Waaaaah Teetering on the Brink

Today is fill day, and I've really been paying attention to what my stomach is telling me-how much it can hold at any given time, how long it takes for me to get hungry again.  When I stay hydrated (as I should) I'm a bit too loose, so I'm going to trust Dr. Nelson and go in today and see what she thinks.

Also, and I know the ladies will know what I'm talking about, my weight is shifting around a lot lately-probably due to the exercise and the MBT shoes changing my posture-but I'm wondering if better posture might make for a looser band?  I'm going to ask-it sort of makes sense to me.

I know I've had it way easy getting the right fill level so I'm not complaining a bit.  It's the only thing remotely complicated about this process....but for those considering the band-it's the part that will make or break you, so you must commit to follow up care to get levels right....and go back in at once if you think you are too tight.

The adjustable benefit side of the band is only a benefit if you actually use it....LOL.  I learned that the hard way.

Deb, I hope Dr. Nelson will have some good insight for you and that this fill will be your sweet spot.

I almost called the office yesterday to tell them all I was in Onederland ... but I thought that might just be too dorky! ; )

That wouldn't be dorky at all-I'm sure they'd be glad to hear from you.  That is the holy grail for most of us......I can remember well all the times I hit that mark....but just think-it's one that, with a little effort, will NEVER loom again.

That's the part that keeps blowing my mind-this time the weight is really gone.

Deb, what are your restrictions after a fill and for how long? Do you have to hold off on biking for a time?

Boy oh boy, the thought of never getting up and over 200 pounds again sounds almost too awesome to believe!!! : )

24 hours of meal replacement liquids and 24 hours of mushies-progressing to solid foods within 3 days of fill.  If you are having trouble with solids but can tolerate mushies-you can give it a couple of days of mushies-but if you aren't on solids after that, you are too tight and should go back in for a slight unfill.

Everyone is different, but I usually walk around for awhile after a fill and then go take a nap and I'm fine.  I'm a little sore for a few days, but not enough to keep from biking or working out, but I usually don't work out except for the walking until after I go back to mushies.

Today I drove around a bit, did my groceries and unloaded all that and took a nap.  I'll go out in a bit and throw balls for the dogs or maybe pedal the recumbent indoors, but slowly.  I have a tendency to skimp on liquids before a fill (cause I have to weigh) so and outdoor ride isn't prudent.

Some people have more difficulty than I do but I used to drive to Houston for a fill and drive home the next day, and have never had a problem.  In fact, I just realized, the nap is a habit-I'd go check in to the hotel and take a nap after my fill....LOL.

Oh, I also cut back a bit on coffee for the rest of the day now that I'm tighter.  Basically you don't want to do anything that irritates the stomach.  That doesn't make sense to me because the fill part takes place outside the stomach, but it can cause some swelling and it isn't worth screwing things up to test that boundary.

The eating is fairly similiar to the other WLS...solid protien first, avoid high fat, high sugar "slippery foods", drink lots of water.  The DS'ers can eat fat or sugar, I never remember which it is they can have...I think it's fat.

I'm really glad this board is supportive of all the surgery types and we focus on health and being Okies and not whose surgery is better than others.