juliansmom2003

Jess, if you are eating under a cup of food and are still satisfied for at least 4 hours, I'd say that's the restriction most of us are looking for. Like you said, you don't want to be filled so tight. Heck, I've heard of people who got filled so tight they weren't able to swallow their own saliva and had to get an unfill. Everyone is different with the problem foods too. I find I am one of those people who can eat all of the things most people can't (thank God). I have had one fill and am scheduling my second as I don't have real restriction yet, so I'm scared that my ability to eat bread and Pasta will go away, but I honestly need to be able to eat a cup of food and be satisfied. Right now, I stop at a cup and I'm still starving! If I were you, I'd actually hold off on a fill for now. You sound like you're doing great from a restriction point of view and you have a great loss! Congrats on the 20 lbs!

All I can suggest is Protein, protein, protein and lots of water!!! It's the only thing that got me through the first two weeks! I promise it will get easier. And I never hesitated to call my doc with questions or concerns--that's why they make the big bucks! I hope you feel better and get some answers from the doc soon. Hang in there!

Corinne, that's wonderful! What a great start! Water or not, 8 lbs is 8 lbs!!!! Glad you're off to such a wonderful start. Congrats!

Dr. Goldstein in Voorhees, NJ. Absolutely wonderful!!!

Sounds like you're off to a great start! Glad you're feeling good and congrats on the 13-lb loss! Just awesome! Just remember to take it easy though. At 9 days post op, your body has gone through some major trauma and walking is great for now, but just try not to overdo it with anything too strenuous. Lots of luck to you!!

Sorry for the late post this week. I didn't weigh in until last night. Weight at Sign-up: 188 Weight this week: 184 Goal: 15 lbs Current Lost: 4 lbs (11 away from goal---I can do this!!)

Okay, so as I broadcasted yesterday, I had my first fill yesterday morning. I have been STARVING ever since :-(! I am on liquids until Sunday (I go to mushies then) and Monday back to regular food, but is it normal to be this hungry after a fill? I thought there was a nice honeymoon period right after while the swelling was going down where I wouldn't even want to eat, but it seems I'm ravenous. Is it possible at this early stage I can tell the doc didn't put enough in my band? HELP! I'm starving!!! :thumbup: :w00t:

Okay so I'm back on solids today. For Breakfast, I had a 4 oz yogurt, a cheese stick and a small banana (about 9 ounces total for the whole breakfast). I never got any pains (and I could've eaten more), but I stopped myself, waited the hour, drank about 32 ounces of Water, and it was all I could do to stretch out until 2:30 (4 hours from my breakfast) to eat lunch. For lunch, I had about 5 pieces of reduced fat turkey with a slice of FF cheese and tomato slice on an arnold wheat thin and I don't feel hungry, but I don't feel full either. So my question is.... Is restriction how full you feel and how long you can last until you need to eat again OR is it the feeling you get when you haven't chewed enough or have eaten too fast (aka getting stuck)? I can definitely feel it if I don't chew well enough, but wondering if I am confusing what restriction really is.... Then I think, if I'm asking what restriction is, chances are maybe I don't have it LOL. I'm just not sure when to call the doc to ask for fill #2..... Thoughts all knowing Lap Band Buddies ????

Hi there. I started mushies yesterday and honestly didn't feel too much difference. Today, I'm back on solids and I had a 4 oz yogurt, small banana and a cheese stick for breakfast (around 2 hours ago) --I could've eaten more, trust me-- and my stomach is starting to growl. I am wondering if it is head hunger?? I don't know how I'm 'supposed' to feel. I am going to drink some Water now and try to hold out two more hours until lunch. How long before I need to call the doc and tell them I need another fill? I don't know if I will feel restriction right away or it's something that happens a couple days later.... I just want to be able to know the whole restriction thing and be able to control my portions. I'm not looking to not be able to swallow my own saliva LOL

You are probably a little swollen from getting sick. I'd stay on liquids for a little while just to let it settle. You may have eaten too fast or didn't chew enough, but it's also possible you are now at a level of restriction that your band will no longer tolerate chicken. Do you think you chewed it thoroughly? Hope you feel better.

OMG Kristin--no I haven't experienced this. I just had my first fill, but it didn't go anything like that. I'm so sorry that's how it went and you are in such pain. Are you going back in for a follow up so they can check to see how you're healing? Did they do the fill under fluoro (I"m thinking maybe not since you mentioned that you kind of looked like a pin cushion coming out of there). I'm so sorry you had a bad experience. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

So glad that you're feeling some restriction! I just had my first fill and go back to mushies tomorrow, solids on Monday and I can't wait to see what kind of restriction I will have. I have about 30 more lbs to go until I'm at my goal, so I'm hoping that one fill will do it. It's been all will power up until now though. My fingers are crossed for you that the restriction lasts :-)!

