How Often do you get a 'fill"

Sweetness · June 29, 2005

Hey Everyone,

Im on my fourth fill, 3.0 cc, for about 1mth and half, and have an appt to get a refill, as i know that some has disipated.. (my guess is im back down to 2.8/2.7) I still have restriction in the mornings, but lunch / dinner i can eat too much and have ot control myself a lot.

After you have gotten to a 'fill level that you like' how often do you go and have it redone to keep the same restriction level for optimum restriction/weight loss??

Thanks!

La_madam · June 30, 2005

I have had 4 fills total and one unfill and just got 1'cc put back in. I was at my best when I was at 2-2.5 cc's. I have been banded for almost 5 months..so 1 fill every 3.5 months if I average it out.

clg8579 · July 1, 2005

La madam,

Did you get filled more frequently in the beginning? I had my first fill yesterday of 1.5cc. I haven't really noticed too much different - really the only difference is having to eat slower. My dr told me sometimes the first fill doesn't take too well and I may have to have another fill fairly quickly. Huh? Made me wish I had gone to Mexico for my first fill instead of a local dr. Another question - I have read that you should not eat for more than 15 - 20 mins. But what if you are still hungry? Should you stop or should you eat more until you feel a little full? Tonight all I fixed for dinner was a tuna steak - not sure how big but it was good sized. I stopped eating after 20 mins but was still hungry and I'm sure I could have eaten the whole steak. Thanks for any comments.

Chris

La_madam · July 1, 2005

My surgery was April 2005, my first fill of 1.1 cc's was June 7th 2004, my 2nd fill of .9cc's was August 17th and my third fill was Jan 2005 of .5 ccc's for a total of 2.5 cc's

I was unfilled in APril of 2005, and just got a fill on June 20 of 1 cc, at fisrt I saw no difference but now a week and a half later it is tighter, my fills take a week or so to kick in. Iti s advised to stop eating after 20 minutes or otherwise thepouch is emptying and you will keep eating. When you say you are still hungry is it mental hunger or true hunger? I ask becasue when I eat, I really focus on getting nutritional sustainment instead of food sustainment, I know I could eat more then I do but I stop becasue I know I have had enough food to survive on. It is also true that the first fill may not be enough and you will need a 2ndd fill sooner. SOmetimes your fill takes a few days to kick in..give it atelast a week or two. Like I said to day I really noticed a difference in my restriction and my fill was 10 day ago, I was planning on going back to Tj July 11th for more fill but now I am not going to

princess_n_thep · July 1, 2005

My surgery was in March 2005. I have had one fill now for May and June and think I will be just fine till around maybe Sept?

paula · July 1, 2005

After you have gotten to a 'fill level that you like' how often do you go and have it redone to keep the same restriction level for optimum restriction/weight loss??

Thats a great question!

Ive had 2 fills - in 1 year. First one was 1.6 (?I think?). And at my second fill visit, the doctor pulled out only 1.2, so he brought me back to 1.6. My second fill took a while (4 -5 weeks) to "activate".

I find that I am very content at this level of restricion.... and its been since end of Nov. since that last fill. Can you believe?

clg8579 · July 1, 2005

Isn't it funny how everyone is different? I think it was all of his answers to my questions that bothered me the most about my fill experience. Well, besides the fact that he couldn't get the saline needle into the port.

How often can I be filled? Every 6 weeks but sometimes sooner. If you can eat bread and steak you need a fill

How long will it take for the fills to kick in? Immediately! You will feel restriction right away and will not be able to eat as much as you are right now.

I've read it can take up to a couple of weeks? Don't believe everything you read.

How long on liquids after a fill? You are not on liquids at all. Start eating normal foods right away. (But then when I got out of his office, his nurse told me to stay on liquids for the remainder of the day. I said, he said I didn't have to and she said you really should. ?????)

I sent him an email last night and told him my concerns and he said for me to come in and see him again next week. He only put in 1.5 cc so I think I'll go in next week and see what happens. I'll be careful though. It's such a nerve racking but exciting thing trying to get this right.

Chris

burnsun · July 2, 2005

I have had only one fill to date - last september at my check up! I really am doing great with it. We have had a few weeks were I didn't loose weight- inches yes- weight not, but I have slowed to about 5 lbs a month now.

I am very happy and pleased it has gone so well. I had budgeted one ever 3 to 4 months. However one of the women banded with us- made it to goal and she never ever needed one at all! So it is so different for each person and doctor etc.