Do you think I'm too tight?

[juno610 1]

I got another fill (see my siggie for details) last week, and I'm a little wigged out by my level of restriction. I'm not sure if I am too tight or if I am just having trouble getting my head around how little it takes to feel full. Here's the deal: I haven't been able to handle anything besides liquids before noon. Around noon I'll try lunch, because I'm starting to feel a bit hungry. Today I had 1/3 of a little 4-inch chicken and broccoli pot pie. I start drinking again an hour later, but at this point, even a couple sips of Water start me gurgling like crazy. I have to be careful to wait a few minutes between drinks. I start getting hungry again around 6 or 7, so dinner it is. Today I had 2 oz of grilled chicken breast and about 10 blueberries.

So does this seem right? Eating seems like such a chore right now, I'd almost rather not do it at all! Yes, I'm taking small bites and chewing well. It's just that each bite is just a bit uncomfortable. I haven't thrown up or even had anything officially stuck.

My surgeon moves out of state soon, so I need to decide now whether I want her to unfill me a bit before she goes!

What do you think? Any input is greatly appreciated!

Maria

[GR8 1]

I know everyones doctor has different opinions -- but bread, Pasta, and rice become like playdoh had cause the blockage. I am wondering if the crust caused that for you??

Here is some great info I copy and pasted from another post - hopefully you will find helpful!

How to Tell When You Are Perfectly Adjusted

You are losing 1-2 pounds per week.

If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week:

A. You may need an eating adjustment

1. Are you eating 60 grams of Protein a day?

2. Are you eating 25 grams of Fiber?

3. Are you avoiding all liquid calories?

a. Soup can be sign of soft calorie syndrome

b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories 7 calories per gram.(It's also a stomach irritant).

c. fruit juice is just sugar Water

4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods?

a. Are you avoiding soft foods

b. You can't just eat what's easy

c. cheese is glorified fat

5. Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of Water a day between meals?

6. Are you eating too much junk?

a. chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, Cookies and other highly processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a healthy diet. But don't avoid them completely to the point where you feel deprived.

b. Stay out of fast food places

7. Are you getting in two servings of Calcium daily?

8. Do you always eat the Protein first?

9. Then the vegetables or fruits

a. Five servings a day

b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable

10. Is your portion size appropriate?

a. meat or fish (3 ounces the size of a deck of cards)

b. Vegetables (½ cup the size of your fist)

c. Starch (If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don't need much - Avoid: rice, potatoes, pasta)

11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners

a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite

b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar

c. They teach you to like things too sweet

d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner than people who don’t

12. Avoid most diet foods

a. Real food usually tastes better

b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes

c. When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not that great (Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine.

d. The body has no way to break down artificial fats).

a. They may go into permanent storage

b. Some people think liposuction is the only way to remove hydrolyzed fats from the body

B. You may need a behavior adjustment

1. Are you eating only when you are hungry?

a. If you're not sure drink 8 ounces of water and wait

2. Are you eating three meals a day?

a. With maybe 1 or 2 small Snacks (preferable NOT)

3. Are you sitting down to eat?

4. Are you eating consciously?

a. No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper away, pay attention to your food and your companions

5. Are you eating slowly?

a. Put the fork down between bites

b. Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal

c. Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying

6. Are you taking small bites?

a. Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork

7. Are you chewing well?

8. Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals?

a. Practice water loading between meals

b. You won't be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal

9. Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness?

a. Sometimes it's a whisper: not hungry, had enough

b. Hard stop versus soft stop

10. Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing.

11. Do not eat when you are not hungry

C. You may need an activity adjustment

1. Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week?

a. Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day

b. Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week?

c. Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes?

2. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your physical activity?

a. Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators

b. Walking on the escalators instead of riding

c. Parking your car further away from the entrance

d. Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through

e. Getting off the bus one stop before your destination

f. Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash

g. Playing with your kids

D. You may need an attitude adjustment

1. Are you committed to your weight loss journey?

2. Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are eating and exercising?

a. Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days

3. Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional

issues?

a. Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your

eating?

b. Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those

emotions?

c. Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor?

4. Are you attending and participating in support group meetings?

5. Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends?

6. Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically?

7. Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss journey?

8. Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating?

a. Obsessive compulsive thoughts (Obsess about something else)

b. Perfectionism (All or none, black and white thinking)

c. Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss

9. Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards?

