Restricted without fill...anyone else?

jetti · May 28, 2008

I am a about 6 1/2 months out and have yet to have a fill but I do have proper restriction and I was wondering if there is anyone else here that has been able to do this without a fill. There are alot of threads about fills and how many people have but I cant find a thread about not having a fill. I tried to go to a support group meeting to see if anyone there is in the same boat as me but not only was everyone 2 plus years out of surgery but I was the ONLY banded person there!! everyone else had gastric bypass so it really wasnt the support I was looking for. I keep wondering how long I can go without a fill so I was hoping to find someone that has been banded longer then me that has not had a fill yet but I would love to talk with anyone who has gone without a fill even if just 2 months. thanks! :confused2:

salsa1877 · May 28, 2008

I did have a fill, but then had an unfill. Had another fill, followed by an unfill. Do you see a pattern??? I think I probably could have done it without a fill. Don't get one unless you need one. I am completely unfilled right now and struggle to maintain weight...I keep losing! I have A LOT of restriction with just the band. I have pb'd twice while totally unfilled.

Keep your chin up and don't feel like you are doing anything wrong. My goal is to NEVER have another fill. I hate the feeling of being too tight.

jetti · May 28, 2008

thanks salsa its comforting to see that I am not the only one. My doctor never even suggested a fill in my 3 post op visits and at the last one he said it was up to me and just to call when I wanted one. well that was 5 months ago and I still havent called. I hoping I can continue on this path for many more months

michelle88 · May 29, 2008

Jetti-

Hi there--I am little over two months out-9 weeks. My dr will not fill me yet since I have averaged 2 lbs per week since surgery. I cancelled my two month appt scheduled for 5/29 since I have lost 8 lbs this month. Congratulations on your weight loss!!: What rate have you lost your weight? My thinking- wait as long as we can before a fill so when we reach a plateau hopefully a fill will get us over the plateau. What do you think??

Michelle

jetti · May 29, 2008

michelle

I totally agree with not getting a fill if its not needed so that I will have more room to play with when/if I do need to start getting fills. My weight loss is an average of about 9lbs a month which I am extremely happy with! Congrats on your weight loss

Pnw_Red · May 29, 2008

My doc's office said they had one patient who lost 160 pounds without a fill!

I'm about 5 weeks post-op. My doc's office usually does fills at 4 weeks, but I haven't needed one yet. I'm not very tight compared to some, but I definitely have restriction.

Most people I've talked to were starving to death around week 4 and were waiting until their first fill.

Hastings · May 29, 2008

My doctor put in three ccs during surgery and I haven't needed any more. I have restriction. It keeps me from overeating, yet I can eat most things, really. I don't think the band is meant for forced starvation.

Good luck.

wnt2lose · May 31, 2008

No need to rush for a fill unless you really need one. I was banded on Nov. 5th. I didn't get my first and only fill until the middle of Feburary ( I could've waited longer but I felt like I HAD to) I am happy with my weight loss and yes, I do wish I could lose as fast as I did at first, but I can eat anything, but just much smaller portions. Isn't that what the band is supposed to do? I do feel some restriction and other than getting the tight golf ball feeling, I have never PB'd yet. Now that I am exercising like crazy I like that I can pick and choose what I put into my body to fuel it properly.

Don't stress yourself over fills. I have come to learn that you don't have to go by a certain schedule. Listen to your body and your band and get a fill when you feel like you aren't losing consistenly or tend to eat more and start gaining weight. My Dr. has never pressured me into getting fills, he tells me when I feel ready is when I should call. I won't see him until July 2 so I'll have to see how I am feeling if I should get a fill or not.

josephine · May 31, 2008

Jessica,

I had my surgery Nov. 10, 2005, lost 111 lbs. in 8 months with NO FILL. I have maintained my loss since July 25, 2006. I am going on two years of maintenance with no problems at all. Well, I just had a hernia repair and that was a possibility from being obese. It is possible as long as you have your mind with it. To me I believe the band was there just in case but I didn't treat it as a diet tool. I had to begin to rely on myself and believe it was there if I needed it and if not then more power to me.

Josephine

FinallyFree · June 1, 2008

I was banded June 20. 2007 and haven't needed a fill. The dr. told me to come back for one if I started gaining wgt. I am always consciencsous of the band being there as an aide. It is a tool I use daily.

I'm so glad I had it done.