I have been thinking about this a lot since getting the band. I was banded March 5th and went through an emergency right hemicolectomy and appendectomy on March 21st. I've gone through a lot the past couple months!

In January, I weighed 324, the day of banding I was 303, now 2 months later I am 266. This is with NO fills at all. I went in for my first fill two weeks ago (6 weeks post-op) and my doc said I've been losing my weight quickly that I wouldn't need a fill yet. Now I have an appt. for this friday the 18th for my first fill.

My dilemma is... do I need a fill? I do eat a lot, but a lot is the same as any normal "band-less" person. I can eat the same amount as my girlfriend and I feel content! Before the surgery, I would eat at least double her. I am only supposed to have about a cup or so of food, but I can have a typical plate of food without any problems... and thats of ANY type of food.

I am verrrry content with having 0 cc as I feel the band itself is causing a satisfactory amount of restriction. I have been losing a lot of weight and I haven't even exercised yet! Before all this, I was very active with working out etc, but was so frustrated because I could not lose weight... most likely related to the amount of food I ate. But I feel that by eating like a normal person and adding my working out, I think I can really lose weight myself again.

What do you guys think? Do I need a fill because maybe my band is loose from losing fat around my stomach? The typical first fill is 4cc, should I maybe suggest 2cc? Or just see how much I can do on my own with 0cc and start working out.

Thanks for the help!

-Jason

Boy, you HAVE been going through a lot!

I'm guessing you have the VG band. As someone who has difficulties with fills, I recommend moving slow, such as half of what they would normally give you, until you see how it is going to work for you. You can always get another fill, but it's miserable getting unfills.

Boy, you HAVE been going through a lot!

I'm guessing you have the VG band. As someone who has difficulties with fills, I recommend moving slow, such as half of what they would normally give you, until you see how it is going to work for you. You can always get another fill, but it's miserable getting unfills.

Yeah, I don't know what band I have. But I feel the restriction it gives me already is enough and not sure if I even neeeed a fill.

-Jason

There are plenty of bandsters who have never had a fill and are losing weight just fine. Some folks just find that the restriction from the band alone is what they need. Talk it over with your doctor and see what you come up with together.

FAITH md- I am so glad to see you got a surgery date, I have been reading you posts and rooting for you!

Thanks, Trystelle!

Jason, I personally would wait until your weight loss slow downs and then go for a fill. Being overfilled is horrible and if you are able to eat a wide variety of healthy foods now, I think you're in a good spot. Consider yourself lucky.

I wouldn't get a fill just for the sake of getting a fill even if it means you lose a little more slowly. Plus it takes about six months for your body to completely recover from something like a hemicolectomy. I wouldn't risk decreasing my body's rebuilding blocks until I had to. If you're still losing, just say no, thank you. You could be losing some from the trauma of your surgery.

Jason,

My doc said that as long as I'm losing 1-2 lbs a week, that I don't need a fill. If you're still losing, and you're comfortable with where you're at, there's no need to change right now. You certainly don't want to get a fill if you don't need one, which could make you too tight, and could cause problems.

It sounds to me like you're content with your situation as it stands right now, so I'd leave well enough alone, at least for now....

Of course, it never hurts to talk these things over with your surgeon....

Good luck!

<p>Exude,</p> <p> </p> <p>What an interesting post. I have been feeling the same way. I had my surgery on 4/9. I already feel the restriction and am due for my first fill in about a week and 1/2. </p> <p> </p> <p>I am wondering if I will need the fill also, because I am already experiencing the "too full" feeling when I eat something I am not supposed to and have had 2 PB incidents already without the fill. Of course this is all new to me and I'm still learning what I can eat and can't eat, but did not expect the PB experience to start without my first fill. </p> <p> </p> <p>I have lost 25 lbs. so far. 15 pre-surgery and 10 lbs. since the surgery, so that would be a little more than 2 lbs. a week without the fill, but we'll see how I do the next week. </p> <p> </p> <p>Like you said, I am not overeating as I was before and can definitely tell the difference in the amount of food I can consume.</p>

My only concern would be that continuing to lose weight without a fill can mean the band is too tight. That's what my doc says about situations where bands are not filled and people are losing weight, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's true in every case.

For some people just getting banded is all it takes. My surgeon has had a couple of patients who got the band, got seriously motivated, cut out all foods except lean Proteins, vegetables and fruits, and lost all of the weight they needed to without having a fill.

For most of us mortals, it doesn't work that way....but if it works for you, then that's just incredible! :clap2:

For some people just getting banded is all it takes. My surgeon has had a couple of patients who got the band, got seriously motivated, cut out all foods except lean Proteins, vegetables and fruits, and lost all of the weight they needed to without having a fill.

For most of us mortals, it doesn't work that way....but if it works for you, then that's just incredible! :clap2:

I'm still rather new. I was banded 3-8-07, when I went in for my first fill I was told I was doing it right and didn't need a fill. I was really distraught. Reading the above posts, particularly Lisa99's I feel more like a super star. We banded folk do love the fill and all the talk that comes with it.

Don't get a fill unless you are not losing weight. Save the restriction for when you need it. At least that's what my doc told me.

And Dude, congratulations on the loss.

OH Juli

I go see the doctor tomorrow. I am leaning toward NOT having the fill, but will make sure he knows what I am thinking.

Question: Each day, I sometimes have some pain in my left abdominal side. Like 30 minutes ago, I had some BAAAAD pain (3 hours after my last meal). I laid on my right side in the fetal position and it eventually went away.

I am cheating slightly... eating pretty much whatever foods, but I only eat SLIGHT amounts compared to what I used to. I chew very well, but don't limit myself much. I definitely try and focus on Protein and healthy foods of course... but I have eaten no-no things. I just wonder if those pains are a result of me eating too much or what not because I have a band. I do have about a plate of food (unlike 2-3 plates before)... Any ideas?

-Jason

I would be wary of eating any large amount of food, you could make your pouch stretch. That is not a good situation. Maybe it happened already, ask your doctor

evilah

Exude-

What did you and the doctor decide? I'm curious as can be!

OH Juli