I had my second fill a couple of weeks ago. With each fill I've experienced the same thing. I feel restricted for the first few days, and then I'm back to eating fairly normal meal sizes. Now, I'm eating probably half what I did before surgery and feel full longer, but I keep expecting with each fill that I should be eating less and less. That doesn't seem to be happening. I'm really worried that my pouch is stretching. I've mentioned my concerns to the nurse/dr, and they've told me that I couldn't possibly "accidentally" stretch my pouch, but I would have to actively be TRYING to stretch my pouch. I've never experienced the "productive burps" or any vomiting, so I don't think I'm over eating, just not feeling much restriction. Anybody else experience this?

You should stop comparing your journey to anyone else's. Your doctors office is spot on. What you're experiencing is normal and you shouldn't be looking for Pb or slime episodes. Not everyone experiences this.

It may take up to 4-6 fills to find restriction. Eat healthy and continue to follow your doctors advice.

It took me 3 fills and 4 months to find some restriction and my journey is quite normal. Took me 6 fills to find the green zone. Hang in there, I too was frustrated and pissed the weight didn't just fall off like I expected it to.

tmf

Edited January 20, 201412 yr by 2muchfun

I had my second fill a couple of weeks ago. With each fill I've experienced the same thing. I feel restricted for the first few days, and then I'm back to eating fairly normal meal sizes. Now, I'm eating probably half what I did before surgery and feel full longer, but I keep expecting with each fill that I should be eating less and less. That doesn't seem to be happening. I'm really worried that my pouch is stretching. I've mentioned my concerns to the nurse/dr, and they've told me that I couldn't possibly "accidentally" stretch my pouch, but I would have to actively be TRYING to stretch my pouch. I've never experienced the "productive burps" or any vomiting, so I don't think I'm over eating, just not feeling much restriction. Anybody else experience this?

Hello...

Band slippage does not work that way....in fact the symptoms of band slippage is when you can't hardly get solids down and experiencing daily "productive burps" you do NOT want to achieve that.

Also pouch dilation can happen two ways, it can happen when you are TOO TIGHT (red zone) and eating any food on a too tight band will eventually dilate your pouch to compensate for the food you are eating...

Pouch dilation can also happen when you are in the green zone and constantly eat past 4oz per meal and vomit and purge your food daily...it takes a while for this to happen, sometimes a few months and sometimes a few years.

Also you can't stretch your pouch on a "loose" band, when the band is tighten to the green zone or red zone this is when pouch dilation can occur because there is more pressure on the pouch and you have to be more careful with eating and productive burps at this level.

You probably have not achieved optimal restriction at this point sometimes it takes some people 3-6 fills before they reach the green zone.

Having the lap band requires patience.

Edited January 20, 201412 yr by NaNa

RELAX! ! Restriction is elusive. The 1st few days you are swollen after a fill. My surgeon has us on 2 days clear and 2 days full liquids to not have problem with the swelling. Perhaps it is not the quantity of the food but the quality of the food. Are you doing 4 oz of Protein with each meal? Are you eating it 1st? Are you drinking your 64 oz of Water each day? You seem to be losing weight fine. Why do you want to feel restriction? You should feel satiated after meals and if you are not able to go 3-4 hours between meals, you are not in the green zone yet. Best wishes, Karen..aka.kll724

Now, I'm eating probably half what I did before surgery and feel full longer, but I keep expecting

I think there's sometimes confusion about the word "restriction" (I know it took me awhile to figure this out!) The band shouldn't be so tight that you physically can't eat, or that you're pb'ing/getting stuck. You should be feeling satisfied on less food, and staying satisfied longer...based on what you wrote, your band is doing exactly what it's supposed to! Just make sure you're following the Protein first rule, as that's what will fill you up and keep you satisfied.

Thanks everyone. Once again, you've calmed my fears and given my great information. I hadn't been told about the Protein first rule, but that makes a lot of sense. I just keep hearing "the weight will just fall off" and I keep expecting that, but obviously those people don't know what they're talking about.