Need Some Encouragement

jkhawk8 · July 10, 2008

I was banded 4-14-08 and am getting my fifth fill tomorrow. I still have no restriction and I'm pretty sure my weigh-in tomorrow will show a gain. I've been gaining and losing the same 3 or 4 pounds for the last 5 or 6 weeks now. I know it can take several fills to reach good restriction, but I'm getting a bit weary. I can eat WAY more than I should, and I know I have to work at this, but if my self-control were all that good, I wouldn't have needed surgery in the first place.

Thanks in advance for prayers and support. I'm glad this forum is here.

Jan from KY

NY2LAGirl · July 10, 2008

5th fill, wow how often are you going? I am having my 2nd tomorrow and I feel like I have lost and gained the same 2 lbs for the last 2 weeks so I am right there with you. Do you know how big your band is? Maybe your doc is only putting in 1/2 cc at a time so you may not have that much in the band. My doctor told me that the day of surgery my band fit me like a hula-hoop so I would need a few fills to feel restriction. I have 5cc's right now and I am STARVING!!!!! I bet if I walked into McDonalds right now I could eat a Big Mac and French Fries. So I am assuming that I am in for the long journey.

Stay Strong!

jkhawk8 · July 10, 2008

I've got 5.7cc in a 10cc band. I had my first fill one month after surgery, then a few weeks later another, followed by a third fill one week after that (because I still felt no restriction, so he let me come back early), then the fourth fill about 2 weeks after that. The last 3 fills have been either .5 or .6cc, so yes, he's filling it slowly.

And I could definitely join you at McDonald's!!!

dbowers · July 14, 2008

I just had my first fill - 3cc's about 3 weeks ago. Not feeling any restriction yet. My official weigh in shows gaining 2 lbs, but my scale says no gain. I'm still confident the loss will come, but I get so hungry; so I know how you feel. We just have to hang in there and be patient, eat moderately and don't over-indulge. We'll get there.

NY2LAGirl · July 14, 2008

I had no restriction either after my first fill. I think it's rare to have it at that point. I had a fill Thursday it was my second so I have 6 1/2 cc in a 12 cc band. I finally have some restriction! I have lost 4 lbs since my fill. I now have to learn what I can eat since after my first fill I could eat anything I wanted. I had a terrible experience Sat. night after eating something that I finally vomited after being in agony for about a 1/2 hour with that golf ball in my chest feeling. It was terrible but had immediate relief after getting it up. It's all a learning curve!

jkhawk8 · July 14, 2008

I'm now at 6.5 in a 10cc band, and had some restriction the first few days. But again, I'm able to eat more than I should be able to. For example, I had tuna salad for lunch (I used the entire 6 oz can since the drained tuna measures less than 5 ounces, mixed with sugar-free pickle relish and 1 T. low fat mayo) with 8 saltines, and was still hungry 30 minutes later. So I ate some leftover Pasta with sauce and ended up eating about 1 1/2 cups of that, too!!!

It seems like when I follow the bandster rules about not drinking and eating at the same time, it takes a lot more food to fill me up (or at least get me to a comfortable stopping point). I'm not sure I have enough restriction for the "no drinking" rule to make much difference at this point. I hate to break the rules, but I also need to do what works best for me.

I'm praying for the day of good and lasting restriction!!

From "Hanging-in-there" Jan

dbowers - where is Franklin IN? I live just south of Cincinnati. Are you anywhere in the tri-state area?

NY2LAgirl - I know this sounds horrible, but I almost wish I'd have a "stuck" experience to know my band is tight enough. Kind of like when the nurses at our doctor's office tell the bypass patients she hopes they have dumping syndrome, because they'd never repeat it! Ah, yes, it's definitely a learning curve. It's just that I wanted to learn it yesterday!!

Edited July 14, 2008 by jkhawk8

NY2LAGirl · July 14, 2008

I never drink while I eat!!!!!

jkhawk8 · July 14, 2008

I don't either, but I think if I could, I might fill up faster. Sigh. I'll know I'll get there eventually.

areellady · July 14, 2008

Oh my ladies, I just read your thread. You WILL get some restriction and you will feel full....(this is the part you don't want to hear)....eventually.

It takes a few fills and then you feel it. I know I did the same thing as you guys, though, was so disappointed. I wanted to feel full right now, not months down the road. Looking back though, at least your not GAINING 10 , and not losing it again, your gaining a little and losing it again. Your band is working to some degree. Sometimes we have to put in a little extra work until the band kicks in and does it job a little more. I feel for you about this, it can be sooooooo upsetting. When you have good restriction and you eat, if you get stuck, it will make it worse...like a clogged up toilet, so really try not to drink while eating. It is a good habit to not get into. Good luck to you!!!! Hang in there, restriction is coming!!

jkhawk8 · July 14, 2008

Thank you, Deanna, for your encouraging words. That's exactly what I needed to hear :confused_smile: And I'm definitely hanging in there, AND following the rules.

Jan

Ritamelvin · January 5, 2010

I was banded 4-14-08 and am getting my fifth fill tomorrow. I still have no restriction and I'm pretty sure my weigh-in tomorrow will show a gain. I've been gaining and losing the same 3 or 4 pounds for the last 5 or 6 weeks now. I know it can take several fills to reach good restriction, but I'm getting a bit weary. I can eat WAY more than I should, and I know I have to work at this, but if my self-control were all that good, I wouldn't have needed surgery in the first place.
Thanks in advance for prayers and support. I'm glad this forum is here.

Jan from KY

wow, I know exactly how you feel. I've gained and lost the same 3 pounds for 3 months now. I absolutely agree with you.