The difference 1 cc (or less) can make.

[Acadia 20]

mnguest:

A sweet spot (green zone) is generally considered being able to eat 1-1.5 c of food and be full for 4-5 hours. That food should include moderately solid Protein (moist chicken, tofu, etc.). If you can't eat those foods (soft solids) then you are too tight.

ltfmsg:

I wasn't able to get back to have an unfill due to billing issues, but I learned how my band worked in those two months and I ate for nourishment and not cravings. I didn't crave bad foods because I knew they wouldn't tide me over. If you're going in for your first fill ask for it to be done under fluoroscopy (that also allows them to check how everything is positioned) and ask to drink 1/2 c of Fluid - while the needle is still in - so you can make sure you can still keep it down. That way your Dr. or the practitioner can remove some if needed. And remember, a fill doesn't always activate immediately. It can take up to four weeks to get the full impact. So if you feel fine on the fill day, four weeks later you could be too tight. So make sure you can gulp that Water, not just sip it.

For me it takes two weeks to get the full fill impact.

And if you experience any moments of not being able to keep Fluid down or saliva - get to the hospital. Not being able to keep fluid down is a worst case scenario and requires an unfill. Your ER may not do them though so talk to your Dr about the procedure to have an unfill if you get one on a Friday and have to go through the weekend.

I was able to keep fluids down just fine, I just couldn't eat many solids and couldn't eat and drink at or near the same time (not necessarily a bad thing).

Cocoabean:

I absolutely noticed a difference in how I was losing weight during those two months. I lost, granted, but I know I was eating "bad" foods (Cheetos, popcorn w butter - specifically for calories). I craved salads, fruits, and veggies but couldn't eat them. And my weight weight up when I had a day of eating "bad" food. The salt content, the fat content, it was horrible. Then on top of that, those foods led to several gall bladder attacks.

I am a huge advocate of going in as soon as possible when there's a problem and now that I have my billing issues figured out I will not hesitate to go in immediately if I'm ever over filled again.

Generally people will gain weight if they're too tight because all they eat are sliders (which are generally bad foods). I was no different.

In those two months I also realised the difference between being physically full and being nutritionally full. The latter is always so much better.

I was able to stop eating with food on my plate, without guilt.

Though not a great experience I can say that being too full was a good experience for me overall because it really helped me learn how my band was working, what to look for when too tight, how to control my eating, and how to eat for nutrition and not for cravings.

mominoc:

It sounds like you need about a 0.5-1.0 cc unfill. You should be able to get down - and keep down - small bites of those foods. Not that you should eat them all the time, but if you can't keep those down - can you keep vegetables down like broccoli? More fibrous foods?

[TaniaG 17]

My first fill was 4cc then my second fill was 3cc. @ 7cc I have much restriction, but can eat when I take very small bites and chew very well. I can't eat bread or certain types of pizza/pasta. I think its good for most carb type foods to be difficult to keep down, so am leaving my 7cc alone. Does anyone have a bigger fill than 7cc and how is it working? I have an 11cc Realize band. Thanks. Gail

Hi,

My first fill was this past Wednesday. Dr. put in 4 cc's and I have some restriction but I am looking forward to more restriction. I'm hoping my next fill I will have the same results you are having. Thanks for your info.