I called my doctor's office the week before Thanksgiving and asked how i needed to go about making an appointment for my first fill. The lady told me that the longer I can do it on my own without a fill the better.

I am still losing weight gradually and I am still eating small portions, but I don't know if it is because of the band, or because I am using self-control.

Has anyone's doctor told them this? Should I wait?

Have a blessed day!

Lesley

I haven't had my surgery yet

I am due to have it on the 18th of Dec.

but my doctor has already discussed fills and he said that I would need one before six wks post op where the band can work right

like I said this is what the doc said and I am not sure about how I will feel with just the band but if you think you need a fill go for it we didn't have surgery for nothing right hope that helps

I had my surgery on November 2nd and my doc was adament that I needed a fill at the 6 week mark. It was already scheduled for me. Their reasoning is that they want their patients to be able to use their new tool to its fullest.

Good luck!

Denise

My doctor wanted me to have one at 4 weeks.

He then tells me if I need more to make sure and come back in 2 weeks as fills are essential for weight loss and being restricted. He's also very aggresive with fills which is great that way I don't waste lots of money on little bitty fills that do nothing. I would have a heart to heart with him and if he's not understanding I might look for another. Fills are very important in being the right amount at the right times.

My doctor decides based on how much weight I've lost. He put off my first fill because my loss was really fast. When it slowed down he gave me a small fill (1 cc), and said if it wasn't tight enough to come back in four weeks for another 1/2cc. He did ask me about my restiction level before he decided on a small fill. I'm glad, because after about 10 days, the fill kicked in, and I have had to force myself to eat to get in 800 calories since Thursday. No slimes or PB's; 2 golf balls. I'm just not hungry. In 2 weeks since that fill, I've lost 8 lbs. I trust him.

I think my fill was 4 weeks out. I wouldn't wait if you a)feel hunger before 4 hours or b)you are eating more than you should c)not losing. You should be losing 1 lb a week. As far as her comment "the longer you wait the better", that is total BS. Waiting to have a fill can affect your weight loss. This is not about self control its a out the band working with a fill. They do not work (although some do have sucess)without a fill. They are not designed that way. Go for a fill if you suffer from a,b,c... above.

Good luck.

I really put off my most recent fill becuase its taken me to 3ml in my 4ml band and I just thought I shouldnt need it, I dont know why. But what I found is that self control is a very important factor in making the band work because I can always eat stuff that goes through easily like cookies and chocolate, but when I'm needing a fill, that self control just isnt there to the same degree. I had still lost between this visit and my last and in the whole of the past year, I've never regained any weight at all, I'm usually pretty good on the self control but I had stopped losing reliably and steadily, I'd only lost 2lb in 6 weeks.

You should have a followup appointment around 6 weeks out at which you can then discuss with your doctor if a fill is warranted. Most people need to go through 3-5 fills before getting properly restricted. Then, a new fill should be given a good 4 week try to see if it's working (restriction isn't really a "feeling", it's more a result...proper weight loss (1-2lbs/week on average) and your sensible bandster meals (3-4 oz solid Protein, 1 serving (1/2 cup) nonstarchy veggies and up to 1 serving (1/2 cup) starch if there's room) are making you full (full = not physically hungry anymore, not discomfort/tightness/about to puke/stuffed) and not get physically hungry again for 3-4 hours.

No office person on the phone should be refusing to let you have an appointment. Even if you're still losing, if you're experiencing hunger and lack of satiety, you need a fill. Proper restriction results in both things.

Nancy

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