Dr Said No Fill (Gasp)

[Sunshyne068 97]

​​I got my "2nd fill today" - and I use quotes because I went in, told Dr. that I extremely hungry when I come in from work (or any time after 3pm) and I told him that sometimes I get really bad acid reflux if I overeat .... he told me that I might be OVERFULL!!!! I almost passed out when he said that. I have only had 1 fill, so this morning I was at 3.5cc in an 11cc band.

After my 1st fill I lost 4 lbs (I suspect from swelling). Then once I was able to eat regularly again I gained 2 lbs (for a net loss of 2 lbs in 2 weeks = 1 lb/week).

I'm hungry between meals, I'm hungry like every 2 hours, and I have only been stuck once (3 days after my last fill when I was still swollen). Ive never thrown up and I dont eat mostly slider foods to make it by ... I was so confused as to why he would think I was overfull. My appointment was originally for 1cc fill, and he only gave me a 0.25cc fill .... he told me that I could come and get another fill if I was still feeling like I needed more, but he told me that from his experience it sounded like I didn't need a fill at all .... WHAT GIVES??

Im just a little frustrated because I'm reading online that one you get to the green zone your appetite and hunger pangs are much more in check and its easier to stick to the calorie guidelines, and the weight finally comes off at ~ 2 lbs a week .... I just really want to get to that place, sorry for the rant

[Holly Dolly 575]

no problem! I still deal with hunger, have had many fills and hoping for another one when I go in on May 11th. I have found what helps me is adding another meal. Instead of a small snack of string cheese in the morning I will have my lunch and then another small meal around 2. Seems to help me, though I haven't had to do it the last few days.

[yellowrose88 43]

I only eat three meals a day and my last visit with the doc I told him between lunch and dinner is the worse. I usually eat lunch at 11:30 and by the time I get home I am really hungry. He told me to have a snack to hold me over until dinner. I don't need a snack everyday but there are days where I do so. I eat something healthy.

[Sunshyne068 97]

Well when I wake up at 7am, I cant really eat anything of substance until 1030 or 11am. So I may do Protein shake or yogurt. Then I eat lunch at 1230, something light. I'll get a snack at around 3 or 4 and when I get home at like 6 im STARVING .. ugg. Doc told me to drink half a Protein Shake as soon as I get home and wait and see if that helps out at all.

He said that the band is tight when I wake up because the stomach collapses when we lay down .... Im thinking maybe I should lay down for an hour when I get home from work and see if that helps me control my portions in the evening. Im willing to try anything.

[MandiMand 17]

When were you banded? I was having similar frustrations last month because I went in and complained how I was able to eat like I did before surgery, and I had even gained some weight back. The PAC told me she wanted me to learn to eat properly, and that she would only give me .5cc. I was floored! I had a follow up with a NP from the weight management center (the same center we have to go to for our pre-surgical education), and I told her how I felt very unsupported, and that it was as if I was being punished. She said that at the end of the day, we are just as much a consumer as we are a patient, and that if the band is not working, we need to speak up and ask to either have another fill, or if the doctor is not agreeable, to ask to see if the band has slipped or has a leak that is causing us not to feel anything.

Hope this helps!

[Sunshyne068 97]

I was banded march 9. I have a total of 3.75cc in an 11cc band. I only feel "restriction" in the morning due to natural tightness of the band when we wake up. I have an appt for this Thursday .... and I'll get on the scale. If its still moving down then I'll take .5cc fill. If the scale isnt moving, I want at least 1 full cc.

[Joybgunter 19]

Sorry to be blunt but this a pet peeve of mine! I really think they string us along for the $$$$$$$. The slower the fills the more $$ they make. Think about it? Heaven forbid we would get to our sweet spot during the normal 6 mos. FREE period LOL! Don't get me wrong, i love my Dr and his nurse, but he's there to make the $$ just like everybody else! I've been fighting this battle for 4 yrs. Got below goal w no probs and

had to be completely unfilled, due to a reaction to Fossomax, got pissed and stayed w too little fill for 11/2 yrs, gained 56 of 79 lbs back. Finally got mad w self and went back last Tues. Whatever I said, or maybe it was the begging, she pumped me FULL as a tick, I am bursting. Yep, the road to fill heaven Iis frought w tears, reflux and Protein shakes! . I will prob go for a half cc unfilled this wk, but for now I'm milking it for all the wt loss I can. 3 oh Yeah Protein Shakes, lots of liquids, Popsicles, and watery grits. Can't live this way, but is a good jump start for my 2nd time around! I mean, from NO restriction to almost blocked w 2.5 cc? This is what they can do if they want to! Just sayin...........

[Sunshyne068 97]

Joy your free period was 6 months???? SHEESH mine is only 3 months .... and im about 3 weeks until my "free period" is up. got on the scale and im up about a pound .... so Im gonna demand the full 1cc fill on Thursday.

You said the journey includes acid reflux? do you get that from being too tight, or from eating past your full point? Im asking because when I told my doc about my acid reflux he said that meant i was too full in my band .... I didnt agree, but I would love to hear some other experiences. Now that I stop eating past my "full" point I dont get severe acid reflux like I was getting before.

Anywho, Joy please keep us updated on your progress on the road back down 60 lbs. This is my 1st trip down this road and I'm learning so much. Thanks for all of your help everyone

[Joybgunter 19]

Hey! My acid reflux has been an ongoing thing since adulthood. If I eat nice bland food early pm I'm usually ok. But, I LOVE garlic and other spices and sometimes I eat late and then it's torture time. Is weird cause really no worse when band is tight. But oh yes mam, it definitely attacks w overeating! LOL

Can't believe I'm having to lose these pounds twice, but I WILL. Thanks for the good wishes and the very same to you. LOOK at every medication other Drs give you for possible interactions w lapbands even if they know. It was in my chart, but Dr. Just didn't notice, obviously :). A nurse friend is the one who put it all together for me!