Hello All...

I had LB surgery in October and yesterday I had fill #3 - up until yesterday I really haven't had much restriction, the first month was the healing month and getting accustom to the foreign objects in my body and the swelling - so the mushy diet was necessary - then I had my 1st fill the beginning of December - 6 weeks after surgery. My doc injected 4cc's into my empty band (he did suck out anything that was in there first, there was very little) - as hopeful as I was that I'd feel more restriction it really didn't happen - I would occasionally feel that soft stop burp - but that was usually after I had eaten quite a bit (upwards of a cup of food) - then the HOLIDAYS were here - and in hindsight I'm glad I wasn't real tight b/c I was able to enjoy myself without really feeling deprived. I even went to New Orleans and had a wonderful long weekend with my husband - and we ate some amazing cuisine all in moderation but well off the Atkins diet I had been practicing since surgery by doc's orders.

As soon as I came home from New Orleans I had my 2nd fill - he inserted 2 more ccs. This 2nd fill was a little bit tighter but I was still able to eat more than expected - I did loose 7lbs in January - too little for my liking but nonetheless - still a loss. I was floundering a bit on what to eat - so I downloaded the Lose It app and have been very good at entering my food intake and my exercise - although I think 1200 calories may be too high for me (doc agreed) - I would have thought my weight loss would be more than 7 lbs... again, a loss. Note: those calories have primarily been Protein and veggies - I've eliminated all flour products (ANYTHING with Flour) - I do eat nuts and avocados (probably too much fat - oh-well) and little to ZERO sugar.

WELL... I went in yesterday for my 3rd fill - and oh-boy, I NOW have restriction - gone are the days of gulping, I can see that already - I sipped sipped sipped all day yesterday and I can feel every bit slowly go down my throat and hit the top of my belt - trickle trickle trickle into my belly - so this IS WHAT it feels like! I may not be entirely there - but I can tell immediately this is different than how I was feeling over the past two months... I am eating mushies but it sure is taking a while to eat forcing me to slow the hell down - ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

One thing that I want to mention, while doc had the needle in my belly he injected 1 cc and then while he started to inject more you could see the pressure and resistance inside the syringe, so he only put in .5 more - so I am at 7.5 currently and he said that most of his patients are between 7 & 9 cc's with good results - he said to keep up the good work and he'll see me in 1-2 months - i scheduled a month out appointment.

Whether it's bandster hell or the journey - it's life (and MY experience - not claiming it's normal) and I hope this helps someone

Peace & Cheers!

You have to remember after a fill you are swollen and that fill may not kick in for two weeks or more. Hopefully you won't be too tight when it finally settles in.

Thanks for your update. Im going for my second fill next week and Im looking forward to progressing on my journey....Best of luck to ya!

I agree with Cheryl keep an eye on how your feeling. After my last fill I was OK, eating though less which was good and hunger was held at bay, then a week after I really felt the restriction tighten up and put me into the green zone. If I would have had any more Fluid put in at that fill I might have been too tight today.

For me the initial fill doesn't do much, it's after a week or so that I feel it. Not saying this will be your experience just keep an eye on how your feeling and if liquids are not going down give your doctor a call and let them advise you.

Welcome to the green zone!

You have to remember after a fill you are swollen and that fill may not kick in for two weeks or more. Hopefully you won't be too tight when it finally settles in.

That's why I went ahead and booked my appointment a month from now, but can always call, he is very good at getting you in if there's a problem. I'm not sure if I'm too tight yet or not - I'm actually worried about the other possibility that the fill will loosen - nonetheless I'm feeling good about the fill and for the first time I'm feeling like my body is responding the way it should be and the reason I went for a big gash in my gut. Seriously, up until yesterday I've been feeling like I'm on just another diet albeit very much committed. The difference now is if I want to just say - oh screw it I'm having a cheeseburger - well there is NO way I could get it down. Win win!

Congrats honey! Fill #3 was my magic number...I felt restriction after fill 2, so you might expect to reach the green zone on this fill or the next one.

Had my first fill in January. Feels like I have no restriction what so ever. Had and appointment next week for another fill, but I'm going to Florida next week to see my daughter and grandson. So I had to cancel my appointment. They can't get me in until March 3rd. Planning on another fill.

Still losing pretty good, but it does feel like I'm another diet. I am hoping this next fill helps

Congratulations on your restriction!