First Fill

[April Raine 3]

Hello fellow bandsters....

Okay..So I got my surgery on Aug. 4th 2011. I'll admit that the first 3 weeks were Hell... On my 3rd week I thought I was going to die...but on the 4th week..had no hunger at all. So, I can say it has gotten better. The problem I have now is that..I was told there was no Fluid in my band. I did good with my diet, but I had problems still with Portion Control and chewing good. A few times I've swollowed my food and it hurt going down because it was too much. Lol...I try to remember what I was told while eating. I worried that I messed up the band a few times...But..another part of me said...well..you really don't have any restrictions until your first fill, because there's no fluid in your band. WELL...I went for my first fill yesterday and the doctor pulled out 4cc! I was ticked off because they told me there wasn't anything in there after surgery. Started thinking about what and how I ate and got scared. I could've done serious damage to myself. But..I never had any pain or vomiting this whole time. They put the 4cc back in and added 1cc more. Well, I put myself on liquids again..just in case my lap band is in trouble. So, even if you are told there is nothing in your band...follow your diet and comply..in case you get a surprise, as I did. Any advise would be great at this time. I'm still feeling alittle guilty and nervous..

Thanks!

[stratcat 10]

Hi, I just wanted to tell u that the surgeons often do this to make the band snug to prevent early slippage . It is not supposed to be tight at all, but I WILL tell you that my inital fill amount was only 2 in a 10 cc band.

Your first month is over and if your experience is like mine -- things will only get better and easier.

Good luck.

[GSORob 1]

I wasn't aware my band was filled during the surgery either. I had always assumed it was empty. 4 months after surgery, I went in today and got my first post-surgery fill. I had some delays due to other health issues, not related to the band. My doc said I actually had 3 cc in there already. Today he added an additional 3 cc. My weight loss had basically stopped the last month or two. I lost about 20 lbs prior to surgery and 25 post surgery (May 3). I'm on 2 days of all-liquids again before I can start back on solids. I'm basically going to retrain myself as to what I can and can't eat..eat slowly, and chew..chew..chew. I probably got away from that the last month. I can feel somewhat of a tightness already. But I was able to drink a Protein Shake for lunch, albeit slowly..and have been drinking Water at work this afternoon. dinner will probably be a Protein shake and sugar-free Jello. I suspect my stomach will be growling.