What do I tell my doctor...

clovermeg · February 10, 2007

This is going to sound like a dumb question, BUT....I'm scheduled for a fill on Monday and want some guidance as to what to say to the doctor. I have 1cc in a 4cc band and I have GREAT restriction in the AM, but by lunch time I could eat a horse. I think I need .25 or .50cc fill and I will be perfect. I'm just worried that he'll say that since I have some restriction in the AM he won't give me a fill.

For those of you that have been tighter in the AM but loose in afternoon/evening, what did you tell your doctor to get a fill, what was his/her response?

I don't want to lie to my doctor, I just want him to understand that I could really care less about eating in the AM, it's the afternoon and evening when I have my weakest moments (always has been), so I could drink shakes or eat oatmeal or something in the morning, just so I'm not able to gorge in the afternoon/evening.

THANKS!

Betsyjane · February 10, 2007

Just curious... Have you tried drinking hot tea or hot Water in the morning and then eating? some people find that that opens the band. If that works, you would be able to tell your doctor that you are not that restricted in the morning after a cup of hot tea.......

I know that's a gimmicky answer,,,,but just a thought.

NowNotSoBigGuy · February 10, 2007

Interestingly, I attended a support group of bandsters a week ago and several people mentioned they always scheduled their fill appts in the late afternoon, when their band was loosest. I hadn't made the connection and was going for mine in the noon-1PM timeframe, but it makes sense that in order to get the optimum fill, you should choose the time of day when you're experiencing the least restriction.

mariecarmen · February 10, 2007

I think many banded people are very restricted in the morning.

The criteria my surgeon uses for needing a fill are:

Are you getting hungry less than 2 hours after a meal/shake?

Can you comfortably eat more than one cup of food at a sitting?

My surgeon said he will fill/unfill me every 3 days until we get to the "sweet spot" of perfect restriction.

juliegeraci · February 10, 2007

I would have a Protein Shake in the a.m. if I were you. That will help you get through those weaker moments when you don't have restriction. Good luck.

marys · February 10, 2007

I would vote for telling your doc the truth - i just met two women - a mom and dgtr - mom banded 3 years, dgtr banded 5 years - the dgtr just got her band removed due to long term tightness (caused slippage, esophogus damage, etc.) and the mom had just been told hers needed to be repositioned. She said both her and her dgtr always lied to the doc to get tighter every month. She was convinced the too tight band over the long term caused this.

clovermeg · February 13, 2007

Well I told my doctor the truth and that I thought I could use a small fill and that I would rather be tight in the am and only be able to drink a shake and then eat "normal" bandster meals in the afternoon and evening. His response was, "Okay I'll put another cc in for you." I laughed and said I'd just like a 1/2 cc, he asked if I was sure and I said yes! So, we'll see how this fill goes! I haven't lost much and am looking forward to getting some good restriction!

Thanks for all of you suggestions!!!!