First fill and nothing - suggestions please!

[San Diego Mom 0]

Banded on 10/21. Had my first fill yesterday 11/17 and had liquids for the first 24 hours. Well my first meal I was able to eat a grilled cheese sandwich and I felt okay. Towards the end I did notice a lump type feeling in my throat so I stopped (there was like maybe a couple of bites left)....do I need a refill? I know I am not supposed to have bread but was curious about how I would react. I am petrified that this isn't going to work for me. Thank you for any input/suggestions!

[*slim* 2]

If your doctor is anything like my doctor, your first fill was put in to help you get ready for real restriction. My doctor's office told me today that they do the fills in small amounts so that you can learn to eat the bandster way in small ways. Each time you have any type of PB episode, they said that is the band trying to tell you that you are eating wrong. They said that it would take maybe 3 or more fills to feel real restriction. I just had my second fill today, and I was hungry afterwards. I could feel a difference, but they told me not to expect a major difference. So all of that to say this, just concentrate on making sure that you are chosing good foods. Make sure that you are taking small bites. Then lastly, make sure that you are eating slow (the food in the back of the throat could be from eating too fast). I feel your pain, but we will get there. Just take your time.

[Jodi_620 37]

Most people don't feel much from the first fill. As slimntan said it is best to get the fills slowly. It takes time, you will feel a little more restriction and lose a little more weight with each fill and eventually you should reach your sweet spot.

I waited a week or two after my first fill then scheduled my second fill. I felt it more with the second but was not quite there. My third fill was when I really started feeling it though I lost a lot of weight the first two weeks and the band got loose again. Went for my fourth fill and the same thing happened. I think I am at my sweet spot since my 5th fill about a month ago. As a matter of fact I was scheduled for my monthly fill appointment tomorrow and I decided to postpone it.

[luluc 6]

something to also consider - a fill "may" take a few wks to kick in, which is another reason many docs take it slow in the beginning.

slim gave some good advice on the subject & how her dr handles the process.

[lipstix64 1]

omg-u look fabu!

[HeatherO 7]

First fill is nothing for the majority of us . . . it is typically that way. I had good restriction by my second fill.

I can tell you that when I had good restriction, there was no way I could eat a grilled cheese sandwich unless it was half of one over about 4 hours with something else to help it go down easier.

You should just try to keep getting regular fills with as little time in between as the doctor will allow until you reach your sweet spot.

How much of a fill did you get for your first fill, and how much and what kind of band do you have?

[vamjuarez 0]

I go in for my first fill on Dec. 2nd and I am nervous that nothing is going to happen. I'm hungry now but try to control it with my diet. I guess it's just like everyone is saying - we have to take it slow as this is not an overnight process. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!!!

[San Diego Mom 0]

Thanks for your replies - I really appreciate them.

My first fill was 3 cc's...it was done under flouro. I think I am going to call and ask to put more in.

Does anyone know what this lump is?

[Jodi_620 37]

The lump is just part of the restriction, depending on the situation you were either full or ate too fast or didn't chew well enough. You will find that as you get tighter with each fill you have to re-evaluate how and/or how much you are eating.

[Annabell1 0]

I was banded on july 1st. Had my first fill six weeks later with a little restriction then felt nothing. No restriction but still stuck with the food guide lines. No cheating and walking 45 min a day twice a day. Had a fill on oct 8th no restriction and still stuck with the food until the end of october. Ate some things i shouldn't but was trying to see if i would get full. I didnt. Then called for another fill on nov 12th. I am very tight. I have to eat very slowly and try to take very small bites. I am glad to have the restriction. Exercise is key though and a good Protein and veggie diet. Stick with it. You will do great. No more bread. Ha! Ha!

[jeni4 0]

got my first fill yesterday and i am to do liquids for two days then soft foods two days i am very hungry. had a cracker i know i shouldnt but was starved

[MissBS 3]

I went for my second fill yesterday - didn't feel anything after the first. I am on liquids, so I don't know if I will have any restriction with this one. One thing they keep telling me is... NO bread. Maybe this is just my doctor's rule, but they did say it can swell up and stretch the pouch. Maybe down the road I will be able to have it, but not yet. Good luck to you!! Becky

[pattygreen 5]

i had my first fill after being 2 1/2 months post op. The doc had another doc who was training do it. He missed the opening. Then Dr Yood tried to put the needle into the opening and he missed. He tried about 6 or 8 times and couldn't find the opening to the port. You have to lay flat on the bed and hold your feet up in order to tighten your stomach muscles so the port is more obvious to feel for. My abs were sore. He said, "You're tired, come back in 2 weeks and we'll try again." "Well, if you can't find the port today, what makes 2 weeks from now ok?" He said, "maybe you will have lost some more weight by then." How stupid! Now, I don't know what's going to happen. Has this ever happened to anyone? I went home discouraged, but not about the fill, more about all the trips I take to the doctors for what seems like nothing. I travel 40 minutes to and from.

[luluc 6]

Has this ever happened to anyone

ok patty, that was wrong on many fronts.

i would be concerned that i was poked 6-8 times, not coming close to the port - and that maybe the tubbing was pierced, which can cause a leak.

second, as a self pay patient - i realize the need for training, but it's not going to be on me. after the first, maybe second failed try - i would have requested a qualified "filler". i also, never had to put my feet in the air to access my port....

third, who tells a patient: "maybe you will have lost some more weight by then."? isn't that the reason we get the band? poor bedside manner.

i would call and schedule another fill as soon as possible & request a qualified person to do so. let them know how discouraged you feel about the quality of service the last time and the inconvenience of travel tied to that visit.

hope it goes better the next time!

[Jodi_620 37]

Yeah, that was really messed up Patti. I hope it turns out better next time...if not I would be looking to find another doctor.

BTW: Lifting the feet up in the air is the common practice in my surgeons office too, doing so causes the abdominal muscles to push the port forward making it easier to find...at least for qualified fill doctors :thumbup: