Take an antacid (Pepcid complete) before retiring

o. Try other over-the-counter heartburn medications

p. See your health care provider

[koko1920 0]

Hello - I had a second fill on Jan 26. I had the flu...so only drank tea and Protein shakes the first few days. Then for a week I could eat. Suddenly last week I couldn't eat more than a few bites. Two spoons of Soup. I am burping, gagging. Even when I drink water! An air bubble forms and it won't go down. Although I know this will subside in a few weeks..I guess I'd like to know...how many weeks. I am thirsty!

Thanks!

[Betsyjane 2]

I have had alot of restriction in the mornings. I do so much better if I have hot Water or hot tea to open things up. I even heated my diluted Protein Shake, and it worked so much better. But if you can't get your water down, you sure don't need to wait weeks! You'll get dehydrated quickly! Try some hot Clear Liquids and see if that helps...

[Lorry123 0]

:help: I just got my first fill today 2-20-07 I was 199lbs when i got my surgery on Jan 30th Dr Speigel gave me 1cc I feel nothing except hungry what would happen if I ate something? I am so hungry the liquids don't stay with me on the drive home I was hungry and I keep drinking liquids but after an hour I am hungry again.

[DonnaMarie 0]

I just have had my 6th fill and FINALLY have restriction.. Patience is a virtue.. depends on the person, on the band etc.. you will get there!!

~Donnamarie~