Just curious how all of your docs work with you. I went for a check up today and was expecting a fill. I was banded 12/20 and I have not had one yet. Last month I only lost 2 lbs and my doctor said he wanted me to heal more, before my fill, I was kind of annoyed at that, but went with it. Today I saw the PA, I had lost 5 lbs and she said since you are losing at a decent rate there is no need to fill unless you are struuggling, not following the rules, or not losing. I would love to lose faster, but am not pissed that I did not get a fill. I am not doing thing totally the way they want, I am spreading my food out more, I was told no eating inbetween meals but I do have like a WW string cheese or something like that, I feel that is better than only 3 meals (I will keep that to myself though). Honestly I feel if I can do it without fills that is great. I am starting to do kickboxing and I think that will help kick up my weight loss a notch. I do not necessarily feel I am starving between meals either, a lot of times I can get rid of some hunger but just drinking my wyler's drink.

What do all your docs do?

My surgeon always asks if I want a fill when I see him; I always decline. I'm only 12lbs from goal and got here without one fill! Good luck if you do choose to go on without fills. I snack throughout the day; 3 meals and 3 snacks. I see nothing wrong with it and it helps me get my calories in.

Good for you! I hope I can do it without fills too. I do find eating 3 meals I do not get to 1200 calories, which is why I have a couple in-between healthy snacks.

Ok guys... maybe it is my nerves.. but - if people can lose weight with "no fills", maybe I don't need the Band?

Do you have any restriction with no fills in?

I keep telling myself that if I can just follow that pre op diet and post op diet, then I won't even need the surgery. I know - if I could, I probably would have a long time ago. I have no doubt I might be able to lose 20 lbs but I know it would not be permenant. Just curious. Thanks

If you aren't hungry, shouldn't need one really. Eventually when you lose weight the fat pad shrinks and you will get hungrier. Then you should get a fill. 5lbs a month doesn't seem so spectacular though that they would not fill you because of that.

@Day Dreamer, sometimes the restriction of just having the band is enough to work for some people.

That's why I was wondering because albs isn't that great. I was hoping to lose more.

@daydreamer- I have restriction to agree I do feel satisfied on the 4oz proteIn,1/2 cup veggies and it lasts for a number of hours. In a way I feel that just knowing I have the band holds me back from going crazy in my eating and I will feel awful if I do

I had my surgery and just had my first fill on March 2nd. I had lost almost 10 lbs over the past month but it had become more about willpower than anything else because I was getting hungry within a couple of hours of eating...the PA who does the fills looks at not only how much you have lost but also your hunger levels and how much you can eat at a sitting when determining whether or not to do a fill. Maybe you didn't get one because you arent hungry between meals.

The way I look at it is I would have liked to be one of the few who can do it without a fill but if I feel like I need one then I will get one. I am happy that I lost 45 lbs without a fill and hopefully I will continue to do well now that I have had one.

You mentioned having 4 oz of Protein and 1/2 cup veggies and being able to go several hours with out being hungry. How many hours? If it's close to 4 or more then they probably won't give you a fill. The nurse at my doctor's office askes if you get hungry between meals (less than 4-5 hours), feeling full when you stop eating. If you can go 4+ hours before you are hungry and feel full after eating your measured out food then you don't need a fill.

I couldn't tell how long ago you had surgery. My doctor does'nt give fills for 4-6 weeks. Some people don't need fills until they start losing some of the fat that sits under the band covering the stomach.

omg, I needs me a fill!!!!

After your first fill, how long to you need to wait between fills?

omg, I needs me a fill!!!!

After your first fill, how long to you need to wait between fills?

@honk. I was banded 12/20/10, so like 2.5 months ago. As for how long I can go, honestly it depends, if I am at work, I get hungry quicker, maybe 3-4 hours. When I am at home, I can go 5 or more. Sometimes it is hard at work, I work 10 hour shifts, so I try to eat about 5 or more hours onto the shift, or I'll be starving before I get home. Also on Tuesday's I work in surgery and this past Tuesday it was crazy and I did not get to have lunch til 4 pm and I had had breakfast at 7 am. By that time I wasnt even that hungry any more but ate anyways and I was still busy so I ate kind of fast and felt worse after I ate. That is something I need to work on.