Here is info will come in handy when thinking about fills/adjustments. Great information. I have seen this information before and it is really good.

How to Tell When You Are Perfectly Adjusted

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

(1) 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

(1) 3 ounces – the size of a deck of cards

b. Vegetables

(1) ½ cup – the size of your fist

c. Starch

(1) If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don’t need

much

(2) 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

(1) Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet

margarine

(2) 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

(1) Obsess about something else

b. Perfectionism

(1) 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

a. Oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers

(6) Peppermint

a. Baking soda toothpaste

(7) 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

(1) 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

4. See your health care provider immediately (or call 911) if

a. You have a squeezing, tightness or heaviness in your chest,

especially if the discomfort spreads to your shoulder, arm or jaw or is

accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, irregular or fast

heartbeat or nausea. These could be symptoms of a heart attack.

b. If your symptoms are triggered by exercise.

c. If your pain localizes to your right side, especially if you

also have nausea or fever

d. If you throw up vomit that looks like black sand or coffee

grounds. Or if your stool is black, deep red or looks like it has tar

in it. These are symptoms of bleeding and need immediate attention.

(Note: Pepto-Bismol or other medications with bismuth will turn your

stool black. Iron supplements can also make the stool tarry.)

e. If your pain is severe

thanks pam ,I will try and get this straightened out next month. I will let you know what happens. I'm sure it's going to be a real lulu

I am glad to see others post about getting disappointed. I love the stories for everyone that everything moved along perfectly, but I know there are people out there that may be wondering what they are doing wrong.

I was banded o4/27/07 and I have lost 50lbs. I look at some stories on here and I am so happy for the ones that have had massive results but then I look at my weight loss and think, What the heck. But, if I am honest, I have not done anything the doc says at 100%.

I have lost quite a few inches but I still feel I should be doing better. I am at 3.7cc in a 4cc band and still think I could use another fill. I think I can eat to much at one sitting. But then I am embarrased to tell the Dr I made another fill, afraid he will say dang fat a@# your almost maxed out. :teeth_smile:

Even with all this said, I still feel this was the best decision I ever made, I feel better than I have in years and I am not giving up hope.

Thanks for letting me vent.

I am glad to see others post about getting disappointed. I love the stories for everyone that everything moved along perfectly, but I know there are people out there that may be wondering what they are doing wrong.

I was banded o4/27/07 and I have lost 50lbs. I look at some stories on here and I am so happy for the ones that have had massive results but then I look at my weight loss and think, What the heck. But, if I am honest, I have not done anything the doc says at 100%.

I have lost quite a few inches but I still feel I should be doing better. I am at 3.7cc in a 4cc band and still think I could use another fill. I think I can eat to much at one sitting. But then I am embarrased to tell the Dr I made another fill, afraid he will say dang fat a@# your almost maxed out. :teeth_smile:

Even with all this said, I still feel this was the best decision I ever made, I feel better than I have in years and I am not giving up hope.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Janell, don't think you're near maxed out. I felt no restriction until I got to where I am now: 4.4cc's in a 4cc band. You need to be aggressive with your fills. I had trouble adhering to the program rules but with the right fill I find that I am now losing. You can see that I am a slow loser. Don't mind-read the doc: he's there to do what you need him to do.

My doctor said that everyones stomach is different. I see people here that take very little fill or some none at all! I know that as I lose more weight I will need even more fill. He told me: don't worry, you won't max out. Hah! I may surprise him, ya?

Valerie

Edited July 28, 200818 yr by cQQlgirl

I agree, Janell, that I am also very happy for those who are on the fast track and have lost a lot. For those of us who are making slower progress or are still struggling, the frustration level is high. I was originally told my VG band holds 10 cc's but later found out (months AND months later) that it holds 14. At 7 ccs and eating at least a cup and a half without drinking means another fill is coming for me, hopefully next week. However, I know I need to exercise more and am still having some trouble with the no drinking before/during/after the meals rule. :teeth_smile:

I do feel better than I have in a long time and 35 lbs. is STILL a chunk of fat I've lost (hopefully forever :thumbup:) and want to stay positive, looking to the future for more successes even if they come slowly. My mom is having some of the same issues, so at least we've got each other for support. This site has helped me a great deal because my surgeon is an hour away and I haven't found a way to get to the support groups often.

