I had my first fill today! I'm so excited. He gave me a rather aggressive fill and put 3cc's in my 9cc Realize band. I'm thrilled! He usually doesn't give more than 2cc's on a first fill for his patients, but since I'm struggling and I've gained 5 pounds, he was a bit more aggressive with me.

I really hope I feel some restriction. I have no idea what restriction feels like. I've not had a bit of any restriction yet since I had my surgery. It's very disappointing.

My beef is that if I could have done this on my own without the band, then I wouldn't have needed the band in the first place. So far, I've convinced myself that the band is merely a placebo, and all band patients are just dieting like the pre-band days. Not sure what the big deal is about this band stuff anymore. I'm really nervous that I've fallen victim to some sort of scam by getting this band. I know that's not true, but that's how I feel. I just don't get how this thing is supposed to work.

So, I'm hoping I'll get a taste of this band stuff SOON now that I've been filled a pretty good amount for the first time. I'm excited and a bit scared that I'll be one of those who needs like 4 fills before restriction...and then I'll be angry because what in the heck was the point in getting this thing then? Aaarrgh!!! I'm frustrated, but I'm not angry. I'm not band-bashing, so don't get upset with me. I'm just confused and I'm just typing out my thoughts as they enter my head.

Give me some reassurance. Will this really work?

I finished out my day on purees, and I'll stick to soft foods tomorrow. Wednesday I hope to try regular foods and I'll post back to let you all know how things are going.

Hi Diane,

I don't understand your doctors responses to your questions. Of course he should have put Fluid into the band and then taken it back out to make sure it measured the same.... I thought that was just pretty much standard. That is how they check to make sure before each fill....at least that is what I was told. The P.A. who did my fill was actually training a new doctor on how to do fills with using the sonogram to locate the port. I did not feel pressure on the port site at all.... Once he had the needle in the port, he said he was going to check to see if my surgeon had put in any saline at surgery (TLC Edge uses different surgeons and PA's to do the fills...) and he withdrew 2.4 cc and marked it on my chart. Then he put in an additional 2.6....for an even 5 cc. He also showed me what it would feel like to be "too full"....and increased the saline and had me drink Water. It literally felt like it was at the back of my throat waiting to come back out. Then he pulled some saline out and I felt the water drain like a funnel....it was kind of a neat experience. Now I can without a doubt tell if I'm too full/tight after a fill. You deserve more of an explanation from your doctor on the fill process. I just don't see where he is coming from at all.....

I feel like the band is there to help me to not over indulge....but it is shear will power to make good food choices. I'm craving chocolate and ice cream....but have not given in yet.

The feeling in your chest sounds like restriction....make sure you are taking really small bites (nickle size) and chew,chew,chew... I think that is the hardest part for me. I'm always eating on the run....and really have to stop, sit down, eat slowly and then I can run around and do whatever needs to get done. It's a whole new way of eating for me.

Best of luck and keep after your doctor for better explanations on your fills. That just doesn't make sense or seem fair....you are PAYING him for his care and answers!!

Stacey (Tweenwaters is our favorite place to stay in Florida...Captiva Island).

Hi Stacy,

I agree with you 100%. I could eat chocolate and ice cream too. I have not had anything considered dessert since this surgery. I think the band helps you not over eat when you eat, but you still have to make good choices. And if you choose ice cream that melts and goes down easily then you could probably eat a lot of it. I think I am feeling restriction becuase I do have a feeling like food it in the back of my throat or a feeling like something is sitting at my sternum. So I don't want to be too aggressive and have BPing and sliming and other stuff I have read on this sight. I will however when I go for my next fill ask that he withdraw fluid and then put it back so he knows hes in the band. I have been loosing 1-2# a week and I'm happy with that. I cleaned my closet out the other day and gave all my bigger jeans to my sister:) Good feeling to be in smaller clothes. That alone helps to make better choices. Diane