Finding the right fill level.. Can you relate?

[jennalee 0]

I have been banded for two years, and have lost 112 pounds. I have struggled consistently to find the right fill level. I have been too tight and too loose the entire journey. I spent about 7 months at 1.9, which ended up being way too tight. I was PB-ing frequently, had reflux, and it got so bad that I was throwing up black cofee grind like material in the middle of the night (dried blood from esophagus irritation).

I got an unfill six weeks ago, to 1.5, my previous fill level. I gained five pounds over the six weeks because I was too loose and my eating habits werent healthy by any means - although I did make daily efforts and goals to improve said habits.

So, I got a fill yesterday to 1.7 , halfway between the loose and the tight, and I now this feels too tight! I wasn't able to get much down after the fill and now I've woken up this morning and feel tight - hard to explain but I just do. Also, I woke up coughing last night - a sign of reflux.

So, do you have any similar experiences or suggestions? My brain tells me I should stick to the 1.5 and work on eating healthier since I have more capacity. My eagerness to reach my goal tells me to make it work with a tight band.

Your input is greatly appreciated!!!!!!

[salsa1877 10]

When I got my very first fill in September I was at 3.6cc in a 10 cc band. Then I got something stuck and I am convinced that was the end of my ability to have fills. That was in November. I had a refill to 2.6 cc in December and had to have it removed to 1.7 in January. Then I thought I could eat too much so I had a fill to 2.3 at the end of February, followed by an unfill to 2.0 in March followed by a complete unfill at the beginning of April. Since then I have been completely unfilled...with hopes of never having to have a fill again.

For me it was better to learn good eating habits and stay loose. I think it is healthier and that was the reason I had this surgery to begin with. I can't stand being too tight. If you choose the right foods (Lean Protein like chicken and certain fishes, whole grains, and the right fruits and veggies, you can actually eat a lot of food). I am currently trying to maintain my weight (have been for the last 8 pounds lost!) and am at 1800 calories and the amount of food that I have to eat is almost unbearable. I know who would have ever thought that I would have said that?!?!

So basically my opinion is work on your eating habits...that is going to serve you better in the long run then being to tight. What is the purpose of being at goal if you haven't learned to eat right? That is my opinion anyways! For me I try not to think about what or how much I COULD eat, but rather what and how much I am WILLING to eat. And yes...it takes a lot of discipline.

Good luck.

[jennalee 0]

Thank you so much for your input salsa! I saw your Tummy Tuck countdown. Can you give me some info on that? Is your insurance covering it, etc?

I am in the market for one, but in the very early stages of research :confused_smile:

[rharriet62 0]

I can totally relate! I have had my band 3.5 years. I do the fill/unfill ritual often now since December. Then, I was really sick with acid reflux, etc., and got unfilled. Slowly went back up and was too tight again. I think with Fluid retention during TOM, I swell and sometimes that is enough to irritate my band until I have to be unfilled. Of course, then, the other 3 weeks of the month I'm not as tight and can eat a lot on somedays. It's a bummer!

[nomadem 1]

although I am only 6 months out from surgery, I think I can relate. Right now I am on my second unfill and the loosest I have ever been. I hope to get a very slight fill to help me with the hunger that if I am honest I havent really felt since before surgery

[dogluvr 1]

Granted I've only been banded for 2 months, but I prefer my band tighter. Thats why I had the surgery, I need something to tell me to stop eating. Its forcing me to chew like crazy, which takes time, so I dont just hack it right back up. The little bites, and feeling of fullness right now is whats working for me. But maybe when my weight is lost I will feel a little different and want a more flexible fill amount.

[HeatherO 7]

I think eating the right foods, following the plan and staying a little looser are healthier in the long run. Being too tight is unpleasant and not safe. It you are working on healthier eating you are already moving in the right direction.

Maybe 1.55 or 1.6 is the right level for you. At this point maybe your fills need to be raised/lowered in much smaller increments, perhaps by .05. You know your current upper and lower range now so the sweet spot must be somewhere in between.

I also strongly agree with Jack above. There is the band around our stomachs which needs tweaking, but the band around our minds is where most of the hard work comes in. :0)

[tlynn 0]

I just got a fill yesterday. This is my 2nd fill since surgery. The dr had a hard time finding my port. The 1st fill there was no problem 1.6cc. After alot of pain and 30 min, he finally got it. He put .6cc in my band. For dinner last night I had 1/2 cup of chicken broth and I was full. There was no problem with it going down. This morning I am so tight that I cannot even eat Jello but I can drink crystal light slowly.

My concern is am I just swollen after the fill and it is going to go down in 48 hours or am I to full from my fill? Please give me some advice or same situations.:rolleyes2:

Thanks

[salsa1877 10]

I just got a fill yesterday. This is my 2nd fill since surgery. The dr had a hard time finding my port. The 1st fill there was no problem 1.6cc. After alot of pain and 30 min, he finally got it. He put .6cc in my band. For dinner last night I had 1/2 cup of chicken broth and I was full. There was no problem with it going down. This morning I am so tight that I cannot even eat Jello but I can drink crystal light slowly.

My concern is am I just swollen after the fill and it is going to go down in 48 hours or am I to full from my fill? Please give me some advice or same situations.:rolleyes2:

Thanks

At this point you are definetly swollen. It takes a couple of days for the swelling to go down. If you can't get mushies down by 4 days out then, you are probably too tight. It is normal to be tighter in the morning, so you might be just fine. Give it a little more time and hopefully you will loosen up!

[salsa1877 10]

Granted I've only been banded for 2 months, but I prefer my band tighter. Thats why I had the surgery, I need something to tell me to stop eating. Its forcing me to chew like crazy, which takes time, so I dont just hack it right back up. The little bites, and feeling of fullness right now is whats working for me. But maybe when my weight is lost I will feel a little different and want a more flexible fill amount.

Being tight is okay...being too tight is a whole different story. If you can still eat solid foods and are learning to change eating behaviors then it is fine to be tight. But I have seen so many people NOT lose weight because they are so tight and are eating around the band (milk shakes, mashed potatoes, chocolate, foods drowning in cream) because it hurts to eat. If all you can get down is Protein drinks then you are depriving yourself of nutrients found in whole foods.

Hope this clarifies what I meant!

[tlynn 0]

At this point you are definetly swollen. It takes a couple of days for the swelling to go down. If you can't get mushies down by 4 days out then, you are probably too tight. It is normal to be tighter in the morning, so you might be just fine. Give it a little more time and hopefully you will loosen up!

Should I have discomfort in my abdomen?

[salsa1877 10]

Should I have discomfort in my abdomen?

If you are having PAIN, then I would see/call your doc. My doc says that at NO point should you have pain. I am not a doctor and I don't want to give you any advice except for to call your doc. If it was just that things felt stuck or liquids were going down slowly then I would say to wait it out a day or 2, but pain usually sends up flags for me to get to the doc!

Good luck and keep us up to date!

[tlynn 0]

I went to the doctor today. I had x-rays done and everything was good. The Dr took .3cc out of my band today. What a relief I can actually swallow again. That was the most awful thing that I have ever been through an overfill.

[juliegeraci 7]

I would go down to 1.6. Even .1 can make a difference. I wouldn't be able to deal with the hunger and weight gain. Good luck.