On Monday (March 9, '09) I went back to Dr. Baptista and had my first fill, because last time I didn't need one.

This time I did. I'd only lost 5 pounds, and that annoyed the heck out of me. I was glad doc gave me 4cc's, though I wasn't sure that would be enough.

I realize my viewpoint might be a bit skewed, though. Someone so desperate to lose weight permanently as to have surgery might not be too objective. :wink_smile: I wouldn't be happy unless I was throwing up everything but liquids, then went back and had doc remove 1cc. Yeah, that's a little extreme.

Still, I waited until today to assess how the fill has helped me. Scale Whore that I am, I still checked every morning, but today I saw the number drop to below where it had been for two weeks. It hovered right between 242 and 243, so I'll wait to adjust my ticker until I'm sure. I'd like to be below 240 by the end of March, and down by ten pound increments each month. That's possible without being extreme. I hope.

I'm trying desperately not to set myself up for failure by making my expectations too high or unreasonable. Ten pounds a month seems like a goal that requires a bit of effort but is still within reach.

What do you think?

That's great! Re. weight goals...I like to set mine high short term, but at a resonable level long term. It's always worked well for me (too bad I didn't set goals for keeping it off). I find a high short term goal pushes me hard to get there and a resonable long term goal allows you to feel good when you exceed it and allows for plateaus and times you get off track. I don't feel too bad if I'm a little above a monthly goal because I know I can start another goal the next month. But keeping below that long term goal graph line is important to me...way below one month, almost on it the next...it's all getting me to the end goal happily and it keeps me feeling good about any kind of progress. My long term goal is 100# in two years including pre-band, which is only a little over 1# a week...do I expect to lose way more than that with the pre/post op diet, yep, but that also allows for gaining weight back, which happens for many, plateaus and the big slow down nearing goal.

Time for a SWA meeting...give your opinions gals!

-BG

PS- BTW that's a huge fill-4cc's! I wish my doc were that aggressive (I've heard he's not).

Both doc and I were a bit surprised when I didn't feel a restriction until 4 cc's. The only thing we can figure out is that I took a little more time to heal, and I finally did after my first fill visit, where I didn't get a fill. Then, I was losing only by virtue of the low carb diet, my increased exercise, and the dieting habit, with just a little help from my band. That's why I only lost 5 lbs last month.

I think I have trouble recognizing a restriction, really. To me, everything is hunky-dory inside. I "guess" at when I'm full, usually about the time I feel like I should burp and can't. It doesn't hurt, but if I continue to eat after that feeling of pressure, LB throws everything in reverse and I'd better hope I can reach the toilet in time.

For instance, I just finished a bunless cheeseburger for lunch. I'm just edging toward that pressured feeling, and even though the pepper jack cheese makes me thirsty, I'm taking it easy on the sips of liquid for a bit. (I may learn someday not to eat spicy food now that I'm banded, but probably not.) I guess that's how my brain interprets a restriction.

I was a scale whore for awhile and driving myself bonkers. I made a New Year's Resolution to only weigh myself once a week and things got way better. I am also figuring out my fills. I got a whole cc last time and then felt it was too tight and went back to have some taken out. Of course, now I don't have enough restriction, but I'm going to wait a bit before asking to go back. I keep track of my food intake everyday mainly because I'm the kind of person that likes to plan and track things and buy pretty books to keep things in etc. Anyway, it keeps me motivated, but I cheat from time to time. I won't lie.

As for goals, I try to think smaller, in terms of 1-2 pounds a week. My main goal is as long as it doesn't go up.

Good point, Gus-Gus. As long as it doesn't go up, there's no need to panic.