Question re: first fill

[traveler 0]

Hi Gang,

Thanks for all the great advice re: being so hungry, you're right, I sure won't starve and a little suffering never hurt anyone and best of all, the weight I'm losing on the post-op liquid diet will stay off with the help of the band. My question is, I'm going in for my first fill in about two weeks. I don't know the size of my band but am wondering how much I should get it filled in terms of fractions (half filled etc.) I guess I want to be able to consume about a half cup of food per meal. I don' want the most restricted option but also not the most liberal. The middle road so to speak. I want to be able to eat somewhat normally (just much smaller portions) and take longer to lose the weight. I am a self pay who has to drive 2.5 hours to the Dr. and only get one fill included in the price so I can not afford to experimentplay with different fill levels. My Drs are also German and while their English is pretty good it is also nice to have a good idea of what I want before I see them so that I can better communicate this to them. THANKS!

[Dave01 0]

My dr decided how much to fill. I really didnt have much to say about it. She put some in, made me drink and them added more as necessary. I have heard of some dr's only doing little fills the first time, but mine was 6cc in a 10cc band

[mpatti2007 0]

what is it like to get a fill, my first one is Nov 16th? thanks

[kacee 3]

I wouldn't go hanging your hat on your first fill. There is an outstanding chance that there will be no reaction at all....or very little. I didn't even begin to notice a change until the third fill. You don't have really any say-so in how much you get. It is based on your body reaction to the band and what your doctor considers appropriate for a first fill. Wow, that's too bad you only get one fill! I hope they are reasonably priced after that. The only thing I would request is that they fill you using a flouroscope to judge. That will be the only way to get it exactly right. And that being said, just because they get a good fill on you does not mean it is going to work. There is just something about that first fill....

[crazy4jags 0]

I had my first fill yesterday. the doctor had me lay down on the table while he stuck a needle in my port (only pinched a little). Then he had me sit up and drink a cup of Water. I didn't feel any resistance so he layed me back down and put more in the port. This time I could feel the Water go down more slowly. He told me not to expect too much restriction the first time but that I would still feel a slight restriction.

I'm on Clear liquids until tomorrow then I can do full liquids for a day and start back on soft foods.

[mpatti2007 0]

Thanks for the info.

[TulipStar 2]

It's hard to say if you don't know the type of band you have. My first fill was 5cc and I did feel some restriction.

[mpatti2007 0]

I hope I feel some restriction, I can eat just about anything, but smaller portions than b-4.:hungry:

[nvalicia 0]

I had a fill on Wednesday and that night had a shake for dinner. I had about 6 oz and was very full even when I woke up today. I had chicken broth for lunch and for dinner had more Soup. I have a weird pain by my should and chest. It feels like it did after I had my surgery with a hernia repair. My question is will this tight restriction pass or will it get worse?

[Dave01 0]

I had a fill on Wednesday and that night had a shake for dinner. I had about 6 oz and was very full even when I woke up today. I had chicken broth for lunch and for dinner had more Soup. I have a weird pain by my should and chest. It feels like it did after I had my surgery with a hernia repair. My question is will this tight restriction pass or will it get worse?

I have heard that some people actually get tighter in the 2 weeks following a fill. I didnt feel any restriction on my first fill, but can really feel it now. I am up to 9cc in a large band.