Will a fill help?

[reredc 0]

I was banded 9/19. I've had three fills scheduled since then but none happened because the surgeon felt my restriction was adequate due to my high BMI. Since surgery, there were many foods I could not eat at all and I had to chew all my food into oblivion so it would go down without any pain. I also felt I had to stop after only a few bites because the food wasn't going down and I was losing 2-3 pounds a week. More importanty, my appetite was virtually gone and I had to remind myself when it was time to eat.

Now, I noticed about two weeks ago that my appetite had skyrocketed and I was snacking alot. This week I discovered that I could eat steak and rice and potatoes and this has been bad news; I have been eating everything that's not nailed down. I would say that except for the morning when I must chew and eat slowly, it's back to the good old days for me - I guess if I was able to make the right choices I wouldn't have gotten the band in the first place.

Anyway, I am assuming it's definitely time for that fill. Anyone else experience this? I was told that for high BMI people, it might be six months before I needed a fill. I haven't weighed myself in a month but I'm sure it's bad news. I feel terrible. Does this mean an aggressive fill? Or is this how everyone feels when they need a little fill?

[kwhenrykerr 0]

It sounds like a fill will do you right. Remember to stay away from the carbs. Carbs are the killer.

[Wheetsin 714]

Hmm. First, yes, sounds like time for a fill. When you're eating more than you used to, eating more of it, and able to eat things you weren't able to eat before, those are pretty good indicators that a fill is needed.

As for BMI/fill - NEVER heard that, and THANK GOODNESS my surgeon doesn't share that mentality. I was banded with a BMI confortably over 50, and had my first fill 5 weeks post op, and my second fill 3 weeks later... subsequent fills as needed.

[Elisabethsew 50]

I don't believe there is ANY connection with BMI to fill amounts and numbers. I have an 11 CC VG band and JUST got lasting restriction with the last fill I received about 2 weeks ago. All the others lasted a day or so and then it was back to, "I have a band?" My BMI was 60+ and you can see I've gotten regular fills to finally get to the "right" level of restriction.

[*susan* 1,709]

You are definitely in need of a fill. I agree with the others, I have never heard of whether or not you need a fill and how much being based on your bmi?!