Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

To Fill or Not to Fill?



Recommended Posts

I am almost 3 weeks out and I called the doctors office to see if it was time to schedule a fill. The girl said " If you are not filling restriction anymore then it is time, but if you are still eating less then you need to wait".

Ok, so I have been able to stay on 1000 cals more or less a day for three weeks. I was starving the first week and a half and have since adjusted to the limited food intake. I am not satisfied by any means but my stomach is not having intense hunger pangs. I notice in the last few days I am more hungry and able to eat more before i am full so I think I need a fill.

Question: If my tummy is not ready yet will the fill cause harm?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am almost 3 weeks out and I called the doctors office to see if it was time to schedule a fill. The girl said " If you are not filling restriction anymore then it is time, but if you are still eating less then you need to wait". That's weird advice. "Less than" what? Pre-op?

Ok, so I have been able to stay on 1000 cals more or less a day for three weeks. I was starving the first week and a half and have since adjusted to the limited food intake. I am not satisfied by any means but my stomach is not having intense hunger pangs. I notice in the last few days I am more hungry and able to eat more before i am full so I think I need a fill. Sounds like you might.

Question: If my tummy is not ready yet will the fill cause harm? The fill has nothing to do with your tummy.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1. Less than pre-op

2. If there is still swelling then it seems to me that filling the band might interfere with the healing process.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am 3 wks post op today and I am going through the same hunger etc. as you. My dr will not do the first fill for atleast 6 wks out. I think every dr is different. I can eat about half of what I used to but haven't lost any more weight since I got off the liquid portion of the diet. I am looking forward to a little fill but at the same time I certainly don't think about food all the time or feel hungry like I used to!!:tongue:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The band is placed around your esophagus. It has nothing to do with your tummy. Having a fill will not bother your stomach. :tongue:

Most surgeons require an initial wait of 5+ weeks before they will fill, and some surgeons fill at the time of surgery (bad idea IMO). There is a healing stage where you should not worry about weightloss. Some people call this "bandster hell" (IMO people who haven't yet been convulsing over a public toitty trying to yak up the last bite of the day).

I don't think you've gotten great advice from your medical staff. They should know that the band cannot do its job until it is filled enough to give restriction.

(I missed that you were only 3 weeks out when I first read your post)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wheetsin: You might want to check lapband material that explains where the band is placed. Unless I'm mistaken, I think the band is placed around the upper part of the STOMACH (which creates the pouch), NOT around the esophagus. Also, from my understanding, although the Realize band and the older Inamed bands do NOT have a fill at the time of surgery, the newer, larger Inamed band does get a fill at the time of surgery. If you find out otherwise, please let me know.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Alisa_S

      Gearing up for my consult 01/14! Starting to get a little nervous.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Goyafigs

      I had VSG 11.20.24 with Miguel Burch, MD Cedars-Sinai and I am 1 month post-op. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • DaisyChainOz

      🥳 Jan 1 2025 - Day 1 of Pre Op, surgery on the 16th! 😬😅
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      Just been waiting until time for my consult with my bariatric surgeon. It's scheduled for Jan 9th. Turns out I won't actually be seeing him. Apparently it'll be with his P.A.             Not sure what to expect. I thought this is where the surgeon would discuss the best surgery option for me. For years I had my heart set on the sleeve, but I've read so many people have issues with reflux - even if they've never had it before - that they've had to be revised to the bypass. I already deal with GERD & take 40 mg of Omeprazole daily, so I started studying about bypass and honestly, it seems like it might be the better choice for me. How can we discuss surgery options if the surgeon is not there?
      What happened at your first consult? Trying to get an idea of what to expect, or maybe I should say, what NOT to expect.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • rinabobina

      I would like to know what questions you wish you had asked prior to your duodenal switch surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×