Post-Fill Protocols?

[Bandista 7,466]

Hi there, I'm wondering what people do post-fill. My surgeon has no particular protocol for either pre- or post-fill. I had my fourth one yesterday. He is also not inclined to share the amount of the fills. I think he is easing me into it and I do feel tighter this morning, an absence of hunger. Last night I was hungry, though, and I had a regular dinner of fish and veggies. Do you think a post-fill protocol is designed to protect the pouch or is it more to do with behavior modification, encouraging the listening we all need to be doing?

[kcgal62 133]

I had my third fill yesterday. My post fill days are 2 days of liquids. I think its because of possible swelling due to the fill. My PA has been pretty aggressive. I go every 4 weeks. Had 3cc's the first time, 2cc's the second and 1.5 yesterday. Hoping I'm getting closer to green!

[parisshel 1,892]

My sense is the post-fill protocol is to protect the stoma from the trauma (for lack of a better word) of the fill. The fill will induce a natural swelling as the stoma reacts to the tightening of the band, so you need to baby it by returning to the post-op protocol.

My team has me do an abbreviated version of the post-op protocol (liquids, mushies, then on to small bites). I know my band pretty well and know when it is safe to move from one stage to the next. My last fill was about 10 days ago and I'm still not back to raw fruit and veggies yet...I can tell my fill hasn't settled in yet.

[HealthyNewMe 1,935]

Bandista,

My surgeon also does not tell me exactly how much saline he adds to my band..... He thinks it's just one more detail bandsters obsess over ( I have asked anyway, and he will tell me)... But I decided he's right.....just let the fill do what it's supposed to do. His protocol is: Day of fill---- liquids only. Day after fill----- mushies. The next day---- back to regular foods.

My next fill (Fill #4) Monday, Jan 13. Hope I'll be that much closer to the GREEN !!!!!

Good luck and STAY WARM !

[mrsto 2,925]

My doctor's post fill protocol is pretty mild compared to what I read here. On the day of the fill....AFTER the fill, full liquids for the rest of that day. If the fill is early in the day, full liquids, and then.....if tolerated, something mushy in the evening. After that, proceed with caution, meaning, start slowly back on solids, and let your body be your guide.

[Bandista 7,466]

Thanks so much! I think I'm worried that I'm doing something wrong, that I will stretch my pouch or blah, blah, blah -- our surgeons are right about bandsters obsessing, that's for sure. I am noticeably not hungry today. I feel tighter. Of course I worried about that fish and veggie dinner when others are on liquids or mushies but I was hungry for it then ate just a small portion so it's working. I'm such a dieter that of course the protocol is attractive to me -- I am labeled as a restricter. I see 5-day Pouch Test and think, "oh, I should be doing that!" It makes it so complicated that there is no standard pre-op or post-op or fill protocol -- that surgeons are all different and of course are bodies are all different. The nuancing is what it's all about -- the listening.

[rayanne 283]

I just had a fill on Monday morning and I was told liquids for two days then mushy then solids... but to help me jump start I try to stay on liquids for 5 days.

[lisacaron 5,075]

In my opinion the reason for the protocol is two fold. One to help ease the trauma on the stoma as the pressure in the band is increased and two to help remind bandsters of the basics.

Every fill or appointment is a chance to take it back to the beginning. To give yourself a chance to "reset" not just your pouch or stoma but your mind set.

If we have strayed a bit off the path, maybe fell off that band wagon for the holidays or just because it's Tuesday your doctors appointment and that fill or no fill is an opportunity to get back on the wagon, the path or find your stride on your WLS journey.

Bandista, I believe that having a protocol whether Dr. prescribed or not is a good thing if it works for you I say pick that one and adopt it as your own! It's not about a diet or restriction it's about living in harmony with your body and your band!!!

(How much do I love that we can edit our comments! I have an itchy enter finger that likes to post before I'm ready! )

Edited January 7, 2014 by lisacaron

[steph2012 252]

My surgeon recommends full fluids on Day 1, Mushies on Day 2 and normal food the day after that.

You are so right about us bandsters obsessing about number of cc's in our band & truly it doesn't mean a whole lot - certainly not for comparison purposes to anyone else.

[dmh102 51]

Hi there, I'm wondering what people do post-fill. My surgeon has no particular protocol for either pre- or post-fill. I had my fourth one yesterday. He is also not inclined to share the amount of the fills. I think he is easing me into it and I do feel tighter this morning, an absence of hunger. Last night I was hungry, though, and I had a regular dinner of fish and veggies. Do you think a post-fill protocol is designed to protect the pouch or is it more to do with behavior modification, encouraging the listening we all need to be doing?

. Hi Bandista, for some reason I thought you had your surgery around the same time I did. I had mine Oct 3. I am going for only my second fill tomorrow. I think it is great that you have had so many fills. With only one fill I have been struggling. I am hoping tomorrow will help and maybe the third fill will be sooner than 8 weeks! Just wondering....

[Bandista 7,466]

. Hi Bandista, for some reason I thought you had your surgery around the same time I did. I had mine Oct 3. I am going for only my second fill tomorrow. I think it is great that you have had so many fills. With only one fill I have been struggling. I am hoping tomorrow will help and maybe the third fill will be sooner than 8 weeks! Just wondering....

Hi there, I was banded 11/5 so we are about a month apart. Good luck with your fill tomorrow! I hope it puts you into a good place. I am definitely feeling tighter and listening hard to my body's signals right now. Today I had a little broccoli Soup and then a little cottage cheese for one meal (noontime), and for a second "meal" four hours later I had some homemade applesauce and a small piece of salmon which I could not finish. My band was telling me I had had enough. I love that!

[dmh102 51]

Hi there, I'm wondering what people do post-fill. My surgeon has no particular protocol for either pre- or post-fill. I had my fourth one yesterday. He is also not inclined to share the amount of the fills. I think he is easing me into it and I do feel tighter this morning, an absence of hunger. Last night I was hungry, though, and I had a regular dinner of fish and veggies. Do you think a post-fill protocol is designed to protect the pouch or is it more to do with behavior modification, encouraging the listening we all need to be doing?

. Hi Bandista, for some reason I thought you had your surgery around the same time I did. I had mine Oct 3. I am going for only my second fill tomorrow. I think it is great that you have had so many fills. With only one fill I have been struggling. I am hoping tomorrow will help and maybe the third fill will be sooner than 8 weeks! Just wondering....

. So you have had 4 fills in 2 months ....wow....I am really frustrated because I do not feel any restriction what so ever....I hope the fill tomorrow will help.