Hello All, I know that everyone is different but I'm trying to get an idea as to when people start to feel restriction? I had my first fill a week ago. They put in 3ccs...they put nothing in the band during surgery. So far I have no restriction whatsoever. I've been maintaining my weight since the surgery but it's been tough and I'm really hungery. I'm due to another fill this coming Friday. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

I have my first fill Dec, 15, 2008. Right know I can't get rice and white bread. They feel like glue going down. However I am very excited about my first fill.

Hello everyone,

Well I got a fill on Nov. 4, from 5 to 6cc's it was very tight, i could barely eat anything, it was great I lost 3lbs the first week that was great for me, i'm a slow loser. Well 10 days later 6lbs lighter and I can eat anything again and only stay satisfied for about 3.5 hours. Ahhh, i'm going insane I want that feeling back :-) Oh well, i'm on my own again but I will not give up i'm currently at 199.4 (starting from 239) banded (7/23/08) and i'm going to get to 150 if i have to starve :-) MMM maybe that's going a little too far (lol) back to counting calories for me but my band does help me to be able to work with 1000 calories a day or else I don't lose a pound. So this is loose by any means necessary. Keep up the good work everyone. It's hard but we can do it!!!

Edited November 15, 200817 yr by SLIM SLY

I have a realize band that only holds 9cc. Now after 3 fills he said I have had put in 5 cc and still no good weight loss to me I have lost 30 lbs since March. I should of lost more than that. Very frustrated - Hartsdream@aol.com

I am similar to Hartsdream, I have a realize band that holds 9cc. I was banded 3rd sept, had 3 fills, I have 5cc and no restriction. I'm getting my 4th fill on Tues and I hope to god I get restriction! I am starting to get really frustrated, I go away in 1 1/2 weeks for a month so if this on Tues doen't work i'll have to wait till Jan to get another fill. I can easily eat 2cups of food with no problem. HELP, HELP, HELP!!! I want to scream!!!

I have a realize band that only holds 9cc. Now after 3 fills he said I have had put in 5 cc and still no good weight loss to me I have lost 30 lbs since March. I should of lost more than that. Very frustrated - Hartsdream@aol.com

Ihave the realize band too. I'm at 8.5 cc, I started to feel restriction at 8 ccs.

Had my first fill today was no prob , no pain and so interesting to watch it all on screen .

I have a 10cc band and I was filled to 6.5cc .

Is this too much for a first fill ?

Boy I can feel good restriction and I can get liquids down just fine but I heard this good restriction doesnt last long ? is that right ?

Best wishes

S xxx:thumbup:

Hello All!!

This seems to be a very confusing topic. I've read all I could find on the subject here in the forum and 2 theme's seem to be prevalent.

1- Everyone is different.

2- It takes a few fills (2-4 seems to be the average) before you start feeling restriction.

That doesn't make much sense to me. Why should it take a couple of fills to feel restriction. Is it so the fill Dr.'s can make more money? I've just started to eat food since my surgery 16 days ago. So I was a bit curious as to what and how much I could eat. I have a 10cc band with nothing added to it so far. As far as I can tell there is absolutely no difference then before I was banded. If it really does take a few more fills before the band starts working how do I continue to lose weight? I do plan on eating sensibly by getting on a calorie reduced diet but that seems to defeat the whole reason for getting the band in the first place! I would very much like to hear your experiences in this matter. Thanks so much!!

I just had my first fill today. The Dr. would only put in 3 cc in a 10 cc band. I don't feel any resriction at all. I feel like it is for them just to get more money.

I had my first fill last week and of course thought I would be the exception to the rule and have lots of restriction the first try! Of course I didn't so I will be getting another fill in 4 weeks. Fill er up! hehe

hello all!!

This seems to be a very confusing topic. I've read all i could find on the subject here in the forum and 2 theme's seem to be prevalent.

1- everyone is different.

2- it takes a few fills (2-4 seems to be the average) before you start feeling restriction.

That doesn't make much sense to me. Why should it take a couple of fills to feel restriction. Is it so the fill dr.'s can make more money? I've just started to eat food since my surgery 16 days ago. So i was a bit curious as to what and how much i could eat. I have a 10cc band with nothing added to it so far. As far as i can tell there is absolutely no difference then before i was banded. If it really does take a few more fills before the band starts working how do i continue to lose weight? I do plan on eating sensibly by getting on a calorie reduced diet but that seems to defeat the whole reason for getting the band in the first place! I would very much like to hear your experiences in this matter. Thanks so much!!

i totally agree with you mrboswell!!!

Hello All, I'm sure most doctors are different but I don't pay an additional cent for the first 90 days post surgery. That means that I won't pay for a fill until after the 90 day period. I honestly do not think money has anything to do with the timing and fill amounts ~ at least not with my Dr. While some of the other members of our group with medical experience can explain this better, I'm sure, you need to think about what's happening when they add fluid to the band. While the band expands, it impacts the organs surrounding the band. The more fluid added at one time - the more impact on the surrounding organs. To minimalize this impact, fills are done in small incremental amounts. Believe me, I am as frustrated as everyone else. I want immediate gratification! After 3 fills I have 4.5+cc in a 10cc band and I have no restriction. I'm going back for the 4th fill on December 8th. I'm hoping that fill will bring some type of restriction but I won't be surprised if that doesn't happen. Many report restriction at around 8cc and literally months [and months!] after surgery. My struggle is managing my weight during those months until the band starts to help me. Man o' man, is it a struggle! This site really helps keep me focused! Thanks to everyone!

Thanks for the reply!

It looks like I missed the most informative info of all in a thread called:

"How the Lap-Band actually works, fills and refills"

In it it says:

"Prior to receiving an EFFECTIVE fill, it is VERY uncommon to have any restriction from a Lap Band. Some patients will NOT lose weight, or may even GAIN weight until they have received an effective fill in their Lap Band."

So my new question is what have you done to continue to lose weight during this "search for the sweet spot" period?

Thanks again..........

Hey there.... hence the reason I started the thread! I have not lost a pound since surgery! Haven't gained any but I think that's just a matter of time! Every day is a major challenge ~ just like it was before the band! Today's strategy is to practice like I have the band. This was recommended by many others. So, eat protein first, then veggies. No drinking while I eat [a major challenge for me, the wine drinker!!!]. Lots of water. And some exercise. Then I'll be ready when I finally have restriction. But this is incredibly difficult... as expected. But I have tons of friends on this site to help!

I was banded on 3/18/08. My dr. is very conservative. He will only put 1 cc in on the first fill (none at surgery), then 1/2 cc at each fill thereafter. I have a 10cc band and I have 2 1/2 cc total fill now. (4 fills total). My restriction is usually good but I do need more about every 8 weeks however this last date for fill I cancelled as I am still losing and really concentrating on toning and exercising. My weight loss is a little slower but I am still able to keep my food intake down and healthy and exercise is increasing. So I will wait til after the holidays to see if I need a fill then. As you said, everyone is different.