Okay.. so I go and see my dr yesterday for my 4 wk post op and I asked about scheduling an appt for a fill and he told me that I didn’t need one. HUH? He told me that since I had lost 9 pounds in 3 wks that I already have restriction. I really don’t think that I do and I told him that..now I have to wait several more weeks to see how I feel. I’m already on stage 4 which is allowing me to eat ¾ cups at each meal, which I can put down easily. So now, I have to wait.. hopefully I won’t gain any of the weight that I lost.

Has anyone else have this happen to them?

Hi, First congrats on your 9 pound loss, I have not gone for my first fill as of yet, seems I'm only 2 weeks post op, however 9 pounds is a good loss for 3 weeks at 3 pounds per week, did your doctor explain that a loss of 1 to 2 pounds is the normal weight loss and a fill is only suppose to happen if you stop losing weight and are able to eat more food? A fill is to help you get back on the weight loss journey, you should be so happy your already doing it without the fill

In time you will need a fill for now enjoy your ability to lose without the fill.

Take care:rolleyes:

Okay.. so I go and see my dr yesterday for my 4 wk post op and I asked about scheduling an appt for a fill and he told me that I didn’t need one. HUH? He told me that since I had lost 9 pounds in 3 wks that I already have restriction. I really don’t think that I do and I told him that..now I have to wait several more weeks to see how I feel. I’m already on stage 4 which is allowing me to eat ¾ cups at each meal, which I can put down easily. So now, I have to wait.. hopefully I won’t gain any of the weight that I lost.

Has anyone else have this happen to them?

I am 2 1/2 years post op, down 80 pounds and I did not have my first fill for a few months after my surgery. As long as you are losing at a pretty steady pace, I don't think they will do a fill. But, if you can get food down easily, just be very careful not to overdo it. I wish you all the best! I am so glad I had the surgery!! Has changed my life! Been able to lower my BP meds and I just feel better!!

Thanks for the replies!!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

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Yes, the doctor did explain to me that I should lose 1-2 pounds a week...but I guess I'm just too anxious and I want to weight to be gone!!<o:p></o:p>

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I have also been able to eat anything (good healthy foods) I want without any issues.<o:p></o:p>

The band isn't meant to cause starvation, in my opinion. I had three ccs put in when I had surgery and I have restriction, but I can eat anything, really, except eggs. As long as I am losing, I will not get a fill.

You will have to rely on will power for a certain amount of your loss. It's NOT effortless.

Good luck on your journey.

I agree! I was at 2.7 at the beginning of the year and starting having heartburn and was not able to eaty ANYTHING! Not even water or broth. The doc took all the fluid out to give my tissues a rest. Well, I gained 30 pounds due to the "freedom". I am back to 1.7 now and have decent restriction. But, we all have to remember, the band is a tool not a cure. I came to rely on the band a lot, then, when it was wide open, went a little nuts. We are all in this together : )

I have only been banded for 2 weeks, so I'm really new at this. I am a little confused and would appreciate your comments. I don't have much restriction at this point, but I'm working hard to make healthy choices and count calories. It is just as hard and as much of a challenge as it was before the lapband and I could easily eat more than I am. If, after all that effort, my doctor told me I couldn't have my first fill as scheduled because I had successfully lost weight, I would be really annoyed that I spent $17,500 cash for a tool that hasn't really kicked in yet and, because I found the discipline to lose some weight without much assistance from the lapband, I must continue to do that on my own. While I understand the doctor's reasoning, it doesn't make sense to me. Knowing that soon I'll start having fills and will actually be satisfied with smaller meals, is keeping me going through this hungry period.

So I'm wondering if that means I shouldn't try to lose any weight before my first fill is scheduled? I'm not usually one to have that kind of attitude but it makes me wonder....

I understand what you're saying and you seem to always make really good points, but at the same time I feel like I'm almost being chastized for wanting the lapband to provide some restriction. I am hungry. My stomach growls all the time, sometimes painfully so. But I am pushing on with counting the calories and being as "good" as I can find the strength to be, because I want this process to start -- I've waited too many years, I don't want to wait for my first fill to do the work for me, but I do want the lapband to work as a tool for me, not to sit there not doing its part of providing me with some restriction. Isn't the lapband supposed to help us feel satisfied (not "full" but "satisfied") on less food and not have growling stomachs most of the day because we are trying to consume healthier portions? If not, then why did I get the lapband?

