How do you know when to get more?

[minou 0]

Hi all, I'm sure I could find the answer to this if I just read enough posts, but I'm slightly ADD and just can't seem to keep sitting still long enough to do that!

I had my first fill yesterday 3.5 cc. Afterwards I drank my Water, no problem then went to eat. I ate very slowly and chewed my food for what felt like forever. I also waited awhile between every few bites to see if I got a delayed full reaction. After a little bit I did feel a slight bit of pressure in my stomach and it finally quit growling, so I stopped eating even though I didn't really feel full and certainly still had a desire to eat. Today it's been pretty much the same story, no real full sensation, but I've stopped myself at around 1 cup of food. Right now, I'm totally reliant upon will power to reduce my eating, which I can probably keep up for awhile, but the reason I chose the band in the first place is because I needed a bit of extra strength to keep me on the wagon so to speak.

So, I have a couple of questions...

1. How long does it take to "feel" your fill?

2. What does restriction feel like? Will it be a true full sensation or just no longer a ravenous hunger?

3. How often can you get a fill?

My doctor was in meetings when I was at the hospital yesterday, so I saw his assistant instead. (I had my surgery in Germany, and while everyone speaks English, sometimes my questions aren't entirely understood and it's hard to translate!). She said I should come back if I felt like I needed another fill, but couldn't really describe what I should be expecting or how long I should wait before deciding that I did need more, so what do you guys think?

[true2self 0]

Hi minou,

A couple of insights for someone who has had the band for a year. First of all, you are doing great if you can use will power for a bit until you find your sweet spot. Don't try to eat until you feel restriction bc then you are relying on the band to change your habits instead of you learning how to discipline your eating. A sweet spot is when you can eat little amounts and feel satisfied after you eat without wanting to eat more, but realize the battle to retrain yourself has to happen in your mind first. You should get to the point where you can eat small amounts and feel satisfied. That sounds like what you did. Remember being satisfied does not take away the want for more food. There is your true battle. So keep up the good work and don't wait for a feeling of restriction. Eat as little as you can to feel like you have had enough. If you end up eating six mini meals due to this process of feeling hungry soon, that is good. The key is to see if you can go 3-4 hours w/0 feeling hungry. If you can, you don't need a fill until the hunger time starts coming more frequently than 3-4 hrs apart. As far as how many fills it takes. That is different for everyone. I know someone who has had three fills the entire year and lost her weight in one year (100 lbs). That did not happen for me but that is bc I was relying on the band more than the discipline to lose the weight. I went to far with the band, was sick all the time and had to have the fills taken out. I started out eating great and everything great for about 9 mo., lost 45 pounds, but wanted to hurry the process a little bit more. WRONG THING TO DO. I was so sick that I could not even keep liquids down. Had to have the band completely drained. I am starting over with my fills at the beginning level and more determined to be true to myself and do what I need to to lose the weight correctly. I am already off to a good start.

So even though you are excited about losing the weight, take your time and do it right. After a fill, you should stay on liquids for 24 hrs and then introduced smashed foods for a day or two before eating a meal. Just that simple discipline helps you do what you need to to start your focus off right. I was like you. I could eat more and didn't find full until my forth fill and then I was doing good. When I went to the Dr. office, I wanted to lose more weight faster than the 1 1/2 pounds a week, so I got another fill (fill #5). Big mistake.

Hang in there. You are on an exciting trip so take the time to enjoy the journey even in the disappointing spots. Eat right, drink according to the rules, exercise, and take care of yourself. Try to get involved in a support group. This is probably a great start for you.

Edited July 10, 2008 by true2self