Yesterday I got my first fill. They put 2 cc's in my band, and I'm not sure if I feel a little restriction at first because the port is still sore from being poked a few times when the Dr's assistant was trying to find the port. I know it takes a few fills to get to the right spot, but I was wondering when did you finally get to your sweet spot where you felt the band was tight enough and helping you to feel full sooner and stay satisfied longer? .

I've had four fills and I'm still not there.

I have 6.6 cc's in a 9 cc band. I go for my 5th fill on Thursday and I am sure hoping this one does it, because this is getting old! :eek:

I got my second fill today!! :eek: My first fill did not do anything, and others have told me it takes a few and its best to slowly work up to your "sweet spot." I am hoping with this fill I will actually "feel" my band and not be the bottomless pit that I am. I wouldn't expect too much too soon, but everyone is diffierent. And I'm horrified by your fill experience! Were you in pain? My SURGEON, NOT his assistant does the fills under a fluoroscope. He gives me a little shot to numb the "big needle" and he is in and out in about 5 seconds. If I had to get stuck more than once I would have to hurt somebody!! Good luck!!!

Edited July 22, 200818 yr by TxChelsey

my band holds about 4cc's and i had a 2.3 ccs in it and it was good so i asked for another fill and now its way to tight so im going tomorrow to have some Fluid taken out.

Danielle

banded 11/29/07

weight at surgery 313

current weight 225

goal 180

My bariatric surgeon spoke at our support group last week and he says that it takes the second fill before we feel any restriction. I did not feel absolutely no difference with my first fill. I have my second fill in September. Hang in there! Please let me know if and when you feel any restriction. My surgery appears to make me feel full and took away cravings. I am hopeful that the fills will give us restriction and allow us to eat smaller amounts of food and lose weight.

Just had my 4th fill - 8 cc in a 9cc band last Friday and so far so great. I can still eat the things I was hoping not to be able to (like breads) but I eat so much less that its just great. And I'm not as hungry. I hope it continues for as long as possible 'cause I'm feeling great!

Congratulations! It sounds like you are finding a comfort level and losing weight at the same time.

I have 6 1/2 in a 10 cc band, I think I am just now beginning to feel where I need to be. One more should do the trick.:thumbup: My weight loss isn't that great either, but I am not giving up!

Read the sticky on the fill forum about fills, by Wendall Edwards. You really can't stay at your sweet spot until you have lost most of the fat around the stomach.

It's a great thread that tells why we keep needing fills. I haven't had a fill since Dec. and I am at my sweet spot. I don't think I will ever need another one, because now that I am at goal, the band doesn't get loser from losing the fat pad.

I just got my first fill Monday. I am feeling restriction but I don't know if it's as much as I should be feeling.

I must have been very lucky because every fill along the way put me in that place. I had good restriction after surgery, when it started to wane, I had a small fill. That held me for another six weeks, then I had another. Over time, the fills held much longer until I had one for an entire year. I got a tiny fill and just recently had that tiny fill out as I realised I really didnt need it, that I was tighter than I'd been all the way through my journey, which is a bit unnecessary when you're maintaining, not losing.

I was never looking for that cant eat bread/can only eat 1/2 a cup tightness though. I was just looking for a bit of help with keeping meal sizes reasonable and not being too hungry between meals. I was happy to rely on my own willpower to not eat chocolate, pizza, McDonalds and to run lots to burn calories.

I must have been very lucky because every fill along the way put me in that place. I had good restriction after surgery, when it started to wane, I had a small fill. That held me for another six weeks, then I had another. Over time, the fills held much longer until I had one for an entire year. I got a tiny fill and just recently had that tiny fill out as I realised I really didnt need it, that I was tighter than I'd been all the way through my journey, which is a bit unnecessary when you're maintaining, not losing.

I was never looking for that cant eat bread/can only eat 1/2 a cup tightness though. I was just looking for a bit of help with keeping meal sizes reasonable and not being too hungry between meals. I was happy to rely on my own willpower to not eat chocolate, pizza, McDonalds and to run lots to burn calories.

Thank you for your response. I really enjoyed your description of the "ideal restriction." I feel the verysame way. I have not seen it described the way you have described it.

I had my first fill a month or so ago and I felt even less restriction. I cannot get my second fill until September 4 because my surgeon is going on vacation in August. My surgeon told our support group that he believes restriction from the lap band begins on the second fill.

I weighed myself last night at the gym and I GAINED 5 pounds! I cannot believe it. I thought I was eating somewhat more in volume but 5 POUNDS! My surgeon also said at that support meeting that the lap band takes time to really kick in with restriction and fullness. I had my appetite taken away at the time of the surgery and placement of the band but I notice that the fills are the tools that restrict you later.

I had my friend at work calculate your weight loss from kilograms to pounds. Excellent loss! You obviously are doing things right and I will watch out for your future posts. I need all the help and support I can get.

It took me forever to get my sweet spot and I still battle with it after like 20 fills and unfills. I finally got there 2 years post up and down 65 lbs. I am now 15-30 lbs from goal. You can do it!

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. You are right. I really do feel like I can do it this time and achieve a lasting weight loss even though I am a bit discouraged right now. Today I am wearing jeans that are size 18 and a top that is an extra large. I used to wear 22-24 just a few months ago. The important thing is that I am not having those damnable cravings for food nor do I feel deprived in any shape or form. I am sending lots of good wishes to you and congratulate you on your continued success!

The worse thing is that the band does not stop the junk food from going down. My daughter had the RNY and sugar makes her really sick.

My boyfriend brought over a cheese cake last night. I wish a fill would stop me from eating something like that. I told him not to bring any junk food in here

First timer I was banded July 15th and lost a total of 29 pounds including pre op. I am still on just liquids and not hungry at all. I was wondering how long has anyone gone without there first. I am thinking as long as I keep losing and able to change the eating habits I will not get a fill until the hunger is unbearable. Any thoughs appreciated.