Fill #3 - Restriction is in the HOUSE!

[ccjll 177]

Hello All...

I had LB surgery in October and yesterday I had fill #3 - up until yesterday I really haven't had much restriction, the first month was the healing month and getting accustom to the foreign objects in my body and the swelling - so the mushy diet was necessary - then I had my 1st fill the beginning of December - 6 weeks after surgery. My doc injected 4cc's into my empty band (he did suck out anything that was in there first, there was very little) - as hopeful as I was that I'd feel more restriction it really didn't happen - I would occasionally feel that soft stop burp - but that was usually after I had eaten quite a bit (upwards of a cup of food) - then the HOLIDAYS were here - and in hindsight I'm glad I wasn't real tight b/c I was able to enjoy myself without really feeling deprived. I even went to New Orleans and had a wonderful long weekend with my husband - and we ate some amazing cuisine all in moderation but well off the Atkins diet I had been practicing since surgery by doc's orders.

As soon as I came home from New Orleans I had my 2nd fill - he inserted 2 more ccs. This 2nd fill was a little bit tighter but I was still able to eat more than expected - I did loose 7lbs in January - too little for my liking but nonetheless - still a loss. I was floundering a bit on what to eat - so I downloaded the Lose It app and have been very good at entering my food intake and my exercise - although I think 1200 calories may be too high for me (doc agreed) - I would have thought my weight loss would be more than 7 lbs... again, a loss. Note: those calories have primarily been Protein and veggies - I've eliminated all flour products (ANYTHING with Flour) - I do eat nuts and avocados (probably too much fat - oh-well) and little to ZERO sugar.

WELL... I went in yesterday for my 3rd fill - and oh-boy, I NOW have restriction - gone are the days of gulping, I can see that already - I sipped sipped sipped all day yesterday and I can feel every bit slowly go down my throat and hit the top of my belt - trickle trickle trickle into my belly - so this IS WHAT it feels like! I may not be entirely there - but I can tell immediately this is different than how I was feeling over the past two months... I am eating mushies but it sure is taking a while to eat forcing me to slow the hell down - ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

One thing that I want to mention, while doc had the needle in my belly he injected 1 cc and then while he started to inject more you could see the pressure and resistance inside the syringe, so he only put in .5 more - so I am at 7.5 currently and he said that most of his patients are between 7 & 9 cc's with good results - he said to keep up the good work and he'll see me in 1-2 months - i scheduled a month out appointment.

Whether it's bandster hell or the journey - it's life (and MY experience - not claiming it's normal) and I hope this helps someone

Peace & Cheers!

[cheryl2586 3,053]

You have to remember after a fill you are swollen and that fill may not kick in for two weeks or more. Hopefully you won't be too tight when it finally settles in.

[focused 36]

Thanks for your update. Im going for my second fill next week and Im looking forward to progressing on my journey....Best of luck to ya!

[lisacaron 5,075]

I agree with Cheryl keep an eye on how your feeling. After my last fill I was OK, eating though less which was good and hunger was held at bay, then a week after I really felt the restriction tighten up and put me into the green zone. If I would have had any more Fluid put in at that fill I might have been too tight today.

For me the initial fill doesn't do much, it's after a week or so that I feel it. Not saying this will be your experience just keep an eye on how your feeling and if liquids are not going down give your doctor a call and let them advise you.

Welcome to the green zone!

[ccjll 177]

You have to remember after a fill you are swollen and that fill may not kick in for two weeks or more. Hopefully you won't be too tight when it finally settles in.

That's why I went ahead and booked my appointment a month from now, but can always call, he is very good at getting you in if there's a problem. I'm not sure if I'm too tight yet or not - I'm actually worried about the other possibility that the fill will loosen - nonetheless I'm feeling good about the fill and for the first time I'm feeling like my body is responding the way it should be and the reason I went for a big gash in my gut. Seriously, up until yesterday I've been feeling like I'm on just another diet albeit very much committed. The difference now is if I want to just say - oh screw it I'm having a cheeseburger - well there is NO way I could get it down. Win win!

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

Congrats honey! Fill #3 was my magic number...I felt restriction after fill 2, so you might expect to reach the green zone on this fill or the next one.

[CarmenLeAn 99]

Had my first fill in January. Feels like I have no restriction what so ever. Had and appointment next week for another fill, but I'm going to Florida next week to see my daughter and grandson. So I had to cancel my appointment. They can't get me in until March 3rd. Planning on another fill.

Still losing pretty good, but it does feel like I'm another diet. I am hoping this next fill helps

Congratulations on your restriction!