Do I get another fill? NEED EXPERIENCED BANDSTER INPUT

[MollyRN 28]

Hi - I have about 7 or 8 ccs in my 10 cc band. I have been moving along nicely - about 11-14 lbs per month. Last month I did not get a fill because I was still struggling a lot to eat slowly and keep things down. Now I am okay as long as I am VERY SLOW and if I drink something warm before I eat. But I have noticed in the last 10 days, that my weight loss has slowed and I find I am hungry more frequently. I work out a lot and I actually contemplated cutting back a little for a week just to see if the hunger stops. I have a fill appt on January 25 but I am kind of confused and wonder if the experienced out there could give some guidance about these later fills. If I am hungry and the weight loss has slowed, that says FILL, right? But if I often have issues eating at all or keeping things down, I am scared about being any tighter. I try to remember that my surgeon says that PBs are because we make mistakes in eating and chewing, not because the band is too tight (I tell myself this every day when I sit down for one of my hour long attempts at eating). So do I get a fill? In what kind of increment? I am sure my doc will have a recommendation but I wanted some input from the experienced masses Thanks

[cheryl2586 3,053]

There is always going to be plateus that goes along with any type of dieting. If you are having trouble eating I wouldnt suggest getting a fill yet. You dont have much room left to fill right now. I would say wait it out for a while and try to see if you can lose without a fill. In my opinion I think you are restricted enough you are just reaching a plateu and if you do get a fill and there is nothing left to fill and you stop losing what will happen. I would just wait for a while and see how you do. As long as you keep losing something I wouldnt worry about it.

[IndioGirl55 32]

IMHO - you don't need a fill - what are you eating?? how many calories - if you are working out a lot you may need to up your calories a couple times a week

Plus your weight loss is going to slow as the weight comes off - you have done EXCELLENT 10-14 lbs - average is 1 - 2 lbs a week - so you are doing better than average.

Remember it didn't come on over night it's not going to come off over night..

Eat healthy - vary your calories and keep up the exercise - it will come off..

Oh ya - it's normal to get hungry - heck I'm hungry often - mostly an hour before my next meal - and in between - That's where healthy Snacks come in - or Water - crystal lite ..

[Melissannde 41]

You might even be too tight if it's taking you an hour to eat a meal of 3oz of solid, dense Protein and 1/2 cup veggies. Taking an hour is on the verge of "eating around the band". Ideally you want a meal to last only about 30 minutes. And since you are tight.. are you eating Solid Dense Proteins or are slider foods making their way onto your plate?

And yes, the previous poster is correct, your rate of loss will decrease as you have less to loose.

I'd keep the appointment on Jan 25, but take in my food journal and just talk to the support staff about your concerns. If they think you are too tight, don't panic, a tiny unfill of .25 cc's or less can ease things considerably without making you overly hungry. (although you may feel that way for a little bit afterwards. I found pushing fluids helped after my tiny unfill)

Good luck.

[honk 780]

I don't think you need a fill. Thin people get hungry to if they have'nt eatenn in 4 hours. If you need an hour to eat a "banster sized" meal. Sounds like you may be two tight. My doctor would'nt give a fill anyway based on your loss per month.

[kleinow01 0]

Personally, I would hold off on the fill. Sounds like you may need to eat more Protein to help keep you full. Do you have some Protein Powder you could add to yogurt or something like that? Have you been keeping track of how much protein your eating daily? I have only had a total of 3 fills and I am almost at my goal weight. Good luck! Chew lots and keep eating slow! Have a great day

[MollyRN 28]

Thank you for all of these posts - I have spent the last couple hours reflecting on where I am now. I really eat only Protein - some veggies at least on a daily basis. I am very careful about the Protein because I was losing my hair and it freaked me out. I get about 60-75 grams of protein a day and I really really have to work for it. Often, after a long day trying, I just have a Protein shake in order to make sure I meet the minimum. But.... I am going to start tracking my calories starting tomorrow just to re-check where I am - that's a great suggestion. I also think you may all be right - that I could use a little UN fill rather than a FILL I also have to accept the fact that I no longer have 130 lbs to lose!! Good point I am super careful not to resort to Soups and slider food - but I do also see the point about eating AROUND the band. Thank you all, really truly, for some great input.

[nomorejellybelly 77]

Wow. You really have alot of Fluid in your band. I've got a 10cc band and only have bout 2cc or so in it. I'm doing pretty good with that much. I can't imagine having as much fluid in my band as you have in yours. If you're having problems with food, maybe you should have some taken out? How much are you able to eat?

[ElfiePoo 109]

Just my .02, but it sounds as if you may need a slight unfill. You should be able to eat your meal in 20-30 minutes. If it takes you longer and you're still getting stuck...yeah probably an unfill.

I have 6cc in a 14cc band and am at my sweet spot. I did have 7.5cc but was constantly getting stuck, a sign of too much fill according to my surgeon.

Good luck