Is there such a thing as a "bad fill?" By that, I mean it just doesn't take as well to some people?

I was filled 1.6 cc's on 10/6 and had a little (.2 cc's) taken out the following day because I was too tight.

Since then, I never have the sense of fullness people talk about -- yet, it's hard to imagine "tighter" would be better.

I tend to get pain and mild discomfort after eating (not always), rather than full. It's random as to what foods create that discomfort, if there is an relation between the two.

It's like I'm wearing pants that are two sizes too small and are pinching, almost like a cramp, but not a gassy cramp. It's not there all the time. Some things go down well. Some things don't. Some days are more restricted than others. Sometimes the stop-you-in-your-tracks golf ball strikes, but not often. It passes very quickly.

I also still get pain in my port area, but mild and ocassional.

I've had two PB episodes, nothing alarming. Weight loss remains stagnant since the fill, maybe down a pound or two.

It's certainly a question for the doctor, but thought I'd throw it out there for the experts here that live it.

It's starting to depress me...as if this hasn't worked and won't. I try sticking to the basic band rules, but it's tough when I don't have a problem with most foods.

Thanks for any advice and support.

Elizabeth

8/28/03

Hi Elizabeth -

Sorry no one has addressed any of your questions.

It sounds to me like you are tight enough based on your description of how you feel.

Have you really looked at what you are eating? How many calories are you getting in per day? If it's lower than 1200, you probably need to eat more. How's your activity level?

I guess we'd have to know some more details to help you troubleshoot your plateau. I'd be hesitant to say you need another fill based on your current physical feelings, regardless of what you are eating.

If you are getting in around 1200 calories a day, exercising 30 minutes a day about 5 times a week, that should put you on the road to weight loss.

Many people use www.fitday.com to track their calories and exercise. Perhaps that will help you analyze that side of it.

I don't know how many people experience the discomfort you describe, but I tend to have a little pain my first two bites and then I'm usually okay. I think my first two bites are a) not chewed as well as the rest and :cool: are eaten too quickly.

Let us know the answers to the calorie/exercise question, and be sure to take it easy! But it does not sound like you need another fill.

Thanks so much!!

I'm at about 1500-1700 calories a day and exercise 3 times a week. I'm sure if I knock the cals down and bump the exercise up, I'll move.

Discomfort is decreasing, so that's GREAT news.

Take care and congrats on YOUR success! I've worked on many of the same issues as you have regarding food/emotional eating, etc. One thing I haven't seen you mention that I'm very big on is not categorizing food intake as being good or bad. As in, "I was good today" or "I was bad today." That is so self-defeating! We are ALL good...just some days are better than others.

Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth -

You're absolutely right - there is no "good" food, "bad" food - just more and less nutritious food. And we are NOT "bad" based on our food choices. There is no "cheating," no reason to "sneak" or feel guilty about what we eat. Guilt is a waste of energy, and benefits no one, least of all ourselves.

Understanding our choices, and giving ourselves options for alternative behaviour without judgment is key to our success, IMHO.

As far as your calorie intake goes, you really should be losing at 1700 calories with your exercise schedule, as that HAS to be less than what you were eating before - the problem is the speed... :cool: It's never fast enough, is it? I get antsy too, but when I really sit and analyze, I realize that I am HAPPY. Yes, I'd love to be at goal tomorrow, but to be honest, "goal" really is a misnomer - my REAL goal is happiness, health, and peace, and I have those things. I'm greedy, though... I'd like "slender," too. lol

But it will come, sooner or later, and focusing on living instead of loosing is a healthy distraction from what I hope to someday be able to say my "old" obsession.

Keep us posted on how you're doing! So glad you're feeling better. Losing weight shouldn't be about suffering. That was one of my problems I discussed with my counselor. I told her that I felt if I was not suffering in some way, if I was not doing something drastic, that I wasn't TRYING hard enough. She assured me that wasn't true.