It's been two weeks since I got my band! I went in today for my two week folllow up appointment, and had my incisions checked. My port is right in the middle above my belly button. I don't know why I thought it was originally on my left side. I found out that my band was inflated 3 or 4 ccs during the surgery. That expains a lot. I thought it was deflated, because I feel nothing when I eat, like there is nothing inside of me. Ocassionally, if I gulp something by mistake or swallow something a little too big, I've been feeling it take a little longer to get down. I've got to take my time and really watch how I eat. I'm on soft foods now. it's weird, because I find that I sometimes feel hungry and want to eat, but at the same time I have no appetite. The nurse gave me suggestions of proteins I could eat now, but it was all unappealing to me. She said I should be able to go 4 or 5 hours inbetween meals, and my weight loss plateau, before I need a fill. Has anyone been at 3 or 4ccs and been in the green zone?

Yes, there are some people who are in the green zone with nothing in their band. Others have to have 8 to 10 ccs in their band. Everyone is different. Their are a lot of surgeon's who will prime the band at surgery,too. Best wishes, try to get your Protein down. Karen....aka..kll724

I had to get to 8cc to be in the zone, but as mentioned above everyone is different. My doctor said most people are between 5-8cc. And keep in mind you may need an adjustment later so it's a great starting point!

my doctor told me that when a 14cc band is inserted a lot of doctors prim it with 3-4cc. he did not for me. he likes his patients to move slowly down the road and to be able to get used to it. I now have 8.5 cc in a 14cc band. I believe this is it for me. but in a month usually a person swelling is gone from the fill and can judge than. but I lost 8 lbs this month all total and I think I am there. but your own doctor will have their own questions to judge when they will do fill or not. good luck.

Every clinic will work differently regarding either inserting Fluid in at surgery or not. It is always a good idea to clarify for your understanding. It is more the norm. that it takes about 3-5 adjustment to controls one's hunger and get into the green zone.

I always ask my clients two questions to verify if there is enough fluid in the band. These include:

1. When you wake up does it take about 2-4 hrs before you begin to think about food?

2. At dinner (the third meal of the day) does a small todller plate take about 15 to 20mins to eat and make you feel satisfied comfortably for the next 3-4 hrs?

If they answer yes to the above questions, this is a pretty good indication that there is enough fluid in the band to control one's appetite, the rest us up to food choices and exercise levels.

If you want more infomration on understaniing how to mange your band and deal with the daily variability, you can attend one of my webinars or seminars http://lapbanddiet.com.au/webinar-seminars/

Good luck and enjoy the journey

Helen Bauzon

Lap Band Dietitian

Hi Cat

I also have 4 cc during surgery it is been 3 months and lost 50 pounds so far no fills yet I went to my doctor yesturday and he said he will see me in three months that will be may and if I feel hungry before the 4 hours to call for a fill but he said so far I am doing great lets see if by may anything change just take it easy with some foods with stuck episodies chew well and small amounts.

Congratulations -- that is great. You are that much closer or possibly even there. My surgeon is, I believe, of the small fills approach in order to adjust other aspects along the way. I've had four or five (lost track, which is amazing to me as I was so obsessively on top of everything at first). I don't know how much fill I have because my surgeon doesn't share that as it doesn't really matter, I'm either in the green zone or not. I've been taking it slow but think I probably need another little fill as I still am not sustaining over time and I can eat more than I should be able to -- but I am getting there, I know. And of course I don't want to be too tight. You are doing so well -- and you, too, Yad -- yippee!