Hi, I just had my first fill since surgery last week to 4cc. I never feel the fullness that I expected. I get a pain with my first few bites and this cues me to slow down and chew more but I never feel full. It has been 2 months since my surgery. I lost about 10-13 pounds between the two week preop diet and about three weeks after surgery but now it is not changing, even with the 4cc fill. Is this normal to not feel full with 4cc?

I didn't feel restriction until I had 6cc in my 10cc band. And in saying I got restriction, I want to make clear that, to me, it's not the same feeling as being 'full' pre-band.

When I have had enough now, my band makes sure I know it. If I feel like I won't be able to 'hold' anymore food than I've already eaten, I've probably eaten too much already.

It's not the same as that 'full' feeling you get pre-band, where your stomache feels like it's heavy and expanded. I can feel like I've had more than enough band-wise and still feel hungry in my stomache. I guess it's because it takes a while for the food I've eaten to move through the band and into my lower stomache.

So I guess I've learnt when I'm satisfied, and that's different from feeling 'full'. And if you can't feel that difference yet, then yes, you've not yet gotten sufficient restriction.

Yes, it is normal.

I'm in the same boat as you and will have another fill March 1.

It takes time to find your "sweet spot". Some are lucky and find it earlier, some later.

All our anatomies are different.

Your doctor will probably add fills slowly until the right amount is discovered.

Hang in there!

thanks Lellow, Is the sensation you feel when you cant hold anymore painfull at all? If you eat the first few bites to quick or not chewed enough is it painfull?

Yes, if you're at the point where you've eaten too much already, yes it can be uncomfortable. Painful even. And yes, if you eat too fast (don't chew enough) those first few bites, the discomfort is very similar.

I think you do in fact have some restriction, because you can feel the effects of the band when you eat too fast. You just haven't gotten to the point yet where it's limiting the amount of food you can comfortably eat.

I'm sure you'll get there soon though. I barely felt ANY discomfort at all until I got to 6cc, and even then only immediately after a fill.

Thank you and your pictures look great!

I was banded 11/08, got my 1st fill in 12/08, second fill 2/09 - now up to 5.5cc - I'm definitely NOT at my sweet spot yet! Just like you - I do feel a tightening sensation when I eat too fast or too much - but I'm looking for that "full" feeling between meals that I had right after surgery. I was one of the lucky ones that felt alot of restriction right after surgery - and that's where I lost the majority of my weight.

I go for another fill in 3 weeks and my doc will go slowly with the fills to avoid an "overfill." I do feel like I "graze" too much - not getting full with my meals. I hope this changes soon - I look forward to not thinking so much about food!!

Good luck to you!

Kay

(starting weight 258 - today 203!!)

I know how frustrated you are, but it will happen. I have 2.6 in a 4cc band. I am now having problems with a dialated esophagus. I do not know why because my last fill was 11/07/08. Any way hang in there good things come to those who wait.

I usually make the mistake of eating soft foods because they go down easy, too easy. I overeat on them and are crippled afterwards. This is not a good feeling, soft foods need to be controlled.

This is so what I'm feeling. Sometimes I just want that same old "full" feeling. I was just telling someone that I never get full. I am comfortable (or uncomfortable might be the word sometimes...), but never full. It would be so much easier if I did feel that feeling. I think I was so used to eating until I was full...not just until I was satisfied. It's a learning process. For me, I think it's mostly head hunger. It's sort of like just wanting to eat sometimes ... with no limits, like before (that would be stress eating). That's part of the food addiction that will take time to get rid of.

Good luck to us all--I'm hoping my next fill will happen tomorrow and I will get to feel "full".