After being banded in November last year, I have had three fills (5ml, 1.5ml and 1ml) and one aspiration (0.5ml) giving 7ml in a 10ml band. I had to have the aspiration because I was getting really bad indigestion, slime (!) and pain. Since having 0.5ml taken out I can't tell whether I have restriction or not. What does it feel like? How do I know when I'm full?

I eat three small meals a day off a 7-inch side plate. I eat slowly, chew everything, eat very healthy food and don't mix drinks with meal times. I can eat all sorts of 'difficult' foods including white bread (though slowly). After I have finished a meal I feel as though I can 'last' (i.e. survive) until my next meal, just, but I wouldn't describe it as 'full' or even 'satisified'. I don't know if it's that I don't yet have enough restriction, or whether I am ignoring the 'full' signal. How can I tell?

Do I need to get another fill? I am worried that if I get another small fill I'll end up where I was a few weeks ago with awful pain, indigestion etc. Can anybody advise me?

Thanks, Theresa

I think some people who have been eating so much their whole lives have a really skewed sense of being full vs. being satisfied.

The band rules have a chart. Mine is from one to ten.

One being VERY hungry, and ten being VERY full. My dietician suggested that when I get to about a 6 is when I should stop eating.

What I'm saying is, one should stop eating just before you start getting the "I'm full!" feeling. Me personally don't get that physical "I'm full!" feeling anymore. It more hurts than having a bloated feeling. (Not to be confused with the "I'm Stuck" feeling even).

If the portions you are eating are satisfying you until your next meal, then I say that is how much you should be eating. As a bandster we shouldn't eat until we are "full" anymore. We eat until we are "satisfied".

HTH

Great reply Irene!

Thanks Irene. I understand what you are saying, but I wouldn't say I am satisifed until the next meal, I'm just surviving - in fact I get quite hungry in between meals and sometimes end up snacking. It's really getting me down. I'm getting disillusioned with the band because I thought it was there to reduce the hunger pangs and keep you feeling satisfied/full till the next meal?

Theresa, it is okay to snack in between meals. I do, and I still lose weight as long as my Snacks are good ones.

I also make sure I'm doing a reasonable amount of physical activity as well.

Our meals are small, and assuming your eating your solid Proteins first, veggies second, and whatever room you have left for your carb side that meal should get you 3-4 hours. If you still have a bit to wait for your next meal a small healthy snack should be okay. I usually will have FF yogurt with a handfull of Cereal crunched in for texture, or just something that is full of nutrients and lite in calories. Snacks are not an enemy, and I find they keep my metabolism going.

Or there are some neat tricks you can try if you feel you are snacking too much, like drinking a hot beverage like coffee, tea (someone gave me a great idea of sassafrass) or chewing on some SF mints (I chew gum too). I do all these things and they work for me.

It takes awhile to get in touch with our bands sometimes. Some people are excellent at it and get in the groove right away. Some of us it takes a little longer. I see you have only been banded 4 months. That's not really all that long. I was struggling bad at that time too, so you are not alone.

If you are still starving between meals after doing all that then, yes I'd say another fill is in order. Just be careful and be honest with the doctor. When he asks you what your symptoms are be sure not to over state your hungriness. To me it sounds like if anything you would only need a tiny pop. When I felt like that, that's all mine would give me and it would be very comfortable.

You are doing really good, hunger sucks! I'm not trying to sound all preachy, just want to offer some advice on what I went through because I really went through it when it came to fills. I had 8 fills and I'm at about 6cc/10cc. My doc really took his time, and as I was going through that I started to lose hope that I'd ever find that sweet spot. I did find it though, and I thank him now for getting me there without getting me too tight. Being too tight can lead to some very bad side effects.

If you ever need someone to talk to I'm here. You sound like a great person. I also really hope this helps you!

Sounds like you need a fill to me.

Hi again Irene,

Thank you so much for your lengthy and really encouraging reply. I am going to take your advice and not get so hung up about snacking. I have most difficulty at work so I'm going to take a selection of fruit, yoghurt and similar with me next week.

I had never heard of the thing about eating Proteins first, veggies second and carbs last. I'll try it.

I think you are right about getting into the groove with our bands - it's like getting used to having a new arm or something! A new part of our bodies that we have to learn to live with and get along with. I guess I just need to be more patient!

You are also right about being too tight leading to bad side effects - I have already experienced that and had to have a small aspiration a few weeks ago.

Thank you so much for your helpful advice - it's so great to know there are people like you willing to encourage those with less experience and it's great to have a forum like this where we can share experiences with people who understand.

Theresa

Hi again Irene,

Thank you so much for your lengthy and really encouraging reply. I am going to take your advice and not get so hung up about snacking. I have most difficulty at work so I'm going to take a selection of fruit, yoghurt and similar with me next week.

I had never heard of the thing about eating Proteins first, veggies second and carbs last. I'll try it.

I think you are right about getting into the groove with our bands - it's like getting used to having a new arm or something! A new part of our bodies that we have to learn to live with and get along with. I guess I just need to be more patient!

You are also right about being too tight leading to bad side effects - I have already experienced that and had to have a small aspiration a few weeks ago.

Thank you so much for your helpful advice - it's so great to know there are people like you willing to encourage those with less experience and it's great to have a forum like this where we can share experiences with people who understand.

Theresa

Anytime! :lunch: I really hope everything works out for you.