Had 1st fill today. Dude.

[dianegoe 0]

Hi Tweenwaters'

I'm not sure. I definitely feel something, when I had lunch today I had a feeling midsternum that could have been restriction so I stopped eating after a small amount of salad. I will wait until Monday and she what happens. I am not over eating, but feel I am doing it on my own. He did not tell me to go on liquids after the fill, so last night I has a small dinner. But I am still happy I did this. It is holding me accountable and I think I will eventually feel restriction if I am not already. But when your Dr did the fill did you feel pressure at the port when he injected the saline? I asked my Dr. if he pulled back the syringe and got Fluid back to know if he was in the port and he said you can't always do that with the new bands. But then how would you remove fluid if you had to? So, I'm not real sure, but I guess he knows what he doing:) Diane

[tweenwaters 0]

Hi Diane,

I don't understand your doctors responses to your questions. Of course he should have put Fluid into the band and then taken it back out to make sure it measured the same.... I thought that was just pretty much standard. That is how they check to make sure before each fill....at least that is what I was told. The P.A. who did my fill was actually training a new doctor on how to do fills with using the sonogram to locate the port. I did not feel pressure on the port site at all.... Once he had the needle in the port, he said he was going to check to see if my surgeon had put in any saline at surgery (TLC Edge uses different surgeons and PA's to do the fills...) and he withdrew 2.4 cc and marked it on my chart. Then he put in an additional 2.6....for an even 5 cc. He also showed me what it would feel like to be "too full"....and increased the saline and had me drink Water. It literally felt like it was at the back of my throat waiting to come back out. Then he pulled some saline out and I felt the Water drain like a funnel....it was kind of a neat experience. Now I can without a doubt tell if I'm too full/tight after a fill. You deserve more of an explanation from your doctor on the fill process. I just don't see where he is coming from at all.....

I feel like the band is there to help me to not over indulge....but it is shear will power to make good food choices. I'm craving chocolate and ice cream....but have not given in yet.

The feeling in your chest sounds like restriction....make sure you are taking really small bites (nickle size) and chew,chew,chew... I think that is the hardest part for me. I'm always eating on the run....and really have to stop, sit down, eat slowly and then I can run around and do whatever needs to get done. It's a whole new way of eating for me.

Best of luck and keep after your doctor for better explanations on your fills. That just doesn't make sense or seem fair....you are PAYING him for his care and answers!!

Stacey (Tweenwaters is our favorite place to stay in Florida...Captiva Island).

[dianegoe 0]

Hi Stacy,

I agree with you 100%. I could eat chocolate and ice cream too. I have not had anything considered dessert since this surgery. I think the band helps you not over eat when you eat, but you still have to make good choices. And if you choose ice cream that melts and goes down easily then you could probably eat a lot of it. I think I am feeling restriction becuase I do have a feeling like food it in the back of my throat or a feeling like something is sitting at my sternum. So I don't want to be too aggressive and have BPing and sliming and other stuff I have read on this sight. I will however when I go for my next fill ask that he withdraw Fluid and then put it back so he knows hes in the band. I have been loosing 1-2# a week and I'm happy with that. I cleaned my closet out the other day and gave all my bigger jeans to my sister:) Good feeling to be in smaller clothes. That alone helps to make better choices. Diane