Hello all, I had my third fill last week on Thurs. and am wondering if I'm too tight or just right? It took me two hours to finish one packet of oatmeal. I have to crush my pills or they get stuck and I have to sip my liquids or I will have a knot in my stomach. I haven't even tried to eat real food since I think it would be painful. On the other hand, I am not hungry and I am not able to consume more food than I should. The first two days I had to throw up after taking my night time pills, but since I started crushing the pills and taking them earlier (before it's time to lay down) I haven't had a problem with vomiting. So what is normal in this situation? What does an average person eat when properly restricted? If I am too tight, will it hurt me to stay at this level for as long as I can to induce extra weight loss? Thanks,

Okay, I have to say I have been where you are and this is what I learned. I was tooo tight. I went 4 months before getting it fixed because I liked the weight loss. Like you I could eat soup. Some soup was not okay either. Like Chowder...nope I got to the point where I was on practically a liquid diet too long. I had no energy, I started getting bags under my eyes, my iron level was messed up among some other symptoms. I began trying to eat just for energy and nothing would go down. I got down to 224 the lowest I had been at. I loved it. Problem was that when I went to my doctor and told him my symptoms he took my fill out and I had to have no restriction for 2 months while I repaired the damage I "might" have done. He said my esophogus needed time to get back to normal. I could have caused my band to slip or even worse caused perminent damage to my stoma and esophogus. With the fill out I gained weight and went back up to 245. I am still not at the proper fill level and I am in need of a fill but I am moving back up slowly. I am still not down to my previous low weight and if I had went back to my doctor when I realized I was too full I am sure I would be farther along in my journey then I currently am. This caused me to lose about 6 months of progress. Please call your fill doctor and let them know what your able to eat, drink, pills, ect and let them be the judge. You may just need to get a smidge removed who knows....but be careful, you only have one stoma and one esophogus.

Personally I think I am a proper fill level right now without ever having a fill. I argued a bit with the Dr at yesterday's check up that even though a 1/2 pound a week on average for 6 weeks is not a lot its still a continuing downward trend.

Am I wrong or should I be losing much faster? I feel good. I can eat virtually anything in much smaller quantities than pre-band so I say if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Anyway he couldn't find the port and wants to do it in the hospital under x-ray. He says only 2 cc at first.

What can I expect 2cc fill to feel like?

Personally I think I am a proper fill level right now without ever having a fill. I argued a bit with the Dr at yesterday's check up that even though a 1/2 pound a week on average for 6 weeks is not a lot its still a continuing downward trend.

Am I wrong or should I be losing much faster? I feel good. I can eat virtually anything in much smaller quantities than pre-band so I say if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Anyway he couldn't find the port and wants to do it in the hospital under x-ray. He says only 2 cc at first.

What can I expect 2cc fill to feel like?

It really depends on the size of your band from what I have heard. I started with 1cc and felt plenty of restriction then worked my way up slowly .5cc each time after that. I am actually gonna call my doc on Monday and schedule a fill. I think I am in need of bumping up another stage. But I have a 4cc band and I know that some people get different bands depending on what their doctor feels is appropriate at the time of surgery. Without a fill/restriction 1/2 pound a week is great but yes you will lose faster when you get to a fill level where you are experiencing restriction. I think your desire to want to be able to eat anything you want as long as it in smaller portions is great but your doctor is going to disagree most likely because we are supposed to be learning how to choose quality foods since our intake is limited. I also think you will need to decide if your happy at losing 1/2 lb a week. That is a steady pace and steady does get the job done but....It only equals 12 lbs a year and for me that would be way to slow to keep me motivated. I think it is about what works for you to reach the results your looking for. You wanted to accomplish something by getting your band so the main focus is to accomplish your goal in a healthy way that you and your doctor are both comfortable with:o

I try to do 300 cals per meal. I have eaten bread also, no problem.

It really depends on the size of your band from what I have heard. I started with 1cc and felt plenty of restriction then worked my way up slowly .5cc each time after that. I am actually gonna call my doc on Monday and schedule a fill. I think I am in need of bumping up another stage. But I have a 4cc band and I know that some people get different bands depending on what their doctor feels is appropriate at the time of surgery. Without a fill/restriction 1/2 pound a week is great but yes you will lose faster when you get to a fill level where you are experiencing restriction. I think your desire to want to be able to eat anything you want as long as it in smaller portions is great but your doctor is going to disagree most likely because we are supposed to be learning how to choose quality foods since our intake is limited. I also think you will need to decide if your happy at losing 1/2 lb a week. That is a steady pace and steady does get the job done but....It only equals 12 lbs a year and for me that would be way to slow to keep me motivated. I think it is about what works for you to reach the results your looking for. You wanted to accomplish something by getting your band so the main focus is to accomplish your goal in a healthy way that you and your doctor are both comfortable with:o

I eat much healthier than before. I focus way more on good Protein. For example, instead of a sandwich, chips and soda for lunch, its 4 oz or plain tuna in Water (no mayo) and about 10 lowfat triscuits. When I said anything I want I meant nothing seems to be a no no as long as I chew it and its moist. If not I have gotten stuck a few time.

Shawna, how much weight have you lost since March???

Hello,

I loved your thread, question why would being so tight cause your band to slip or get damaged??? When were you banded, how much weight so far?? Keep up the great work.

Beverly 1010

Hello,

I loved your thread, question why would being so tight cause your band to slip or get damaged??? When were you banded, how much weight so far?? Keep up the great work.

Beverly 1010

Who are you asking these questions to?

Personally I think I am a proper fill level right now without ever having a fill. I argued a bit with the Dr at yesterday's check up that even though a 1/2 pound a week on average for 6 weeks is not a lot its still a continuing downward trend.

Am I wrong or should I be losing much faster? I feel good. I can eat virtually anything in much smaller quantities than pre-band so I say if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Anyway he couldn't find the port and wants to do it in the hospital under x-ray. He says only 2 cc at first.

What can I expect 2cc fill to feel like?

I have a 4cc band. I felt some restriction before my first fill. At 4 weeks, my doc put in 1cc. It was too tight. I couldn't even handle apple sauce. She took out .25cc a month ago and I feel I have good restriction now.

anyone know of fill centers in nc?

preciouspup,

half a pound a week would be 26 pounds a year, but I agree it would be too slow for me.