Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How many fill visits a year on average?



Recommended Posts

Hello,

I was banded in Mexico so I have a little different situation than most. I have a choice between two doctors and I am trying to decide which is best or more economical. One has an "unlimited visits for a year" package deal. And the other is cheaper per visit. But the more visits the better deal for the unlimited.

I saw the poll for the sweet spot and it looks as though the majority is 5+ in the first year. I am just trying to get a feeling for how many to expect.

How often do most of you get filled in the first year?

How often are cases where you got filled and returned the next day to change it?

Thanks for your help!:wink2:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That really depends on your Doctor and on your own weight loss.

I have been banded sixth months and just got my third fill, there are many people who were banded the same month I have that have had 8 some even more. Some only one or two. One lady gets one every three weeks, some every six, some every eight.

It varies.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That really depends on your Doctor and on your own weight loss.

I have been banded sixth months and just got my third fill, there are many people who were banded the same month I have that have had 8 some even more. Some only one or two. One lady gets one every three weeks, some every six, some every eight.

It varies.

Thanks for your input! The thing that makes it hard for me is the nearest doc that will touch me is a couple hours in a car...BUT one of them comes here once a month. I am thinking (others out there your input is more than welcome) that because of that, at least for the first year I should see them no matter what when they come to town just to check my parts and make sure all is on the up and up. In which case the package deal is better. ????

Thanks again!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It depends on your size of band too.. I know people who get the small 4cc bands only usually need 1-2 fills ever... I've already had 5 fills in less than 6 months. I had to get 1 unfill and about to get another fill next week. It really is hard to gauge. Everybody is so different. If you are getting the 10cc or bigger band plan to at least get 4 fills the first year. But probably closer to like 6 or 8. This is just my guesstimation. If I didn't have this last problem where I swelled up due to stress, I still would be at my perfect restriction and wouldn't have needed this next fill.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Carrie, I don't know how the doctors decide, but with me I spoke to the surgeon the day after the surgery, and he just simply told me what size he put in. He didn't mention sizes to me before, only in passing and it was just to tell me about the bands.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I believe it goes by how big your liver is... but, from what I have seen with my friends and some folks on here, if you are over 300 lbs they tend to use the largest band of 14cc, but some doctors have put this band on people 220 lbs as well... but it takes them more fills to reach perfect restriction because the band is so loose. Of course, I was nearly 300 lbs, but he put a 10cc band on me and primed it with 3cc's of saline. In the end, it just depends on what your doctor prefers to use and how big your liver is. There is also the Realize band and I believe that is a 9cc band, but I could be wrong. My doctor prefers not to use that band.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Band size is decided by body mass,and size of your stomach and how much fat you carry in the midsection,BMI 45 or more typically get the big band.But some people have less BMI but carry most of their weight in the midsection.

Now as to the fills,on an average they say 3 to 4 a year,I think that is kinda low balling myself.Some doctors tend to give .25cc and .50cc so now I say depends on how aggressive your doctor is and how you lose and feel restriction.I think most people it is about 6 to 8 a year.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Amaltha-

If I were you I'd do my best to get established with a local doc...even if they're 2 hrs away. It makes getting adjustments much easier and in case of any problems at least you have an American doctor to turn to.

Yes, the first year you will have many adjustments...and maybe the second year, too. After that it will probably slow down a lot.

As for going in once/month "just to have your parts checked"....that is really not feasible. There's not much they can check other than Fluid level without xrays and fluro.... y'know?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Amaltha-

If I were you I'd do my best to get established with a local doc...even if they're 2 hrs away. It makes getting adjustments much easier and in case of any problems at least you have an American doctor to turn to.

Yes, the first year you will have many adjustments...and maybe the second year, too. After that it will probably slow down a lot.

As for going in once/month "just to have your parts checked"....that is really not feasible. There's not much they can check other than Fluid level without xrays and fluro.... y'know?

Yeah I decided to go with the one that is 3 hours away and satalites up here. If there is an emergency they will take me down there and other than that I agree totally...however, if you are paid in full for unlimited for a year...might as well take it.

All your input is wonderful. Thanks so much!:biggrin:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×