Fill Question - for experienced bandsters!

[NaNa 878]

I am new to the forum, but I have had my band for almost 9 months now. I think I have pretty good restriction overall, I had my last fill in early May. For the last week I have been starving and eating more than I usually do. Normally I get full on small amounts of food. I am trying to figure out is my restriction slowly going away or is because of hormonal changes such as my monthly cycle due. I am currently pretty tight in the mornings, I usually gurgle mornings, but this morning I was able to eat food, like a couple slices of bacon and 1 egg and small portions of grits, I was starving...normally I don't do breakfast...and yesterday I was able to eat about 2 pieces of baked chicken and a small portion of sweet potatoes and creamed spinach for dinner....by the way I don't PB, I do get the stuck feeling sometimes if I eat too quick, so I am wondering if I am due for another tweak in my current fill....any thoughts , I have never been overfilled and I want to avoid it if possible..

[niche 0]

i just had major eating craziness due to pms. i also have good restriction, but i was able to eat more in the last week. i'd say give it another 2 weeks or so to see if it levels out. but if you're still starving, go see the doc.

[NaNa 878]

Thanks Niche! I will try to wait it out to see if my appetite and hunger level..levels out, this band is so finicky sometimes, it hard to determine sometimes if the band and is loosening up. I just hate when I am hungry and can eat more, that scares me, because I can really do damage....

[Marimaru 7]

I would also recommend to wait it out a little bit, but not too long. A 'tweak' can be as little as .1cc's, which can make a bigger difference than you'd think when you are "this close".

[NewSho 20]

<snip>so I am wondering if I am due for another tweak in my current fill....any thoughts , I have never been overfilled and I want to avoid it if possible..

Well I find that even though I maintain well all month long, I sometimes crave carbs only at certain points of my cycle. Most people feel like their Bands 'tighten up' physically during this time (probably due to hormonal Fluid retention and bloating :sick ) but I feel like I'm hungrier during this time, occasionally. So give it a few days before making any sudden decision. But, if you see this trend continuing even after your cycle, then make that appointment ASAP!

I notice you've lost over 90#. CONGRATS! :clap2:

Which makes me wonder if you won't notice another trend, as you continue to lose.

One thing that I regret isn't made clear in LapBand documentation is the fact that when you lose a certain amount of weight, the band does require more frequent tweaking. Yes the Inamed brochures stress that we have to get fills regularly but nothing Think of it like a belt - the more weight you lose, the more little notches that you pass up in order to make the belt fit. The LapBand is like that.

You'll often hear people say (or even brag ) "Oh I've never needed more than 1 or 2 fills and I've stayed at 1cc (or whatever amount)."

Well, that's great.

But then you might also find that they've lost a bit less weight (maybe due to a lower start weight anyway) so that one small fill can still maintain them longer. When I started losing a lot more, I required more fill to keep me at the same "hunger-busting" level of fullness. So I just think of my band (a.k.a. "The Silicone Freeloader" ) as an expensive luxury vehicle. It needs frequent maintenance, and I try to gladly provide it - to keep my luxury engine at top performance.

Just something to think about.

Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

[NaNa 878]

Thanks everyone for your expert advice, I always like to get another opinion on my fills, I have never been eager on fills and never got them unless I really really need them. I lose weight in spurts and everytime I lose a chunk of weight my restriction disappear :faint: .....and the flood gates open, but at the same time I don't want to be to tight, cause I know that can lead to problems and possible no or slow weight loss, I don't like to do liquid diets, I have tried that and some how high sodium Soups never work for me....anyways thanks a bunch...