Doc doesn't want to do a fill.....

kaninag · 06-08-2008, 07:37 AM

GGGrrrrr!!
I went to the doc last week. I see him every 6 weeks. Between my visits I had only lost 3-4lbs....I thought SURELY he would want to do a fill...I only have 5cc in a 14cc band. He said I needed to bump up my exercise and that he wanted to wait and see if I go backwards before he does another fill...I AM SOOOOOO NOT HAPPY!!!!!!!!! I tried to tell him I can still eat too much before I get full and then I am hungry a few hours later...HELLO I paid all this money for this surgery to just NOT get filled.........I can eat just about anything with no problem....but if I dont premeasure everything I could totally eat more than a cup!!!! I exercise about 30min to 1 hr 3-4 days aweek and he said I needed to do more...........AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH....I am sosoooooooo frustrated. What do I do...Think I need another fill I am SO not at the sweet spot........

**Jack** · 06-08-2008, 08:11 AM

It does take time for our metabolism to catch up with our changing eating behavior. Being "full" has little to do with being "not hungry". Learning how to 'not eat' when we are 'not full' is a skill we have to develop IMHO.

And losing the weight at the pace you show, is recognized as being healthy and effective. We didn't all get Morbidly Obese overnight, it took a lot of effort and repeated over eating. Learning how to use something besides what our Belly (eat MORE) Beast is telling us, has to be part of our recovery.

Frustration helps motivate *me* towards finding another way to achieve my own goals.

kaninag · 06-08-2008, 08:31 AM

I eat about 1200-1400 calories a day and drink probably 7-8 (if not more)bottles of H2O..I work out already pretty much as much as I can (I work and go to school fulltime) and I am still not losing the weight....I have only had 2 fills in my opinion and after doing all the research and seeing that if I wanted to I could still eat a lot...I feel that I need another fill...I only have 5cc in.....I have NO restriction AT ALL......Does that not say need another fill???
I am past the point of managing what I eat...I have cut out all fried foods, bread, sweets (treat myself very rarely) and I used to be a constant soda drinker but I have changed ALL of that........Why is it everytime I make a post on here about something its you need to learn how to manage what you eat..I am managing it and very well......but you know that surgery that I went thru.....I would like it to be helping me at least a little. esp since I paid big bucks for it....I am doing everything I know to do to get this weight off......I think my doc should be doing his part as well....its like he got the money for the surgery now screw you is how I feel!

kaninag · 06-08-2008, 08:33 AM

BTW...15 of those 21 lbs lost were within 2 weeks postop....so since the middle of feb I have only lost 6 lbs.....

kaninag · 06-08-2008, 08:36 AM

I also follow all the rules...no drinking x2hrs after eating, no drinking with meals, eat 3meals aday....eat 60g protein a day and usually I go over that.....Drink lots of water....done.....what else am I missing....I have watched ppl not lose weight after this surgery bc they dont do what theyre supposed to but I DO WHAT I SHOULD..........
And yes I had my throid checked....no probs.

kaninag · 06-08-2008, 08:37 AM

and CHEW CHEW CHEW....I am never finished eating b4 myhubby! it takes me FOREVER...but you know what I am totally fine with that!

Kat225 · 06-08-2008, 08:39 AM

I would be frustrated too! The doc needs to do his job! 3-4lbs in 6 weeks is nice because any loss is great but a good healthy pace is
2-3 a week. Also your exercise is good too. How much time does he think you have. If your like me, I'm very busy! I can't wait till I get my next fill because I just might hit my sweet spot. Without restriction, it's like you've never had the surgery in the first place. You need to demand a fill from your doc. If that don't work, look for a new fill doc. Fill Centers USA are all over...

Alfie · 06-08-2008, 09:21 AM

I agree with your frustrations. The whole point of the band fills is to slowly get you up to a restriction that is comfortable to you. While it is not a magic bullet the whole point of it seems to be being overlooked by the doctor.

Michee · 06-08-2008, 09:38 AM

This part can be frustrating. I was banded in August and didnt get proper restriction until February.

