I feel really stupid here........I'm not sure why or why not one needs a fill.

I've lost 50 lbs since my surgey on 12/26/07. At this time, I seem to be hungry all the time. I have 60-80 gr of protein a day, drink at least 80 oz of liquids (mostly h2o) and just started waling 1.5 miles 3xs a wk, yet I feel I'm not losing as quickly as I should. Does that mean I need a fill? What does the DR require in order to get a fill? What does it cost? What are the side effects after getting one? Please advice, I have a Dr. appt. on April 1st and want to know what to do. Thaks so much!!!

Picture an upside down funnel. The band is placed where the neck of the funnel meets the ball part of the funnel. Saline is added to make that band tighter at that spot. It sits on a nerve called the vagus nerve which is the nerve that tells our brain that we are full. Then we can feel full with smaller portions.

Did your doctor not inform you on how the band works and when you will be scheduled for fills? Most doctors like to do fills every six weeks. You should feel fuller faster after a fill , but it won't last. As you lose fat around your stomach, the band gets looser and you need another fill.

Read a post called how the band works, fills and unfills. It's a sticky on the main lap band talk home page. You will need to ask your doctor what the cost is for fills. Most people get some fills paid with the price of surgery.

caryla, I think 50 lbs since Christmas is PHENOMENAL!!! I wouldn't sweat THAT at ALL!!!

You'll probably get a fill at your next appt., especially if you're experiencing a lot of hunger. But meanwhile -- KUDOS!