4th Fill Did It! Am I too restricted???

sprtsmom · September 10, 2003

I had my fourth fill last Friday...I now have 2.25cc's and for the first time I have restriction. I was banded on 7/9 and have never PB'd..that is until yesterday.

I notice that I must eat much less...perhaps a cup of food...at a sitting. Now that won't take me from lunch all the way to dinner, so I usually have a snack (healthy) in the afternoon and evening.

If the food is dry...forget about it. chicken breast just won't go down. Well yesterday was the first time that I really felt the restriction. I had a cup of chicken vegetable Soup and then I took the first bite of broiled salmon...and OOPS...it got stuck...felt like I had this GIANT burp that was stuck. I had to leave the restaurant and tried to walk around the parking lot to get some relief while I pounded on by chest..as if I was an infant needing to burb.

Finally I took my courage in hand and I leaned over and tried to gag...and low and behold...by first PB. It was just like everyone discribed....I feel so apart of the bandster world now!!!!

Now my question is how do I know if I have too much restriction. What are the signs? I had previously been at 2cc's with no restriction and now I am 2.25 and am finally feeling something. Should I go to 2.50 or should I stay where I am?

Lori in PA

leo · September 10, 2003

your doing great, and the band is doing what it is supposed to do. Just don't forget to chew your food !!

Welcome officially to bandster land!!!

Alexandra · September 10, 2003

Yep, Lori, I think Leo's right! You've gotten to that point where the band tells you when to stop. It's working! Remember, the conventional wisdom seems to be a half-cup of food is supposed to be enough at a sitting, so if you're eating a whole cup you might be overdoing it a tad. Eat more slowly, let your brain get the message that your stomach has had enough.

And watch that scale move!

kellymoos · September 10, 2003

I would say stay where you are!!! I have not had a fill yet; but have experienced what you explained....the GIANT burp that will not come up and hurts.....Then you PB and WOW the relief. I think I have figured out that it happens to me when I drink to fast, don't chew my food good enough or take tooo big of a bite. Today is my 3rd week with the BAND! And I am slowly but surely adjusting.

They say if you have too much restriction you can't keep solids down; so I would think that you have hit the "sweet spot" as they call it.

GOOD LUCK AND KEEP US POSTED......

donali · September 10, 2003

Hi Lori -

You will probably eventually need to have another fill, but NOT NOW! Your mind needs time to adjust to your smaller portions! Being on your fourth fill in only two months seems very fast to me - I was banded 1/23/03, and had my third fill July 12.

Also, my fills tend to tighten-up after about 4 weeks. If that happens to you, you may end up being too tight.

I personally would recommend that you work with this fill for at least a month before you decide to add another fill.

Give yourself a chance to adjust emotionally to all of these changes - remember, this is for life, not a temporary, short-term fix.

Good luck!

meswede · September 10, 2003

Hey Lori in PA ... and my banded anniversary partner!

Your restriction sounds just right actually. You know when you're too tight if you can't get liquids down and all foods get stuck. And now that you've got restriction as compared to having fills earlier with not enough restriction ... it's time to learn how to live with just the right amount of restriction. When the weight stops falling off and you've been the same for 3-4 weeks ... it's time for more fill.

I too just had my first PBing experience due to taking one Excederine Migraine. I had woke up with a headache and just knew it was one of those that could explode into a mirgaine and after reading on Smart Bandsters that having an asprin here and there won't do damage but it shouldn't be taken often, I took one and chased it down with a couple swallows of milk. I walked from my upstairs kitchen to my kitchen downstairs in my office ... and was SICKER THAN A DOG! I had a LOT of pain and immediately started spitting in the sink. Within a couple minutes it all came up with the force of a fire hydrant! And immediately I felt better but for the rest of the day my band refused food. So yesterday was a liquids day for me.

It seems to me Lori that each time we get a fill and experience more restriction, it's like starting all over again with a new beginning. Each time we learn more about what our bodies will allow and not allow. And each time it's a new adventure in Bandsterland! We're learning each step of the way!

Lori in Oregon

Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03 (265/240/140) -25 and 4 more 25's to go!

sprtsmom · September 10, 2003

Thanks for all of your advice. I called the MD and cancelled my fill apt for tomorrow. I am going to stay at 2.25 cc's for a month and see how my weight goes.

Clearly I am in a place that I can only eat 3/4 cup or so of food at a sitting. It's terrific. I feel so ready to start losing weight.

So for all you newbies out there...be patient...it took me 2 1/2 months to feel any restriction at all... I went from no restriction to what seems to be perfect for now.

Lori

meswede · September 10, 2003

Hey Lori, I forgot to ask how you're doing on the scale?

I also just did a new post ... now not sure where it is, but it's about not losing weight and being stuck on the scale. You might want to read that post too. I think I also talked about this same subject on the MexiBandster site. You might have to go to the membership page here and look as my post history to find it. I just posted it this morning. It's a good idea about WAKING UP YOUR BODY to the idea of dropping weight.

Glad to hear you cancelled your next fill for now. You'll know when it's time to go back.

Keep learning and striving for the finish line! And daily, set a new goal and a renewed dedication to life as a successful Bandster.

Celebrating weight loss by wearing my smaller jeans today!

Lori in Oregon

BandAid · September 11, 2003

Originally posted by meswede
I too just had my first PBing experience due to taking one Excederine Migraine. I had woke up with a headache and just knew it was one of those that could explode into a mirgaine and after reading on Smart Bandsters that having an asprin here and there won't do damage but it shouldn't be taken often, I took one and chased it down with a couple swallows of milk.

I've had the same experience and I partially blame the milk. Milk causes mucous and I believe it's just enough to cause a problem for me when taking meds.

Now I take meds w/ Water. May or may not work for you, but just thought I'd mention it.

glenda6 · September 11, 2003

Lori

With my 1st fill I was pb'ing for nearly a week and then it stopped - so there must be some settling period - I guess just wait and see what happens over the next couple of week.

Glenda

PS I sent you a pm on here.

meswede · September 12, 2003

Hey Bandaid ... thanks for the input about the milk. You might be onto something there! However, I just cringe over the thought of taking meds with Water. YUCK! For some reason that just gags me.

Hey Glenda ... thanks for the post! My stomache is well settled since my fill because it's been a couple of weeks now. And yes, I agree ... the tummy doesn't only NEED a resting period after PBing, but instead mine DEMANDED a rest! Goshes ... I never knew I was sooo sensitive! ha!

Thanks ladies!!!

Lori in Oregon

springirl · September 21, 2003

We are all so different, you never know what the exact right level of restriction is, until you get there. My doctor is conservative and believes in raising the restriction slowly to get you adjusted to smaller portions. At first I was kind of upset about this, but now feel that slower may be better. I just had my 6th fill last Friday since my surgery in January. I don't even count the first three because I never felt any restriction. I first PB'd on my 4th fill like you.

It is important to remember when you first get a fill you could be more swollen around the band area in the first few days to a week after. The swelling may eventually go down and you will be less restricted than you are now. That has been my experience.

My 5th fill was close to my perfect restriction and I was on the fence about getting the 6th fill, but I thought that I could use a little more and so far it seems to be a good decision. I am not posting any amounts because what works for me might not work for you. We are all anatomically different. For some people 1 or 2 fills are enough.

Good luck, I am sure your latest fill will help you a great deal. I always schedule my next fill for 1 to 2 months out in case I need it. I can always cancel the appt. if I don't.

Spring