Hey eveyone,

I had my surgery on August 7, 2007. I am on solid foods right now and can eat almost anything...kinda getting scared. It was my first day back to work today and I ate cake today and could just step on my big toe!

I am getting my first fill on September 4, 2007, I can't wait.

I am supposed to get 4 cc's. I am very excited but I don't know what to expect. I have a 10 cc band. Can the more experienced bandsters tell me what to expect? I did have 3 cc's in my band after surgery and had a lot of restriction but that was in combonation with a hernia repair and swelling.

How does the weight loss work? What will I feel if I eat too much...will that be enough of a deterent?

What are some of the things that made you successful and kept you going. I really need your help.

Hi Sweet For Life,

I was banded 7/5/07 and just had my third fill 8-27th. I now feel more restriction, but I am still eating more than I am supposed to and will go back in 9/4 for another fill. I am now at 8ccs. The first and second fill sI was given 3ccs and this last fill I was given 2ccs. It may take a few fills before getting to the point of where you need to be so hang in there you are not alone. I lost 20lbs during the two weeks liquid diet and since then my weight has been the same. I also know that part of the reason is I haven't been exercising like I should. So if you can throw in excercise and keep your doctor informed that you are not feeling any restriction. Good luck!

Hey eveyone,

I had my surgery on August 7, 2007. I am on solid foods right now and can eat almost anything...kinda getting scared. It was my first day back to work today and I ate cake today and could just step on my big toe!

I am getting my first fill on September 4, 2007, I can't wait.

I am supposed to get 4 cc's. I am very excited but I don't know what to expect. I have a 10 cc band. Can the more experienced bandsters tell me what to expect? I did have 3 cc's in my band after surgery and had a lot of restriction but that was in combonation with a hernia repair and swelling.

How does the weight loss work? What will I feel if I eat too much...will that be enough of a deterent?

What are some of the things that made you successful and kept you going. I really need your help.

This may help you in understanding the restrictive mechanism of a Lap-Band. The INAMED protocol for Lap-Band fills calls for a six-week delay after surgery, prior to any fills. The purpose for the six-week delay is for the patient’s stomach to heal from the surgery, as well as allowing time for the Lap-Band to “Seat” or “Nestle” into the fat pad between the stomach wall and the interior wall of the Lap-Band. Prior to receiving an EFFECTIVE fill, it is VERY uncommon to have any restriction from a Lap-Band. Some patients will NOT lose weight, or may even GAIN weight until they have received an effective fill in their Lap-Band. Normal weight loss with a properly restricted Lap-Band is between 1 and 2 pounds per week.

The normal cycle of fills, restriction and weight loss is as follows:

1. The patient's Lap-Band constricts when the patient receives a fill. Swelling for a few days after receiving a fill is very common. Many doctors require a patient to go on a liquid diet for a day or two after receiving a fill. A fill may have a “Delayed Action” of up to two weeks. A “Delayed-Action” means that the fill may not become effective for up to two weeks after the fill. That is why the INAMED protocol states that fills should not be performed on patients who will not have access to medical care for at least two weeks after a fill.

2. The patient's stomach capacity is lessened as a result of the restriction caused by the Lap-Band.

3. The patient loses weight because they cannot eat as much food.

4. The residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the outside of the patient's stomach reduces in size because of the overall weight loss in the patient.

5. The reduction of the residual fat-pad causes the Lap-Band to become loose again.

6. At that point, the patient needs another fill, because the Lap-Band is loose, and the patient has a loss of restriction, which allows the patient to eat larger amounts of food.

7. The patient receives another fill and the process starts all over again.

Most Lap-Band patients receive several fills to adjust the Lap-Band as their weight loss progresses, and there is less and less residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the exterior of the stomach wall. Once a patient has lost all of their residual fat-pad, fills become less common. As the Lap-Band patient progresses in their weight loss, the effect of very tiny fills (Less than .2ccs) becomes greater and greater. It is not uncommon for a late-stage Lap-Band patient to experience a significant difference in restriction with as little as .05cc of fill.

Great info, thanks Wendell.

Great info, thanks Wendell.

You're very welcome!

Wow!!! Thanks for the info Wendall, soooooo helpful. I feel like i really understand the band a lot better now. I am stuck right now, lost 20 and holding. Donna

Wow!!! Thanks for the info Wendall, soooooo helpful. I feel like i really understand the band a lot better now. I am stuck right now, lost 20 and holding. Donna

You're very welcome!