To fill or not to fill...

texasbelle · July 3, 2004

I need input, please.

I was banded 13 weeks ago. Losing 2 lbs a week....so far. I live about 10 1/2 hours away from Monterrey where I was banded. It just so happens I am working about 2 hours away for the next week. Everytime I think I need a fill (because I am beginning to get really hungry and can eat two cups or so of food in the evening, when I let myself) when I call the Dr.'s coordinator about a fill immediately if not sooner I feel restriction. Water goes down lumpy (perhaps from too big of a drink?) like today after work. Then tonight I was feeling hungry again a couple of hours after eating.

The coordinator says that is too much food and I need a fill. I am kinda anxious about getting the fill. So far I can eat pretty much anything except the regular things like bread, dry chicken & dry pork. I am thinking maybe I am attempting to sabatoge my success.

Perhaps I am scared (uncertain) about what eating with a fill will be like. I do remember what it was like right after surgery feeling so full on just a little bit and not feeling hungry. It was great.

Maybe I should go ahead and go down and get checked out and talk to the doctor. See what he thinks. I hate to waste his and my time on nothing.

What do ya'll think?? I'm thinking I'm being a big scared weenie.

I'm so glad I have all ya'll to consult with I feel like I'm talking to ya.

Help!

Thanks for listening....Carolyn

Penni60 · July 3, 2004

Carolyn: I have the same fears about getting a fill. I vasilate between getting one and not getting one. I get hungry between meals, I still feel restriction but not consistently, and I am losing weight but maybe a .5 lb a week. Slow loss.

I go see my follow up doc this friday so I guess I will discuss all this with him then. I would like to know from others what their criteria was for getting a fill the first time.

So spill the Beans so to speak.

hagerteresa · July 3, 2004

I am right where you two are at. I also get hungry a little prior to my next meal and have inconsistent restriction. I am still losing. 4 lbs 2 wks ago and 3.5 lbs last week. I am 8 wks post op today. I am a little nervous about fills too. I have heard several people say they do not use flouro and that is how I would like them done to save on cost. Here it is about $150 w/out flouro and more like $400 with it. I do want flouro sometimes but don't think I'll be able to afford it all the time. On the other hand I don't want a leaky tube from miss stabs and would like to see where things are at. Ugh! Dilemmas! T

Rebeccalee · July 3, 2004

It sounds like the perfect time to get a fill, especially since you are there for a few days to try it out. It also sounds like you feel you need to do it.

Good luck with your decision. I feel nervous about getting a first fill, too, but I'm not there yet. Whew! ;-)

texasbelle · July 4, 2004

Thank ya'll so much for responding. I am so glad I have this board. It is good to know I am not alone in my apprehension. I have, for the moment anyway, decided since I am this close to go ahead and go on down. It would be foolish to let my fear keep me from making a prudent choice.

Thank you for being there for me.

Carolyn

leatha_g · July 4, 2004

You paid for this tool to help you. This tool works by way of adjusting the restriction. As you lose, the restriction loosens. Some people are lucky, they continue to lose with little to no additional restriction. Most of us have to have it tweaked as we inch down the scale. There is no glory in suffering your way through losing the weight (or not) without the restriction that you paid for.

Everyone is apprehensive about their first fill until they find out it's really no big deal. A doc who is experienced in giving fills can have you in and out of there within minutes. Some people get so tense about it that I think it makes things tougher on them. Amazing the control our imaginations have over us.

It's funny how once you get that restriction, you become used to it. I am currently Un-filled and it scares me to death. I miss the restriction. My mind swings back and forth between old habits. Should I just go for it while I have the chance or maybe I better just keep doing what I've been doing. So far, I'm doing pretty good, but the temptation is horrible.

Good luck with your first fill!

Leatha