TJ, I'm just seeing this now. I actually chuckled reading it somewhat because I sensed the facetious tone of the post. It can get frustrating being patient waiting for it this weight to come off when we're busting out butts so hard though :-)! I have no doubt you'll lose that additional 100!! Glad you're okay and I was right in thinking you were being a smart a$$ LOL!

I think applesauce is the mushies stage. Prune juice might help you.

Another great one is Hungry Girl (www.hungry-girl.com). AWESOME recipies!!!!

THANK YOU ALL for your responses. I am so appreciative that I found this board. Honestly, I am really in need of support with this and I feel like I truly have that here. I just called my doctor's office and left a message asking about this kind of hunger and whether I should be feeling like this. I am just scared beyond belief to even think about feeling like this for an extended period of time. I am truly hoping when I get on solids it will be better. I've already had 70 grams of Protein and I am ravenous!!! :-(

I am hoping you are right about feeling some restriction after we go back on solids. Honestly this is killing me--this is like when I first had my surgery :-(! The worst part is, he filled me, stood me up to watch the barium go down (under fluoro) and said, "Little too tight" so he took some out and had me swallow more barium and said again, "Gotta take a little more out, still too tight" and then he said I was okay, nice and tightened. I don't know--I wonder if there is anything in there at all! It took me SO long to even get this first fill (surgery date was 10/21) and if I'm going to have to live like this for another month, I am going to lose it! Thanks for letting me vent, everyone. This is what I remember right after surgery like what the hell did I do? LOL I haven't felt like this at all since week 3 post op until now.... Starting to pray....

Not sure :thumbup: This really stinks!

Well, over 7 months have passed since my first entry. I had my surgery on my son's 6th birthday, 10/21/09. I lost 17 lbs pre-op and have currently lost 30 post. I just had my first fill today, which wasn't as bad as I built it up in my mind to be. I am just worried that there is hardly anything in there. I kind of expected to be hungry all day like I was either. What the heck? I am about 40 lbs away from my goal and I can see it dangling in front of me like a 3 Musketeers bar :thumbup:. My will power has gotten me this far post-op. Let's hope this fill kicks in and my tool gives me a little more help!

Well, over 7 months have passed since my first entry. I had my surgery on my son's 6th birthday, 10/21/09. I lost 17 lbs pre-op and have currently lost 30 post. I just had my first fill today, which wasn't as bad as I built it up in my mind to be. I am just worried that there is hardly anything in there. I kind of expected to be hungry all day like I was either. What the heck? I am about 40 lbs away from my goal and I can see it dangling in front of me like a 3 Musketeers bar :cursing:. My will power has gotten me this far post-op. Let's hope this fill kicks in and my tool gives me a little more help!

Thank GOD I didn't see the needles (the doc was awesome about hiding them from me LOL). He explained what would happen, what I'd feel, was very good at putting me at ease. It was done under fluoro, so when they stood me up to have me drink the barium, he looked at the screen and said, "ok, that's too tight, need to take a little out" took more out and said again that it was too tight, so he took a little more out. He had me drink one more time and said we were good. He said I was nice and tightened, but I'm hoping that is true. I asked if he put a lot of Fluid in and he said everyone is different, but I guess he didn't know I was somewhat knowledgeable from this board about how many ccs some people are getting LOL. I came home and drank a muscle milk light already with no problem. Am I supposed to feel any different drinking after a fill? Can you tell I'm paranoid? LOL I guess I just have to wait and see, since I'm on fluids until Sunday.... Anyway, thanks to those of you who put my mind at ease yesterday. It really wasn't all that bad!!! :thumbup:

Oh I did forget to mention, after the fill, when they were laying me back down, I got REALLY dizzy and kind of nauseous. The doc said some people do experience that and to let him know next time around so I don't just get up and pass out LOL. I had to lay down for 5-10 mins with a cold cloth on my head, but felt better after that. Did anyone get this side effect after a fill? Totally forgot to mention this....

Hang in there, Tiffany. Many of us have experienced the roller coaster of losing, not losing, doing everything right and scales still not moving..... I am the kind of person that wants everything now, but I have to remind myself sometimes that I didn't get this way overnight, so it will take some time to shrink back down. I agree with Jewel that it's a good thing keeping a journal. If I didn't do that, I honestly think it would have prevented me from losing up until this point (I haven't had a fill yet). Hang in there. We will have our ups and downs, but overall, you are going to look back 6 months from now and feel so proud you stuck it out because you were so successful!!! :-)

Not a clue LOL. I know he is conservative, but since I've managed to go this long with nothing, perhaps all I need is a little one anyway? I am a little nervous now because I read some posts about the size of the needle...freaking just a tad LOL

17 pre-op, 30 post It's been tough to say the least! Can't believe I got through the Holidays without gaining since there is nothing in my band!