First time fill question

[kimmom 5]

I am wondering how much fill the Dr puts in the first time ? Is it ever enough to feel restriction ? I really need it , I am having a hard time with feeling hungry. Kind of feel like I have no band at all and I am 4 weeks post op. I have the big band I think my Dr called it the 10cc maybe not sure. I hope he puts alot in because I really wanted to get a good weight loss accomplished this summer. I know he only fills every 4 weeks so that your stomach can adjust. Can I ask for more ? Probably not I am just frustrated July 13th is my first fill date. Thanks for your thoughts

oh one more thought , the 10 band must be very large compared to the 4 cc ?

Kim:)

[juliegeraci 7]

Hi Kim, fill amounts depend solely on the doctor. You may want to tell him not to fill you conservatively. The reason why they do gradual is because they want you to get use to the fill level. For me, however, I never really had a good fill so it took me at least 6 months to really start on the program. I had 5 fills before I truly felt restriction. I hope that doesn't happen to you. Good luck.

[LindaC 0]

I know exactly how you are feeling It is kind of a let down once you are healed and havent had your first fill yet, you feel like you did before surgery, I am a little worried because I cheated and ate solid foods on my 16 day (5 days before I was supposed to) everything went down just fine no problems but I got scared that I might be messing up something and went back on my liquids for the last 5 days. I'm going to get my first fill on the 24th I am going to be staying overnight so that if I need an adjustment Dr Ortiz can do it while I am still close to Mexico, does anyone out there think I should stay longer than 2 days? I dont want to have to fly back in a week because its not quite right it cost about $600 every time I will have to fly in for a fill.

[Guest ZenGarden]

Hi Kim,

I had my first fill on 5/16 and supposedly had 1.5 cc's of saline. I say this because I had my second fill yesterday (7/5) of .5 cc's and just as my P.A. was filling my band he said I actually only had .8 cc's of saline from the first fill. Also, hit a plateau and haven't lost any weight in 4 weeks. I've been doing cardio and weight training 4-5 times per week, but I seriously doubt I'm building THAT much muscle. Maybe I'm losing inches instead of pounds??

Anyway, when I went for my second fill yesterday, I questioned my P.A. about the amount of my original fill (1.5 cc's vs actual .8 cc's). He said there is apparently 'dead air' inside the band prior to fill and sometimes the first amount of saline doesn't always equal out. Some of the saline actually stays in the port tubing (makes sense) while the other amount goes into the band itself. I was getting concerned thinking I was already at 1.5 cc's and was still starving....and worried that I may not ever become satisfied as the band only holds 4 cc's total.

I am now up to 1.3 cc's of saline and am eating mushies today and tomorrow, and back on solid foods Sunday. I can already tell that I have a bit more restriction, but am still not where I want to be. My doctor assures me that I WILL feel a bit more restriction than I have in the past.

I was VERY discouraged and frustrated because even though I've lost 26 pounds, all of my weight loss occurred BEFORE MY FIRST FILL. My first fill really hasn't done anything as far as weight loss, and I'm hoping my second fill yesterday will make a difference.

Hang in there!

[Guest ZenGarden]

Linda,

No, I don't see any reason you should stay for 2 extra days just to get a fill. Once your doctor does your fill, he should make you drink Water and you will know pretty quickly if your restriction is too tight. Even though virtually ALL liquids pass through the band, if you are TOO TIGHT, you will have trouble swallowing and will also begin to vomit.

[lo2us 1]

I got my first fill today in a 10cc band of 1.5cc's and it was too much and the doc had to take some out. I forgot to ask how much though. I did not vomit, but I felt like it when I took a sip of Water and I felt like that monster from the movie "Alien" was trying to come out my chest too! My doc said it doesn't happen much on the first fill though.

[LindaSusan 0]

I was banded 7/2/07 and am not scheduled for my first fill till aug. 22 !! I wanted my surgeon to do it but her bossy nurse said that SHE does 90% of the fills! Also, they do not do it with fluroscopy. Who has done your fills, fellow bandsters! ( I was banded in NY).