No fill yet!

[Angela 9]

I was banded 11-05-07. A month later I had my follow up appointment. The Dr. said I was doing great and didn't want to give me a fill. Last week I was supposed to go in and missed my appointment because I locked my keys in the car! After rescheduling for today the Dr. had to cancel. It was a miracle in the first place that he was going to see me on an off day! He only sees patients on Thrusdays! This is sooo frustrating because I am not sure if I am losing weight at a good pace. I feel like a need a fill. I have rescheduled again for next week. I am suprised that patients can be compliant with the schedule he keeps! Espessically when I personally work full time and have to make arragements with my co-workers just to see my dr. Has anyone else experianced difficulty seeing their surgeon. Does 30 pounds in 2 months seem like a positive number? Is 2 months post op with no fill normal? :help:

[Wendell Edwards 73]

I was banded 11-05-07. A month later I had my follow up appointment. The Dr. said I was doing great and didn't want to give me a fill. Last week I was supposed to go in and missed my appointment because I locked my keys in the car! After rescheduling for today the Dr. had to cancel. It was a miracle in the first place that he was going to see me on an off day! He only sees patients on Thrusdays! This is sooo frustrating because I am not sure if I am losing weight at a good pace. I feel like a need a fill. I have rescheduled again for next week. I am suprised that patients can be compliant with the schedule he keeps! Espessically when I personally work full time and have to make arragements with my co-workers just to see my dr. Has anyone else experianced difficulty seeing their surgeon. Does 30 pounds in 2 months seem like a positive number? Is 2 months post op with no fill normal? :help:

Normal is whatever your unique experience is.

Normal weight loss is between one and two pounds per week.

[Longhorn 1]

While I certainly sympathize about the scheduling problems, I'd be thrilled to be losing at the rate you are and from what I've read, there are many others on this board who would also wonder what the problem is!

For me, if I was losing weight without "suffering" -- that is, being hungry all the time, feeling deprived, etc. -- then I'd feel like the band was working perfectly and I couldn't care less how much saline was in it. You didn't mention how you're feeling, just that you feel like you need a fill. Some people lose with no fill at all and others are filled to beyond official capacity of the band so there's little value in comparing fill numbers. There's also not a lot of value in comparing weight loss numbers because some have a little to lose and some have a lot; some are exercising; some are dieting in addition to the band while others are relying more on the band to do the work.

I'd be really depressed if I felt like I was competing with others in any way because I've pretty much lost that race (though I WILL finish! :grouphug: )

[Angela 9]

I do feel good. Just not sure how I am doing because I haven't had my dr. to address my concerns. I had no idea that people can still continue to lose weight without a fill. That's one of the reasons I have been anxious about not having a fill yet. I guess my ultimate concern is that without a fill I will gain the weight back. Other than that I know that 30 pounds in two months is great. Just not sure that I am on "track".

[fredflintstone 0]

Congrats on your weightloss. Please address your concerns with your doctor. Earlier in the month, I went for my second doctors visit (6 week) and practically begged for a fill and did not receive one because I had lost 14 pounds in four weeks.

Additionally, I have a friend that has lost over 100lb since April without a fill.

Keep on doing well and let us know how your next doctor's visit goes.

[snowbird 2]

There is no "track." It's whatever works for you. I would say 10 pounds a month is great for the first few months after surgery, and 15 would be fantastic for me. After that I expect to slow way down.

I look at my band as a safety net. I know from previous experience that I can key into a diet and lose weight, but then several months in I hit a plateau, hold it for a couple of years, then gain everything back. My band will stop me from doing that. I'm not looking for it to make me lose 10 lb a month indefinitely, and I can stick to a low calorie way of life for a while without it.

Just a note off topic, somewhat: I went in for my second fill this week, and the doctor had trouble getting through to my port. He asked me, "Have you lost too much weight?" When I asked him what he meant, he said that with rapid weight loss the scar tissue from my incision can shift and cover the port, making it difficult to get the needle through. After bending that needle all around, he gave up and said he had to get a bigger needle. I had visions of a stake and hammer! He was able to access the port with the thicker needle, but I was pretty sore the day afterwards. Anyone else have the problem?

[ForwardLeap 0]

Wow 30 pounds in 2 months! Yippie!!

My doctor says if you are losing 1-2 pounds a week that is healthy and good.

So your ahead of schedule!

[michelle2008 0]

I had my first fill today. I lost 20 pounds prior to surgery and gained 2 pounds in the four weeks after surgery. They told me to stay on liquids for 48 hours. I did not feel anything when my Dr. did the fill, are you suppose to feel something?

[Rollin 0]

I was banded 12/06/2007 and am down 41 pounds. I met with my doctor last Friday expecting my first fill. However he said I was doing great and to come back in two months and start on solid foods. I feel like I have the confidence to eat more and though I'm still losing. . . It's very slow now. I have not had any ill effects at all. At what weight loss rate do they determine to fill?

[wnt2lose 0]

Hey, we were banded the same day. Nov. 5th. I have not had a fill yet either so stop worrying. I was losing quickly at first, so my Dr. just said to call when I need the fill. I saw him in Dec and don't have another appt. scheduled until Feb. I definately need a fill. I am getting pretty hungry between meals and I've noticed some bad behaviors are starting to creep back, such as snacking at night. I plan to get my fill soon so I can get back on track and not get too comfortable. I am happy. I have lost about 40lbs from surgery so your 30 is also good!

Hang in there. I've met people that had gotten their first fill 5 months after surgery and others right at 4-6 wks. It's different for each person. All I know is that I am so glad I finally had this surgery and with what I have lost so far I am happy with it. Of course if I lose another 60 I'd be estatic!