How the Lap-Band actually works, fills and refills

[StrangeDz 1]

That's how much my doc charges! Outrageous, huh? My insurance doesn't cover fills, so.....

Well I spoke to my doctor and I have 8.5 cc's in a 14 cc band if that is useful to anyone. I can still eat more than 2-4 oz. but am feeling restriction on more types of food.

I cannot (and should not) eat bread for instance. Dry chicken (breast meat) can get stuck, and the first food item inthe morning, if I do not have coffee or some Water, can be difficult to swallow.

I find myself chewing a LOT more, and am loosing 1-2 lbs every 2-3 weeks, so the weight is s-l-o-w-l-y coming off. I have another fill scheduled in a week or so.

Interesting note - I got a co-pay bill from my last fill (it was neglidgable) - but the physician's charge was $300 !!

Three hundred bucks for 5 minutes of work !

If I had a script for syringes and access to sterile saline I would do it myself !!!!

But that's just me (being silly)......

Wishing you all the very best .....................

[SageTracey 608]

Very useful post, thanks. Had my first fill last week, six weeks post-surgery. No feeling of restriction as yet but my surgeon said he prefered to be cautious in his filling based on experience.

[Mama Lisa 0]

Good Grief!!!!

Is $300 per fill a standard cost? is it covered by most insurance? Haven't heard this before...

[StrangeDz 1]

That's what I pay... Well, My insurance picks up about $20 bucks, but the rest is on me. That is just for the doctor. The medical Center has it's own bill to the tune of $150! Let's just say, i'm in a little bit of debt right now! ha! Well, don't despair.... some insurances cover it. Mine wont. I'd rather be in debt and feeling so good than not so, it's all worth it to me!

Good Grief!!!!

Is $300 per fill a standard cost? is it covered by most insurance? Haven't heard this before...

[Nmomy 0]

This may help you in understanding the restrictive mechanism of a Lap-Band.

The ALLERGAN 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 4 weeks. A "Delayed-Action" means that the fill may not become effective for up to 4 weeks after the fill. That is why the ALLERGAN 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.

[mominoc 11]

Love this post! I thought I had restriction before first fill. Ha! It was about me being too afraid to not make good choices after surgery. After my 3rd and last fill for now, that I truly understood restriction. I have 7 ccs now and last week Dr didn't do another fill saying I was okay & didn't need one. I have lost 61 since Feb 7th, 2011. I'm happy too with my level of restriction. I've gone thru my partner (fat) leaving me which would have meant binging before band. I'm changing and my life is changing. I understand that fills change as we lose. Restriction is awesome and feel so grateful. As I go forward being a single Mom, I'm so glad I can be more active with my kids & hopefully meet someone more suited to who I am becoming. Fat pads change and so do we!

[jbbemom 0]

My husband and I were just banded on August 2, 2011. This is great information for newly banded patients...and those who need a review! I'm glad I found it! Thanks and great job on your weight loss Wendell!

[michelle37 0]

I am glad I read your thread Wendell. I have not had my first fill yet and I was discourage. I would gain 3-4 pounds, lose 3-4 pounds. People who knew I had the surgery would ask, "how is it going?" because they could see I am not loosing any weight. I was hoping to go from a size 22 to 18 by the winter holidays. Thanks for the reassurance.

Cyndi

Don't get discouraged. I had 6 fils before I had great restriction, now at 8cc I am losing consistently 1-3 lbs a week. When I feel it loosening up I go back for .5cc and it helps a lot. I remember having the same thoughts you were a few months ago. Thing with the band is patience.

N

[muffy44 1]

Dr. Watkins-

Thanks for posting because that has got to be the best description that I have read. I appreciate that you are taking the time to help us. I am so new to this journey and this website has been very helpful and I hope that I have helpful to some.

I will enjoy reading your posts.

Cindy

[muffy44 1]

Its had been a bit of a struggle for me only because I feel I act ed cto hasty and defiled my banded soon should have toughen ups

[NJGirl32 43]

I needed to read this info!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

[drae0879 0]

