Fill time.

kombat96 · June 4, 2004

Usually what is the time from surgery to your first fill. Some have said 6 weeks others say 6 months. can you guys/gals, help me out.

donali · June 4, 2004

The minimum time between surgery and the first fill is almost always 6 weeks. Not everyone needs a fill at 6 weeks, so that part is individual. But most docs won't do a fill earlier than 6 weeks out from surgery.

Fills are based on the individual's NEED. Some people are tight enough with an empty band, and never need a fill. Some people need in excess of five. Most people average 2-4 fills in their first year.

Fill amounts are also very individualized, and vary widely. It's like asking what shoe size you're going to be. Who knows? Who cares? You just get shoes that fit. As you grow, your shoe size changes. As you shrink, your fill size usually changes.

There are only three types of fill amount:

1. Not enough

2. Too much

3. Just right

And 1,2,3 are completely and totally determined by the individual, and is rarely static. What was a good first fill for me is too little for me now, 97.5 pounds less than where I started. Where I am now in my fill level would have been waaaay too much for me as a first fill.

Joyce · June 4, 2004

Hi! I go monday to get my first fill.I had my surgery on the th of April.I am ready because it seems I can eat more more in this last week.I have gotten better from drinking while I eat.But I have lost 15 pounds sense surgery and haven't drop no more. I have lost inches. I can tell in my clothes.So what should I do?Do you think the fill will help.I don't want to look back. I want to look forward.

Thanks

Joyce

4/28/04 banded

225/210/?

La_madam · June 4, 2004

I had my surgery on April 6th and I am having my first fill Monday June 7th at 10:00 that will be almost 9 weeks post op. Each week that goes by I get hungrier and hungrier and I have not lost in 2 weeks so I tihnk it is time

Michelle

Alexandra · June 4, 2004

Joyce and Michelle, it sure sounds like you are both ready for your first adjustments. I'm going for my third next week, and I know I am ready because:

I feel less and less restriction, resulting in...

more and more food necessary to feel full...

less time between a meal and hunger pangs...

and my weight loss stopped.

I have no idea how much Fluid is in my band or whether it's relatively a lot or a little. All I know is that my fill level is no longer enough to keep me from wanting to eat more than my body needs to lose weight, and so I need more restriction from it.

Good luck with your fills!! :cool:

DeniseG · June 5, 2004

6 weeks is usually the time people take between adjustments but, one patient my doctor told me has had the band almost a year and has never had a fill. It's the thought that she has the band that has made her lose weight he says. I have had my 3rd adjustment in early March and am still very tight, so, it all depends on the individual. I think everybody is different, I had less of a fill for #1 then my husband and it held me for about 6 weeks He felt he needed another after a couple of weeks. Of course I weighed about 40 pounds more then him