well, if your losing and arent hungry.. you can wait on fills. being too tight isnt fun and bad for the band too.

That's the thing, I have lost ten lbs since the fill but I excercise religiously and I am so picky about what I put into my mouth. I feel like I am losing without the band (not that that's a bad thing). I am hungry, not as bad as I used to be but I have hungry moments and I have tight moments. I feel the same way I did and I am doing the same thing I was doing before the last fill when the NP thought I didn't need a fill. Somedays I feel just fine. Other days, I am a hungry beast and have to rely on sheer will power. Just thought I'd blog this topic for future reflection.

we were thinking alike today!!! as my post is about the exact same thing!!!! LOL!

[$120 sounds great! my fills are $900.00 each! at least that's what the doc charges my insurance! (I dont have to pay anything!) I should have been a doctor!!! LOL!]

I too feel like "Im just about there and dont want to go over to the RED (as you put it)" ... I am exercizing, eating right, etc....

BUT i my thoughts are that i went through so much to get the band, so i want to use it to its full potential and not rely on myself to "diet & exercize" (if i was good at that, I wouldnt have gotten the band to begin with:ohmy:)

I heard it takes (on average) between 3-5 fills within the first 6 months of surgery before the band "starts working" ... so it hasn't been 4 months since my surgery and this would be my 4th fill..... hmmmm....???

WoW, that's a lot for a Fill. Glad I am here in Korea, it's only 30,000 won or about 28 dollars a visit. My initial start was every two weeks get a fill, and I did that for the first three fills. Then I waited until I felt that my own initiatives were not helping me loose, plus the fact that I had to be checked out prior to my flight to the states in Sept. I just had my 4th fill, and have restriction. I have no problems with any foods, but I do occassionally get that bad feeling and you know, it hurts for a few and you don't feel like eating any more at that setting. Since my 4th fill, only one bad occasion but I drank some water with my meal, I know not suppose too. I am conscious about the rules and think that a person will know when he/she needs to get another fill. I would not go because the doc says, since after reading many blogs, one can reason out what is best for him or her. I tried to do it myself between my 3rd and 4th fill, and I feel ok about that. Yes fills are needed at times and I welcome them. RESTRICTION is what we want. Our Journey takes time and we will eventually loose our unwanted #s. The earlier you receive your fill, the faster your restriction is reached. It's maintenance after that, so be positive and let your band go to work for you. Upon my return from the states, I will see my doc again, for another fill as I will want as much restriction as possible prior to my 1st year as a bandster, my goal 100 #s loss. Take care...

Here is my update:

I just left my fill appt and returned with no fill. I explained that I recognize the restriction but I rarely feel satified. My doctor's office does fills under flurocoscopy (or however you spell it) so they can see a person's restriction. They loved my restriction on the xray, they loved my weight loss success thus far. The NP was afraid that even a tiny fill would put me into the red. I told her I felt like I was on the low end of green so she scheduled me to come back in two weeks. A few reminders that she gave me were more water, more protein (lots more protein than my journal indicated) less corn, carrots , sweet peas, and potatoes. I thought I was doing good in the veggies but apparantly they want more green veggies. They gave me some interesting printouts that stated some other suggestions including a jumpstart plan that looks like the pre-op diet. I'll type them up if you'd like.

So now I have my answer and now I know what to do to step up my loss. I guess I'm at my sweet spot.......

we were thinking alike today!!! as my post is about the exact same thing!!!! LOL!

[$120 sounds great! my fills are $900.00 each! at least that's what the doc charges my insurance! (I dont have to pay anything!) I should have been a doctor!!! LOL!]

I too feel like "Im just about there and dont want to go over to the RED (as you put it)" ... I am exercizing' date=' eating right, etc....[/color']

BUT i my thoughts are that i went through so much to get the band, so i want to use it to its full potential and not rely on myself to "diet & exercize" (if i was good at that, I wouldnt have gotten the band to begin with:ohmy:)

I heard it takes (on average) between 3-5 fills within the first 6 months of surgery before the band "starts working" ... so it hasn't been 4 months since my surgery and this would be my 4th fill..... hmmmm....???

My band is six months out on the 25th of this month so WHERE IS MY SWEET SPOT???? LOL

WoW, that's a lot for a Fill. Glad I am here in Korea, it's only 30,000 won or about 28 dollars a visit. My initial start was every two weeks get a fill, and I did that for the first three fills. Then I waited until I felt that my own initiatives were not helping me loose, plus the fact that I had to be checked out prior to my flight to the states in Sept. I just had my 4th fill, and have restriction. I have no problems with any foods, but I do occassionally get that bad feeling and you know, it hurts for a few and you don't feel like eating any more at that setting. Since my 4th fill, only one bad occasion but I drank some water with my meal, I know not suppose too. I am conscious about the rules and think that a person will know when he/she needs to get another fill. I would not go because the doc says, since after reading many blogs, one can reason out what is best for him or her. I tried to do it myself between my 3rd and 4th fill, and I feel ok about that. Yes fills are needed at times and I welcome them. RESTRICTION is what we want. Our Journey takes time and we will eventually loose our unwanted #s. The earlier you receive your fill, the faster your restriction is reached. It's maintenance after that, so be positive and let your band go to work for you. Upon my return from the states, I will see my doc again, for another fill as I will want as much restriction as possible prior to my 1st year as a bandster, my goal 100 #s loss. Take care...

I should have read this before I went to the doctor....