Just had my 6 week post op appointment. My doctor told me 5 minutes before surgery that he would not fill me at this time. Turns out, he will not fill me for another 6-8 weeks. He says when he does fill me he will only put a little in to 'prime' the tubing. Then he says i will come back in another 6-8 weeks for a fill ONLY if I have lost at least a 1/2 lb a week by diet and exercise!!!! So, he wants me to somehow lose weight that I have never been able to do on my own before surgery before he is willing to help me. PLUS making me wait at least 4 months post op but maybe 5-6 months just for my first real fill.

Thoughts? Anyone ever heard of this?? Can I and should I switch doctors so soon?

That is very odd to me. I had a fill at like 6 weeks. Very few people get any help from the band until they have fills. I think it's stupid for a surgeon to hold fills hostage. I have heard doctors refusing fills if someone is loosing a lot without a fill (more than 2 pounds a week). I think the theory there is that if they are losing a lot they are probably also shedding weight around the stomach. That is makes sense to wait unitl they are done losing weight around the stomach before tightening the band.

As a slow loser I would be very ticked off. Also it has taken me 6 months to approach restriction. On his schedule you might not get any help from the band for a year. Many doctors say even with the band that you lose most the weight in the first year. So wheres the logic?

Personally I would be hard pressed to stay with him as my doctor. Honk is right, you are expected to lose about 50% of your expected weight in the first year. Unless you find that you are losing weight with no problem without the fills I would probably find another doctor.

I didn't have this surgery to NOT lose weight as I am sure that you didn't either. I would have another talk with him and if he is still not willing to budge then you have to make a choice on whether to stick with him.

Just my opinion... Good luck!!

Depends. If you're hungry and he's refusing to fill unless you lose weight, I'd find another doctor because he is *NOT* using the band in the way it was meant. He's using it as a carrot/stick reward/punishment...which makes him an idiot.

If you read the Lap band literature it says that hunger is a sign that you need a fill. The whole purpose of the band is to control that hunger. Until it does, you need to get fills.

First I'd call around and find out if you can find another doctor to do your fills. Then I'd make an appointment for a sit down talk and take the literature with that part highlighted to your current doctor. Tell him you want to set up fills at one month intervals *minimum* if you need the due to hunger. If he says 'no', I'd dump him and go to the new doctor...and I'd go on the internet and find the sites where you can give feedback about your doctor. That's actually how I found mine and what helped me make my final determination.

But then that's just what I'd do.

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I got my first fill 3 wks after surgery and I have another in 3 wks. My dr does once a month. If I was you I would go back to that dr office and refuse to leave til u got a fill because ur paying for it not him so he can get over it. U have every right to get a fill at this time and if he still refuses I would give him the finger and walk away and never go back. He is a dr. Drs are suppose to help patients who want to better their lifes and become healthy and if he isn't willing to help anytime then he is a cruddy dr. Good luck but I rly think ur better off going somewhere else!

I don't think it's THAT crazy...I do all the work on my own, the band just keeps me from being hungry. You should be able to stick to the rules and lose 1/2lb a week.

Are you sure he's not just scaring you into doing the work and following the rules?

Are you ravenously hungry right now?

Its crazy alright...If we could do all the work 100% on our own...We wouldn't need the damn band..lol...Thats funny....I wish you nothing but success with the band...In closing it took me one year to get good restriction..I didn't have a ton to lose, so the weight loss has been slow but steady and I am okay with that........

Yep, I'd definitely be looking for a new doctor. Sounds like he hates fat people and doesn't sound like he's interested in helping YOU.

hmmmmmmmmmmm I wonder if we have the same Dr. I was banded on 12/27. Had a visit with him on 2/12 and I thought I would be getting my first fill. He said...so long as I'm losing 1 - 2 pounds a week... he won't do a fill. I need to go 3 weeks without losing any weight before he'll consider it. I think it might be a good thing..... trying to keep my eating habits in check and to make sure I make good choices.

I'm down 32 pounds so far... but getting a little nervous because I'm starting to get hungry....and I'm afraid I'll over do it.

Just had my 6 week post op appointment. My doctor told me 5 minutes before surgery that he would not fill me at this time. Turns out, he will not fill me for another 6-8 weeks. He says when he does fill me he will only put a little in to 'prime' the tubing. Then he says i will come back in another 6-8 weeks for a fill ONLY if I have lost at least a 1/2 lb a week by diet and exercise!!!! So, he wants me to somehow lose weight that I have never been able to do on my own before surgery before he is willing to help me. PLUS making me wait at least 4 months post op but maybe 5-6 months just for my first real fill.

Thoughts? Anyone ever heard of this?? Can I and should I switch doctors so soon?

Actually, from what I've read, a lot of surgeons won't do a fill if you're losing the 1-2lbs a week. I know my surgeon told me one time he didn't think I needed a fill because I was still losing (I was there for a reason other than a fill, though).

Actually, from what I've read, a lot of surgeons won't do a fill if you're losing the 1-2lbs a week. I know my surgeon told me one time he didn't think I needed a fill because I was still losing (I was there for a reason other than a fill, though).

Sounds like they might be testing your will power. The fills just help with your hunger, but it doesn't stop you from eating, and you should be still losing 1-2lbs a week without one if you follow all the rules. They want to make sure you are committed to this. I know everyone has their own opinions on fills, and their purpose and all that, but maybe it's to prevent you from having 12 fills, and wondering why you still over eat.. maybe he wants you to understand their purpose. But it still seems a little strange he's holding it hostage... but if you can't lose weight with diet and exercise then you are screwed even with a band.