What is a first fill or a "fill" in general

bradskoam · July 21, 2007

I have seen this referenced several times on this board- i.e; people excited about getting their 1st fill.

Please explain?

Thanks

Brad

Alexandra · July 21, 2007

The term "fill" is shorthand for the process of adding saline to the band to adjust it for one's personal anatomy. The (adjustable gastric) band that we all love is designed to work with a personal level of adjustment--the more saline that is added, the tighter the band.

The usual protocol is that the first adjustment is done 6-8 weeks after surgery; this gives the band time to heal in place. Everyone's anatomy is different so there's no right "fill" level; it's a personalized process that everyone goes through. It can take several adjustments to find the right level, and though the process is simple and quick the first one is always a little nervewracking.

Alexandra · July 22, 2007

Brad, I just saw on another thread that you're already banded? Didn't your doctor explain the adjustment process to you before you made your decision?

Ja9 · July 22, 2007

i am sorry to in bother you, but you are knowledgable about this stuff. Can youplease explain to me what is slime? Thanks, I posted and only received one reply which wasn't too helpful. Thanks

faithmd · July 22, 2007

I am also surprised that someone would be banded and not know how that band works. Not a very good thing for a surgeon to do, and amazing that someone would have surgery and not research the heck out of it first.

faithmd · July 22, 2007

Ja9, a really great place to read is the FAQ and references forum, there is a thread in there that explains all about the various abbreviations.

From Donna D on another thread (I think this is pretty good)

Slime (verb - sliming - gross) when you eat, chew and swallow the food properly ie. chew, chew, chew! it is supposed to go down smoothly. If you don't follow the rules the food gets stuck. Your body wants to help you so it creates this very thick somewhat snotty stuff to either push the food up or down. (Mostly up)

PB ing in Productive Burp. You will feel a gag like vomiting motion but you will burp up the food that is stuck. It is the same motion but not as gross and bile like as regular vomiting. Trust you will know when either one happens. Don't freak out just get the stuff up and out asap because it is very uncomfortable. You DON'T want this to happen at all or very often it is rough on the esophogus. Chew lots and swallow little bits only.

Ja9 · July 22, 2007

Thank you so much!

bradskoam · July 22, 2007

FaithMD - excuse me for my ignorance - and i know you are the master of everything banded- but keep your snide comments to yourself. You don't know what i researched or what my surgeon told me. Someone your size should know it's not kind to insult someone ...

Alexandra · July 22, 2007

OK, OK, that's enough with the personal comments. Let's start again. This was a reasonable question and it's not so surprising that we were curious. Faith must have missed your answer to me, that's all.

No personal attacks, everyone. Thanks!!

faithmd · July 23, 2007

OK, OK, that's enough with the personal comments. Let's start again. This was a reasonable question and it's not so surprising that we were curious. Faith must have missed your answer to me, that's all.

No personal attacks, everyone. Thanks!!

Alexandra is correct, I did NOT see you respond to her.

Dear OP: I was NOT attacking you, either. You are correct that I do not know what you researched or what your surgeon told you, but since you asked what a fill was and that is how the band works as a tool, I "assumed" that you hadn't been completely informed. I know, assuming is a bad thing to do. Sorry if you were somehow insulted by my response, I never intended to insult you, unlike the jab about someone my "size."

And where have I EVER said I am the master of anything? Goodness knows I am just getting by in this life like everyone else.

I will chalk it up to emotions going a bit out of whack after banding and with the pain and lack of calories, I know I wasn't feeling myself at a few days out, either.

I probably could have worded my response better as well, I think I said what I meant to, but how I said it was likely not the best.

You have to understand, I have been researching and wanting this band ever since it was introduced in the US in June of 2001. And pre-band I came online and soaked up every site I could find to learn as much as I could so my post-op course would go well. I was just kind of surprised that someone who is already banded didn't know what a fill was. I guess I also never thought about it possibly being called something else. Maybe that's why you didn't realize what it was.