Conservative Fill Philosophy?

[thebandedgirl 0]

Does anyone else have a surgeon who is very conservative with fills? The office I go to does 1cc at a time. I, therefore, have 1cc in my 10cc band and no restriction whatsoever. An entire sandwich from Subway? Yes, please!

I'm feeling a little frustrated because my weight is yo-yoing between the same three or four pounds and has been since I started solid foods three and a half weeks ago. I know that it's common for some people to get 3-4ccs on their first fill visit, and now I'm concerned that it's going to take me MONTHS (as the surgeon will do fills every 4 weeks) to feel any restriction at all.

Anyone have reassurance? Similar stories? I'm feeling a little alone right now. Thanks

[elcee 3,341]

Yes this is how the majority of surgeons fill in Aus. I have had 2 fills. 1.5ml and 1ml and am not due to go back for another 2 weeks. It is slow but I believe it is better than having aggressive fills where you end up overfilled and then can't eat/drink and have to go back and have some taken out.

Hopefully the Subway is a 6" not a 12". remember to pick healthy fillings and skip the cookies!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I have a surgeon who is very conservative. I got exasperated but I trusted him and waited it out, and now I am VERY glad.

There is some evidence that aggressive fills can contribute to a lot of "problems" that bandsters have, including esophageal spasms, GERD, slips, etc.

I can say that I can eat any food I've run across without any problems and yet I am at my sweet spot. I don't know if it's just the slow fills, or what it is, but I'm really very grateful. It is a process, and it's for life, or at least I plan for it to be for life. My doc explained his reasoning to me and then told me he'd go faster if I wanted, but I had to defer to his judgment. He's the pro in this relationship, not me.

So conservative fills...who knows for sure? I just know it worked for me and in retrospect I'm really glad. I have had very few of the issues that some poor unfortunates do (eating only slider food, can't swallow their own saliva, etc) Remember the fill doesn't just impact you and how much you can eat. You are tightening something around your STOMACH...a living functioning organ. Cinching it up to quickly can cause it to rebel, but a slower process allows our "innards" time to adapt a little. Just a thought

[Donnainva 0]

Mine isn't as conservative as the other mention in this thread, but the PA is fairly conservative.

Weight loss has been slow-but I've not gotten stuck, thrown up or felt sick at all.

ever.

I'll take that over faster weight loss any day.

[emjay 8]

My doc's office likes to be conservative and I'm happy with that. I think I'm finally at my sweet spot (just had my fourth fill Saturday), but I guess I'll give it a couple of weeks to be sure. The nurse did take all the Fluid out this time to see exactly how much was in the band, which was totally different than what I thought was in there. But it's nice to know how much restriction is in there.

For people newly banded, myself included, it is really hard to wait to get to that sweet spot because we all want to be "off and running" to our weight loss goal. But you know, this is not a race to the finish and it shouldn't be...it's a lifelong marathon and hopefully for most of us, the solution to years of agony and pain. I try to keep telling myself that when the scale isn't moving as fast as I want.

So, if you're one of those people that have to rely on willpower until you get to the magic fill number, I applaud you because it's a difficult journey until that point. Just try to keep focused on the goal. Slow and steady is more likely the best and probably the least likely to cause you problems in the long run.

[BillOh 13]

Mine, as you can see by my signature, is very conservative. Remember the band is a tool not a fix, For me it was enough of a tool to help my own efforts be successful.

[thebandedgirl 0]

Hopefully the Subway is a 6" not a 12". remember to pick healthy fillings and skip the cookies!

Goodness, I couldn't imagine eating a 12" sub BEFORE I started on this journey and got used to smaller portions than I was eating before. Now I eat a 6" with the top half of the bread removed and no chips.

Thanks for the reassurance, all. Intellectually, I know that slower and more conservative is better. I struggle emotionally, though.

I should have posted this in the Fills forum; I was having a ditsy moment last night :biggrin:

[fattyfatty2by4 0]

Does anyone else have a surgeon who is very conservative with fills? The office I go to does 1cc at a time. I, therefore, have 1cc in my 10cc band and no restriction whatsoever. An entire sandwich from Subway? Yes, please!

I'm feeling a little frustrated because my weight is yo-yoing between the same three or four pounds and has been since I started solid foods three and a half weeks ago. I know that it's common for some people to get 3-4ccs on their first fill visit, and now I'm concerned that it's going to take me MONTHS (as the surgeon will do fills every 4 weeks) to feel any restriction at all.

Anyone have reassurance? Similar stories? I'm feeling a little alone right now. Thanks :biggrin:

Hello, I am having the same experience. I was banded 4/30 and have had two fills. I don't have any restriction. My last appt was 7/8/09 and he is out of town early Aug so my next fill appt isn't until the end of August. The only weight I've lost so far has been due to the preop diet. I put 5 lbs back on when returned to solid foods. Since then I bounce up and down 2-3 lbs. I have been at the same weight my last 2 appts. It is very frustrating. I certainly thought I'd see a little bit more in 3+ months time. I have also been discouraged by my doc office, who tells me to exercise and eat right. If I was able to do that would I have needed the band in the first place?