Final appt with surgeon yesterday.He likes to do 4 fills the first 6 months. He reports that he has seen the best success with this routine. Post op visit in 7 days, first fill within 30 days. $125 a fill.

I asked about people who are losing with out fills, he said this is his preference and is the best option.

Any thoughts or input ???

I dont agree with these surgeons wanting to fill you up so quickly. When your band is full and you have nothing left what can you do? I say if your losing weight steadily, hunger controlled to a certain extent, and you feel okay without it then wait for a fill. I just dont see the point of filling someone just for the sake of it.

i agree, no need for a fill if you dont need one i have had 4 fills in the first 6 months and 2 unfills. yeah not rushing to be overfilled every again!

every patient is different, so how can a doc follow such a routine, without looking at each case individually?

I am always proactive in taking care of my self, he can have his plan but; I am not sure it is my plan.

I guess it also depends on how much he puts in at each fill. A standard routine like that won't work well for everyone.

If he is one of those docs that only put in .5cc at a time his patients may all feel the same.

If you took my fills as an example, his patients wouldn't even feel the restriction I felt from day one.

I had 2.7cc put in at surgery. I then reached my green zone (a pretty tight green zone) with my 2nd fill after surgery for a total fill of 5.3cc. I stayed at that fill level for almost a year and have had a couple tiny fills since. I was banded July 2009 (10cc band) and am now at 5.7cc and in the green still. Other bandsters may feel no restriction at this level and some may not be able to swallow their own spit.

I had more than 4 fills in 6 months. I was getting them every 3 weeks.