Fill Guidelines

[andyisbanned 1]

My doctor follows the recommend guidelines from the manufacturer which is 6 weeks between fills. He will adjust the schedule based on individual needs of the patient. My fills have been every 6 weeks apart so far. My doctor did say this time after my fill, that if I needed to return early to just call the office. He did ask that I give this new fill 2-3 weeks to work. So if I need another fill, I will be going back early. Otherwise, my next fill will be in 6 weeks, which is June 12th.

The following is information provided by my surgeon during my pre-op class concerning adjustments:

The adjust-ability of the Lap-Band is one of the great advantages of the Lap-Band over the gastric bypass or duodenal switch. The Vertical Band Gastroplasty or VBG, is a restrictive operation but is not adjustable. After a period of 6 weeks following Lap-Band placement, a patient may require an adjustment known as a "fill"

Three main factors are used to determine whether or not to add Fluid to the Lap-Band: 1. weight loss, 2. level of hunger, 3. degree of restriction.

If the patient is not losing adequate weight (less than 1-2 lbs. per week), is ravenous, and seems to be able to eat more with meals, then it is time to do a fill.

Most adjustments can be done in the office in less than 15 minutes. Fluoroscope or X-ray is only necessary if the adjustment port cannot be accessed in the office. My doctor uses the Fluoroscope over at X-ray for each fill, which makes a fill take less than 2 minutes. It takes longer to get on the table and the prep than the actual fill. It is so cool to watch your fill on the Fluoroscope. The 1st adjustment is done no sooner than 6 weeks post-operatively and is a 1cc volume fill. My 1st fill was a standard amount of 2cc. Subsequent adjustments are done at 4-6 week intervals based on the aforementioned criteria. The second and third fills may measure 0.5 cc to 3-4cc. My second fill was 2cc. I now have 4cc in my 14cc band.

It is important to look out for negative symptoms after an adjustment. Symptoms of chest pain after eating and drinking, nausea, vomiting, and reflux can mean the Lap-Band is overly tight. More subtle signs can be night time coughing and choking, and inability to eat a range of foods. It is important that patients remember that weight loss is to be gentle and gradual. Patients must resist the temptation to be too tight too fast. This can lead to dysfunctional eating habits, in which the patients convert their diet to liquids calories. If obstructive symptoms are present, then fluid should be removed from the band.

I just thought I would share this information with you. Each doctor is different in how he/she proceeds with your fill schedule and the amount of fill. Just remember to work with your doctor, you are a team working together to help you meet your goal!

[AnnieLou 0]

Hi Andy,

I was banded 3/28/08 with a 10cc band.

I have had one fill of 2cc's. I feel no different at all.

I can't really believe there is a band in there.

My 2nd fill is scheduled for 5/27/08. Did you feel any restriction with your 2nd fill? I sure hope I do, because my weight loss is at a standstill..(20 lbs since surgery),

And I feel like I could eat a horse about every 3 hours.

I am trying to not hugely overeat, but it seems like I have never had a band installed.

Annie:confused_smile:

[GAILYGRL216 0]

hi i was banded in dec 26th 2007 . and i dont feel restriction either. i have only lost 26 lbs so far and iam a little disappointed brcause its been almost 5 months!!!

[tls5799 0]

My first band was on May 22nd and It was too tight, I had to go back on the 23rd and have some taken out. However, I don't feel any different in restriction. I was banded April 17th. total loss of 35 lbs. I am at a stand still on my weight. I have not lost anything since the fill. I understand discouraged. I started excercising so I am thinking I am just building muscle. I am going to keep going and wait for the day the numbers change. I guess this is just apart of journey.

[Lisaqmoon 0]

:mellow:I was banded 11-14-07 and lost 20 lbs but now have gained it back and even more. I have had two fills and I can only slightly tell I have any restrictions. I feel like I need another small fill. I have had a hard time exercising because of the extra weight. My parents just feel sick that I paid cash to have surgery and still am gaining weight.

[ewalk 1]

I am riding in the same boat as you,as I was branded Dec. 17, 2007 and I have lost 30 lbs. My Dr. is very encouraging and reminds me that at this rate I will have lost over 50 lbs in a year.

