Do you think I just need a fill?

Rubyjade · 09-04-2008, 12:35 PM

Hi All

I am hardly a newbie to the LAP-BAND^® but have only had 2 fills in the entire time I have had it and both were within 3 months post op. I was banded in Jan 04 and have lost around 140 pounds but my weight has been pretty much the same for the last 18 months or so because I haven't been as committed as I should be eating the right foods and I get hungry quite often ......... so this brings me to my question.

I get full on small amounts of food still so I don't think I have an issue with my pouch being stretched (which previously I have had) or with slippage. The problem is I am hungry again within an hour or two of eating so I am snacking all day because I am never satisfied for long. I eat small amounts each time but it's SEVERAL times during the day, not just 3 or 4 times.

Do you think this is indicative of needing a fill? My band has been entirely empty for just over 18 months (No coincidence really is it that my weight loss came to a screaming halt around the same time??!!) so I probably could do with a fill. I had port revision surgery in Dec 06 and have not had a fill since then.

I am scared it is something more serious even though I can only eat small amounts and have no pain or anything else unusual going on.

I have an appt with my surgeon next week and they want to do a fluoroscopy first just to make sure everything is ok because it has been so long. I guess it is just a precaution to make sure its all ok before they fill me.

I know you guys arent doctors but hearing your opinion would calm me down a little if you just think a fill is all that is needed.

I'm a bit scared.

Hollie519 · 09-04-2008, 01:19 PM

Don't be afraid. It just sounds like you need a fill. That's it. Or maybe you are not eating enough. That's definantly a question for your doctor. If you aren't having any kind of pain or other complications you are most likely due for fill. I have heard that heartburn is a major sign of band slippage. And your food intake would be greater if you stretched your pouch.

Let me know how it goes. I'm curious now.

Hollie519 · 09-04-2008, 01:20 PM

oh and congrats on 140 pounds!!!! That's awesome.

Rubyjade · 09-04-2008, 01:30 PM

Thank you Hollie :) yeah I am definately eating enough hahah. I am eating too much actually and of course have not always been diligent about WHAT I am eating too!!!!!!

Yeah I guess that is true.......... if my pouch was stretched again I would be noticing that I can eat larger amounts. I have had heartburn pretty much since the day I was banded so that is nothing new. There is nothing new or unusual going on, just hunger too soon after eating.

I feel a little better, thank you. I'm so impatient to just get the rest of this weight off. It's been too long. I want to get to 160 (which is only 65 pounds or so away) which means I would have lost 200 pounds and then I can think about surgey to fix my revolting flappy arms :) I cant wait.

Hollie519 · 09-04-2008, 01:39 PM

Yea I feel your pain. i have 29 left to lose and i feel like its never going to come off. I think i need a tummy tuck which also bums me out. Just sounds like you need a fill though. Your body gets used to routine after a while. That's why I always try to change up my eating habbits and exercise.

HeatherO · 09-04-2008, 04:39 PM

When I get my fills, they usually say there are three important questions to ask yourself in order to determine if you need a fill:
1) Are you eating the right foods, avoiding slider foods and eating healthy proteins, veggies, etc?
2) Are you getting hungry between meals?
3) Are you losing less than 1 pound a week?

If you can answer yes to these three questions, you almost definitely need a fill. It sounds to me like you need one.

Rubyjade · 09-11-2008, 12:30 AM

So I went to my doctor today and I dont need a fill after all. He thinks I just really need to go back to basics and follow the band rules all over again. I have a sneaking suspicion he may be right hehe. Now I think about it, I drink way too soon after eating and my choices could be better. He did look at me under fluoroscope today and watched me drink. Filled my band I think 1cc (it is totally unfilled), watched again and said no way, it was way too much restriction. I have a very small band, the ones they used in Australia 5 years ago, much smaller than the american ones. I believe it may be an 8cc band. So anyway I just have to give it a week or two and do what I am supposed to do and if I still feel hungry to just go back. He said the band looked great, no erosion, no slippage, no pouch dilation.
Im pretty happy with the visit actually. He gave me great words of encouragement and told me that I am truly a success story. To be banded almost 5 years ago and to have lost 140 pounds and not gained any back was truly 'exemplary'. Now I know what I gotta do to get rid of the rest of this weight so I can get the boob job I so desperately need!!! I feel very motivated after my visit.

He's such an awesome doc!!!

Jachut · 09-11-2008, 01:24 AM

You have done an awesome job.

Actually a small UNFILL helped me with that hungry between meals thing. I can eat way more at a sitting now, but I dont get hungry for quite a while, whereas for a while there I was so tight that it was literally half a cup and the minute it cleared the pouch my body was telling me in no uncertain terms that it wanted food. I was even waking up at night hungry, but I just couldnt eat enough to satisfy it. Unless I ate slider foods, which I was doing an awful lot of.

Going back to basics is good for us all. Its human nature to slack off a bit as time goes on.

Lisa B · 09-11-2008, 12:17 PM

You *are* doing a great job, RubyJade! Quick question - who's your doctor? Since you like him so much. :)