When should i get a fill

johnnyreno · June 3, 2005

i was banded on may 6th whenn should i get them to fill my band? THANKS IN ADVANCE for any help.

June 3, 2005

i was banded on may 6th whenn should i get them to fill my band? THANKS IN ADVANCE for any help.

ONLY get a fill after you are back on solids (follow your doctor's orders on this). You won't be able to tell if you have restriction until you are back on solids.

Do you need a fill? That's entirely possible. For most people, it takes 3-5 fills to get to a good restriction level. You need a fill if:

1) You can eat more than you should. For a meal, you should have 2-4 ounces of meat (chicken or whatever), 1/4-1/2 cup of veggies and MAYBE something starchy if you have room. If you can eat more than that, you need a fill.

2) You should eat a bandster portion (above) and be full (full means not hungry) for 3-4 hours. If you eat the right portions, but are hungry after an hour, you need a fill.

Are you following the bandster rules?

1) At least 64 ounces of Water a day. It counts as Water if it is calorie-free (or close) -- so Crystal Light and sugar-free Kool-Aid count. It also must be Decaf - regular coffee doesn't count as a liquid.

2) At least 60 grams of Protein a day.

3) No drinking with meals. I even have a no-drinking for 30 minutes after a meal...some docs say 1 hour after.

4) All liquids must be almost calorie-free, except milk. This means no sugary lemonades, but you can have Crystal Light, sugar-free Kool-Aid, water, sugar-free popsicles.

5) Eat Breakfast. Not really a bandster rule, but one that I've found very important.

6) No grazing. If you want a snack, fine, plan for it. But don't keep eating those Hershey kisses by your co-workers desk. You'd be surprised at how fast they add up.

7) Exercise daily. No matter what the level -- if you can only walk 10 minutes, do 10 minutes. If you can do 1/2 hour, do that. But do something and every so often, increase your time and intensity.

Try tracking your calorie intake on fitday.com for just a few days. See how many calories you're taking in. If you're not losing, you're probably taking in more than you think. Course, it's possible to take in too few calories and then your body will shut down. The goal is for 1200-1500 calories/day.

My doctor is very happy with my weightloss -- I am too. But I seriously have followed these rules 98% of the time.

Sorry this has been long, but I am very happy to help people whenever I can. If you have more questions, please let me know...I am an open book on this!

jayme