I notice that when I eat like I am supposed to, (especially not drinking at meals) I continue the lb a week weight loss.

I haven't started a regular exercise routine because until recently, my back and legs hurt too much. I find that I feel much better even after such a small loss.

My dr. says that it should take me 2 years to get my weight off, but I should be at goal by this time next year if I continue loosing at my present rate.

Before branding, I tried every diet under the sun and couldn't loose weight or keep it off if I did. Even on a strict ww diet, I only lost 25 lbs in 10 months. I figure I am way ahead of the game now. I love my band, just wish my body would get in gear quicker.

[Breezyrn70 0]

I have really been struggling with my weight loss. Lost-gained-had a fill-gained some more-PBing-had an unfill-gained some more-had a slight fill and words(not pleasant) with my surgeon-now with strict high protein-low carb dieting, I'm losing again....but I'm hungry! I still don't have my band adjusted correctly. I now have 2cc's in a 4cc band. Gives me small restriction with 2 cups of food. I've had the band since July of 2007, and it still takes lots of work and willpower-even with proper fills.

[re7072 0]

:unsure:I have 6 cc in my 10 cc band. I don't feel any restriction at this point. Is this normal?

[jules1299 0]

It has taken me 6 months & 6 fills to get where I want to be. I am at 6.5 cc in a 10 cc band. Right now I have to eat very very slowly. About 30-60 minutes to eat one cup of food. Just be patient. I have lost 68 lbs so far. In the past two months I haven't dropped one pound which was discuraging, but I am losing inches & my clothes are getting bigger. I am working out every day, changing things up with walking, yoga, weights, leg strenthening & biking. Don't get into a routine for months because what might be working in the beginning will eventually be what your body is expecting. Hang in there, we are all better off now then when we started.

[TheCHERF 0]

:thumbup:Great advice and I agree completely!

Today was my fourth fill and it was a tough one (had a hard time finding the porthole) but man do I feel the restriction and have even realized how little I am supposed to be consuming in a sitting. I am only down 30lbs since my banding in Aug 2008.

I also have been discouraged and I think I have just finally hit the right fill amount - hopefully - to get me off this plateau.

It has taken me 6 months & 6 fills to get where I want to be. I am at 6.5 cc in a 10 cc band. Right now I have to eat very very slowly. About 30-60 minutes to eat one cup of food. Just be patient. I have lost 68 lbs so far. In the past two months I haven't dropped one pound which was discuraging, but I am losing inches & my clothes are getting bigger. I am working out every day, changing things up with walking, yoga, weights, leg strenthening & biking. Don't get into a routine for months because what might be working in the beginning will eventually be what your body is expecting. Hang in there, we are all better off now then when we started.

[pattygreen 5]

:thumbup:Great advice and I agree completely!

Today was my fourth fill and it was a tough one (had a hard time finding the porthole) but man do I feel the restriction and have even realized how little I am supposed to be consuming in a sitting. I am only down 30lbs since my banding in Aug 2008.

I also have been discouraged and I think I have just finally hit the right fill amount - hopefully - to get me off this plateau.

Hi! I had 4 cc put in on my 1st fill because the last time my dr attempted to fill me, he couldn't find the port and so I left that appointment discouraged. Then I went and had my 2nd fill and he put 2 more cc in. It has been 5 days and I can only take 1 bite of food every 5 minutes or so after I have chewed it till it's mush. AND I can only fit in about 1/2 c. of food. No breads, as that fills me after 1 bite. I don't know if I am too filled, but I went down 3 lbs. in 5 days. I know that is because you can only have liquids the day of thefill and then purees the 2nd day and musshies the 3rd day, but I love it. I do miss the emotional part of eating that I used to have before lap band. What I mean is I used to eat because I loved eating, not because I was hungry. I need to learn how to use food for energy and not pleasure.

[TheCHERF 0]

I do agree that being this tight is a good thing for emotional eaters like myself! I am considering missing my next weeks appt and just going back for a possible fill in March so that I can at least get/keep foods down.

[NURSE_7DONNA 0]

well my dr told me that my band will only hold 4cc and can be filled no more than that...i was very disheartened and he didn't seem to care...i felt like he had given up on me.....