Getting First Fill

babyblue71us · September 11, 2007

Hi Guys,

I will be getting my first fill on 9/15 and I am scared to death. Any advice for those of us getting our first?

Does it usually take a while to get use to the new restriction?

BabyBlue:help:

wanabthin · September 11, 2007

Hi! I got my first fill yesterday and I too was worried. I was literally in and out in just a few minutes. It was so easy and amazingly it didn't hurt at all. She put 3cc in and so far I can't tell any difference at all. Most don't until you've had a few fills so don't expect too much. Of coarse you may be one of the luck ones too!

Wendell Edwards · September 12, 2007

Hi Guys,
I will be getting my first fill on 9/15 and I am scared to death. Any advice for those of us getting our first?

Does it usually take a while to get use to the new restriction?

BabyBlue:help:

You may, or may not obtain effective restriction on the first fill.

The fill is nothing but an injection, just like any other "Shot at the doctor's" you have had.

This may help you in understanding the restrictive mechanism of a Lap-Band. The INAMED protocol for Lap-Band fills calls for a six-week delay after surgery, prior to any fills. The purpose for the six-week delay is for the patient’s stomach to heal from the surgery, as well as allowing time for the Lap-Band to “Seat” or “Nestle” into the fat pad between the stomach wall and the interior wall of the Lap-Band. Prior to receiving an EFFECTIVE fill, it is VERY uncommon to have any restriction from a Lap-Band. Some patients will NOT lose weight, or may even GAIN weight until they have received an effective fill in their Lap-Band. Normal weight loss with a properly restricted Lap-Band is between 1 and 2 pounds per week.

The normal cycle of fills, restriction and weight loss is as follows:

1. The patient's Lap-Band constricts when the patient receives a fill. Swelling for a few days after receiving a fill is very common. Many doctors require a patient to go on a liquid diet for a day or two after receiving a fill. A fill may have a “Delayed Action” of up to two weeks. A “Delayed-Action” means that the fill may not become effective for up to two weeks after the fill. That is why the INAMED protocol states that fills should not be performed on patients who will not have access to medical care for at least two weeks after a fill.

2. The patient's stomach capacity is lessened as a result of the restriction caused by the Lap-Band.

3. The patient loses weight because they cannot eat as much food.

4. The residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the outside of the patient's stomach reduces in size because of the overall weight loss in the patient.

5. The reduction of the residual fat-pad causes the Lap-Band to become loose again.

6. At that point, the patient needs another fill, because the Lap-Band is loose, and the patient has a loss of restriction, which allows the patient to eat larger amounts of food.< /span>

7. The patient receives another fill and the process starts all over again.

Most Lap-Band patients receive several fills to adjust the Lap-Band as their weight loss progresses, and there is less and less residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the exterior of the stomach wall. Once a patient has lost all of their residual fat-pad, fills become less common. As the Lap-Band patient progresses in their weight loss, the effect of very tiny fills (Less than .2ccs) becomes greater and greater. It is not uncommon for a late-stage Lap-Band patient to experience a significant difference in restriction with as little as .05cc of fill.

juliegeraci · September 13, 2007

The first fill usually isn't that much so you may not feel the difference. It took me 5 fills to feel real restriction. Hang in there.

can'twait · September 13, 2007

Hi Guys,
I will be getting my first fill on 9/15 and I am scared to death. Any advice for those of us getting our first?

Does it usually take a while to get use to the new restriction?

BabyBlue:help:

Where are you getting your fill on the 15th? I am currently searching for someone to share the ride fee to the Obesity Clinic (Dr. Ortiz) from San Diego airport. I would like to do it on the 15th or Sept 22nd. Anyone interested, let me know.

citygirlnks · September 14, 2007

Hi! I got my first fill yesterday and I too was worried. I was literally in and out in just a few minutes. It was so easy and amazingly it didn't hurt at all. She put 3cc in and so far I can't tell any difference at all. Most don't until you've had a few fills so don't expect too much. Of coarse you may be one of the luck ones too!

You may, or may not obtain effective restriction on the first fill.
The fill is nothing but an injection, just like any other "Shot at the doctor's" you have had.

This may help you in understanding the restrictive mechanism of a Lap-Band. The INAMED protocol for Lap-Band fills calls for a six-week delay after surgery, prior to any fills. The purpose for the six-week delay is for the patient’s stomach to heal from the surgery, as well as allowing time for the Lap-Band to “Seat” or “Nestle” into the fat pad between the stomach wall and the interior wall of the Lap-Band. Prior to receiving an EFFECTIVE fill, it is VERY uncommon to have any restriction from a Lap-Band. Some patients will NOT lose weight, or may even GAIN weight until they have received an effective fill in their Lap-Band. Normal weight loss with a properly restricted Lap-Band is between 1 and 2 pounds per week.

The normal cycle of fills, restriction and weight loss is as follows:

1. The patient's Lap-Band constricts when the patient receives a fill. Swelling for a few days after receiving a fill is very common. Many doctors require a patient to go on a liquid diet for a day or two after receiving a fill. A fill may have a “Delayed Action” of up to two weeks. A “Delayed-Action” means that the fill may not become effective for up to two weeks after the fill. That is why the INAMED protocol states that fills should not be performed on patients who will not have access to medical care for at least two weeks after a fill.

2. The patient's stomach capacity is lessened as a result of the restriction caused by the Lap-Band.

3. The patient loses weight because they cannot eat as much food.

4. The residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the outside of the patient's stomach reduces in size because of the overall weight loss in the patient.

5. The reduction of the residual fat-pad causes the Lap-Band to become loose again.

6. At that point, the patient needs another fill, because the Lap-Band is loose, and the patient has a loss of restriction, which allows the patient to eat larger amounts of food.< /span>

7. The patient receives another fill and the process starts all over again.

Most Lap-Band patients receive several fills to adjust the Lap-Band as their weight loss progresses, and there is less and less residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the exterior of the stomach wall. Once a patient has lost all of their residual fat-pad, fills become less common. As the Lap-Band patient progresses in their weight loss, the effect of very tiny fills (Less than .2ccs) becomes greater and greater. It is not uncommon for a late-stage Lap-Band patient to experience a significant difference in restriction with as little as .05cc of fill.

The first fill usually isn't that much so you may not feel the difference. It took me 5 fills to feel real restriction. Hang in there.

Wendell-

Thanks for the post, that was very informative.

juliegeraci & wanabthin-

You don't know how relieved I am now that I've read your post. I had my first fill Monday and as of today, I don't really feel all that much of restriction. I guess I expected a ton of restriction and to be eating a cup of food, but that isn't the case. I'm glad to see what I'm experiencing is normal!!! I don't expect a whole bunch but I do expect to be normal at least!