Band Success Without Fills?

[Kat817 19]

The Dr. that does my fills explained it this way at the seminar.

The nerves that signal fullness are called (don't trust my spelling--he was talking so this is how it sounded!!) Vega nerves. They sit at the upper portion of the stomach. Which is why we only felt full after big meals. And the old diet plan of drinking a large glass of Water to feel full faster worked for 5 minutes or so.

He said rarely but occasionally, when they place the band, it makes enough contact with those nerves to eliminate hunger. So if someone was of a type that managed to only eat when hunger called---they could do it without a fill. But most of us, even if the band were pressing tight on the nerves need the restriction due to mindless eating, and what we call head hunger.

I was banded a year and a half ago, and went for my first fill at 7 weeks, with it I had minimal restriction. It

[Kat817 19]

ooops wrong key-------------now I'll finish!!!

It made me slow down in my eating, and remember my bandster rules. But my amounts were still too big to my way of thinking, so 4 weeks later I had a second fill. With it, restriction came a calling! It has been well over a year, and I have yet to need another.

We have all survived the fills---and you will too....wish there was better support to offer!!!

Kat

[jfran 0]

<p>I am 6 months post op and I have only had 2 fills. I have opted not to have fills the last 2-3 times because I am losing about 2lbs a week on my own without more fill. I am exercising 6 days a week and eating 5 small meals a day for approximately 1500 calories. I am doing great. I am down 67lbs!!! I will keep opting out of fills as long as I am losing. Good Luck everyone.</p>

[LapBandit 5]

Hi, well I've had many fills and have had my band over a year and a half. I have never acheived restriction until recently and I lost a good bit of weight just due to my eating changes and new exercise routine.

But, hopefullly after reading everyone's responses you are no longer afraid of fills. They truly are nothing to be worried about. I think getting blood work done can be worse than getting a fill! The whole thing lasts a few moments but they numb your skin and so you don't really even feel anything.

Good luck and please don't be hesitant to get your fills...after the first one you'll see that they aren't so bad!

[SuzyGayle 0]

I had surgery 9-21-07 and have yet to have my 1st fill. Was at the surgeon last week and he is extremely pleased with the weight loss. I have some restrictions with the solid food and he said that if I'm losing a pound a week see him in 2 months, but if not see him in one month for 1st fill....I'm in no hurry...when I feel very hungry, I notice that it's when I'm not getting enough Protein that day, so I just hit a Protein Shake, protein Water and take my greyhound for a walk !!

Again, as many have said, each person is different and the lap band experiences, what you can eat, etc all vary from person to person...find out what's best for you.

[susanfrompa 0]

I was banded on August 27th, 2007. I've lost 61 lbs. I weighed 275 before the surgery and am currently at 214 lbs. I am currently averaging about 3 lbs lost per week. I haven't had a fill yet.

My experience with the band, is that it has caused me to feel satisied all through out the day. I am not hungry! (I never knew what that felt like..before the band, I was ALWAYS hungry!) Now..I can go 6 hours or more without eating and feel fine. Now, I eat to fuel my body, instead of eating because I'm hungry, because in all honesty, I'm rarely hungry. It's a very strange feeling to me. I LOVE IT!!!!

I have a Protein Shake with a Multi-Vitamin every morning. For lunch and dinner I can eat anything, but just in smaller portions. I usually have a small snack at night, and also walk 3-5 miles, six evenings a week.

So..I just wanted to let you know, that there are some people who haven't needed a fill. The band is working, because I rarely feel hunger. My doctor told me to call him when I stop losing weight and he will give me a fill, but so far my weight loss hasn't stopped or slowed down. When it does, I will not be afraid to have a fill!

God Bless You, Susan

[nkosoana 0]

I am 4 months out without a fill. I've lost 60 lbs. I feel like I have good restriction. Usually after about half a cup or so I fell full. My question is that eventually I won't want to lose weight. I'm not sure how I could maintain weight since I can't unfill.

I did have my port accessed so they could make sure there was no residual fill in my band. I believe I have an ap large.

Rick

[Sades 4]

Boy Susan & Rick, that's a great achievement. I've lost 19lbs in 3 weeks but it's slowed down in the last 2 days. I have an appointment on Tues with the nurse... was told by the receptionist that I may get a fill that day as well (4 weeks by then). I'm not even on solids yet so I'm surprised that they may give me a fill. Is this possible?<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[ConnieC 0]

I began feeling hungry about 2 weeks after surgery. And could eat more than I thought I should be able to. I lost 15 lbs the first 2 weeks but on the 3 week weigh I gained 1/2 lb. My first fiil is not for 3 more weeks, so I buckled down and will be very careful until my fill. It was very frustrating but my bariactric nurse assurs me this is normal and everyons restriction is different and to just hang in there until my first fill and eat plenty of Protein and Fiber and lay off the carbs.

Connie

Banded 10/29/07