Hello,

Before anyone directs me to another thread link, I already know this has been done before. I have researched old threads and can navigate this site well. I would like the most recent information pertaining to this subject please. :help:

I was banded in June in Mexico and had the 10 cc VG band done by Dr. Joya. Great surgery, no complications.

My problem now is that the only weight loss I had was in the first 3 weeks after surgery, none since then and I am gaining that weight loss back at an alarming rate.

My after care doctor in my town is Dr. Helmuth Billy. He is a great, competent Dr. My only concern is that I don't think he has treated many patients with this larger band and he is very conservative with fills. He wants to make sure there are no slips or errosion by doing agressive fills. Wonderful.

Unfortunately, I have had no restriction since the first few weeks of being banded. My research on the board show that those with this band need A LOT more in their fills to reach the sweet spot. I want to take as much data as possible supporting this to my next appointment with him (on Thursday). I need to get a good fill this time. I am in a very deep depression because of my weight issues after spending thousands of dollars on this procedure. I need a jump start to get me going again and give me a shot in the arm. I don't think I'll be able to take a nother small fill and wait another few months to get to a point where I feel any restricion.

I hope you help and support me as this is tearing my psyche apart. Thanks to all of you for your help.:eek:

Hi All,

Well 6 days post 2nd fill(s) I do have a slightly better restriction, I can still eat more than the desired amount (size of your fist so Im told) but I am being careful. I think I am going to need a bit more to be honest, but I am off on holiday next Friday for 2 weeks, and after speaking to the consultants secretary today, we both felt it would be wise to wait until I get back (mid July) and phone her then to see how I am restriction wise. I reckon, I need 05ml-1ml more, which would take me up to 6.5 or 7mls.

Sackaction-wow you sound like youve definately got restriction, the last time I had that was after surgery, I would have thought in time it slackens up, as the internal fat around the stomach decreases, but Id check with your doctor and see what he thinks, if thats normal, as I havent ever got to that stage yet. Intrestingly I had an e-mail from someone that had a band put in exactly a year before me, and she said that every 18lbs or so she needed a fill to get the restriction again.....so I guess we'll have to see? But Id definately check with your doc to see if its normal re the amount of food you can eat.

Take care all,

Sara

I also have a large band and experienced a similar problem. I have gained back almost 30 lbs. I went to the Dr. today and got a fill. I already had 6cc in my band and they added 2cc more (so I have 8cc so far). My Dr wants me to come back again next week to check it. I was told that some people may need up to 12 cc to get the right restriction.

I also have the large band, my first fill was 5cc, no restriction with that, I just went in yesterday and had my second fill for 1.5cc, I hope and pray I have some restriction now. Honestly I'm starting to freak a little, my weight loss has slowed to a crawl. My doc told yesterday my band can hold 14 cc !! Lord that is huge.

I also have the large band, my first fill was 5cc, no restriction with that, I just went in yesterday and had my second fill for 1.5cc, I hope and pray I have some restriction now. Honestly I'm starting to freak a little, my weight loss has slowed to a crawl. My doc told yesterday my band can hold 14 cc !! Lord that is huge.

My doctor goes sooooo slow with fills. I got my band in Nov. and am only at 6cc. She is afraid to give more than .5 - 1cc at a time. I am at the point where I am now starting to gain weight if I don't follow a strict diet. Disappointing! But she did say that most of her patients get to their sweet spot at 7-8ccs, so I am hoping that the next fill in a few weeks will do it. Right now the only things that my band restricts is chicken and salmon.....:help:

So I guess I'm lucky my doc started with a big fill. I just want some good restriction, sometimes it feels like I don't have a band.

I was wondering how long your doc's make you stay on liquids right after a fill. I was told 48 hours. I will do what he says but wondered what other bandsters do.

My doctor recommends 24 hours of liquids followed by 24 hours of mushies, then solids,

I have the 10cc VG band, and had to 'arm-wrestle' my doctor to get my first fill...he said I was losing weight well enough that I didn't need the fill. I told him that I was losing weight mostly through self-control (had a bit of restriction early on), so he gave me 3 cc's. I feel like I have some restriction again, but I am really working on training myself to only have 4 - 6 oz. of food per meal...for me, at least, the mental part is just as important as the physical restriction.

I'm with 8cc and still don't feel much of a restriction. My doctor is very conservative with fills (usually no more than .5 /1cc at a time). This is taking a huge effort from my side to keep loosing instead of gaining weight. I have to remind myself all the time not to eat the «wrong» stuff and I'm sure I'm eating a much bigger quantity than I should.

I'm going for another fill next week.

I'm so grateful to have found this thread! I'm 9ccs in my band as off two weeks ago. First 10 days; great restriction. Now hardly any. It's in the brain!! He told me that he's had patients with 18ccs in the 10 Vg band. I don’t get it.

I just hate the excitement then the crash down again, and again…after my fills seem to fail me.

I'm so grateful to have found this thread! I'm 9ccs in my band as off two weeks ago. First 10 days; great restriction. Now hardly any. It's in the brain!! He told me that he's had patients with 18ccs in the 10 Vg band. I don’t get it.

I just hate the excitement then the crash down again, and again…after my fills seem to fail me.

18cc?! OMG!!! I'll never see the light of day!

No kidding. Frustrating as all hell.

Well, I guess now that I've had 2 fills; I'm 1/2 way there? lol

this is a great post. I guess this must be the kind of band that i have. i was told my band holds 10cc. my md only fill at .6 cc each fill every 6 weeks. It may take me FOREVER!!! to feel any restriction!! how discouraging. i have sticking from time to time but if food doesnt stick i can eat anything at any quantity. not what i had planned or hoped for. it is not just the money but the time it may take to get to the SWEET SPOT!!

thanks for all the info

Joan b

Reno

I think I my best fill level is around 6cc. Apparently I have very low sensation in my stomach. I require a barium swallow in order to reach a good fill. My fill Dr. noticed that I can be backed up almost to my esophagus without realizing it, so now I only fill with barium

JC

I also have a 10cc band. I guess I am extremely lucky - my first fill was a full 5 cc's and the second was 3 cc's. They were both done under x-ray (fluoro?) so they could actually see the restriction. The nurse told me that it was good I came in so soon (3 weeks) after the first fill because "you really have to be aggressive" with the band and get fills when you stop losing 1-2 lbs per week.

Thank you to whoever started this thread - I was starting to feel a bit worried that other people were going in for .5 cc fills and actually feeling restriction, when I had just had 5 cc's and could still eat a 6 inch sub!