Hi

I was banded 4th April this year and have had 3 fills taking me up to 6mls in an 11ml band. My question is how many of you with the bigger bands have found it hard to get restriction. I never imagined when i was researching etc that I would end up with so much in my band before it kicked in.

Also after the lst fill, I have a huge bruise that hurts a bit...should we bruise after a fill?

Thanks

On the other message board I belong to (obesityhelp.com), it's pretty much seen that with the larger bands, it takes more fills to get to good restriction level. First off, in the bigger band, 4 ml merely primes the band and doesn't do much. If a doc does both bands and is less familiar with the bigger band, it takes some getting used to.

You shouldn't bruise with a fill -- nothing wrong with the fill though. More likely the "filler" was a little too aggressive or you're a little sensitive and bruise easily.

jayme

I'm having the same problem... I was banded 4-27 and am already on my 2nd fill (which was done last Wednesday) and I STILL don't have any restriction. I feel a little relieved to see that others are having the same problem. I was beginning to think that I'm the only freak of nature who the band wont work on .... lol.

What is the difference...bigger bands? What is a bigger band? I am having the same problem...I was banded 3/27 and have had two fills. 2.o cc's and 1.6 cc's is a cc the same as a ml? Help!!! Eliza

Thanks that helps. Eliza

Apparently we are not alone in this. I have a vanguard band and have had two fills and I barely feel any restriction. The only time I am reminded of my band is if I eat a bit too quickly. I do eat less than I did pre-band, but it seems so weird for me to hear of all of these foods that others just can't tolerate and I can eat whatever I want. I do try to make better choices now and I do have a VERY slow, but steady weightloss. It's bittersweet to me: I'm very grateful to be a stranger to those dreaded PB's, but I can't help but feel like I am missing out on something too.

My next fill appointment isn't until July, so until then I keep my fingers crossed that the next one is THE ONE. In the meantime, I'll just be thankful that I'm slowly shrinking and still feeling pretty normal in the process.

Did you ask your Dr. what type of band you have, Is that how you know? Eliza

Hi Guys,

I had my 5th fill last Thursday taking me up to 7.5 ml in the big band. Well I can say I have restriction. It is so great. I have lost 3kg since then. I hope it lasts. Just remember it will come. We take longer and more fills with the big band, but lemme tell you the restriction will come.

I feel so much better reading about big bands. I was banded on May 2nd and lost 25 lbs. Now I'm on solid food and am not having any problems getting food down or keeping it down. I also don't appear to be losing any weight.

It's a little disconcerting to hear that you need more fills to get restriction.

When I asked my dr. if there was any difference between the bands he said, "absolutely not" and then told me to make sure that when I eventually go for a fill to make sure to tell them it's a Vanguard. (That doesnt sound like no difference to me)

Is there a limit to how much stuff they can put in your band?

I also have the Vanguard (11cm 10cc capacity). When my surgeon fitted my band he was kind enought to put 3cc in the band. After about 3 weeks post-op I could not tell I had a band on. My first official fill was 2 cc giving me a total of 5cc. While I had 5 cc I had very little restriction. But this last fill of 1.5 cc giving me 6.5 total has finally done the trick. I have mainted a good level of restriction for the last 4 weeks and I don't think I will need one for a while. So YES it really does take quite a bit more to get adequate restriction with the Vangard.

Does anyone know what the requirements are for getting the bigger band? I am tryingto figure out which band I have, I have emailed my Dr. but probably will not hera from him for a couple of days. Eliza

Hey Eliza! Apparently the doc doesn't decide the band size until he/she gets inside and sees your innerds...I suspect that they know pretty well ahead of time how big/little your band needs to be. It depends on your anatomy and I think the amount of weight you need to lose.

Also, fills are different for each person. One person's 2.2cc in a 4cc band is anothers' 1.6cc in a 4cc band. Just depends. It's true though, from what others have posted, that those with the larger bands need more fill to get good restriction. Let us know what size your band is when you find out.

Glad to see you here!!!

I have an 11cc band and was banded on 5/18. I feel like I will be needing a fill shortly - how long do you have to wait to get a fill? Is hunger the best sign of a need for one? Anyone else had an 11cc band? How many cc's did you get on your first fill and was it effective?

Hello everyone, I have spoken with Dr. Ponce about fills. He says everyone is different and that not to go on how many cc's someone else has. Everyone's stomach is a different size and different levels of sensitivity...that is hard to do, especially for me.

I have not had a good fill yet. I have had two fills so far (surg date 3/24) and still have not had good restriction. Dr. Ponce did say good restriction feels like you did a week or so after surgery. Does that make sense? It did for me, also you should not be feeling hungry all the time, which I am...I explained to him that I have not had the good restriction sensation since 4 week post op. I am going back for a third fill. Hope this helps. I would talk to your Dr. and let them know how you are feeling.

Apparently getting the right amount of fill is very tricky for some people and it takes

a lot of tweaking to get it just right. I am staying with it and hoping that I will have good restriction very soon. Good Luck, Eliza

I have an 11cc band and was banded on 5/18. I feel like I will be needing a fill shortly - how long do you have to wait to get a fill? Is hunger the best sign of a need for one? Anyone else had an 11cc band? How many cc's did you get on your first fill and was it effective?

I have the same band as you. I felt nice restriction while the swelling was going down after the op. After that I was hungry all the time again. I had to wait about 5 weeks to have my first fill which was 1.5ml. Dr had also put 2.5ml in during the surgery. I have now had 5 fills and have 7.5ml in. I feel pretty good restriction now. I think I could use another fill but I am not going to until I get this chewing and eating slowly down pat. I am gettin gblockages too much on things I shouldnt be...so i am going teach myself to slow down and chew before I get anymore fill.

Good Luck!

I currently have an 11 cc band since Feb 2005 and have virtually no restriction after one fill of 4 cc. I hope to schedule one this month. I am hungry too often after eating and can eat way too much as well. I have been rebanded having had a 4 cc band in the beginning (first band surgery) and had wonderful restriction straight out of surgery then and now miss the restriction. Yes, it will take some "tweaking" to get each person to their special spot with the band. Hold on and keep the faith, keep your doctors informed and they will soon get you where you need to be for sufficient restriction, I am waiting for that currently and patience is not a virtue I possess, so I find it hard to wait too.