How do you know when you need a fill?

[hlayne 0]

So my doc was scheduling my fills once a month for a while because he was filling my band very slowly because I had a reaction to a larger fill. Anyway, after my last fill they basically told me to just call for an adjustment when I felt I needed one. Well about 3 weeks after, I felt like I needed one, but I waited until 2 months. I go in on Monday. I waited just because I didn't think I should still be going once a month..or at least that's the way it sounded like it was going to be. At night time, I can eat a pretty good amount of food, probably almost 1.5 cups. Anyway, the question really is, how do you know when you need a fill? One day I woke up and I didn't feel nearly as restricted as I had been feeling. It was just all of a sudden. I still feel more restriction early in the day, but then later in the day I can eat more than I should.

[Angeleyes 1]

Are you still losing weight?

[hlayne 0]

I had been losing about 10 lbs a month, but in the past 5 weeks or so, I've lost about 4 lbs total. My weight keeps going up and down two or three lbs.

[Clara Moretina 0]

I seem to not be able to tolerate anything past 2.6 either with my 4cc band anything more and I cannot get fluids down. I have had my band it since July 29th of 2005. I have lost between 80 and 85 pounds. I have not had a fill since February 2007. I can eat a lot o food later in the day. I have to self pay for all by fills and also self paid for the surgery.

[hlayne 0]

I don't know how much is in my band. My surgeon won't tell me because he doesn't want me comparing myself to anyone. All I know is I get small fills every time because my stomach is sensative.

Clara, I can eat more later in the day too, but how do I know when I'm able to eat too much. How much can you eat at the time of the day when you can eat the most?

[smyly 0]

hlayne,

I have had two fills. The first one was 1cc and the second was .5cc. My doctor also said it is better to do this slowly until you reach your spot where it will stay full. How many fills have you had? and how long since your surgery date?

[mikesmom 0]

I just wanted to jump in here. I had a fill 5 weeks post op. I felt really restricted the first week and now a week later I seem to be able to eat what ever (if I chew it really well), especially in the evening. I am wondering if I am doing something wrong. I remember coming home from the hospital and barely being able to eat a popcycle and shake would take me all morning, now I can gulp down a whole bottle of Water and drink the whole shake with out a problem. Does that mean I need a fill? Should I just have more self control? Should it always be how it was when I first got the band? That is what I was hoping for, major restriction all the time. What are your thoughts?

[juliegeraci 7]

You need a fill when a)you are hungry more often b)you can eat a reasonable amount of food c)you are not losing. If you are losing and eating 1.5 cups of food then you may want to hold off. If you don't like the rate you are losing you definitely need a fill. 1.5 cups is a ton of food being banded. I eat 1/4 cup of food and I'm at my sweet spot. Good luck.

[Lap_dancer 8]

Well I'm at the ton of food category. I can eat about a cup of food. I do stick with the regiment of Protein first to get it in there, no liquid going down with my meal (most of the time).

My last fill was in July. I was restricted for about three days and then it settled into what I thought was a sweet spot. That lasted one month. Now I feel hungry, not like I use to before the band, not that nawing feeling, but enough to know that it wasn't like a month after the band when I had limited ability on volume. I'm still having to S-l-o-w down.

[janiee 0]

I had my first fill(2cc) last Thursday on the 23rd Aug but almost a week later, I feel no restriction at all. So tomorrow I am going in for a second fill and I hope I will be able to feel some restriction after.

Right now I am able to eat anything without problems and I think I may be eating too much food in one sitting:cry I am going to get a food scale this weekend to see exactally how much food I am actually putting in my mouth.

I also gained 1 lb this morning.

[FurEllie 0]

I am going to get a food scale this weekend to see exactally how much food I am actually putting in my mouth.

That is an EXCELLENT idea. Thanks