Surgeons and Fills - Whats the story !

alibob · September 2, 2007

Hi Guys :help:

I was banded on 27th August and am doing fine, no major hunger attacks, going onto mushies tomorrow and hopefully will continue weight loss as have done this week (9lbs since Sunday !!!)

Anyways, the thing that is niggling me at the mo is - what is the story on fills ?

My doc is adamant that I shouldnt need to return to his clinic within the first 10 months for a fill and yet I constantly read about banders going for fills within less than two to three months and again a couple months after this and again and only then do they start to feel real restriction.

How can I go 10 months without a fill and still lose weight. I cant tell yet whether Im restricted because am only on liquid, so I wont know probably intil after 4 weeks - but I just cant seem to get my head around this no fill concept.

Does anyone have any theories ? Is my doc talking rubbish ? Does it differ from surgeon to surgeon ?

Alibob

Banded 27th August

Pre Op - 280lbs

Current - 271lbs

Band Chick · September 2, 2007

How odd. 10 months? Are you sure? Maybe he said 10 weeks??? (I hope)

Well, every Dr is different, that's true. Mine does a small first fill 4 weeks after. I have a friend who had her first fill with surgery. I have heard of Drs waiting 8 weeks or so, but not 10 months. Hmm... :cry

I would say ask him "why?" And as with anything medical, if you don't like the answer get a second, and maybe even third, opinion from other Drs in the field.

IMHO. HTH.

pashmina · September 3, 2007

Hi Alibob,

I just saw my surgeon on Friday for my three week post-op visit. All surgeons do seem to be different, but I agree with Kathy, I've never heard of 10 months before a fill. The fills are what give you restriction. My first fill is 6 weeks post-op, so 3 weeks from now, and he'll be putting in 3cc's, more than I expected in the first fill, but it also depends on the size of your band. I would ask again, along with his rationale if I were you. That just doesn't sound right to me. Best of luck!

Candle · September 3, 2007

I was banded the same day and have to wait 6 weeks. I don't really remember any discussion of how much they put in - it might be case-by-case.

What size band do you have? Was there a fill in it when they put it in you? Are you outside the US? If so, do you have a different type of band perhaps?