First Fill--Do I need one?

[mhermanrn]

I am scheduled for my first fill in one week. Since my surgery on Jan 14th I have had several episodes of severe chest pain when I eat and have to leave the table and walk around to have the pain subside. Is this restriction? I think it may be due lack of chewing enough or too big of a bite. I generally eat less than I did before my surgery but my weight loss has come to a halt. I have only lost about 13 lbs since the surgery. Any advice out there??

[bogiesmom]

I am scheduled for my first fill in one week. Since my surgery on Jan 14th I have had several episodes of severe chest pain when I eat and have to leave the table and walk around to have the pain subside. Is this restriction? I think it may be due lack of chewing enough or too big of a bite. I generally eat less than I did before my surgery but my weight loss has come to a halt. I have only lost about 13 lbs since the surgery. Any advice out there??

Whether it is from volume, lack of chewing properly or eating too fast, what you are experiencing is restriction.

Generally speaking it is time for a fill if you are not loosing 1 - 2 pounds per week. But, there could be other factors contributing to you not loosing. It sounds like to me you do not need a fill but that is just based on the little info you gave. I have to assume you are experiencing restriction most of the time you are eating? With all types of food?

The general rule of thumb is:

If you are consistantly eating 1/2 to 1/3 of what you were eating BEFORE being banded then you do not need a fill. If you were eating 3 tacos before being banded you should now be able to eat 1.5 - 1 taco and feel the need to stop eating for the next 3 to 4 hours. Does this general rule apply to you?

[AngieB]

I am scheduled for my first fill in one week. Since my surgery on Jan 14th I have had several episodes of severe chest pain when I eat and have to leave the table and walk around to have the pain subside. Is this restriction? I think it may be due lack of chewing enough or too big of a bite. I generally eat less than I did before my surgery but my weight loss has come to a halt. I have only lost about 13 lbs since the surgery. Any advice out there??

Okay here is my opinion. Keep you fill apt. Sounds like you may need to focus on chewing and slowing down when you are eating your meal. Cut your food into small pieces, this helps me. Also put your fork or spoon down. Chew chew chew. Get use to chewing. I think you are intune with your body, so when you say you don't think you are chewing enough, I think you are hitting the nail on the head.

Here are a few questions I would have. Are you eating a cup of food before you are full? If you are eating more than a cup, I say filler her up. Get some restriction. The chest pain is most likely a stuck piece of food. When you get that stuck feeling are you slimming? (having spit well up in your mouth?)

Congrats on being a bandster!!!!! YAY!