Only 1cc every 4-6 weeks? Seriously?

[erikaw1971 0]

Does anyone else have a doctor that only puts in 1cc at a time when you have the large size AP band? I understand being conservative, but this seems ridiculous.

My doc's office says 4-6 weeks between visits/fills. They want you to lose 1-2 lbs per week. I had good weight loss at the beginning. Great, in fact, but that's because I had a pretty swollen stomach and that gave e great restriction. Now I have no restriction with a total of 2 ccs in my band - from two visits. I called today and they scheduled my next visit for 4 weeks from my last visit. Holy hell. Is it really supposed to work this way? No band function until you get restriction - could be 7-8 months before that happens (7-8ccs). Until then I am on my own? I am losing the lbs. they want, but it's all me and I'm getting tired of it, just like I always get tired of diets. There is no help...no tool that I can feel. I can keep this up for a few more months, but I need restriction. I mean, I thought that was the whole point of a band - restriction. Argh.

(My docs office did not explain how long it could take to get restriction. They never said I could only get 1cc at a time and only every 4-6 weeks.)

Has anyone had any success annoying the crap out of their doc until he gives you more cc's?

[dman3998 0]

Sounds like BS to me. are the fills included in your base price? or does he bill you or your insurance every time? if so you are just getting hosed. from what I read, most docs fill to 4-6cc the first time and will add more every 2 weeks. you are right if it is not restricting it is not doing anything.

[vlp1968 83]

I agree, your doc. seems to be off base. I would be aggressive with him, maybe he won't put more in but will do it more often. I don't know that you will be able to change his mind, but it's worth trying. My doc. is really good at listening to me and then deciding what to do. Good Luck!

[Cocoabean 430]

Mine was conservative, also. I think my first fill was 2cc and each after that was 1cc or less.

At one point a fill of 1cc overfilled me. I have been at great restriction with somewhere around 5cc in my band.

I think if your doctor is convervative, and tells you that he is (mind did--and told me why), then bugging him to go more or faster will not do anything.

He is in the driver's seat when it comes to how quickly it will go.

[Fern 0]

I feel ya. I'm in a conservative program and this part of the journey wasn't exactly clear. We were warned of bandster hell, but they didn't say it was MONTHS long. I got 3cc's, and 1 cc, 1cc. I have a total of 3 fills since surgery in March 2010 -now a total of 5ccs. Next fill will be the last full cc. They start to put in smaller amounts. I am feeling more restriction now in the last week since the last fill. I've been white knuckleing it all along and have lost 20+lbs since surgery. If the band could just work a little harder....i'm doing my part even going to Zumba up to 8 times a week. I've been eeking out a pound or less every week barely and eating right. It's been tough and I imagine I've got another 2 months for things to dial in. By then I'll have only another 30lbs to loose? It is sort of annoying to think I'll have lost nearly 50 already without much support from the band. The bright side? I won't gain it back!!!! I think there are all sorts of programs out there. Sometimes conservative is good, unless you are hungry all the time like me!!!!

[Froggie D 1]

My doc is conservative too. I had restiction from the surgery and was supposed to have a fill at 4 weeks. I postponed to 5 weeks and he did 1.5cc. the next one was 1cc and the third was 0.5 cc. So I have 3 cc ni my band and am still losing slowly. As long as I get all my Protein, and make it very lean, then eat low carb veggies and occasionally fruit, I am not too hungry.

I do not care how I lose it, as long as it comes off. I have lost in the past, especially on low carb, high Protein. I think the beauty of the band is I will not gain it back. I am trying to focus on learning how to use my band, learning new eating habits and changing my lifestyle to keep it off. I figure if it takes a little longer to lose it, it is just more time to practice!!!!!!! Also supposed to be better for avoiding the loose skin if you lose slower!

[SVM10 6]

I totally understand, I was banded on March 15th and have lost 35lbs. (Get fills every 6 weeks) I am so very confused right now. I was told for my first fill on 4/28 that I got 4ccs and that I got 1.5ccs for my second fill on 6/1. Well, I had my 3rd fill today and my dr. told me that I only had 4ccs in my band and he was adding 1cc. WTH? So, what exactly happened during the second fill visit? Sure my insurance paid 80%, but my 20% is nothing to sneeze at. I work a full-time and 2 part-time jobs and my husband works a full & part-time job. I can't afford to waste my money. I tried questioning my doctor but he was very dismissive and told me I didn't need to worry about the # of ccs in the band. I beg to differ, it is my right to know. I have emailed his nurse to please provide me with the needed information. She is usually really good about getting back to you about questions or concerns. It is so aggravating that he was very attentive during the visits leading up to surgery, but post-surgery, he spend less than 10 min. in the room with me including the time he finds the port and does the fill. I got the FNP for my second fill and she was very nice and attentive, my next fill is scheduled with her. I just need to make sure something is actually going into the band. I was told after my first fill that each subsequent fill would be 1cc. I need restriction before January 2011 and my insurance deductible starts all over again.

Edited July 24, 2010 by SVM10