I have come to the conclusion that I have a slow metabolism, I have upped my exercise to 2 hours per day (1 hour at the gym before work, and a 6km walk after work). I also recently started running 3 times per week.

With good restriction, healthy food choices and what I consider plenty of exercise, I am losing about 1.5 pounds per week.

The weight loss is slower than I would like, but I feel fabulous, and when I look at pics of last summer, I cant believe how far I have come.

It may take some of us longer to reach our goal, but the victory will still be as sweet.

marathinner · 06-08-2008, 11:23 AM

kaninag..I went thru something similar with my Doc. I had lost 4 pounds in a month and was FULLY expecting to get a fill because i was also dealing with hunger and volume issues. My doc said "nope, you're doing great..see ya next month". My jaw hit the floor. I basically "argued" with him in a pleasant and diplomatic way. I also pulled out this 'GREEN ZONE" card his office had given me that outlines where a Lap Band patient should be in terms of your "sweet spot". Because I had NONE of the criteria for being in the "green zone" he gave me a small fill (only 1cc). I was expecting to get 2-3cc's that day but was just happy to get anything!! Fortunately, the next month he gave me 3cc's (for a total of 6.5 in a 14cc band) and I feel like I hit the "green zone". My advice is be your best health advocate (which you obviously are as you are taking such great care of yourself) and push for what you feel is best for you!! Good luck and don't give up!

MSnika3 · 06-08-2008, 02:59 PM

Kaninag, I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. I would be angry, too. Screw that "but you are losing at a healthy pace" bull. If you were just sitting on your carcass, not really following the guidelines, etc. then maybe a doc suggesting behavior management prior to a fill would be understandable. But since this is obviously not the case, you need to have another little chit chat with Mr. M.D. journal everything you do, eat, and feel, take it with you and demand some action! Like marathinner said, be your own advocate. Tell him ALL that you've just told us. With a neck roll and three snaps in Z formation. If that doesn't work find another doc, if that's an option. Tell him we will get some signs and start picketing outside his office. WE WANT RESTRICTION! WE WANT RESTRICTION!

Girl, you have me thinking, now. When I get to my doc for my first fill, he better not come at me with that foolishness. I need to go ahead and prepare my speech, just in case.

kaninag · 06-08-2008, 04:13 PM

atallen06 youre so funny!! Thanks I needed a good laugh. Thanks for the input guys I have decided that first thing tomorrow I am calling his office and requesting to be set up for my fill this week!!!! I looked at my daily "whatI do/what I eat" journal and realized that I have more than tripled my daily exercising within the last 8months....somethings gotta give and its my doc!
I understand that its gotta be slow...I am totally cool with that but I sure would at least like to lose 1lb a week for once instead of .2 or even nothing that all....that I have been seeing....lol this time last year though everytime I stepped on the scale I had gained so I am TOTALLY thankful....:)

Hastings · 06-08-2008, 06:24 PM

You are following the band rules and eating band amounts of food. The band being tighter will not make you lose more weight, if you are eating the right amount.

I was eating 1200 a day and my loss had slowed. I lowered it to 1000 and have lost three pounds in a week.

Then again, I see the band as a maintenance tool and as a back up. I depend on myself to restrict my intake and do not want to be very tight.

Good luck.

kaninag · 06-10-2008, 07:43 AM

I think I have pretty much depended on myself to restrict my intake since my band isnt really restricting anything...I guess I just want it to at least restrict some...I dont want to be tight or anything I just want to feel restriction. That way like you said its my backup incase I have a weak day :)

ZenGarden · 06-10-2008, 10:21 AM

Unfortunately, you may have to change doctors as I had to. My original surgeon was extremely conservative with fills and after my fourth one with still no restriction, I had to change doctors. I am currently on my 7th fill and am just NOW (after 14 months post-op) able to tell I actually have a lap band.

Restriction is a very odd thing; some find it very quickly with only one fill and others (like myself) are still struggling to find it. My advice is find another doctor if yours won't cooperate with you. Only YOU know what amount of restriction is best for you. Sometimes it can be very difficult to get this message across to a doctor.