Hi Janell,

Just a note to let you know I have read of others with 4cc bands that have over 4cc's in them. My band is 4cc and I have 2cc's in it at this time. I seem to be pretty restricted most of the time. I might get another fill in a couple of weeks but don't be disappointed if you need more, everyone is different :-)

Sally

I need to know what you do if you are going in for a fill at 1 p.m. should you eat or what?

go ahead and eat because after your fill you will be back on a clear or full liquid diet for 24 -48 hours.

I am glad to see others post about getting disappointed. I love the stories for everyone that everything moved along perfectly, but I know there are people out there that may be wondering what they are doing wrong.

I was banded o4/27/07 and I have lost 50lbs. I look at some stories on here and I am so happy for the ones that have had massive results but then I look at my weight loss and think, What the heck. But, if I am honest, I have not done anything the doc says at 100%.

I have lost quite a few inches but I still feel I should be doing better. I am at 3.7cc in a 4cc band and still think I could use another fill. I think I can eat to much at one sitting. But then I am embarrased to tell the Dr I made another fill, afraid he will say dang fat a@# your almost maxed out.

Even with all this said, I still feel this was the best decision I ever made, I feel better than I have in years and I am not giving up hope.

Thanks for letting me vent.

im right were u are so dont feel bad! im in a 4cc band im at 4cc the 1st fill was a 3cc then the following week another1cc so im maxed out and there are times i can eat more and there are sometimes i cant get any restriction, some times im feelin a lot of restriction. so your not alone. I have gained lost re-gain re-lost . i made a appt to see the doc on the 5th of aug so i shall see what she says and get back to you maybe we can tag up and see what the heck is our bodys problem..lol hang in there

Janell, don't think you're near maxed out. I felt no restriction until I got to where I am now: 4.4cc's in a 4cc band. You need to be aggressive with your fills. I had trouble adhering to the program rules but with the right fill I find that I am now losing. You can see that I am a slow loser. Don't mind-read the doc: he's there to do what you need him to do.

My doctor said that everyones stomach is different. I see people here that take very little fill or some none at all! I know that as I lose more weight I will need even more fill. He told me: don't worry, you won't max out. Hah! I may surprise him, ya?

Valerie

wow my doctor told me i was max out in a 4cc i think im going ask her to put 0.3cc in just to see what she says..i might be trippin but i think i do need another fill. its not like im at a 4.1 or 4.2 im at a 4cc in a 4cc band hummmmm. its a alergan band is there a difference?

I have never been on a liquid diet after a fill. My doctor says to take it easy and soft foods are a good idea, but he's never suggested a clear or liquid diet after a fill.

I will add that my doctor is very conservative with each fill. He has never given me a lot more restriction that I came in with. And I have been overfilled too. But I've never left his office when I wasn't able to drink 4 oz with no problem. They always give us some herbal tea to make sure we aren't overfilled when we leave.

I had my first one yesterday. I just undid my pants and my surgeon put some cold stuff on me that I think temporarily numbs the port area. He then stuck the needle in which was just a little pinch, and he got it on his first try. I have read that it can take quite a few times as well, so when I asked him how he did that, his answer was, in his very thick Argentinian accent..."because I am Dr. Santiago Horgan". He is hilarious...and good with a needle and knife, thank God! :biggrin: It is seriously easy. Mine took all of 1 minute from start to finish.

I am at a 4 for my fill. I am understanding that it goes up to 10. Anyway, I have only lost 16 lbs since June 3 (my surgery date) What # is everyone else at?

billiedaycare,

you should check back with your doctor if you aren't feeling like you're full. don't let it go to long.

I just went on July 22 I was at a 3 and now at a 4.

:huh2:I've just had my 2nd fill since my original banding in april of this year.I have not gone to any support group meetings or participated in any online forums either-guess I thought I could do it all myself. I DON'T THINK SO! It sure is easy to fall back into old patterns of behavior-no matter how determined I was at the beginning and never mind the horrendous loan I'm paying off. I need support.I cannot do this by myself--I'm so used to being self reliant it is difficult for me to ask for help(I want everybody to think I'm perfect although I'm far from it).I started out great--eating mindfully but now I'm back to eating in front of the tv,eating too fast,too much,too often --any suggestions?

My husband was banded in TJ Mexico in November. We are having a hard time finding a Dr to do the fills. We live in Southern Indiana. Any advise out there? He has started gaining his weight back.