I've been delaying posting because I go back and forth on this issue.

I had my 2nd fill a week ago tomorrow.

I was at 5cc and am now at 6.44cc's (Swedish band)

Anyhoo....... I have to eat VERY small bites. I have an uncomfortable feeling when I eat and obviously, I can't eat very much. I'm also struggling to drink the amount of Water that I need to every day. Before this fill, I could easily put away at least 64 ounces a day, now I'd be doing good to drink 18-24 ounces.

Today I was sick to my stomach all day, but I think that was caused by the Isopure drink that I drank this morning to try and get my Protein in. I just can't tolerate protein very well. I tried the shakes, but they made my stomach upset also.

I really don't want to complain. I LOVE the restriction that I now feel. I hate the uncomfortable feeling that I get when I eat, but it's a small price to pay if this is part of the "normal" band process.

Lisa (Green) I know that you have struggled with your last fill as well, is it getting any better for you?

I don't know if I had to get some fill removed if the doc would do that in his office, I can't imagine him doing that under Flouroscopy, but I'm not sure.

I'm just wondering if anyone feels the right amount of restriction without the uncomfortable feeling while eating.

I do not know much about the Swedish band but from 5 cc's to 6.4 cc's seems like a big jump. If you are unable to get your water in that could prevent a problem. You dont want to get dehydrated. I would be concerned if you can not tolerate protein very well ..protein is very important for us bandsters, you do not want to be losing lean muscle mass. I know for me personally I take my fills very slowly, the last thing I want to do is do damage to my band or esophogus( sp?) I'm in no hurry to lose this weight cause it sure took its time getting here. Be careful..if it gets any more uncomfortable for you..I would call your doctor and just let him know what is going on and get his professional opinion. He will have the best answer for you. Hope it gets better for you

Tricia, I have the Inamed band. My second fill went from 1.0 to 1.3 cc. But by the second week, I was pbing on water. I didn't want to take and chances and had them remove .2cc. That is such a small amount! But it's been fine since then. That's a horrible feeling and I'm sure it's not good for your band either. Please take care and hopefully you won't have any problems.

Thanks guys!

It really helps to hear what others think.

I'm just going back and forth on the issue. Am I overreacting to what a good fill feels like? I've read a lot of other people's experiences about fills that are too much ect... and I seem to have some of the same characteristics but not all.

I realize how important it is to get my Protein and Water in every day. That's what bothers me the most. I'm filling up on water very fast. That has never happened to me. I've basically lost my appetite, <<< I have prayed for this day! But I still need to make wise decisions and not starve myself.

Again, thanks for the words of encouragement and advice.

Hi Tricia,

I'm doing well with my new fill. Things have changed alot. I WORK on my Water intake but I'm willing to do it. My food intake has gone down ALOT. Thats the point. Right?

You may have just a little bit too much of a fill.

How hard would it be to get your Doc. to take a little out? A little bit makes a huge difference. Do you have to make a trip to Mexico?

If your Doc is local why not give it a try? If your feeling sick at your stomache alot and not able to get enough water AND can't eat protien that can only lead to disaster. I'de be concerned about hair loss. Sure it grows back but you suffer in the process. I agree with La Madem on everything she said.

This is my opinion so keep that in mind. I'm telling you what I would do.

Good Luck and keep us posted:(

Lisa,

I'm glad to hear that you're doing better with your fill

I'm starting to think that I was experiencing some swelling that was causing most of my difficulties. I grab a bottle of Water for my drive into work every morning, and I can usually drink the whole thing before I get there, but lately I was doing good to drink 1/4 of the bottle. This morning I was able to drink 3/4ths of the bottle without any uncomfortable feeling.

I'm just going to keep taking it slow, and if I continue to struggle to get my water and Protein in, I'll call the doc and see if he would recommend getting some fill removed.

BTW - I went back to Mexico for my first fill, everything went great. I had "some" restriction right after the fill, but it disappeared. So I found a local doc that took me on as a patient and had my second fill with him. He had a very hard time sticking my port, I think he was using the wrong needle. I was able to see him trying to stick my port on the monitor. He had to use a lot of pressure to get the needle to go in. I was really worried that he would miss and poke a hole somewhere where a hole didn't need to be but he finally got it. I'm assuming because of the difficulty of sticking my port that he would use Flouroscopy to remove any excess fill, but I'm not sure.

Thanks for your response. Take care!!