Conservative Doctor

solaa5 · December 2, 2007

I was banded on 11/1/07 and my first fill is scheduled for 1/8/08. I have noticed that some people have gotten fills as close as two weeks after surgery.

For whatever reason, my doctor does not give fills for anything less than two months at a time. Which for right now is fine with me, and I know he mentioned that on my appointment, if I am still losing weight, he will not fill.

Is anyone else's doctor this conservative?

solaa5 · December 2, 2007

I meant, anything more than two months at a time.

HappyCamper · December 2, 2007

I was banded on 11/1/07 and my first fill is scheduled for 1/8/08. I have noticed that some people have gotten fills as close as two weeks after surgery.
For whatever reason, my doctor does not give fills for anything less than two months at a time. Which for right now is fine with me, and I know he mentioned that on my appointment, if I am still losing weight, he will not fill.

Is anyone else's doctor this conservative?

My doctor also gives fills every two months. It's hard to wait that long when you don't have restriction. I've been losing weight, but only by willpower. My willpower is running out. I've had two fills so far and have to wait 10 more days until my 3rd fill. I can't wait. I sure hope I get some restriction with my next fill.

miller · December 2, 2007

My doctor (Ortiz, TJ Mexico) had me wait 6 weeks from surgery for my first fill. After that it is a minimum of two weeks between fills. However, he uses floroscopy which makes it easier to estimate a proper fill. After 3 weeks if you don't have the desired restriction, you should be able to request a fill. 2 months is conservative.

miller · December 2, 2007

1st fill is given 6-8 weeks after surgery. This is standard practice.

transformer · December 2, 2007

Hi there!

I've seen a lot of people post that their first fill is 6-8 weeks after surgery (as was mine--about 6 weeks out). I still see my doctor about every 6 weeks or so whether I need a fill or not. Some folks have posted that their first fill was as soon as two weeks after their surgery. It just depends on how your doctor chooses to do things.

Hang in there!

Jachut · December 3, 2007

Mine is quite conservative, he has filled me when I've asked which has never been closer together than eight weeks anyway, as I tend to be conservative on it too. He's filled me even though I've lost weight consistently in that time because as I pointed out the weight loss had been great at first then waned. He'd fill me now if I really wanted him to. But he doesnt give big fills, 0.5 for the first two fills and after that they've all been 0.2 or so.

Its suited me fine.

juliegeraci · December 3, 2007

My doctor starts you are 6 weeks and will fill you every 2 weeks if needed.

wendy1263 · December 3, 2007

My first fill was one month after..he added 3cc's in a 10cc aps band. Second one was 2 weeks later...1 more cc. Third fill on will be 1 month at a time until restriction..1 cc each time. Slow process..it's hard to wait. I have another 2 weeks until the next one. :bored

SuzyGayle · December 5, 2007

I had my lap band on 9-21-07 and have yet to have my 1st fill. Was back to see surgeon for 1st fill 1st week in November (6 weeks after surgery) and didn't get one....we agreed I was still having restriction from surgery and am losing weight. He said to get an appointment in one month if I'm NOT losing at least one lb per week....here I'm losing 1-1/2 lbs per week and have lost 38lbs without fill.....I've delayed it until January....I'm in no hurry to use the fill as a crutch....want to see how far I can do this w/o fill.....as long as I'm going down is the goal!

Kristin07 · December 6, 2007

My doctor is also very conservative. I asked if i could some in soon since i dont have any restriction yet and they said no, i have to wait 6 to 8 weeks. I think that we should be able to come in every 2 weeks until we have good restriction then it should be every 6 weeks or as needed. I am going in for my 3rd fill tomorrow so i am really REALLY hoping for some restriction!

lherstine · December 10, 2007

my doctor filled the first time after 6 weeks as well. He only filled 1/2 cc for the first time and i go in 11/12 for my second fill. He said that we would go on with this until we felt that i had reached restriction. I am having a little trouble stopping at 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup but continue to make myself stop eating. I am looking forward to another fill! lherstine

morningoasis811 · December 13, 2007

I had my lap band on 9-21-07 and have yet to have my 1st fill. Was back to see surgeon for 1st fill 1st week in November (6 weeks after surgery) and didn't get one....we agreed I was still having restriction from surgery and am losing weight. He said to get an appointment in one month if I'm NOT losing at least one lb per week....here I'm losing 1-1/2 lbs per week and have lost 38lbs without fill.....I've delayed it until January....I'm in no hurry to use the fill as a crutch....want to see how far I can do this w/o fill.....as long as I'm going down is the goal!

I'm glad I read your post Suzy... my Dr. is super conservative... as I found out yesterday. I was denied my first fill at my 7 week follow up.

He said I'm losing 2-3lbs per week and don't need one right now. At first I was all butt hurt about it, I guess I really wanted a fill to fell like a true bandster... but if JUST the band is working for me... then I guess that's good enough for me. I'm set to go back on Jan. 9th, we'll see how it goes then.

Since my denial yesterday I've been thinking a lot and analyzing my restirction. I can eat about 1/2 -3/4 cup at a time, but I get hungry within 2-3 hours. So I was hoping for a fill that would help keep me full longer maybe... but i'm not sure that's how it's supposed to work. He says that it's good that I eat 4-6 1/2 cup portions per day to keep my metabolism up as long as I'm staying within my Calorie limits.

So I guess I'm ok and still part of the club. I read up above someone saying they didn't get fills but were still losing weight by will power alone... I fear that... If I was going to lose weight with will power alone, i wouldn't have considered the band. I need that tool with my will power you know...

My sick mind... at fist I thought, fine I'll stop losing weight just so I can get a fill. How sick is that. I instantly talked myself out of that silly idea. strange where the mind goes sometimes...

SuzyGayle · December 17, 2007

If you are still hungry, make sure you are getting enough protein....when I feel that way, I go back to my Isopure drink...not the best tasting, but it definitely takes that hunger edge away..