Before my 3rd fill about 8 weeks ago, I had only lost 10 lbs since Oct 1. Since my 3rd fill, I've lost 13 lbs. I was definately getting restriction and vomiting a bit.But the last couple of weeks, I don't feel that uncomfortable full feeling at all anymore. When I went in for my 4th fill, about 2 weeks ago, he would't give me one because #1: I'm vomiting too much. He's afraid if he puts more in, I won't be able totolerate anything ad #2. I already have 9cc in a 14 cc band and if he puts more in, there won't be any room for chage once the fat around my stomach comes off and my band becomes too loose.

I agree with him then, but now I'm back (almost) to where I was before that "sweet spot" hit. I'm not feeling full, not getting stuck as much and not losing well. I emailed my nurse and asked her if I can have another fill, still awaiting her reply. My ?: If I already have 9cc in a 14cc band, and I have to keep gettin more and more fills, I'm afraid that it'll be filled as far as they can go and there won't be any room left. So when I finally do lose the fat around my stomach, there won't be ay room left to tighten it. Any ideas?

Marci

last time i was in for my fill the dr and i were talking about the capacity of the band. even though they say it's a 14cc band they can put more, actually a lot more in it.

kinda like a balloon, you can blow it up to the size of a baseball, a softball, a soccer ball etc.

i've read on this board where they've tested the band and it was up in the 100cc range,or some where ridiculous like that, before it would bust.

i'm not saying at all that we should go more than the recommended capacity, but just saying there is more room in them than we think.

I understand the rationale as related to the vomiting, but if that has passed, I'd ask for a fill.

You have at least 5 ccs left---cutting you off now, without restriction, to guard against a time when you might require more due to a possible change in your stomach size seems premature.

Who knows? Maybe a very slight fill will do it for you. You were at your sweet spot; it might take just a very small amount of saline to do the trick.

I agree, push for another fill. If your doc. refuses, maybe he's not the right doctor for you. Mine really listens and does fills as needed, mostly because I tell him how hungry I've been. However, I can see the vomiting being an issue. I would tell him the last time you vomited. Maybe it will be far enough in the past that he will agree to a fill.

It is my understanding that as you are losing weight the "fat pad' around your stomach is also getting smaller. I just got another fill (very small amount). I had 8cc in an 11cc band, and my Dr added .25cc's. I was at my sweet spot and had lost about 7lbs since my last fill. My Dr. told me that she would just give me a little tweak. She also said at some point when your "fat pad" get super small (as thin as a sheet of paper) the band will no longer be able to get it tighter. I think you should get a fill.

Thanks everyone. I got an email back from my docs nurse and she told me it sounded like I needed a fill and to call for a sooner appt. Probably next Wed. And I really thought I had hit my "sweet spot" finally - after 3 fills. Maybe 4 is the lucky one?

Thanks again for your input!

Marci