For VG 10 cc Bandsters ONLY

[health1st 1]

brendab, some Docs start agreesive and put in 3ccs some only 1cc. There is a lot of info if you search on Fills and a area just for fills that should help. I also attached something that was useful to me.

Emily, I think most get restriction before 10ccs. And I understand that all bands no matter what size are the same size when filled.

GOOD FILL Guiidlines.doc

[StephM 0]

Had my first fill of 4cc on 10/2. I didn't think I would had good restriction at the time, but now I am thinking differantly (could be swelling of course). I'll keep you guys posted on if the restriction stays or leaves.

Good Luck to all!

[carol134 0]

I have a 11cc Vanguard band and it took 4 fills to get me really going, I am now at 6cc and feel pretty good as far as how much I can eat. I hope it stays this was and I will be satisfied as long as I am losing those pounds.

[503-250 1]

I'm at 9cc now in the VG band and I am still not feeling restricted. I did have two PBs since this last fill, but both were clearly large chunk of food which I should have chewed better.

I was just informed that the band can be filled well past 10cc, which didn't make me feel much better. I had hoped the closer I got to 10cc, the closer I would be to the band completely closing the hole between sections 1 and 2.

I have to go get a swallow test done to insure I have no erosion etc. I am not happy.

[joliesmom 0]

I had my first fill on 10/11 of 6cc, not really feeling tight but we'll see.

[NaturalBeauty 2]

I have the VG band and my sergon initially gave me 2cc in surgery so I felt restriction for about 4 weeks after surgery. Since I was banded in Mexico I had to find a fill doctor and my first appointment was 3 months later. I was then given another 4ccs, which was considered aggressive. The doctor then started giving me .5 until I was at 7.5, then it was .2. I did reach restriction with 7.5 and lost between 20-25lbs a month but as I continued to get fills, I could no longer handle .2 and went down to .1. It was hard and I ended up with a unfill.

Now I am at goal and I have 8.0 in my band but I am going for an unfill on next Tuesday. It's still to much for me to handle and I am satisfied with my weight now so I don't want to lose anymore and neither do I want to take a chance of messing up my esophagus.

Here is where the 15 months of learning how to eat will have to pay off.

[Chelley 0]

Hi - I had surgery in Mexico under Dr. Ortiz in April 2006. I never considered I'd be a canidate for the VG band because my weight the day of surgery was 215lbs. I was suprised to find out post-op that Dr. Ortiz had placed a VG band with the explaination that my belly fat was the cause. I do indeed carry more than 50% of my excess in my abdomen.

It has been a struggle. My sister who was also banded with me got the regular size band and has lost 60lbs. At my lowest, I was 204 then started gaining back my weight. As of Monday, I was back up to 214. Currently, I have 6.2cc in my band with my last fill being Monday. I'm hoping that this will do the trick. I have a theory that you have to be tight to loose ... eating only spoonfuls of food at one meal. I am now down to eating spoonfuls. If I were to receive anymore restriction at this point I'd be obstructed per the fluroscopy I had on Monday.

I understand your frustration and disappointment. I paid for my surgery on credit card which has left me in personal debt. I told everyone about my surgery and I want to scream now whenever someone asks, "how much weight have you lost?". I've blamed myself once again for failing to loose weight.

[Joe 14]

HI 530-250

Hope evevrything is alright. I have a 10 cc band and have 7.5 cc .. I have very little restriction. I have regained 30 lbs. I went from 320 to 260 now 290...

I know I have to get my act together. Hopefully another fill will help.

Joe

[Lots2Luv 0]

Hi all! I'm 10 days banded and have a VG band I'm assuming unfilled is how they start out but I didn't ask so I'm not sure so far of course, I feel restricted and I hope that I'll continue to be successful with it.

[503-250 1]

I'm currently over 9cc, I think 9.5...but thats a guess. I am finally feeling some restriction and I am so happy.

[carol134 0]

I have a 11cc Vanguard band and am filled to 6cc so far very restricted for the last month or so. So much so that I would be afraid to get anymore until it has loosened a bit. I've only lost about 28 pounds since June 7th but am not excersizing everyday on treadclimber and hope that speeds it up some. I no this is not a race but would like to see a acceptable weight while I'm somewhat young.

[Elisabethsew 50]

I had a tiny fill yesterday and don't notice any real change yet. Sometimes it takes me a week or so to "feel" the fill. I was told that I might need another one or two small fills before I am where I need to be but the person who did my fills the past 2 times seems to want to give only very small fills. Sigh! Hang in there everyone.

[Meme 0]

Restriction or not you have to eat the right portions, drink Water, and excersice. Yes it is hard without the restriction to help you stop. When I don't feel restriction I eat small meals every 3hr. Just knowing that I'm going to eat in 3hr. help.

[Kozy Kitten 0]

I also have a VG band I have had 10 fills I'm at 10cc My doctor has an assistant that gives fills unless you have problems I was told when I hit 10cc that she (the assistant) could not give me any more I have to see the doctor. I'm wondering has anyone ever reached their limit? I was told by the assistant what they do is take it all out and wait about a week and start all over again. I'm lucky right now the 10cc is perfect if I eat my meat first I can only eat 5 or 6 bites and a bite or two of veg. a little more in the evening. I'm losing about 1 LB a week. I would love to stay this way for ever.

[TexasTerry 0]

Kozy Kitten

I am curious as to who your band doc is? I've not heard about taking all the fill out just because you reach a certain fill level. (I'm pretty new at this myself and still learning lots!)

I have heard from others at my surgical center that the VG can actually be filled to 14cc. It would seem that all this band stuff is pretty new science and even the experts are still learning. We certainly know that each of us responds a little differently to the band.

Let us know what happens. I hope you the best in your band journey.

Terry