First Fill -- What's the Highest??

[Xann77 0]

Hi Everyone! First off, thanks so much to all the people on this board. The information I get from the posts here is priceless!

I've lost about 15 pounds since the surgery and I'm definitely NOT LOSING anything anymore. Even though I knew to expect this, it's so disappointing and discouraging -- especially because everyone I know EXPECTS me to lose so much already! Anyway, I am now officially 6 weeks post-op and hunting around for a good doctor in NYC who will do fills on patients who have had their bands implanted in Mexico (Dr. Rumbaut). I've found a few -- Ren, Fielding, Katz and a NP named Ferraro -- but I hear that they are more "conservative" than the Mexican docs and don't like to fill the band too much. I know its different for everyone, but what's a good cc range for the first fill? 1.0cc - 2.0cc?

What has everyone's experience been in terms of fill quantity? I'm thinking I should insist on 2.0 cc's at the first fill and if it's too tight, I'll come back and get some taken out... or is that too much!? Maybe 1.7? I don't think any of these docs do it under flouro, but one woman does have you take an espophogram before the fill -- is that the same thing?

Thanks!!!!

[DOC 0]

First fill today 2cc.

[Xann77 0]

Woo hoo Donna! That sounds good to me. Personally, I really don't want to wait around a few months for my weight loss to get started, but I guess everyone is different in what type of plan they want to follow. I hope you'll let me know how you're doing with the 2ccs?? Thanks!

[urbrdfs 0]

My first fill was 2.5 cc and it is toooo tight. I have struggled with it for a couple of months now and will go next weekend to have some taken out. It has caused me to have acid reflux (which I have never had before) which is a nightmare. If I had to do it over, I would have insisted that it not be more than 2.0.

[mrycrltn 2]

My first fill was not enough(1.8cc) I had to go back a week later and get more (2.4cc)

It is to tight also, but I have been losing like crazy, so I am leaving it for another month or so. I can still drink Water, and eat a handful of food though.

[fabfatgrl 10]

Hi:

Let me know how you make out with fill docs... as I was banded by Rumbaut and live in the NYC area.

15 pounds post-surgery with no fill is totally awesome! YOu did not have an RNY or DS... you had a Band. You will not lose as fast as people who had their intestines bypassed. YOu need to educate others on this if they expect you to. If you lose 1-2 lbs/week, you'll be doing great. If you are too aggressive with your fills (and have a doc that supports that), you could run into trouble. Reflux is not what you want. Pouch dialation is not want you want. Slow, steady weight loss is the goal.

Everybody is different. Every band is at a slightly different location... so the amount of saline/contrast necessary to provide restriction is slightly different.

My first fill was 1.5 ccs. I then went back for another fill like 6-8 wks later. As your fill is done under fluoroscopy, the number really doesn't matter. It will be at the rate the barium goes down. (Hint: drink a lot of Water post-fill as barium can cause constipation.) The typical range is 1-2 ccs. You may want to ask what the window is that you can come back in for an adjustment (either removing or adding) and still be covered. Some docs give you a week, others 30 days, some no grace period at all. Also see if anybody will quote you a price for unlimited fills for a year.

Slower is better. You'd be surprised at the difference .1 ccs can make when you're either not tight or too tight!

Good luck

Karla

[PhotoNut 7]

I totally agree with Fabfatgirl. Everyone needs to remember something very important. Each of us is different. Our stomach sizes and body reactions will be different. Some of us have different bands. Some will be too tight at 1cc while others might need 2.5.

In my opinion, it is best to sneak up on that sweet spot. Being filled too tight can cause real problems.. from not being able to drink to slippage, or even errosion. Do not base your fill request on someone else's. Talk to your doctor about how much you can eat, how often you get hungry, etc and then based on your band size, you doctor will determine how much fill you need. Don't be in too big of a hurry, you'll regret it.

Also, it sometimes takes a few weeks for a fill to really 'settle in'. Well, that's the best way I can think of to describe it. I had my first fill three weeks ago. The first week after that I was starving. I could eat so much more than I could prior to the fill! Within 2 hours, I ate two meals totalling 1 1/2 chicken breast, 1 cup of applesauce, and 1/2 C of green beans! But now, at three weeks out I am really starting to settle into things and I can't eat a 1 cup of food at one sitting.

There is also the issue of band size. The Inamed recommendation for first fill in a VG band is 4cc. Those of us who have the 10cm bands can only hold 4cc. Big difference. Check out the comparisons of the bands and how fills affect the restriction in each band on this thread: http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15216

[Xann77 0]

Thanks so much to all of you! This info is really helpful! Especially about all our stomach's being differ I definitely don't want to be so tight that I can't drink Water. I basically can eat ANYTHING right now though and I'm trying to chew slowly but I bet I'll have a big wake up call after the first fill!

[DOC 0]

I totally agree with Susan. Everyone is different and you really have to build a relationship with your band. What works for some, won't work for all.

I am only 24 hours post fill of 2cc in a 4cc band. I am doing well on liquids. There is a difference... I can swallow fine, but I feel full easily. I am a newbee and still learning to live with my band so I don't want to sound like I know what I am talking about.

I have read where peoples fills don't kick in until weeks later so this is a wait and see thing.

JUST FOR TODAY I AM DOING WELL.......