Hmmm....maybe I'm just the wimp on the board but I'd call him back and let him know that I REALLY want a fill. Of course you've lost weight, you're following the plan. However, that doesn't mean that you aren't hungry all the time and in my opinion - this shouldn't feel like a diet. It's a whole new life, and while very different as far as food choices/exercise and such but I don't think we should be hungry(that WAS the point of the band, right?) If we could all diet to lose weight(and of course keep it off), we wouldn't have needed banding. Not meaning to sound defiant here...I just think it is okay to rely on the band for some hunger control.

jamd

I am 6 1/2 months out and have not had a fill and I am continuing to lose about 2 pounds a week. My thoughts are why get a fill now when I am doing just fine and losing. I would rather save the room in my band for when I stop losing and need the extra help. I dont have any problems eating anything but I do it all in small portions. Are you eating just 3 meals a day or do you have Snacks?

I was my undertanding that it takes a full 8 weeks to heal inside and that's why most surgeons won't do a fill for 2 months. Mine didn't. At 4 weeks I had just gotten off the mushy stage and was trying to adjust to solid food. A fill would sabatoge that effort. DON'T RUSH IT. I know you're anxious, excited, impatient, etc, but you have to walk before you can learn to run. I would be wary of a physician that gives a fill at 4 weeks. You're still healing. That's why this period is called BANDSTER HELL. It's a real situation, and you're there. Welcome!

I had my first fill about 4 or 5 weeks out. I didn't limit my intake to 1/2 cup or anything like that. I ate until I was satisfied- not stuffed, but no longer hungry... when I drank Water in between I had special k water with Protein to keep me full.

The first few months are rough because you're expecting to not be hungry anymore, but for me, it was opposite, I was hungry all the time! I'd eat, and and hour later I was starving again. Not head hungry, but stomach-is-growling-and-I'm-pretty-sure-it's-nibbling-on-my-liver-hungry. Don't beat yourself up... just do your best on will power. I would probably ask my doctor to give me a reasonable explanation as to why no fill. Maybe explain that you're starving all the time. I tell my doc how hungry I've been the past few weeks, and he uses that as one factor to help know how much to give me for my fills. After my third fill, I'm FINALLY feeling some restriction.

4 weeks is still early. However, I am not sure if not scheduling a fill now means that it puts it way out into the future or only a few weeks. It seems like 6-12 weeks is the norm for the majority of people.

I successfully lost quite a bit of weight after banding. I averaged 3 pounds lost per week and still got the fill. The reason I ended up with the fill is because I stalled for two weeks with no gain/loss. I also was battling with a lot of hunger that I could not satisfy for very long. It was definitely not head hunger but the belly aching, i am starving and could eat a horse kind.

Perhaps you could schedule another reevaluation of the need for a fill appointment in 2-3 weeks. By that time, you may need a fill. However, I think it is probably good that you don't have a fill just yet since you are definitely still healing and learning the new lifestyle requirements.

I have only been banded for 2 weeks, so I'm really new at this. I am a little confused and would appreciate your comments. I don't have much restriction at this point, but I'm working hard to make healthy choices and count calories. It is just as hard and as much of a challenge as it was before the lapband and I could easily eat more than I am. If, after all that effort, my doctor told me I couldn't have my first fill as scheduled because I had successfully lost weight, I would be really annoyed that I spent $17,500 cash for a tool that hasn't really kicked in yet and, because I found the discipline to lose some weight without much assistance from the lapband, I must continue to do that on my own. While I understand the doctor's reasoning, it doesn't make sense to me. Knowing that soon I'll start having fills and will actually be satisfied with smaller meals, is keeping me going through this hungry period.

So I'm wondering if that means I shouldn't try to lose any weight before my first fill is scheduled? I'm not usually one to have that kind of attitude but it makes me wonder....

Nance, you have only been banded 2 weeks, your still in the healing stage. Most Dr's have us wait 6-8 weeks for a first fill to allow our stomachs healing time to adjust to the band. This is why we have to stages of eating again to allow our tummies time to adjust.

Congratulations on your weight loss so far,:thumbup: and it does get easier as time goes by. right now I really dont have much restriction, but I am still losing about 1 pound a week or 6 pounds a month. I put off my fill untill after I come back from vacation, I am afraid of having a problem in Cancun and not being able to find a band Dr there. But I make sure I still exercise every day, I also use what I have learned these past 6 months eating with the band and I try and make the right food choices regardless of my restriction level.

It is very common if you are losing weight. The only reason for a fill is if you aren't losing, you are constantly hungry or you eat too much. If you have 1 of 3 of these criteria then next time you can get a fill. Good luck.

My doc told me before I was banded that any weight lost before finding restriction would largely be due to me following the diet/exercise program - essentially dieting. So during my first month I did continue to lose weight but was hungry, I lost because I followed the plan. That doesn't mean I should live on a diet forever, I got my first fill on Tuesday and will get my next fill in a month. Each fill should hopefully make it easier until I reach proper restriction. I find it strange that so many aren't getting filled because they 'can' diet and lose. I say if you're hungrier than the meals you're allotted you need a fill...that is why we all got banded.