Discouraged...

[prat72 0]

I had surgery May 13, my first fill June 17, second fill July 6 and thought things were going well. I've lost 29 pounds and I am very happy for this. My question is how often should I be needing my next fill. Sometimes when I eat it takes bites and other times bunches. I don't always make the best choices but try to keep my portions in control. I do okay for Breakfast and lunch but dinner I am able to consume a cup or more before feeling full. I still struggle with small bites and chewing, resulting in small food stuck episodes. Slimming is not fun but I find myself doing it often. Therefore, I don't think i need a fill or could I. My regular day looks like...small chicken breat for breakfast(8:30), 1/2-1 cup for lunch(12-12:30 and I'm hungry by then), snack (3:00) usually 4 Triscuits (because my stomach is growling) and small portion of whatever I fix for dinner, usually meat and veg and sometime a small amount of starch (7:00 and I am starving). Nights are tough for me I like to snack, usually Triscuits or Cereal if I cave. Any words of advice? I know I need to tweek my menu and get rid of the things I know i shouldn't have. I am 1-1.5 pounds from Onederland and just can't seem to get there.

[vlp1968 83]

Sounds like to me you do need a fill. You seem to be experiencing a lot of hunger. The getting stuck episodes are probably because your eating too quickly and not chewing enough. Best of luck, keep up posted.

[sandradee0124 0]

Thank you for your post. I am a week past my second fill and although I have stuck episodes just like yours, I'm still eating more than I should and have periods of intense hunger. I appreciate the feedback that getting stuck doesn't necessarily equate to overfill but more likely chewing and eating patterns.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

[joecs1 4]

Sounds like you need a fill. My Dr is a little aggresive with fills. I have had 3 since my surgery, may 25th, 8ccs total and I am feeling restriction now. After my second I was more like you, as the day went on I could eat more, unless I didnt chew well or ate too fast. My dr told me if I am still getting hungry after 2 weeks, come back for a fill. Your dr may be ok with a fill ahead of "schedule".

[Nean4488 1]

I personally dont think you need a fill, but I use my band a lot differently then a lot of people. I eat every 3 hours and I eat alot more then you do. I dont think I want to starve myself and live on 800 calories the rest of my life. I dont want to slow my metabolism down by eating only 3 times a day and barely anything, therefore I keep my band on the loose side. I keep it tight enough where I stay full for 3 hours and I cant overeat, but I keep it loose enough where I can eat anything I choose to eat and can eat pretty normally still just smaller portions but not insanely small.

My diet is usually pretty clean and I eat really well most of the time, so it does seem like I am still on a diet, but until i lose the weight this is how I choose to use my band.

Its all up to you on how you want to live with your band! Good luck to whatever you do!