MY DOCTOR FILLED ME EVERY 2 WEEKS UNTIL I HIT MY SWEET SPOT AT 6.5CC'S. I NOW GO BACK EVERY 4-6WEEKS FOR A FILL. I HAVE LOST 60 LBS SINCE MY SURGERY IN DEC 2010. I WORK OUT 4-6 TIMES A WEEK THAT INCLUDES WEIGHT TRAINING AND DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF CARDIO. I ACTUALLY JUST GOT BACK INTO SWIMMING. LAST TIME I WORE A CAP AND GOGGLES I WAS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL IN 1997. I AM COMPLETLY IN LOVE WITH THE LAP BAND. YES WHEN I GET A FILL IT IS ANNOYING THAT I CANT EAT THE FOODS I WANT TO. BUT I ALSO CANT EAT THE FOODS IM NOT SUPPOSE TO EAT. THE QUESTION I HAVE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT LOSING ANYTHING OR EVEN GAINING IS, ARE YOU WORKING OUT OR DOING ANYTHING DIFFERENT PHYSICALLY? THE GETTING MOVING PART IS A HUGE PART OF GETTING INTO A HEALTHIER WEIGHT. I CAN SIT THERE AND SAY THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD FOOD/CANDY SINCE I WAS BANDED. THAT IS A COMPLETE LIE. I HAD SUNDAES 4 TIMES IN ONE WEEK LOL. BUT I STILL LOST 2-3LBS PER WEEK. NOT SAYING THAT WHAT I ATE WAS PERMISSIBLE, BUT I STILL WORKED MY BUTT OFF IN THE GYM. CALORIES ARE CALORIES I GUESS. EATING THOSE SUNDAES WAS NOT A GOOD WAY FOR ME TO GET RID OF THE BELLY FAT STILL LINGERING AROUND MY WAIST. I HAVE BEEN EATING CLEANER AND MORE ORGANIC NOW THAN EVER SINCE BEING BACK ON THE SITE. THERE ARE WOMAN MY AGE LOSING OVER 100LBS IN LESS TIME AFTER SURGERY THAN ME!!!! IF THAT IS NOT MOTIVATING I DONT KNOW WHAT IS! SO FOR EVERYONE SAYING THE BAND IS NOT FOR THEM OR THAT THEY REGRET GETTING THE BAND, REEVALUATE YOUR DECISION. IT CAN WORK IF YOU USE THIS TOOL PROPERLY. IT IS A TOOL. JUST LIKE A HAMMER CAN HAMMER IN THAT NAIL, THE LAP BAND HELPS WITH WEIGHT LOSS. YOU JUST HAVE TO WORK AT IT. AS FAR AS RESTRICTION FOR ME, I HAVE CRAZY RESTRICTION AS SOON AS I WAKE UP IN THE AM. AS THE MORNING GOES ON I CAN FINALLY TAKE A FEW SIPS OF Water. I ALSO HAVE MORE RESTRICTION AROUND MY PERIOD. SORRY GUYS. LOL BUT I HAD TO GO THERE. IT SOUNDS CRAZY BUT WOMAN GET SWOLLEN AND BLOATED. WHICH IS A COMPLETELY NATURAL PROCESS THAT UNFORTUNATELY AFFECTS THE BAND. SO WOMAN? DONT GET A FILL UNTIL AFTER YOU ARE DONE WITH YOUR MONTLY CYCLE. AND MY DOC DOES IT RIGHT IN HIS OFFICE ALONG WITH A FEW PA'S. I FEEL SO SORRY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DONT HAVE ACCESS TO A FILL WHEN NEEDED!! BUT ANYWAY! THANKS FOR LISTENING TO ME RANT LOL

[PJ384 3]

If Wendell doesn't mind prehaps you could open up your word program and copy and past his post into word then print it out from there and put it up where you will see it frequently to help you remember what needs to happen and how it will most likely happen as well as keeping great information right at your fingertips

[proshooperLinda 7]

Love this post! I thought I had restriction before first fill. Ha! It was about me being too afraid to not make good choices after surgery. After my 3rd and last fill for now, that I truly understood restriction. I have 7 ccs now and last week Dr didn't do another fill saying I was okay & didn't need one. I have lost 61 since Feb 7th, 2011. I'm happy too with my level of restriction. I've gone thru my partner (fat) leaving me which would have meant binging before band. I'm changing and my life is changing. I understand that fills change as we lose. Restriction is awesome and feel so grateful. As I go forward being a single Mom, I'm so glad I can be more active with my kids & hopefully meet someone more suited to who I am becoming. Fat pads change and so do we!

I'm sorry to hear about them leaving you - but you deserve a better person that will love you and support you! Good luck...some people in our lives only liked what they were comfortable with...their loss! There have been single menand women in our support meetings so you know there are good people out there! Linda

[JoAnne Panek Hortman 0]

This may help you in understanding the restrictive mechanism of a Lap-Band.

The ALLERGAN 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 4 weeks. A "Delayed-Action" means that the fill may not become effective for up to 4 weeks after the fill. That is why the ALLERGAN 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.

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.