Portions Before 1st Fill

[Miriam 0]

Hi Everyone,

I am about to transition to purees tomorrow but am worried about the next three weeks of eating until I get my first fill. Since the band hasn't been tightened, is it easy to overeat? Does it matter what I eat as long as it has a pureed texture? Can I expect to loose weight before the first fill? I lost 18 on my pre-op diet, but have only lost one additional pound since my 2/24 surgery.

Any advice on how to get through the next few weeks would be great!! Thank you!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Miriam, we're all so different! I had my band placed 8/29 and lost just at 42 pounds pre and post op dieting. However, once I advanced to "real" food, I gained back some. Personally, I refuse to diet. For me, it just makes me obsessed with food. If I measure and count etc I CAN (and have, many times) lose weight, for a while. But I am SO concerned with food (what can I eat when can I eat it how MUCH can I eat...if I eat this apple will it ruin my calorie count for the day? what if I weighed this wrong? What if I eat too much now and am HUNGRY later") that I eventually just wore out. The beauty of the band, to me, is the restriction. I can make good choices, and it is easy not to snack (for me anyway) when I'm not hungry. My surgeon is a conservative fill doc and not until my last fill (Jan 30) did I FINALLY feel restriction. From then to 3/5 (date of my 5th fill) I lost 9 pounds...just by making "good choices". Now that I have more restriction, I'm sure I'll lose at least that if not more. 9-10 pounds a month is great, to my mind, because I have not suffered or "starved" or fretted one time. I've even had pizza once (it amazed me how little it took to fill me up) and a patty melt from Whataburger. Well, I had about 1/3 of the patty melt, and was done. I was shocked and pleased. I've also had a lot of fresh fruit and veggies etc...

Anyway my point is, it's up to you. It is your tool. Singers have different styles, people who use hammers for a living have their own methods and tricks. You will use the band the way that works for you. If you like calorie counting and knowing exactly what you eat and when, then do that. Because until you get restriction, like me you MAY gain a little back, or not lose. Some diet until the restriction finally kicks in to help them. I chose not to obsess about it but to just live my life making the best choices. And my way works for me, and the other way works for others!

So unless your doc is more aggressive with the fills, the first one probably won't do much (you may be one of the lucky ones who feels it right away, but they are in the minority) and if you want to lose until you get restriction, you may need to diet. Or just watch what you eat and trust the process. Your call! Good luck!

[ShelleyB 2]

I had the same question and decided I would just wait and see how it goes. I am starting to eat pureed foods and handling them very well. I feel so much better eating real foods now. I haven't weighed yet this week (tomorrow), but it does seem like I have slowed down the weight loss after surgery. I do feel some restriction already and can't eat very much. I don't get my fill until almost 4 weeks from now. I am alot like Restless Monkey, I have dieting issues (therefore the band) and so my plan is to just watch what I eat, eat for health, exercise and go on about my life until I get the restriction that is good. Best of luck to you!!!

[shellyphaunts 0]

I've been on "real" food for about a week to ten days. I lost 12 pounds the week after surgery, and about two pounds a week since then. I am on sheer will power right now. I think I could eat quite a bit, if I let myself. I can even eat bread & Pasta. All whole wheat of course!

I am trying to stick with the correct portion sizes, weighing my food, writing everything down and counting calories. Plus exercise, exercise, exercise!!

I have this strange fear of strectching my pouch. So I try very hard to not overeat. I have a Protein Shake each morning & I eat five times a day, very small meals, Protein first. If only I could have done this PRE-band!

Hope this helps! Good luck to you!

Hugs,

Edited March 6, 2009 by shellyphaunts
correcting grammar

[Chicky abby 0]

I am going on 5 weeks post op and have always felt restriction. I am going to prolong the fill as long as possible. I can get through a small wendy's chili but then that's it. Last night I had a Lean Cuisine ravioli dinner and left over 3 ravioli's. Everyone is different. Also, except for the ravioli last night, have been staying away from all carbs; no oatmeal, farina, mashed potatoes. And I have been sticking with Decaf tea/coffee. I do believe that makes a huge impact on appetite control. Good Luck!

Forgot to add that since surgery have lost 22 lbs.

[Miriam 0]

Thanks for the advice!! Wow, it really does vary from person to person. I think I'm going to try the small three meals and pray that I feel some kind of restriction soon.

[shassy 0]

i too have avoided carbs....if i eat any i notice that my hunger is "bigger".....i had my third fill 10 days ago and i have had some sticks and am feeling restriction for the first time. up until now i have lost with Portion Control, carb limitation, and exercise.........this week, i didn't like the band very much as it has been very hard to get Protein down without pain....i am learning to chew chew chew and take smaller bites and this has helped.....some things i have no problem with...but meat, yikes!

[Gus-Gus 0]

i too have avoided carbs....if i eat any i notice that my hunger is "bigger".....i had my third fill 10 days ago and i have had some sticks and am feeling restriction for the first time. up until now i have lost with Portion Control, carb limitation, and exercise.........this week, i didn't like the band very much as it has been very hard to get Protein down without pain....i am learning to chew chew chew and take smaller bites and this has helped.....some things i have no problem with...but meat, yikes!

In response to both of you. I was able to eat more than I anticipated before my first fill and more than I anticipated after my second and third fill as well. I was working on sheer willpower and portion control but losing or staying put so it was okay.

I had my fourth fill last week and I also don't like my band very much. I am finally feeling full after 2 ounces,which I believe was the original goal, but it has been an experience. I worry that I might be over-filled but I'm going to wait it out just a little more to see if it gets better before I ask to go back in for an un-fill.

My average has been staying the same weight or 1-2 pounds a week. I am happy with those results. Keep track of your portions, starting with Protein first and I think if you stay within 1/2 to1 cup of food per meal (I usually serve myself 2 oz's of meat and 1/2 or 1/4 cup of Beans or other protein) and drink plenty of Water between meals, you'll manage your weight loss.

Good luck to you.