Had my fist fill....now what?

[apryl]

I just had my first fill with Dr. Martinez (goodness he is cute!!!), and I am wondering/worried about two things. The first thing is the amount of my fill. He only gave me 1.2 cc's, and I am worried that I won't lose any weight. I live in PA and I can't afford to fly to CA all the time. When he gave me my fill he said that since I had quite a bit of restriction prior to the fill, he wouldn't give me that much. Am I being silly about this, or was he too conservative. I don't want to start obsessing about this but I do want it to be effective.

The second thing I was wondering is how much everyone really eats. I read that 1/2 of a cup is average, but I haven't even been eating that. I am having a hard time figuring out what "full" really feels like. Pre-surgery, full meant that you felt like an overfilled balloon...but what does it feel like now? After eating I feel fine, and I can go 4 hours or more without my stomach growling. Is this too soon, or normal?

I was also wondering what sorts of things everyone eats...especially for breakfast. I am always extremely busy, and most meals are eaten while I am walking out the door. Obviously fast food and pre-packaged things are no no's (and part of the reason why I had to have the surgery in the first place) but do you have any tips for making food preparation quicker or easier?

Thanks so much!

[JennaR]

It really is all an individual guessing game. A lot of trial and error after the first fill. I had 1.8 for the first fill, .8 added for the second fill (.1cc is 2 drops from a syringe, so it isn't much). Try not to compare your fill to others, as everyone had a different fill level and it is designed for your body. I know its hard, but you'll make yourself nuts trying to compare.

As for breakfast, I can't help there. I am one of those people that can't even THINK about eating breakfast. Getting water down is a chore in the morning. Once afternoon hits, I open up well. Someone (thanks Shell) told me that if you drink warm liquid in the morning it will go down easier (she was right). So a cup of hot tea for me in the morning to get me going and that is it.

As for afternoons, I am also a "on the go" type of girl. You can still eat fast food, you just have to choose healthy. I usually do some type of chicken sandwich and throw the bun away. Or Subway is really good to me about just making a special "cup 'o tuna" for me and charging me 1/2 price (love them!). I have also been known to do Chinese take out chicken chow mein when I get the craving. But that is rare as just one order will last me 3-4 lunches and I get really sick of it after day 2. Another idea is to stop into the local grocery store and go to the deli. I get sliced turkey or chicken and it goes "on the go" just fine in the plastic deli bag. I munch on it as I drive. Pre packaged things aren't totally no-no either, I do the frozen dinner South Beach or Lean Cuisine meals all the time. Before the band I would balk at them because the portions were too small. Now they are perfect! Imagine that!!!

If after eating, you feel fine and go 4+ hours without eating and not being hungry, I would say that is great!!!

When I got the surgery, I planned for 3 trips in my budget to CA for fills. I have had 2 fills (banded March, fill May, Fill Sept). I don't expect to have to have a third until my yearly check up in March. I am learning to deal with the more restriction although I make a lot of "oopsies". I expect I will have more of a routine down pat soon.

Good luck! I hope this helped!!!

[Dianechef]

Hi Jenna,

I noticed that you said you had a yearly check-up in March. Is that with Dr. Ortiz? I haven't seen him at all since the surgery & am wondering if that is something we are all supposed to do besides go down for fills.

[JennaR]

Yes, Dr. Martinez has told me twice now that if we do nothing else, we need to be checked by him at least once a year. A regular check is free with no fill. If you get your fills from him then he checks you as he is doing it anyway.

[Picturegirl]

Hi Apryl... I just got my first fill yesterday 10/22. I read your this post about your first fill and was wondering how you were doing? Have you lost some weight? How much are you eating?

I am a little apprehesive about going back to solid foods because after my surgery I was hungry the 3rd day! I stuck it out through the liquid phase and lost about 10 pounds but when I started to eat solids again, of course my weight loss slowed down and then eventually stopped. I waited to get my fill until I stopped losing, but I was able to eat almost as much as I was pre surgery. Dr. Martinez told me that my band was loose and I got 2 cc's yesterday.

How is the tightness of your band? Are you having trouble with any particular foods?

Hope all is well, Shawna

[Guest Marilyn]

I've just been banded since 11 1 2005, and have not, as yet, had a 'fill'; however, with regard to feeling full: I don't think you can feel 'stuffed good and full' .. if you do eat enough to feel that way, you will probably next be throwing up YUCK!

Satisfied, is what I've been told. But, on liquid diet with just now adding in a couple of mushy/pureed type foods, I only feel satisfied for 2 hours, and then I am HUNGRY! I am assuming this is normal. Good luck!