How do you know your ready for next fill?

[lisafitz 18]

I had my first fill Oct 3rd Somethings I ate use to get stuck and now they don't. How do you know when your ready for another fill? I can feel food go down sometimes it's tight other times it fine. I feel like maybe I should call the doctor and let him know or is it just me.

[stevegoad 32]

Well, I have had 2 fills.

Honestly, I know I am ready for another one, because I haven't lost a pound in 2 weeks, and I am able to eat more than I should (note that I still have to eat slower, so I know that the band is still in place, but not tight enough).

It's time.

[raedelicious 0]

I have had 6 fills and I know it is time for a new fill when I can eat more and if I do not have to chew everything like crazy. Right now...I am very tight. My last fill was on October 3rd and usually 3-4 weeks after a fill I can tell that I am getting close...but I think I am near my sweet spot. Some people are reluctant to get fills, but I am slightly aggressive because it keeps me in check...since the last 2 fills, I have had great difficulty with bread which is a good thing, since it is my down fall (especially pizza).

[abrenner 0]

Hi!

I had my first fill a few weeks ago and for the first couple of days was aware that there was some restriction. But as usual, my body knows how to heal, and now I am eating more than they said I should be able to. I'm not losing weight, either.

I went to my gastric center's support group meeting last night and spoke to the nurse afterwards. She assured me that it just means we haven't reached my "sweet spot" yet and not to lose hope.

Don't lose hope! Even though the band is a tool and we are still responsible to eat responsibly and mindfully, apparently there really are some of us who need more than one adjustment (or six) until we get to that point where we can use the tool the way it is designed to work.

(by the way, I haven't updated my ticker - I still have trouble with that. I've lost 16 pounds total now)

[lisafitz 18]

Yeah I only lost a little over 20 lbs since Aug 5th when I was banded I still weigh my food out and I go to the gym and it seems like I am losing nothing....I did lose allot of inches which is great.

What is the "sweet spot" ?

[egnebs 0]

My doc gave me a card: Hungry? Big meals? Looking for food? Yellow zone. Add Fluid

Early and prolonged satiety? Small Meals Satisfy? Satisfactory weight loss or Maintenance? Green Zone. Great!

Difficulty swallowing? Reflux-heartburn? Night cough? Regurgitation? Poor Eating Behavior? Red Zone. Reduce Fluid.< /span>

Its put out by the Lap Band System Australian Center for Obesity.

[abrenner 0]

Yeah I only lost a little over 20 lbs since Aug 5th when I was banded I still weigh my food out and I go to the gym and it seems like I am losing nothing....I did lose allot of inches which is great.

What is the "sweet spot" ?

Lisa,

That is the term that is used when the fill that works best for YOU individually is reached. Where you eat less and lose what you need and want to in a safe, healthy way and can then maintain that loss. It can be one fill for some people, or (if you read the boards) several fills to find the right level. My nurse said that for me it is obvious that I am committed to the process and that they just haven't found that fill level for me yet. My body, thankfully, knows how to heal, so it may take a few extra fills for me. Once the swelling went down after the surgery and again after the first fill I was practically unrestricted and can eat almost two cups of food at a time. And if I measure out my food and stick to the 1/2 cup I am still ravenous and can't go even an hour without extreme, painful hunger pangs. So it is obvious that I need another fill. I go in on 11/4 for that. Yay!

But I'll take the 16-18 pounds I've lost so far and be happy. This morning my daughter and I could really SEE the difference for the first time in my body shape. Doesn't show at all on the scale, but it does in the way I look. Cool.

Good luck!

[lisafitz 18]

Amy,

Thanks I wasn't sure really. Everyone can see the difference but I feel like I really haven't lost allot of weight. Down under 20lbs since Aug 5th, and I know it is good and I have lost inches. I don't know I feel like it should be more. I can eat up to a 1 cup 1/2 half of food which is what I am suppose to eat. Some things I eat get stuck so I know I am restricted. I was filled Oct 3rd. The doctor said this might be all I need. That I might need another fill. I see some people on here get way more then one. I am afraid to stretch the pouch, so I am careful. Sometimes I can eat...allot for having a band but not from how I could in the past. So i guess at this point I am fine and I don't need a fill...I will wait and see. Thank you