Fills????

[DonnaK2231]

Hello All,

I had a fill on Sat. and today was my 1st day eating, can anyone tell me what you are suppose to feel like? I don't fell all that full, I also read before that it takes a few weeks to kick in?? How can that be true?? Do I need more fill???

Thanks,

Donna :-?

[utahmom]

Hello All,

I had a fill on Sat. and today was my 1st day eating, can anyone tell me what you are suppose to feel like? I don't fell all that full, I also read before that it takes a few weeks to kick in?? How can that be true?? Do I need more fill???

Thanks,

Donna :-?

Did you go back to TJ for your fill?

[Ms.Teacher]

Hi Donna! It really depends on how much of a fill you received, and what size band you have. We really need that info to answer your questions. In the last 3 years I've had about a half dozen fills and unfills. My doctor, in Mexico is very aggressive with his fills, that's why the unfills. Let us know your info and hopefully we can help. Through my experience, with a good fill you know right away. > Helena

[DonnaK2231]

yes I went back to Occ, they filled me 1.8, I did send them a email. If you get too full do you experience more PB-ing? if your too tight? I know I have heard of people that can't even keep water down. As far as the size of band, I don't have a clue!!

thanks for your help!!

Donna

[nicolek]

Hi All

I was filled last Wednesday back at The OCC 1.6 in my 4cc band. I feel restriction in the morning but the rest of the day its the same as before. We went for dinner to Red Lobster last night and my husband even commented on how my I could eat. Not good! I'm using will power right now. How soon can you get another fill? I will get the next one locally as it cost me a total of $1000 to come from Canada.

Any imput would be great.

Nicolek

[DonnaK2231]

Hi All

I was filled last Wednesday back at The OCC 1.6 in my 4cc band. I feel restriction in the morning but the rest of the day its the same as before. We went for dinner to Red Lobster last night and my husband even commented on how my I could eat. Not good! I'm using will power right now. How soon can you get another fill? I will get the next one locally as it cost me a total of $1000 to come from Canada.

Any imput would be great.

Nicolek

Hey Nicolek,

I have a fill app next weekend, which is 2 weeks from my first one!! For me it's not the cost, I'm in So California, it's the time and energy it takes to get over there, It took us 3 hours to cross the border 2 weeks ago!!! and I live 2-3 hours away. I want to get a fill asap, to start losing weight!! what are you going to do? get a fill in Canada??

Donna

[MamaMichelle]

I have yet to have my first fill (only 10 days away) but I believe a few of the veteran bandsters have mentioned that it sometimes takes a week or so to actually feel the restriction kick in. So if you get a 2nd fill so soon and then they kick in a little later does you might be too tight and then have to pay for another trip to get an unfill!

[nicolek]

Hi

Well I'm on day 11 after my first fill (1.6cc) and have absolutely NO restriction. Yesterday I wanted to see how much I could eat for lunch before feeling full or PBing. I actually ate more than I did before banding. I feel so disgusted with myself as thay weren't healthy choices.

1 lean cuisine lasagne with extra cheese

8 girl guide cookies (which I don't like)

2 pieces of birthday cake with fresh cream icing.

When can I get a second fill????

I hope it will be here in Canada, I made a contact through the local lapbander support group. I'll phone tomorrow and see if they will take me soon.

Today its back to calorie counting until I can schedule something.

Nicolek

[DonnaK2231]

Hey Nicolek,

I hear you, I feel like I can eat anything too!! I have heard that it gets tigher in a few weeks too, does anyone else know if that's true or not?? Well Hopefully it will happen soon!!

Are you going to get a fill or wait?

Donna

[nicolek]

Hi Donna

I think I'm going to schedule on for later next week. So if it kicks in I can cancel, but if not I can get back on track.

Nicolek

[MamaMichelle]

Hi Donna

I think I'm going to schedule on for later next week. So if it kicks in I can cancel, but if not I can get back on track.

Nicolek

Sounds like a good plan, let us know how it goes!

[Kim2BSlim]

This is so disheartening! I figured after a fill, it would be hard to eat very much food. I was told you should eat a third of what you used to.

I am sorry you are all hungry and not restricted. What a bummer!

[MamaMichelle]

This is so disheartening! I figured after a fill, it would be hard to eat very much food. I was told you should eat a third of what you used to.

I am sorry you are all hungry and not restricted. What a bummer!