10. Have you learned how to take a compliment?

11. Are you giving up diet mentality?

a. Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day

b. Stop dieting

c. Stop depriving yourself

d. Stop defining food as good and bad

e. Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food

12. How do you feel about all the changes taking place?

E. You may need a band adjustment

1. You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate portion sizes but getting hungry between meals?

2. You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large portions.

3. You are having to struggle to lose

4. You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and having a good mind set.

F. You may need your band loosened

1. There are times when you can’t get fluids down

2. You are vomiting too much

a. How much is too much? More than once by my defination.

3. Do you have frequent reflux or heartburn at night?

a. Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating

b. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime

c. Rinse your pouch with a glass or water an hour before bedtime

d. Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux:

(1) Rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods

(2) Chocolate

(3) Caffeine

(4) Alcohol

(5) Some fruits and vegetables

(6) Oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers

(7) Peppermint

(8) Baking soda toothpaste

(9) Carbonated drinks

e. Eat slowly and do not eat big meals

f. If you smoke, quit smoking

g. Reduce stress

h. Exercise promotes digestion

i. Raise the head of your bed

j. Wear loose fitting clothing around your waist

k. Stress increases reflux

l. Take estrogen containing medications in the morning

m. Avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime (Tylenol is OK)

n. Take an antacid (Pepcid complete) before retiring

o. Try other over-the-counter heartburn medications

p. See your health care provider

HUGS to EVERYONE!<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[juno610 1]

Hi Gina, thank you for that great list of rules! I am printing it out for future reference.

After reading through, I think I may need a small unfill. There is no way I'm getting in that much Protein or Fiber. I'm hardly eating anything at all!

I agree that the crust wasn't the best choice, but I did not have a blockage. Nothing has been stuck or come back up, it's just always a tad bit uncomfortable to eat.

[GR8 1]

Then I definetly would see the doctor - -and I would ask if he can examine you/perform unfill with the assistance of xray (IF IT WERE ME - your choice completely!) to verify the band position, and pouch are in proper condition/position.

:confused: Best of luck -- keep us informed of what happens and what Dr says!

[juno610 1]

All my fills are done under xray, so I know the position is ok.

If anyone else is reading this, please join in! Is this a normal amount of food?

[JulieNYC 4]

Juno,

I've been following this forum for about 18 months and the question "am I too tight" is often asked and, in my experience, the answer is always "yes" if you're asking the question. I have a pretty strong opinion that the problems that come with banding (slippage, erosion) are largely from people who keep their bands tight. This is completely understandable because we all want maximum weight loss. Ironically, tight doesn't equal fast loss, but I definitely understand the impulse.

I think it's healthiest for your band, now and long term, to back out just a LITTLE fill. A tiny bit and I think you'd be at your sweet spot. Plus, a tiny bit too loose is better than a tiny bit too tight.

Others will disagree (i.e. prefer a little too tight to a little too loose), but that's where I come out on it!

Good luck and think about that tiny unfill.

[juno610 1]

Julie -- thank you for responding. I've read a lot of your posts, and I truly value your opinion as an experienced bandster! You've said exactly what I've been feeling in my gut. My doc usually goes in .25 increments, but this time it was double that. I just made an appt for next Monday, so I guess we'll see!

[kym828 0]

it is amazing how .25cc can make a world of difference and i think you are doing the right thing by having the slight unfill.

personally i have never been able to eat anything before noon and chicken/steak/bread really hate me. i live on pot pies, lean cusines and veggies. i haven't had a fill since march 07 and some days i am so tight i cant eat anything that day but a couple days later i can graze all day if i dont follow the rules and pay attention - i have no rhyme or reason for this but have adjusted to it. my doc wants me to count calories and i am suppose to be at 1200 a day - as long as i am getting that much in i wont be messing with another fill/unfill.

[Candle 11]

Hi Gina, thank you for that great list of rules! I am printing it out for future reference.

Me too! Thanks!

[JulieNYC 4]

Julie -- thank you for responding. I've read a lot of your posts, and I truly value your opinion as an experienced bandster!

Thank you for your kind words!

[juliegeraci 7]

I can only eat 1/4 cup of food and I'm happy with that. I always drink a Protein Shake for Breakfast followed by lean Protein for my lunch and dinner. I typically snack on cheese or more protein.