Do fills really help?

[SueSue 0]

I have read where many people are struglling and so am I. I have lost 31 lbs. in 4 months. 18 the first two weeks. I just gained 3 back.

My biggest fear is to get another fill. I have read where people cannot swallow their own spit, threw up constantly, couldn't sleep and the sound of that scares me. My doctor does blind fills. I have had 3 fills so far and I know I am not restricted. I can still eat more than a sandwich, I can swallow 6 pills at a time and I can drink several swallows of liquid at one time and it flows well. I was going to continue this way as long as I lost but wonder if I am making it harder on myself. I have heard the sweet spot makes it easier. So far I can eat anything and as much as I want. I do stop before I overeat partly because I am satisfied but I have always been able to eat more than I should. I can eat a full tray at school. My question is: Is there really a sweet spot? How do you get it? Will another fill help me?

[snowbird 2]

Fills are what makes the band work. If you don't get fills when you need them, and are struggling to continue to lose weight, you might as well not be banded. Yes, they make a tremendous difference. That said, you can be overfilled and run into difficulties.

I had my second fill 8 days ago. I have had a few days of pbing and getting stuck, and had one day where anything I ate came back up. However, that happens when I eat things I shouldn't eat, and know beforehand I shouldn't eat, like frybread and pizza. Right now I am a little tighter than I would like, but it's getting better and I think when I lose a few more pounds I will be fine. It isn't anything to be scared of, but just a fact of life in banding. If the excessive tightness continues, then I would go in for an unfill because it is unhealthy for the band to continue to pb, and obviously your body needs to get enough nutrients to function well. An unfill isn't anything to be scared of either, in my opinion. I'm just trying to find the level that works for me.

What size band do you have? What are your fill levels right now? My doctor uses flouro every time, which I like because it not only helps see what the fills are doing, but gives him a chance to check band placement and port placement every time. However, my daughter gets blind fills and does fine with them. Your weight loss so far is great, so if that works for you, then good, but if it were me and I was starting to regain weight, I would go in for a fill in a second.

[wombat712 2]

Fills absolutely help!! Most docs don't cinch you all the way up; they go up in increments.

My doc makes me gulp Water or eat a bit of applesauce to make sure all is going well before I leave.

I drive 5 hours to see my doc so I can't just turn around and go back.

I'm on my 5th fill now - this one is snug but I can drink fine - not gulping though. I can't eat much at one time and I'll still trying to get my head used to that.

Get a fill - let the band help you. Just make sure you either take something with you like yogurt or applesauce to test it out before you leave.

hugs

wombat