Do I need a fill?

[Melody2006 1]

I'm at almost the 4 week point and I know my band is empty but I do feel restriction. Ive had a few stuck episodes. I'm only eating around 800 calories a day. Thats all I can really do. I think I don't need a fill at this time. How can that be? Then I watched this video, and I really changed my thoughts on fills.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPvVIMF1lxE]YouTube - Dr. Ortiz - Basics on Band Adjustment[/ame]

[MissWilde 0]

I was in the same boat as you I got to six weeks and was still having restriction and was happy with the amount I could and could not eat. I went along to my fill appointment and my Dr put in 1.5ml of Fluid. This was too much for me and a week later I had to have 0.5ml taken out. When they took out just that little bit of fluid i noticed an imidiate diffrence and I felt like a weight had been lifted, so I would say listen to your body if you don't think you need it don't get it wait till you do need it!

[It's_Christine 0]

I am 10 weeks post-op and have yet to have a fill. I have had a steady weight loss. I know I am not suppose to be restricted without a fill but I feel like I am. I can eat about a cup at a time and eat only three times a day. If I eat too fast or do not chew enough I get an uncomfortable feeling in my chest and have to stop. This happens more commonly in the morning.

My surgeon does not fill if you are having adequate weight loss (at least 1.5 lbs per week). I think that each surgeon may offer a different opinion than the one expressed in the video you included.

This journey is one where you really have to chart your own course.

[HeatherO 7]

Some people get by without ever needing a fill. Some people avoid getting fills because they are nervous about what eating will be like afterwards. Some people get huge numbers of fills going back and forth.

I was told that as long as the following holds true, my fill level is appropriate:

1) I can eat solid Proteins with appropriate chewing and speed. It is important not to be so restricted that I have to rely on soft calories.

2) I am losing 1-2 pounds per week on average.

3) I can eat three meals a day without being excessively hungry in between meals.

If you feel good where you are now and are losing weight, you probably don't need a fill. Also, you are only 4 weeks out . . . you may find that in another 2-4 weeks you may be ready for the first fill. The healthiest fill level is the least amount of restriction that still allows you to lose weight at an appropriate rate and keep hunger at bay between meals.