3 years banded, how often do you need fills??

[ragdollx19 1]

I feel ridiculous for even asking this here because I got my band 3 years ago and other than the 4 to 5 fills I had in the 1st year I have been bouncing along happy as can be.

The last 6 months I have noticed I am hungry more often as the full feeling just doesnt last as long. So I made an appointment to get a fill after gaining more than 10 lbs.

I once heard someone at a support group say they go in once a year for a fill. Is there truth to this or what have those of you who've been banded a while found to be necessary? Ive kind of just taken the same approach all along, wait and see if I need it do it.

[SueAZ 3]

I've had my band 2 years and still have questions. The group that did my surgery requires followup each year. That's to maintain their status of center of excellence. What I wish they had was a more structured program with more followups not just once a year. There support groups were not very good. They had both bypass and band meet together, with the majority being bypass.

That said, I have to call for an appointment and see the doctor. I think if your losing or maintaining if you have made it to goal you don't need to see the drs or have a fill.

[smsmithart 4]

I'm on my 3rd yr I haven't had a fill since last june .. I have been 125 to 129 the entire yr.I am starting to get more hugry now though and live in constant fear of gaining

[Cocoabean 430]

I am 2 1/2 years out and have noticed a slight increase in my appetite. My surgeon said about once a year for a fill.

So I called to make an appointment, but he wants to do an upper GI first to be sure all is right with the world

I am waiting for the approvals for the test and the fill (due to my insurace..I don't expect any problems).

I had my last fill in August 2009.

[Jachut 487]

I just had a fill on Friday after 16 months. when she tested I'd lost 0.1cc (4cc band) and she just topped me back up to where I was. I have not noticed any increased restriction in that I get stuck or anything, just I'm satisfied easier, and not getting as hungry.

[ragdollx19 1]

Good to know... I was starting to feel crazy.

I have moved since getting banded and have really struggled to find anyone to even give me a fill. It makes me sad that even though the Dr's take my insurance I dont get to choose one, I have to take the one who doesnt care if he did my original surgery.

Needless to say he went to medical school in Mexico which does not make me warm and fuzzy. Not knocking those of you who go that route, I just wish I had the power to choose from Dr's who accept my insurance and their primary language is english.

[psalm20 2]

I've been banded 3 years myself, and had my last fill about 8 months ago. I'm planning to have the next one in September or October of this year, so almost a year apart. According to the fill doctors I've used (we moved, so had to change docs), there isn't a "magic" formula for the length of time between fills. I'm not in a particular hurry to get to goal, but prefer to learn how to manage each new weight for several months before getting another fill and going down to the next weight plateau. I've lost about 75 pounds so far, and I expect to reach my goal weight of 116 within another year, possibly two. I am about 30 pounds from goal now. Everyone is different, so if you are noticing your appetite increasing, really do a thorough assessment on whether your hunger is emotional eating or actual hunger in between meals. I remind myself every once in a while that the fills can't continue forever. At some point, my band will likely be full. After that, if I haven't dealt with the emotional eating, I will gain back some of the weight. For me, it's better to wait longer for a fill and learn to maintain for a while, but as I said, every person is different, and with different amounts of weight to lose, and unique situations.

Good Luck!! --Kristine