To fill or not to fill...

[unbroken40 31]

I am due for a 3rd fill this Saturday. I have days that I feel satisfied from a half cup to a cup of food and days that I want to keep eating and don't seem to be satisfied. I am wondering if I should go through with the next fill? I don't like feeling so hungry. I have kept Protein first...ugh....help!!

[SandyM 1,956]

Are you eating a lot of Protein on those days that you are not feeling earlier satisfaction? If I eat less protein and more carbs, I can be that way too. If you don't know if you need a fill or not, you sound pretty close to green.

[terrydumont46 1,954]

on a fill i got on dec. 2nd i had the same question as you. should i go ahead with the fill i had a appointment for on dec. 26th. the doctor and i discussed it and we went ahead with a fill. i am glad i did. i know i am either in the green or so so very close. but i haven't started solids yet and that will determine it. but it is like a light bulb going off. a little bit of food is satisfying and i am not hungry between meals. but i know i may need a bit more time on sliders, i don't think i am ready for solids. i just keep remembering the vet's saying that sometimes it takes 3-4 weeks to get used to the new fill. to be patient. so i am. i think if you are questioning it perhaps you aren't quite there yet. i think you will know.

[parisshel 1,892]

on a fill i got on dec. 2nd i had the same question as you. should i go ahead with the fill i had a appointment for on dec. 26th. the doctor and i discussed it and we went ahead with a fill. i am glad i did. i know i am either in the green or so so very close. but i haven't started solids yet and that will determine it. but it is like a light bulb going off. a little bit of food is satisfying and i am not hungry between meals. but i know i may need a bit more time on sliders, i don't think i am ready for solids. i just keep remembering the vet's saying that sometimes it takes 3-4 weeks to get used to the new fill. to be patient. so i am. i think if you are questioning it perhaps you aren't quite there yet. i think you will know.

This is where I am too, today. Had my third fill on Friday, today is Monday and I'm still not ready to test solids. It is taking me 45 minutes to drink my coffee!

My fills seem to take a couple of weeks to settle and show their efficacity (or not). Right now I'm totally in the green zone but the real test is when I get back on solids. I sense this is a good fill (I sure don't want to go any higher right now) and hopefully it will take me all the way to goal!

Agree also that one just "knows" when one needs a fill. It's kind of hard to explain, but I knew when I started having portion creep (my salads got bigger, and I was searching for food between my meals) that I needed to get topped off. And sure enough, fluroscopy showed I had no restriction whatsoever left from my previous fill last August. (I'd lost so much weight that the band had loosened up...this is normal as the fat pad comes off your stomach).

[Jack 855]

My personal adaption period to fills has been somewhat erratic.

Since I've got an antique 4cc Band, as little as .1 or .2cc makes a huge difference between "TOO much/ TOO little".

Typically my balance point is between 1.5 to 1.7 over the past 5 years. The indicators of 'green zone' vs something else can be subtle at first and require a learning process IMHO.

Also, I think is works better to go slowly on changes as we near that mysterious 'sweet spot'. I live far enough from my fill center it consumes most of the day traveling, not to mention cost, not to mention discomfort etc.

We are in this for the long term and nothng I've done hurredly has proven to be advantageous.

I've suffered through being TOO full a number of times requiring trips back to get an adjustment.

Largely I've come to rely on that little sensation of 'satiety' and how long that lasts, vs what my head seems to think I want.

Learning the difference between my 'belly beast' and my 'taste/chewing/swallowing monster' has helped to recognize some of the emotional nature of my Old Bad Habits of Overeating.