I had my first fill on 4/28/08 and I am hungry 45 minutes after I eat. I tried eating small portions and making the meal last 30 minutes, but I feel like I am starving. Are you supposed to be hungry? I thought with the fill I would feel a full feeling after eating a small portion.

depends on how much they put in did they do it under fluro? I was still pretty hungry after my first fill to but my second fill was really helpful I still get hungry but i can't eat nearly what i could before. I always try to make sure i eat my meat first cause that keeps you fuller longer.

It may take a few fills before you really get "restriction" (it took me four before I felt any difference).

Now, my question to you is: is it really hunger you're feeling or is it just 'head hunger'? Are you getting in the amount of Water you need daily? (minimum of 64 ounces) Are you getting in a Protein shake a day to make sure you get enough protein?

These are the things you need to do to satiate yourself in between meals. Believe me, good restriction WILL come--it just takes time. :thumbdown:

I had 3 ccs put in on my first fill. My stomach is growling and twisting in knots as if I hadn't had anything to eat. I get my water in, that is no problem. I haven't been taking any protein shakes as I really got burned out on them prior to my first fill, but I think I am getting enough protein in. I am going back to the doctor (he is about 300 miles away so it gets expensive) on Friday and he is going to insert more in me. They told me that for some people it takes a couple of fills. I just want to start losing!!

My first fill only lasted for a week. You are going on two weeks now since your first fill, so the effects have probably worn off. It took three fills for me to get a lasting effect... my second fill did absolutely nothing for me.. And even this third fill is starting to wear off.. depending on which band you have, some people have to get several fills to really reach their sweet spot. It will happen.. the best thing to do during this time when you are hungry is to just continue to eat healthy things like chicken, tuna, veggies, etc. It will come.. :thumbdown:

Of all the things about this wls surgery that is in the back of my mind I fear that it wont work for me???? Negative thinking, I guess, but Ive lost and gained the same 75 pounds so many times failure seems normal:(

Im 4 weeks from surgery and getting fil at 5 week mark as Im STARVIN!

I hope the fill will help me stay full, I am already becoming more calorie conscious focusing on Protein (waking up in middle of night starving).

Happy fill day---I hope!

smiles:)

Patches

How can you tell when you are full? And when you started to exercise did you have to push yourself? I work during the daytime and then go home so exhausted I really don't feel like exercising. I know I have to, but when you did start to lose weight did you feel more energy?

I just had my second fill on May 12, and that is when they really explained to me how the fills work for your band. The first three to four fills are for priming the band. meaning some will stay in your band and some will be in your port tube; and it will fluctuate from day to day. I was told after about the third or fourth fill you will hit your "sweet" spot. That is why you're recommended to start with your protein first; so you know you are getting your proteins then your veggies. I have a little over 5cc's in my APL; and I have some restriction but not a lot. So I believe I will need to definitely go in for another fill in about three weeks. They have also highly recommended you practice your routine eating, such as; eating your proteins first, the drinking rule..etc, what ever your dietitian or surgeon suggests. Because before you get to your "sweet" spot is for all your practicing; and after, when you hit your 'sweet " spot your have no more practicing time. you will need to follow your recommendations to a "T" for your band to work.

I was banded in October, 2007. I also got burned out on the Protein shakes. Actually, the taste of them now make me nauseated. The nurse told me to try Carnation Instant Breakfast (Be sure it says "No sugar added) That works for me. I usually drink those on my way to work (5:30 a.m.) because early in the morning I'm unable to eat solid food. I also drink these the first 2 days after a fill.

One way I fix them which tastes like a chocolate malt - put 8 oz skim milk in a blender; add the packet of instant breakfast (no sugar added), 1 packet of splenda, and 1 teaspoon of malted milk powder; then add some crushed ice and blend. Delicious!!

Good luck on your weight loss journey!! I love the encouragement I get from this forum.

I used to live in Lewisville before moving to Goodlettsville, Tennessee.

I loved living there.

Isn't it great to have something in common with so many people and get encouragement from them?

I had my first fill on 4/28/08 and I am hungry 45 minutes after I eat. I tried eating small portions and making the meal last 30 minutes, but I feel like I am starving. Are you supposed to be hungry? I thought with the fill I would feel a full feeling after eating a small portion.

I had 3 ccs put in on my first fill. My stomach is growling and twisting in knots as if I hadn't had anything to eat. I get my Water in, that is no problem. I haven't been taking any Protein Shakes as I really got burned out on them prior to my first fill, but I think I am getting enough Protein in. I am going back to the doctor (he is about 300 miles away so it gets expensive) on Friday and he is going to insert more in me. They told me that for some people it takes a couple of fills. I just want to start losing!!

How can you tell when you are full? And when you started to exercise did you have to push yourself? I work during the daytime and then go home so exhausted I really don't feel like exercising. I know I have to, but when you did start to lose weight did you feel more energy?

Catarina

Give me a list of what you ate yesterday (types of food and amounts). Are you drinking with your meals - how long do you wait before and after a meal to drink. If you are eating slider foods (soft foods that slide right thru the band) you are going to be hungry sooner rather than later. If you eat hard Proteins (meats) you will stay fuller longer.

A part of you saying you aren't full could be more mental than physical - I can eat my 4 oz fish and be physically full - but mentally I haven't eaten enough - and will keep picking at my rice and veggies - but if you really sit and feel your stomach you are full - but since you ate such a small amount of food your brain is telling you are still hungry -

Stomach noises doesn't mean you are hungry it means you are digesting your food.

The Band in it's self is not going to make you lose weight - it is only a tool, you are the one in control of they amount of food you eat and the types of food you eat and the amount of exercise you do

That is what is going to make you lose the weight not the band - the band is only a tool to help restrict your portion size - but if you choose to eat slider foods - high fat food - sugar and don't exercise the weight isn't going to come off

You work all day and are tired when you get home - So are the rest of us - but we have made the commitment to ourselves to get off our butts and go an exercise - Exercise is key in losing the weight (imho) You start slowly and each week increase your time speed and inclines - like the saying goes "Just Do It" Yes as you become more healthier it does become easier - but once it becomes easier that's your sign to increase your intensity.

Good Luck - but you gotta know that being banded does take a lot of work on your part - eating healthy - exercising etc.

It will work as long as you do the work required to be sucessful...

Wishing you the best.....

Thanks Indio Girl. Sorry I haven't got back to you. I went back to the doctor and they inserted 1.9 ccs more. I do feel like I have restriction now and I love it. The doctor also told me that it could take several fills for some people before they feel any restriction. My meals are so much smaller now and I do feel much better. I still haven't exercised in the traditional way, other than walking, because we have so much to do when I get home. Can't just lay around unless the fibromylgia is hurting so bad I can't move. But have started becomming more involved in riding my horse, cleaning stalls, etc. So thanks for all your helpful information. I really depend on the support to help me get through this as my doctor is so far away.

Thats a great idea. I got sick of the protein shakes and I was taking the Carnation Instant Breakfast, but I don't think it said it was sugar less. Could be the reason why I burned out on the sweetness. Thanks!! I need to pay attention more to sugar levels. When they said to take Carnation Breakfasts, I didn't even think to see if there was a sugarless one.

Thanks for the helpful information. I don't remember my doctor explaining it that way. He could have and I was just so entranced in the idea of losing weight that I didn't hear everything he was telling me.

You need another fill. Once you have good restriction your hunger should be gone for hours.

P.S. Make sure you are eating a lot of solid protein too.