Sadly many people may need 3-4 fills in their first year before hitting that "sweet spot" of perfect restriction.. The best thing you can do is try no to let it get you down or start thinking "this band will never work for me" and neglect getting another fill, I have read so many stories on other boards about people just giving up, for some of them it takes a year of kicking themselves in the behind before they take the steps to tweak their tool!

[Blazn]

Gosh, I really hate to hear this. I am scheduled for my first fill on May 3rd. Dr. Martinez told me I should only need 1 or 2 fills. I have heard of people receiving more but I really wanted to be one of those that only had to have one. Who knows maybe I will be. But I am so sorry to hear this you guys. Please keep us posted on your restriction and progress. Don't give up though. You have come to far to get discouraged now! Just think "we are on the short rows now" - you might have to be a southerner to understand that phrase - LOL.

[Blazn]

Sadly many people may need 3-4 fills in their first year before hitting that "sweet spot" of perfect restriction.. The best thing you can do is try no to let it get you down or start thinking "this band will never work for me" and neglect getting another fill, I have read so many stories on other boards about people just giving up, for some of them it takes a year of kicking themselves in the behind before they take the steps to tweak their tool!

MamaMichelle, Just wanted to let you know I checked out your blog webpage and I love it. You are wonderful for this forum. I just love the way you are displaying your weight loss in the dress you want to wear for your husband's party. I wish I'd have thought of that. I have got this pretty pink dress I want to wear to my cousin's wedding in May - but it is a 14 and I am a 16 right now. Maybe I need to try it on and see how far I am away. Thanks for all your comments.

[MamaMichelle]

MamaMichelle, Just wanted to let you know I checked out your blog webpage and I love it. You are wonderful for this forum. I just love the way you are displaying your weight loss in the dress you want to wear for your husband's party. I wish I'd have thought of that. I have got this pretty pink dress I want to wear to my cousin's wedding in May - but it is a 14 and I am a 16 right now. Maybe I need to try it on and see how far I am away. Thanks for all your comments.

Thanks sweetie, I try to contribute what I can here (without annoying everyone or being a "post ho") lol... But I do update my blog every other day with the good stuff and the bad stuff that is happening with me in my adventures in bandland!

As for your dress, GO FOR IT!! I could hardly slide that dress over my hips the night before my surgery so who cares if you can zip it yet!! Then take some pics... you don't have to show it to anyone, I took a set of pics in a bikini and it was pretty horrifying lol, but come this time next year when I am rocking that same swimsuit it will be great to have pics to see how far I have come!!

[DonnaK2231]

Thanks everyone for your posts!!! It's been helpful!! I hope this doesn't discourage you, I do have to say I'm not all that hungry. If I am eating too much or snacking it's because in mental, not physical!! I'm trying to watch my portions and calories. But I was under the impression when you had the right fill amount, you felt stuffed? Is that correct???

[MamaMichelle]

Thanks everyone for your posts!!! It's been helpful!! I hope this doesn't discourage you, I do have to say I'm not all that hungry. If I am eating too much or snacking it's because in mental, not physical!! I'm trying to watch my portions and calories. But I was under the impression when you had the right fill amount, you felt stuffed? Is that correct???

I don't think you should ever want to feel "stuffed" I would aim for "pleasantly satisfied" after a meal!! Here's a great article about how to tell if you are perfectly filled I posted in another thread but it's applicable here and it has some great info!!

Adjustments

How to Tell When You Are Perfectly Adjusted

You are losing 1-2 pounds per week.

If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week:

A. You may need an eating adjustment

1. Are you eating 60 grams of protein a day

2. Are you eating 25 grams of fiber

3. Are you avoiding all liquid calories

a. Soup can be sign of soft calorie syndrome

b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories 7 calories per gram

(1) Its also a stomach irritant

c. Fruit juice is just sugar water

4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods?

a. Are you avoiding soft foods

b. You cant just eat what's easy

c. Cheese is glorified fat

5. Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day between meals

6. Are you eating too much junk

a. Chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, cookies and other highly

processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a

healthy diet. But dont avoid them completely to the point where you

feel deprived.

b. Stay out of fast food places

7. Are you getting in two servings of calcium daily

8. Do you always eat the protein first

9. Then the vegetables or fruits

a. Five servings a day

b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable

10. Is your portion size appropriate?

a. Meat or fish

(1) 3 ounces the size of a deck of cards

b. Vegetables

(1) ½ cup the size of your fist

c. Starch

(1) If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you dont need much

(2) Avoid: rice, potatoes, pasta

11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners

a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite

b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar

c. They teach you to like things too sweet

d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner

than people who dont

12. Avoid most diet foods

a. Real food usually tastes better

b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes

c. When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not

that great

(1) Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine

(2) The body has no way to break down artificial fats

a. They may go into permanent storage

b. Some people think liposuction is the only way to remove hydrolyzed fats from the body

B. You may need a behavior adjustment

1. Are you eating only when you are hungry?

a. If youre not sure drink 8 ounces of water and wait.

