Hi, I had my lapband placed in Mexico (Sanoviv) about 10 years ago. I think it was a 10cc band. I went from 180 lbs to 133 (lowest). My standard weight is about 142. I'm 5'5" tall. My last fill was 3.9cc's. I was waking up at night basically drowning in my own saliva. I couldn't keep anything down and I developed walking pneumonia. In addition I started having I having esophageal spasms which feels like you are having a heart attack. I had to have the band unfilled just to get healthy. But- with no restrictions I gained 15 lbs in 4 weeks. I went back yesterday and had 3.6 cc's put back in. But I'm not restricted at all. 3.9 was way too much. 3.6 is not enough so now I need to go back in @$200.00 a pop.

My questions - how long before you found that sweet spot and are you still losing weight or just maintaining? Does size of the band matter in terms of how much fill you use? I've read on here that some folks have up to 6cc's fill. I can't imagine that.

I go to Dr. McKeen in Los Gatos. Does anyone else on here go to this Dr?

Hello sorry you are having problems. You said you had your band placed 10 years ago in Mexico? I'm not sure but I don't think they had 10cc bands back then. I went to Mexico 4 years ago and they still had the 4cc bands. I understand every doctor is different so like I said I'm not sure.

How long ago were you filled to 3.9? If it was a long time ago and your band has been empty for an extended period of time 3.6 may not be enough for you and you may need to get some more added.

I know the frustration of having to pay so much for a fill and to go to Mexico if you don't' live there or nearby like I do.

I can't say how long it will take you to get to your sweet spot it varies from person to person, band to band. I do believe that the size of the band determines how much fill you need. I have a 4cc band and a 2.5 fill (which I have now) is probably more then enough. The smaller the band the less fill I think you need. I can only speak on behalf of me and my band. Hopefully others who have other sized bands can give you better insight. Good luck.

Edited March 25, 201412 yr by Zeniada B

4ccs? Oh my gosh. I just found out my band placed 12 days ago is 14cc. No fill yet, but my surgeon typically starts with a 4-7 cc fill the first try. Is this unusual or are bands getting bigger? They told me mine was Large. (All my life, large.....)

4ccs? Oh my gosh. I just found out my band placed 12 days ago is 14cc. No fill yet, but my surgeon typically starts with a 4-7 cc fill the first try. Is this unusual or are bands getting bigger? They told me mine was Large. (All my life, large.....)

Yes they have gotten bigger over the years. I believe the 4cc was the first size and since it didn't help everyone they started adding. Plus I think there were more complications due to the small size with erosion and slippage. Praise God I have not had any of those!!!

Zeniada is correct. 10 years ago the only band available anywhere was a 4 CC band. So, each fill of .1 CC makes a big difference. I have the 14 CC band. There are now two allergan type bands 10 CC and 14 CC. Most bands in Mexico are still 4 CC.

Doctors make the decision of band size by looking at the circumference around your stomach during surgery.

Cindy, much has changed in the last 4 years regarding knowledge of how the band works. I'm going to offer you some videos below that explain how the band works. Years ago, doctors believed the pouch filled up and that's what made us feel full or satisfied. Check these out. You don't want to overfill your band.

These will take up about 40 minutes of your life but it's well worth it. Dr. O'Brien is a bariatrics doc in Australia and has done thousands of bands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa3Lwt6ElIs&list=UL Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4jYJipQ7vc part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbdhf44ZweI&feature=relmfu Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF3TCKUn3YI Part 4

Awesome videos 2muchfun! I'm glad I came back to this forum I'm learning new things myself...

Those videos were very informative. Saving those for reference!