It's not a HUGE deal...but I've noticed Dr. Kuri (an experienced surgeon in Tijuana) is now banding people and putting saline solution in during surgery. A guy I talked to here on the forum said that Dr. Kuri put 3CC's in his band at the time of surgery and he had no complaints.

For me ....the thought of having 3CC's in my band (at the time of surgery) is refreshing because of the following reasons:

1) You don't have to go through Banster Hell (haha...no pain)

2) Since the surgery will be in Mexico....the closest doctor I found for a fill (and follow-up) is 4 hours away from where I live.

3) Saves me potentially $350-$500 from the first post op fills (including roundtrip money for gas)

Needless, I LOVE the idea....but why are more and more doctors putting fills in at the time of surgery? Easier transition for the patient? Patient gets to avoid banster hell ?

Thoughts?

I had 3cc in my band post-op. What my surgeon told me was she puts saline in to make sure nothing is leaking, and leaves it in there, generally 2-3cc. At the first fill, they take out everything to measure how much is in there and then add it back with the new extra amount. I'm curious now, does everyone do a barium swallow post-op? I'm wondering if maybe that's taking extra precaution because there is some fluid in the band already?

I had a barium swallow post op. I thought it was because my first band was defective and they were just checking to make sure things were ok.

I was banded in the us, and my surgeon but almost 6 cc during surgery, without me knowing. I had somewhat of a set back due to tightness and lump in my throat feeling. My other doctors " his colleges", emptied my band and we babied my process...

My surgeon said he does it to flush the band to avoid installing a faulty band. He also has some 1500 surgeries and has found very few people who have hit the green zone at 2-3 CCC's which is what they put in. My first fill is at 4 weeks and I'll get taken to 5cc's. They feel on average that it takes between 6-8 to get to green.

i think jean pretty much explained (why/how come etc).

and allowing myself to (chime in), i would assume it is up to the individual surgeon to if they wanted to fill the band at time of surgery. (i would assume during the placement of it). my surgeon did (not sure how much until i get my first fill). i think practicing portion control and good sense can help 100% until someone reaches (their green zone if they ever do).

(again, bandwagon author jean stated that pretty clearly).

I had 3 ccs put in my bamd at tge time of surgery. I was,told that the purpose was because my band holds 14 or16 ccs, I dont remember which.

When I had my surgery done in 2009, my surgeon did not pre-fill the band at surgery. But, when my son had his surgery done, same surgeon, he pre-filled his. I am not sure why he changed his procedure. Karen

I did ask my Surgeon before surgery if he was going to put anything in my band at the time of surgery and he said he was going to give me a "head start". He did put 3.6 cc's in my 10 cc band. So far, I have not eaten over 1/2 cup of food at a meal and I can go about 3 hours (sometimes longer) between meals. I am also averaging about 600 calories a day and that is up from last week when I returned to the gym. My calorie goal is 1000 and I'm sure the more I go to the gym the easier that will be. I have lost 15.5lbs since my surgery 8/1. If needed, my first fill is scheduled for 9/17.

I did ask my Surgeon before surgery if he was going to put anything in my band at the time of surgery and he said he was going to give me a "head start". He did put 3.6 cc's in my 10 cc band. So far, I have not eaten over 1/2 cup of food at a meal and I can go about 3 hours (sometimes longer) between meals. I am also averaging about 600 calories a day and that is up from last week when I returned to the gym. My calorie goal is 1000 and I'm sure the more I go to the gym the easier that will be. I have lost 15.5lbs since my surgery 8/1. If needed, my first fill is scheduled for 9/17.

Sounds like you are doing fine! Congrats to you and your weightloss! Karen

I had 3cc in my band post-op. What my surgeon told me was she puts saline in to make sure nothing is leaking, and leaves it in there, generally 2-3cc. At the first fill, they take out everything to measure how much is in there and then add it back with the new extra amount. I'm curious now, does everyone do a barium swallow post-op? I'm wondering if maybe that's taking extra precaution because there is some fluid in the band already?

I didn't get a primer fill during my band surgery. I had a barium swallow the next morning. My surgeon said it was to check that my band was in the correct position and draining freely.

I did ask my Surgeon before surgery if he was going to put anything in my band at the time of surgery and he said he was going to give me a "head start". He did put 3.6 cc's in my 10 cc band. So far, I have not eaten over 1/2 cup of food at a meal and I can go about 3 hours (sometimes longer) between meals. I am also averaging about 600 calories a day and that is up from last week when I returned to the gym. My calorie goal is 1000 and I'm sure the more I go to the gym the easier that will be. I have lost 15.5lbs since my surgery 8/1. If needed, my first fill is scheduled for 9/17.

I hope I get my "head start" when my surgery date comes. Because my doctor is TJ and aftercare doctor is 4 hour drive away here in Illinois (and the cost of the first couple inititial fills)....seems to me.....(in a person in my scenario) its wise to get a "head start" and get a primer during surgery.

HOWEVER, my doctor will know what is best....and will gladly yield to his recommendations.

I hope I get my "head start" when my surgery date comes. Because my doctor is TJ and aftercare doctor is 4 hour drive away here in Illinois (and the cost of the first couple inititial fills)....seems to me.....(in a person in my scenario) its wise to get a "head start" and get a primer during surgery.

HOWEVER, my doctor will know what is best....and will gladly yield to his recommendations.

Marketingdude, Do you know what kind of band Dr. Kuri uses?

When discussing different bands with my Bariatric Surgeon, my choices being Realize or LapBand, he told me that the Lapband sees to have more restriction from the get go than Realize. I have talked with a number of people that have lost 100lbs. with Lapband and have never had a fill. I'd be afraid to have a Lapband and a fill and find out it was too tight right from the start.

Just thoughts I'd chime in... Thoughts???

Marketingdude, Do you know what kind of band Dr. Kuri uses?

When discussing different bands with my Bariatric Surgeon, my choices being Realize or LapBand, he told me that the Lapband sees to have more restriction from the get go than Realize. I have talked with a number of people that have lost 100lbs. with Lapband and have never had a fill. I'd be afraid to have a Lapband and a fill and find out it was too tight right from the start.

Just thoughts I'd chime in... Thoughts???

I know your question wasn't addressed to me, but I thought I'd chime in too and mention that the old 4 cc band (no longer in use in the USA) is favored by some Mexican surgeons because Allergan sells it there at a deep discount.

I know your question wasn't addressed to me, but I thought I'd chime in too and mention that the old 4 cc band (no longer in use in the USA) is favored by some Mexican surgeons because Allergan sells it there at a deep discount.

You can chime in with me any day!!!! :wub:

I heard that too Jean. These are the questions people need to ask before going into surgery.

Marketingdude, Do you know what kind of band Dr. Kuri uses?

When discussing different bands with my Bariatric Surgeon, my choices being Realize or LapBand, he told me that the Lapband sees to have more restriction from the get go than Realize. I have talked with a number of people that have lost 100lbs. with Lapband and have never had a fill. I'd be afraid to have a Lapband and a fill and find out it was too tight right from the start.

Just thoughts I'd chime in... Thoughts???

He uses the Lapband. I've talked to him regarding the Realize and he will not use it since he has so much success with the Lapband. Thanks for your imput Maddysgram !