2. Are you eating three meals a day?

a. With maybe 1 or 2 small snacks

3. Are you sitting down to eat?

4. Are you eating consciously?

a. No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper

away, pay attention to your food and your companions

5. Are you eating slowly?

a. Put the fork down between bites

b. Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal

c. Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying

6. Are you taking small bites?

a. Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork

7. Are you chewing well?

8. Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals?

a. Practice water loading between meals

b. You wont be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal

9. Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness?

a. Sometimes its a whisper: not hungry, had enough

b. Hard stop versus soft stop

10. Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing.

11. Do not eat when you are not hungry

C. You may need an activity adjustment

1. Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week?

a. Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day

b. Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week?

c. Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes?

2. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your physical activity?

a. Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators

b. Walking on the escalators instead of riding

c. Parking your car further away from the entrance

d. Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through

e. Getting off the bus one stop before your destination

f. Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash

g. Playing with your kids

D. You may need an attitude adjustment

1. Are you committed to your weight loss journey?

2. Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are eating and exercising?

a. Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days

3. Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional issues?

a. Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your eating?

b. Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those

emotions?

c. Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor?

4. Are you attending and participating in support group meetings?

5. Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends?

6. Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically?

7. Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss journey?

8. Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating?

a. Obsessive compulsive thoughts

(1) Obsess about something else

b. Perfectionism

(1) All or none, black and white thinking

c. Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss

9. Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards?

10. Have you learned how to take a compliment?

11. Are you giving up diet mentality?

a. Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day

b. Stop dieting

c. Stop depriving yourself

d. Stop defining food as good and bad

e. Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food

12. How do you feel about all the changes taking place?

E. You may need a band adjustment

1. You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate portion sizes but getting hungry between meals?

2. You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large portions.

3. You are having to struggle to lose

4. You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and having a good mind set.

F. You may need your band loosened

1. There are times when you cant get fluids down

2. You are vomiting too much

a. How much is too much?

3. Do you have frequent reflux or heartburn at night?

a. Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating

b. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime

c. Rinse your pouch with a glass or water an hour before bedtime

d. Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux:

(1) Rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods

(2) Chocolate

(3) Caffeine/Alcohol

(4) Some fruits and vegetables such as; oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers

(5) Peppermint

a. Baking soda toothpaste

e. Eat slowly and do not eat big meals

f. If you smoke, quit smoking

g. Reduce stress

h. Exercise promotes digestion

i. Raise the head of your bed

j. Wear loose fitting clothing around your waist

k. Stress increases reflux

l. Take estrogen containing medications in the morning

m. Avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime

(1) Tylenol is OK

n. Take an antacid (Pepcid complete) before retiring

o. Try other over-the-counter heartburn medications

p. See your health care provider

4. See your health care provider immediately (or call 911) if

a. You have a squeezing, tightness or heaviness in your chest,

especially if the discomfort spreads to your shoulder, arm or jaw or is

accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, irregular or fast

heartbeat or nausea. These could be symptoms of a heart attack.

b. If your symptoms are triggered by exercise.

c. If your pain localizes to your right side, especially if you also have nausea or fever

d. If you throw up vomit that looks like black sand or coffee

grounds. Or if your stool is black, deep red or looks like it has tar

in it. These are symptoms of bleeding and need immediate attention.

e. If your pain is severe

(Note: Pepto-Bismol or other medications with bismuth will turn your

stool black. Iron supplements can also make the stool tarry.)

This was written by

Jessie H. Ahroni, Ph.D., A.R.N.P., C.D.E., B.C.-A.D.M.

[Paula Bee]

Ugh.. I agree; this is disheartening. I have the 10.0 cc band, and I was told by Dr. Ortiz that I would probably only need a couple of fills before I had adequate restriction. I hope this is true!

My first fill is in TJ on May 6th; we wanted me to get at least the first fill there, but I am not sure what I will do after that. One day at a time.

Trying not to worry!