Hi Guys

I have been reading on this site for a while and this is my first post. I was banded 3-19-2008 by Dr. Gonzalez in TJ. I had a great experience and am recovering well. My concern is that Dr. Gonzalez wants me to return to him in 15 days for my first fill. I have never heard of anybody getting a fill so soon. I hate to question the Dr. but has anybody ever heard of such a thing? Thank you all in advance for any opinion.

It seems very early. Everything I have ever read is that you should wait at least 6 weeks before the first fill so that your stomach has time to heal sufficiently. I read that fills too early may increase your likelihood to have erosion or slippage down the road.

On the other side of the coin, by about 4 weeks out a lot of us have reacquired voracious appetites and have disheartening plateaus or even worse . . . gains. My doctor told me that any weight you lose before the first fill is a bonus and not to be too concerned. If you are filled early, you may get to skip the bandster lack of fill hell.

If you decide to go that early, I hope that you are not too far away from Tijuana so that you can get back quickly if something doesnt feel right. You will also have your own signs that you are ready for a fill that you should watch for . . . such as your restriction level and how the diet is working for you, how much weight you are losing.

Doctors should always know best but this suggestion seems a little outside of the norm. By 15 days out most of our surgeons still have us on mushies or soft foods

. . . if it were my decision I would wait a little longer. Now that I have been through it I can tell you that I felt very different 2 weeks out as compared to 4 or 6 weeks out. There is something to be said about giving yourself time to heal . . . specially since this is a long term solution. Best of luck :0)

My doc, Dr. Huacuz, filled me the day after surgery. It surprised me, but he indicated there was no problem with doing this.

I'm doing fine, had the surgery on 10 March 08.

most docs say wait 4-6 weeks minimum.

My surgeon filled me in surgery, I am one week out and I am doing fine, I think all doctors are different.

My doc put 3ml in during surgery and I had no issues.

yes I had 3ml put in is that the same as 3cc's?

My first fill was three weeks after surgery. I had none in my band at time of surgery. What are you eating now? And is it going down easily? If yes, I would think you're ok, but I would try to stay near the Dr for at least a few hours after. You might not be too tight when you leave office, but I get some swelling a few hours after fills and feel tight for the first day or two.

For me, I had to beg my doc to let me come in 1 day early (before the 4 week mark). they said the band needs 4 weeks to properly heal before tightening...perhaps you should ask your doc what he thinks about this common idea.

Thank you all for your responses. I guess in the end I need to see in a few weeks how I am feeling. One of the main reasons I went with Dr. Gonzalez in the first place was his experience in this field, so I guess I should continue trusting in that experience. I have to say no matter how much you read and prepare for this surgery, you can't imagine the feeling afterward. I am amazed at what a body will tolerate and how it reacts. Thanks again

I was banded on 2/29/08 and I got my first fill 20 days out. I wanted it very bad because I was eating like before I got the band. I am glad that I got my fill. I was told that I got a fill at the time of banding. So I guess it depends on your doctor.

yes I had 3ml put in is that the same as 3cc's?

Yes, they are the same.:crying: