Hello all. I posted my first introductory message on the Introduction board.

I do have a question though, and I'm sure someone here can answer this for me.

After the surgery - you have to go for a "fill". Well - do you get the "fills" from a local doctor - or the doctor that did your surgery?

I thought I read in a post somewhere that someone had to travel to get a "fill".

Also - how often do you have to go for a "fill" or to have some removed?

Please help clear this up for me.

Thanks so much!

~ Kari ~

You get your fills from the doc who did your surgery. When you see that they have to travel it is becasue most of us went to Mexico and live elsewhere so we travel back to Mexico for our fills.

As far as when you get your fills , everyone is so different. I have had 2 fills in 5 months. You need a fill when you have not lost any weight in 3 consecutive weeks (following all the bandster rules) Every ones fill level is different also. And going in for an unfill only happens when you are filled to tight.

You CAN get you fills from the doctor who did your surgery...but my surgeon did my SIXTH fill, and the others were done by other doctors.

You need to have your "fills" situation lined up BEFORE your banding. Some Bandsters are finding out that the "Fill Dr." they plan to use (after being banded by someone else) won't touch them. Be sure that you check Directly with the Fill Dr. that you plan to use so you'll know for sure. Don't just take someone's word for it. There is a lot to be learned before you get your Band. Please do your research. Best of luck to you!

Hi again Kari,

I had my surgery in Mexico but before I had surgery I made sure there was someone in my state that would do my fills. Very important if you live aways from Mexico! Best wishes, Teresa

Kari, one of the reasons I fought my insurance carrier for almost a year was that I was VERY concerned I could get local care. Having a proper level of saline (or "fill") in one's band is crucial for success. A band that's too loose does no good, and one that's too tight can lead to problems. Cautious as I am, I felt it was necessary to be close to a doctor who would be able to competently adjust my band as often as might be necessary.

At this time I think it's most common that banding doctors themselves do fills. There are some practices where adjustments are done by another staff member--a nurse practitioner, for example--but those are rare and seem to be limited to those practices who have been doing banding the longest. So while it doesn't have to be the exact person who did the surgery doing the fills, it does need to be someone very familiar with the process. That means a banding surgeon rather than your internist, for example.

As to how many adjustments you might need, well, that's very individual. An average during the first two years seems to be 2 to 5 or so, but really there's no way to predict. If one seems slightly too tight there's little recourse than to have some Fluid taken out, and that's an adjustment as well. So wherever you get banded, BE SURE you have easy access to a COMPETENT person for adjustments. I think that's absolutely crucial, not just for success but for general security and peace of mind as well.

Thanks so much for the replies.

I am glad to know that there might "possibly" be other places to get the fills.

I am still in my research phase right now, and I'm also trying to find out if my insurance company even covers this procedure.

Once I find out if they do, I will do more indepth research on the banding, and the fills.

Like most of you, I am also very very cautious about things. I am not one to just jump in and do something. Doing the research is very important to having this done sucessfully.

Thanks again for the replies. I will keep everyone updated as to what is going on!

Thanks again!

~ Kari ~