This may help you in understanding the restrictive mechanism of a Lap-Band.

The ALLERGAN 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 4 weeks. A “Delayed-Action” means that the fill may not become effective for up to 4 weeks after the fill. That is why the ALLERGAN 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.

Hi. I read through this entire thread and feel much much better that i am not alone.

I had my surgery on Sept 19, 2011 and they inserted an 11cc band. My first fill was 3cc. Felt nothing. The second fill was 2cc. Nothing. The third fill was another 1.5. Started feeling restrictions with first few bites but could then eat anything. Fourth fill was another 1cc and the fifth was another 1cc. I am now at 8.5cc (as of 2 wks ago). I'm still not sure if i'm at my sweet spot. When i take the first few bites of food, i do feel restriction, but only because i ate too fast or didn't chew well enough. If i eat very slowly and take small bites, i find i can finish my portion. I'm wondering if i need a fill or if this is what the sweet spot feels.

Hi

Just take your time when it comes to eating. Just chew slowly

And don't do what I did which I ate alittle but too fast like forgetting

I need to take my time.

I am at 11cc and I have been getting more results than ever

before. I also have been making soups, soft foods

For a long while.

The big part is to measure small amounts or portions

and I have notice results already .

I do seriously track how much I eat and what u eat

Through this food tracker. That you can down load

onto your smartphone or computer.

Have a great day!

This is very informative

I re-read this thread every now and then to keep me motivated, and let me know that I am not failing because the pounds arent dropping off. Ive only had 2 fills and i dont think im at an "effective fill" level yet.

Each fill is totally different from the previous

fill. From my own experience. For some a fill can be 2-3

which is workable for others a fill goes higher which is

Working for them.

For me I had to go up to 10 to11 cc and this working for me!

So each person is different.

My doctor told me after surgery that he put 3 cc's in with the surgery. He said that this is something that they are staring to do with the new surgeries when the capacity is 10 cc's and above. Has anyone else had this.

Yes, my doctor put in 2cc's and I just had my first fill 2 days ago ~ I have steadily lost weight, 1-2# week, since two weeks before surgery, I'm now at 6-1/2 weeks out and 21# down, so I'm very pleased at this point. But I'm also good at self-control and motivation - severe arthritis, joints have been replaced, multiple surgeries over the past few years and I don't want ANY more, so this will be the turning point in my life to a healthier, happier and more active me. Sound like an advertisement, don't I? Thanks, Wendell for your information, it has been very helpful to me!

P.S. to the above - I'm at 3cc's now ~ I forgot to mention that!!

So when the PA is telling me I'm not losing weight because I'm thinking like a FAT person and not a SKINNY person, I'm not the one that's crazy? This lady is telling me that hunger pains are not really hunger pains, it's food moving through the system. She says eat your portion and stop. And you will get used it the portion. She wont' fill me because I'm not losing to her satisfaction and don't DESERVE a fill! I really thought the whole purpose of this was to feel fuller with less food. Well, I can eat almost what I used to eat, but I don't because I don't want to test the waters, but I'm definitely hungry within 2 hours of eating. I had my surgery Feb 23, and had one fill, which was April 16, of 3 cc. I have an 11 cc Realize band. Should I ask for another PA in the practice? I'm from Pittsburgh and had my surgery at Magee. Anyone else share my experience?

So when the PA is telling me I'm not losing weight because I'm thinking like a FAT person and not a SKINNY person, I'm not the one that's crazy? This lady is telling me that hunger pains are not really hunger pains, it's food moving through the system. She says eat your portion and stop. And you will get used it the portion. She wont' fill me because I'm not losing to her satisfaction and don't DESERVE a fill! I really thought the whole purpose of this was to feel fuller with less food. Well, I can eat almost what I used to eat, but I don't because I don't want to test the waters, but I'm definitely hungry within 2 hours of eating. I had my surgery Feb 23, and had one fill, which was April 16, of 3 cc. I have an 11 cc Realize band. Should I ask for another PA in the practice? I'm from Pittsburgh and had my surgery at Magee. Anyone else share my experience?

I'm sorry it took me so long to get on this website but seeing your post really makes me MAD! I would ask for any other person in that practice and I would report her butt so fast! That is no way to talk to a patient! I know the first month after my surgery a lot of my hunger pains were gas build-up and when I took Gas-X they went away BUT I still had hunger pains. My stomach wasn't used to being empty! At 3cc that's not much of a restriction and they should be seeing you about once a month! I live in the Williamsport, PA. area so I can't help you with another provider or help that way. I had to find another provider as my insurance changed and Geisinger wouldn't take it and I couldn't afford $900. a fill...I think you should stick with your office if you can but I would definetely let them know what a horse's ass she is! I have 7cc in my band and am getting a decent restriction at that - for now. Good luck! Linda

1st fill in one week and just a little nerverous and not quite sure what to expect. Does it hurt, how will I feel afterwords what can I expect??

if i do liquids for a few days will it help my band so i dont need a fill???? interesting

I was banded 6 weeks ago. I am looking for meal ideas

I am so glad I came across this thread. I'm still desperately trying to get a grip on when I will finally feel restriction. I go tomorrow for my post op 6 month check up and most likely another fill.

Thank you for this post because I've actually learned things that now make perfect sense!

if i do liquids for a few days will it help my band so i dont need a fill???? interesting

Some don't need fills. It just depends on how you are able to manage eating a small amount of dense protein and then staying away from the kitchen for 3-4 hours. I only had one fill and am never hungry. There is always head hunger, but your body will tell you when it is real hunger. That is the biggest challenge. Do not eat to a schedule (like we were raised to!), only eat when you are truly hungry. For me that is usually two meals a day and two snacks. Work with your NUT.

I was banded 6 weeks ago. I am looking for meal ideas

If you join MyFitnessPal.com you can friend many of us and look at our food diaries.