help, do i need a fill

[tinaj 0]

hi,

I was banded in April and had my first fill toward the beginning of June. I have only lost about 19 pounds. 6 of that I lost pre-op. I have not been on this site since being banded because i've been so frusterated. I have definitely bumped up my exercising and my eating comes and goes. Here is my question. I at most times can still eat a lot I means my normal pre-op amounts. Sometimes, I get that stuck feeling and have to stop or slow down but then can continue to eat a large amount. Often, this stuck feeling occurs on my first bite on an empty stomach. I usually have a proteing shake for Breakfast and then fall apart at lunch and/or dinner. Why can I still eat so much. I know this is just a tool but honestly if I could control my portion size I wouldn't have had this surgery to begin with. Any, tips do you think i need a fill. By the way my first fill was 2 ccs!! and the dr. even said this may be the only fill you ever need! I think I felt restriction for about a day and that was it. Like I said I know it is still there because I do get that stuck feeling but again, don't let this confuse you. This feeling does not come because I have eaten too much. (probably too big of a bite and definitely happens with bread). Please help and tell me what you think. very frustrated!! thanks, tina

[Jachut 487]

I think you just havent reached the right restriction for you yet. I'm a bit the same, I think I have 1.9cc and I can eat less than I used to but if you didnt know I was banded, you'd never guess it from watching me, you'd just think I have nice tablemanners and eat slowly!

Still, I have lost weight.

You might only need a tiny fill.

[Stitchy 0]

Sounds like you need another fill. I felt good restriction from my first fill for a week or two. Now I feel like I'm eating (or could eat) too much. I'm ready for another.

[mousecrazy 2]

Is it expensive or difficult for you to go in for a small adjustment? I know some people have to drive long distances or pay alot to do that. I don't, but others certainly do. If it's not a problem, I'd just make an appt., have them check what amount is actually in there, and bump it up by only .1 or .2 cc's. Then live with that for a while and see how it is.

The reason I say to have them check the amount that is actually in there is to see if it has "evaporated" or leaked or anything....I hear that can happen, too.

Good luck!

Cindy

[tinaj 0]

thanks, i am going to make an appointment. I am just concerned that one i can eat soo much and two my food gets stuck on the first few bites. thaks for your help!!

[PhotoNut 7]

This should help:

http://lapbandtransformation.com/Adjustments.htm

[*susan* 1,709]

I had the same problem after my fill. I had to really train myself to go slow and chew, chew, chew. Even now, I really don't have much restriction and am getting ready to go for another fill, but if I don't chew, chew, chew, those first few bites get stuck on me too. You may want to do a search on first bite syndrome. I am pretty sure I have that. I drink something warm before eating. Then, I take my first bite and chew it to mush. Then I swallow it and wait a few minutes before eating the rest of my meal. That seems to have helped a lot.

[mousecrazy 2]

I am prone to the first bite syndrome, too, especially on meat. I just had my third fill, so I know I will have to be very careful when I start adding real food again, which is usually in 3 days. I stay on liquids for 2, then mushies for one day.

Another tip I learned on here is not to let yourself get really hungry, because that leads to taking a big first bite and not chewing enough...maybe that will help you, too.

[tinaj 0]

It sounds like I definitely have first bite syndrome. Actually, it's really unpleasant but it passes and I can live with it. My real frustration is still being able to eat so much. I really don't feel any restriction and am not even sure what that feels like??? I just know what the stuck feeling is.As I said, this always comes at the beginning of my meal (first few bites) and not in the middle or at the end. thanks for your help.t

[Stephanie MG 0]

I wonder if yur band wasnt placed quite right?? Have you had any tests done to see that everything is doing what it should be doing? I havent had my first fill yet its in a week and a half. I can definatly drink lots more at a time but i still dont feel toooo hungry.

Must be very frustrating, hope you get it worked out!!!