My surgery was Sept 6, and I had my first fill back in early October - sad to say, it was a bust.

I have a 10cc band, and the NP decided to "push" it because I live in CA and travel to NY, where my doc is (I've committed to traveling once a month for the first year, though am in the process of looking for a local SoCal doctor for backup - any reccs anyone??)

NP filled me to 4.5ccs, and I don't feel full at all. I still have an appetite, don't feel full after eating, and am still seeking out food...I've made it my goal until my next fill (which is a week from today) to do the best I can, keep only safe foods in the house (which I do anyway) and maintain my weight until then.

I remember that post-surgery, the NP asked me to describe how I was feeling. I told him that I wasn't thinking about food and that after even half a cup of Soup, i was full and would feel sick just thinking about eating more. I had no cravings, had no urges to eat, and wouldn't even notice I was hungry until my stomach would gurgle and I'd realize it had been four or five hours since I last ate.

He told me that we would do our best to re-create that feeling with my fills, as he would call that being in the "sweet spot." I would have to agree - it was a great place for me and it's exactly what I imagined, post-surgery.

All that said, this fill didn't even come close.

I'd like to fill more next Monday, but of course don't want to get sick, etc.

Any reccs from people regarding first vs. second fill, the "sweet spot" for fills, and how you handled a "too little fill" situation so as not to gain before next fill?

I'm SUPER motivated to use this amazing tool to its best advantage!

Thanks all

OPL

after my first fill i actually felt MORE hungry than i did before the fill. i got my second fill 3 weeks after the first fill and was overfilled. i went back and got a slight unfill and i still haven't found that "sweet spot" yet.

my doctor is out of town, although not as far as yours is, and i had told myself i would go every month for the first year and that hasn't happened. i've gone 3 times in the past 6 months because it's a pain in the behind traveling so much. it seems like my body was just adjusting to the fill and i'd have another appointment.

i have 2 years of free fills so i'll be traveling for awhile. i hope you find a closer doctor for fills soon!!

How are you getting through? The good news is that - at least from your ticker - your weight is still going down (that's the right direction !)

How do you stay motivated?

I felt nothing on my first fill, second fill got me some restriction and my third fill last week got me a LOT of restirction.

I am very happy with my surgeon in San Diego, see below:

Where in Southern California are you looking for a fill doctor?

I'm in San Fernando Valley, but could go LA basin side, Valley, San Gabriel Valley (Glendale, Pasadena, etc) - anything's closer than NY, right :thumbup:?

I don't know if Dr. Owens does fills on patients he hasn't banded, but my surgeon's office is in San Pedro. His website is Coastal Center for Obesity, Gastric Bypass and Lapband Weight Loss Surgery in Los Angeles and Orange County, California - maybe give him a try!