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

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

http://lapbandtransf...Adjustments.htm

Thanks! That info will be very helpful for me when the time comes.

I was banded 7/26/2011 and was told I got a small fill at that time. I received my first, after surgery, fill on 8/24. Here I am 5 days later and I don't notice a difference. I've read through the thread where it says it can take a few days to up to 4 weeks to 'feel the fill'. Really? I'm due to go back in 4 weeks for another fill. *confused*

I was banded on 7-28-11. I got my first fill on 9/7. I was still able to eat normal. I got.my second fill on 10/6. I cant even eat a whole half of a sandwich. I am at 7cc.

Is there anything against me copying what Peni60 says at the top of this thread so I can print it and save it? My first fill is 1/10/12 and I cant wait Im wanting to get going with my weight loss! I didnt realize my stomach would be grumpy with me but hey Im glad to be informed!!

Thanks everyone!!

GREAT INFO

Thank you that is great!!

I had stopped using artificial sweeteners awhile ago. there are so many bad effects, and many I am sure will show up!

Love that you mentioned butter! I am always careful with the amount of butter I use and feel good about it!

Dr. Oz had a guy on last week that also mentioned not eating "diet" foods. we all have so much to learn. reading labels is the one I work on most!

I love all the info we get her....

I had my surgery on 12-23-11 and first fill on 1/23/12--I nearly starved before then and felt a little something for a couple of days and then felt like I had no band --I only remembered this forum today and am very glad I found it because I am going in for a second fill tomorrow and might have really said something to the Dr because I am ready to not be starving and loose weight again--I lost 114 lbs. before surgery and got it to loose 105 more --I am getting conflicting information from the Surgeon. and his nutritionist because he basically says to starve myself and she says the 6 weeks after surgery are to heal and loose if it happens--I went to a very good diet Dr and weight lost clinic who were attached to another banding group that dissolved and she helped me loose weght that stayed off for the first time in my 65 years of dieting--I am actually thinking of going back to her for weight lose with this band and finding someone else to do my fills if he objects--her name is Dr. T. Rogers in San Antonio and she is very knowledgeable with a very complete weight lose clinic

I have not had a fill yet.....was afraid to get one since i got stuck a few times and still have trouble eating certain foods. Will this always be the case. I am not losing any more and afraid the scale will creep up on me. Starting to get cravings for chocolate and junk food again. When the PA in my docs office heard I was having trouble eating solid meats like steak she wanted to take some fluid out ???? i told her I never got a fill and she claims they probably put some in at surgery. I refused for her to take some out since i was losing nicely. Down 50 lbs so I can't complain. Should i get a fill now that my appetite seems to be returning. ??????

I am questioning whether to get a fill. I am feeling hunger two times a day. But, I have trouble eating in the morning, and just prefer shakes. Then when I do eat, I hear the "gurgle" sound. But then in the evening, I eat about 1 and 1/2 or 2 cups of food. And am not losing weight.

Any advice??

banded in jan. and already have 7cc in band go in for another fill on tues.

Hi, just don't give up on reaching your sweet spot as they say. As you know, it will take several fills to get to that spot.

I took several for me.

Really confused: my doc says he fills the band the right amount when he puts it in and not again. Says he rarely will do a 'fill' and feels they are the reason for side effects like erosion/slipage/reflux. Some people on this site talk about all their fills and how they were really hungry just a few weeks after surgery until they got a fill. My doc says if you need a fill you are not eating right. I'm I missing a piece of this puzzle? Are some people not getting any fluid in there band during the initial surgery?

Really confused: my doc says he fills the band the right amount when he puts it in and not again. Says he rarely will do a 'fill' and feels they are the reason for side effects like erosion/slipage/reflux. Some people on this site talk about all their fills and how they were really hungry just a few weeks after surgery until they got a fill. My doc says if you need a fill you are not eating right. I'm I missing a piece of this puzzle? Are some people not getting any fluid in there band during the initial surgery?

I am confused also. Had my band put in last July 25th. Doing good with the weight loss....down 53 lbs today! That for me is a blessing. Never had a fill. Undecided if I should get one. Still have restriction from the very beginning cannot handle certain things. I guess that is restriction...? Cannot eat as much as I used to....so that is a good thing. Think I will just stay as I am for now. Can always get one if things change. Still losing....but at a much slower rate now. Maybe 2-3 lbs a month.

Really confused: my doc says he fills the band the right amount when he puts it in and not again. Says he rarely will do a 'fill' and feels they are the reason for side effects like erosion/slipage/reflux. Some people on this site talk about all their fills and how they were really hungry just a few weeks after surgery until they got a fill. My doc says if you need a fill you are not eating right. I'm I missing a piece of this puzzle? Are some people not getting any fluid in there band during the initial surgery?

I'm sorry but I think your doctor is not correct in saying that. The band can be placed in without any fluid, as my doctor did. After the initiall swelling, the band must receive a fill in order to have restriction. Sometimes it takes 4-5 fills before you feel any restriction. I've had 2 fills and I am still hungry. I eat what I'm told and work out 4-5 days a week.

Sounds like you should check out another doctor . You should also read some of the books regarding lapbands. Of course everyone is different and there are all types of bands. I have the 10cc band and was banded 4/17/12. I'm down 20 lbs and have had 2 fills resulting in 3ccs. I have another fill scheduled in 2 weeks.

Just a word of caution, if you are vomiting or frothing to much, you maybe to tight.

Take it from me, I wound up with esophageal ulcers, I didn't go back to the doctor

right away it went on for a couple of months, I started having breathing problems

wound up in the Emergency Room, found out I had come down with pneumonia, but

what had happen, my stomach contents was backing up into my lungs and I was

aspirating. So after a week in the hospital, I had to go back to my lapband doctor to

have my band completely loosen, I could not get it tighten for a year and a half, I

was a slow healer, in which I gained back 70 lbs I had lost. So now I am starting

all over again. So be careful.