How much is the most you know of anyone getting in one fill? They added 1.5 cc on my first fill (and had to talk her up from 1 cc) and still feel zero restriction. Only at 2.8 cc.

At that rate it's gonna take forever. Is this normal and I'm just impatient?

I got 3 my first fill, .5 the next, and .1 each time for the next 12 months.

Currently at 4.9cc I think...

I have a 14cc band. I started with 3cc from surgery...then my fills went 3cc, 2cc, 1cc, 1cc, 1cc, 1cc...etc. until I got closer to restriction then it was more like .5cc and lower after that until I was over 14cc.

Honestly? I think you're being impatient. It takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their band. You have to trust your doctor is doing what is best for you.

Some people can handle big fills whereas others can't at all. My doctor tried to put 3cc in for my first fill and had to immediately take 1cc back out. Even now, 18 months later, I only have 5.2cc in my 10cc band.

Remember, it's much easier to ease into the Green Zone than blow past it into the Red Zone then try to back into it.

Honestly? I think you're being impatient. It takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their band. You have to trust your doctor is doing what is best for you.

Some people can handle big fills whereas others can't at all. My doctor tried to put 3cc in for my first fill and had to immediately take 1cc back out. Even now' date=' 18 months later, I only have 5.2cc in my 10cc band.

Remember, it's much easier to ease into the Green Zone than blow past it into the Red Zone then try to back into it.[/quote']

Great point. Thanks.

Just to keep the topic going..

I find it interesting how some docs have set volumes and others go by the patient's response (ie sip test etc). I would find it frustrating myself if I learned another bandster got a 3cc fill on fill 1 and I got a 1.5cc fill. Take aside the argument of following your doc, safety/benefits blahblah...think about it from just an inconsistency standpoint. I would like to see our medical professionals be more consistent in their practice. I think prolonged fills (like 0.1cc fills every blue moon) can jeopordize a patient's full potential and longterm success. I also think that for patient's paying out of pocket, this is an absurd practice. I am NOT saying patient's get to make the demand of filling up with aggressive volumes mind you. Rather, there should be a protocol through evidence based practice that determines stricter guidelines for practitioners. Just saying

Agreed with the need for consistency, inasmuch as can be applied to a variable patient population.

I have said it before, there is nothing wrong with asking the reason for any given directive (pre-op diets for example...some people need them, some people don't). A doc that is not willing to explain the "why" behind the process would be a major red flag for me! As would be a doc who is clinging to medical directives dating from the infancy of gastric banding...

Here is my fill history:

5/15/2013 surgery, 2.5 cc placed into 10cc band

7/11/2013 1st fill (my choice of date), +1.5cc

7/25/2013 2nd fill +0.75cc for total of 4.75cc

Just to keep the topic going..

I find it interesting how some docs have set volumes and others go by the patient's response (ie sip test etc). I would find it frustrating myself if I learned another bandster got a 3cc fill on fill 1 and I got a 1.5cc fill. Take aside the argument of following your doc' date=' safety/benefits blahblah...think about it from just an inconsistency standpoint. I would like to see our medical professionals be more consistent in their practice. I think prolonged fills (like 0.1cc fills every blue moon) can jeopordize a patient's full potential and longterm success. I also think that for patient's paying out of pocket, this is an absurd practice. I am NOT saying patient's get to make the demand of filling up with aggressive volumes mind you. Rather, there should be a protocol through evidence based practice that determines stricter guidelines for practitioners. Just saying [/quote']

The other thing that is frustrating is wondering who the person doing the fill (and therefore making the decision) is. When its just a random nurse that I never get to develop a "relationship" with it adds to that inconsistency frustration. I left wondering "if I could talk her from 1.0 to 1.5 could I have talked someone else into more"

The other thing that is frustrating is wondering who the person doing the fill (and therefore making the decision) is. When its just a random nurse that I never get to develop a "relationship" with it adds to that inconsistency frustration. I left wondering "if I could talk her from 1.0 to 1.5 could I have talked someone else into more"

And just to add to the conversation, unless they can SEE (fluoroscopy) what they are doing......it's just an "educated" guess.

And just to add to the conversation' date=' unless they can SEE (fluoroscopy) what they are doing......it's just an "educated" guess.[/quote']

Um, what the heck does this mean?

How much is the most you know of anyone getting in one fill? They added 1.5 cc on my first fill (and had to talk her up from 1 cc) and still feel zero restriction. Only at 2.8 cc.

At that rate it's gonna take forever. Is this normal and I'm just impatient?

I have a 10 and after 3 fills have 1.5 total. I go for my one year next Friday. Last visit I decided not to get a fill but may get one this time

Um, what the heck does this mean?

Hi TxSonicguy...sorry for not providing a more detailed answer earlier. Fluoroscopy is similar to a live XRay that some doctors use while doing a band adjustment. I am an advocate of it....from personal experience. Using fluoroscopy allows the doctor to actually SEE your band placement, restriction level and much more... Not all surgeons have this device/machine readily available at the locations where they perform fills

It's a bit more expensive....BUT, read on here from folks who've had 4,5,10,20 etc fills and/or UNFILLS....then compare the costs. I've never had an unfill due to being "too tight"..... But, I was able to get to correct restriction, for me....ONLY because of the fluoroscopy. More details are in "my story". I'll provide you with a copy of the short video of what my last trip to the doctor SHOWED....perfect restriction....for me.

Here's a link to my surgeons page describing fluoro. http://www.hoab.org/fluoroscopy-machine-st-louis-missouri/

Hi TxSonicguy...sorry for not providing a more detailed answer earlier. Fluoroscopy is similar to a live XRay that some doctors use while doing a band adjustment. I am an advocate of it....from personal experience. Using fluoroscopy allows the doctor to actually SEE your band placement' date=' restriction level and much more... Not all surgeons have this device/machine readily available at the locations where they perform fills

It's a bit more expensive....BUT, read on here from folks who've had 4,5,10,20 etc fills and/or UNFILLS....then compare the costs. I've never had an unfill due to being "too tight"..... But, I was able to get to correct restriction, for me....ONLY because of the fluoroscopy. More details are in "my story". I'll provide you with a copy of the short video of what my last trip to the doctor SHOWED....perfect restriction....for me.

Here's a link to my surgeons page describing fluoro. http://www.hoab.org/fluoroscopy-machine-st-louis-missouri/

[/quote']

Thanks so much. She talked about doing something like this at my first fill, but just because I was over 400 pounds. She was able to find the port by attacking my internal organs with her amazingly strong hands. Gonna ask at my next fill.

It has taken me over 6 months to get my band filled to a level where I feel like I have the right level of restriction. Just remember it is not a quick process and everyone can be different, so they need to take there time getting it right.

Advocate:

AGREE 100% about fluoroscopy! I just got banded on July 16 and I am not scheduled for a fill until Aug 6th but this was a key reason I chose my surgeon.

He has 3 offices and ALL have fluoroscopy machines..... that speaks volumes!!! It cost $250 per fill but he does them himself.

Through research I learned its not just a fill, the doctor is also viewing your band and looking for: slippage, erosion and various other abnormalities.

Having fills under fluoroscopy could possibly detect these abnormalities EARLY vs later (which could potentially save: your LB, a costly hospitalization/surgery or your life.

$250 is a ding in the ole' pocketbook and I am self pay so SURE I wish it was ($25 vs $250) but its more precise and that's added peace of mind.