Stupid Question: How Do I Know If I Need Another Fill

[S2b 18]

I am sure that may sound like a stupid question to many. But I am so scared of ever being too tight. I have read to many horror stories on here.

I am just asking for opinions, of course I will discuss it with my Dr. At my next appointment.

I was banded 8/16/11. I have had, I think 4 or 5 fills. I'm not sure because one time I went expecting one, but then we decided not too. So then I messed up my count. I'll have to ask. LOL

My last fill was 8 weeks ago. My first fill that I could really fill restriction. The other fills I could only feel tighter for about 2-3 weeks. I have been going every 2 months for a fill since last October.

Now I am 8 weeks out from that last fill and I am noticing I am definitely getting hungry in between meals, I can eat more, yes, I know that doesn't mean I should, but I can so sometimes I do. Or I find myself having a snack to hold me over between lunch and dinner.

I was hoping this would be the fill to get and keep me in the green. I know I still have more restiction then in the past because I have to make sure I chew and eat slowly or I will feel it where before in the past that wouldn't make a difference. I could pretty much eat normal.

I hope I'm making sense. LOL !

I have lost 55 pounds so far. I am happy about that although I was hoping for more at this point.

Thank you !

[elcee 3,342]

there is nothing wrong with having a planned healthy snack between lunch and dinner. I eat lunch between 12 - 1 pm,dinner is usually at 7pm or later. There is no way I can survive that long without something inbetween.

Sometimes it is hard knowing if you are where you should be or not. Discuss it with your Dr and let him help you decide.

55lb in that time sounds pretty awesome to me.

[Jenine 1]

Hi!

NO question is stupid --I'm sure you've heard that before. Anyone who gives you a hard time about any question is showing their insecurity---AND their stupidity.

So in reply to your idiotic question....JUST KIDDING....anyway you'll know if you need a fill by how you feel after eating. If you feel really full after a small amount, then do not get a fill. It's all an individual experience. Trust your instincts. Don't over do it either (by constantly getting fills) thinking erroneously that you'll lose weight faster. Nope. Absolutely not. You'll just set yourself up for gagging more and not being able to eat a damn thing unless it's MUSH! haha

Hope this helped. And I'm sorry about my horrible sense of humor.

xoxo

[S2b 18]

Thanks Elcee, I will discuss with my Doc and let him make the final discussion.

Jenine, Thanks for the LOL !!!!!

I am not feeling full after a small meal. Today for Breakfast, I had 1 egg, shredded cheese and a little bit of Turkey sausage crumbles. I was still hungry afterwards. I held it off for a while, I just had a Greek yogurt.

I'll have to discuss it all with my doc and see what he thinks. I only lost 6 pounds since my last fill. But I definitely do not want to ever be too tight. Maybe he can give me just a tiny amount.

[bamom247 0]

That's not a stupid question; it's one of THE most essential ones for successful lapband users. Props to you for getting there early in the process!

For me, if I'm able to eat "too much" at a sitting, then it's time for a fill. My definition of "too much" is a volume question--basically about the size of a tennis ball or a little less. A second indicator is just stepping on the scales. If I find my weight trending the wrong direction (and I'm not eating too much sugar!) then it's time for a fill.

The band doesn't really stop my getting hungry; rather it makes me feel full quickly. I've embraced real hunger as an opportunity to change what I eat. Because every time I eat a reasonable quantity of something healthy, I am rewarded with a feeling of satiety. That feeling of fullness reinforces my enjoyment of healthy food.

That being said, I've had my band for a loooong time, and everybody's journey is different.

Let me interject that I've never, ever been able to remember things like how much my band is filled, when my last fill was, etc. My fill doctor is great about keeping up with this info. It's important to have that on record somewhere.

Incidentally, it sounds like you are doing really well! Congratulations! Enjoy your success--I'm enjoying hearing about it!

[2muchfun 8,927]

Look at the forums page on the right side about half way down. There's a section called "recent magazine articles". Click on Jean McMillan's article called "Restriction, the Holy Grail". This puts a slightly different light on restriction and satiety and makes a lot of sense to me.

tmf

[S2b 18]

Thanks 2muchfun,

I read it. Very informative. I'll have to read it again. But this is making me learn towards getting a small fill.

Thank you !