Is it possible to pb and still need a fill?

crabcake · July 7, 2007

Hope some of you experienced banders will 'weigh in' on this for me.

I had my first fill a month ago. I wasn't sure I needed one because I still felt restricted after my surgery. After talking to the nurse we decided on .5 cc's. Shortly thereafter, I started pb'ing every two or three meals. After doing this for a couple of weeks, I called for advice and was told to go in and have some of the fill removed. I did and .25 cc's was taken out. That was 2 weeks ago.

Now, here's my dilemma: I have an appointment Monday for another fill. Right now, I can eat pretty much anything I want although not as much as I used to, however, I still occasionally pb! My weight fluctuates between my last weigh in and + 3-5 pounds.

Has anyone else experienced this? I didn't think pb'ing was normal. I'm afraid if I have that .25 cc's (or more) replaced, I'll start the regular pb'ing again. When this was happening, I was inclined either not to eat at all, or to eat those things I shouldn't have (e.g., ice cream!!!) because I was so hungry and they were easy to eat.

I'd like to be able to get that feeling of fullness after a few bites like I did when I was first banded w/out having food get stuck in my throat and needing to pb! Is this just wishful thinking on my part? Am I in bander hell?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

edistogirl2602 · July 7, 2007

I'm not sure what is going on with you, but I can offer some helpful tips. When you eat and you have good restriction, you have to chew, chew, chew and don't swallow until your food is mushy. The times that I PB are ususally because I swallowed a bite of food before it was small enough. I know for me I have to really pay attention when I am eating, because if I'm not that is the time that I usually swallow too soon. It's is also normal to be able to eat about 1 cup of food (give or take a little and depending on what you are eating) at a sitting. I have never really gotten "full" on just a few bites. I also struggle daily with my head hunger even after almost 3 years being banded. But to answer your question, yes you can PB even when you don't have good restriction. The biggest cause for me is usually not chewing enough.

marjon9 · July 7, 2007

One other comment is that restriction can change from day to day, and from one time of day to another. I find that I'm quite restricted in the morning and at night, yet pretty wide open at lunch. This is a bit of a problem because it is difficult to tell when I need a fill. But, to answer your question, sometimes I pb at night on a few small bites, but eat a substantial lunch with no problem (other than calories). So I would say yes, it is possible to pb and still need a fill.

Jachut · July 7, 2007

Yes. I know we cant call PBing "normal" because regular PBing is not good for your band, but it happens to most people - and often simply due to forgetting to concentrate on how we're eating or eating something that just doesnt agree with us. It doesnt mean you're too tight if its just an occasional thing. If you PB nearly everything you eat that's an entirely different matter.

late · July 7, 2007

I am doing the same thing. But i think my pbing is from eating too fast. My dr said it should take me 45 min to eat a 4oz chicken breast. I think i am chewing enough but i am taking bites too close together. I judge wether or not i need a fill by how much i am able to eat. If i feel like i am eating more than should be able to then i will get a fill.

susansilver · July 7, 2007

One other comment is that restriction can change from day to day, and from one time of day to another. I find that I'm quite restricted in the morning and at night, yet pretty wide open at lunch. This is a bit of a problem because it is difficult to tell when I need a fill. But, to answer your question, sometimes I pb at night on a few small bites, but eat a substantial lunch with no problem (other than calories). So I would say yes, it is possible to pb and still need a fill.

Thank you! I thought I was crazy. I am more restricted at beginning of day and night time than in between!

I agree with the others that I PB because I either eat too fast or do not chew well enough. I just had my second fill and I am not yet at my "sweet spot". The PBing I do is because I forget, or do not eat consciously. When I do, I can eat a bit more than a cup of food and then will get that full feeling between my esophagus and my throat and stop. If I ignore that feeling, then I will PB.

crabcake · July 8, 2007

Thanks to you all. I'm probably eating too fast. I haven't thought I was, but I've always been a fast eater and I think that's most likely the culprit. Oddly, I don't want to be 'bothered' w/ eating, so I eat quickly so I'll be free to do something else. I know, it's hard to believe someone overweight doesn't want to be bothered w/ eating, but there you have it!