What are fills?

[Guest mistycat]

I'm looking into lap band surgery. Can anyone explain what a "fill" is? Thanks

[Alexandra 55]

Hi Mistycat,

In a nutshell, the band is a silicone ring implanted around the top of the stomach to restrict food intake. The beauty of it is that it's adjustable, and can be tightened and loosened as necessary. Those adjustments are done by way of saline injected into a bladder surrounding the ring (picture an inner tube for an idea of the construction), and are commonly called "fills." I prefer to call them "adjustments" because taking some saline out can be just as important as putting some in for the success of the banded patient.

The band is designed to work with saline injected into it, and most patients have their first adjustment 6 or 8 weeks after surgery. Adjustments are personalized for the patient in question: there's no average or right amount. There are only three levels: too tight, too loose, or just right.

Visit www.inamed.com and seek out information on the LapBand system. That will give you the details on how the band works. And keep asking questions!!