Help!!! I was banded on June 9 with an Inamed and have had no fills since my surgery. After my swelling went down, what restriction I thought I had went away. I have only lost 1 lb. in the past 4 weeks and I keep going up and down a pound or two.

I just called my doctor's office and asked if he would give me a fill at my appointment on Monday. I was asked if it was a "fill appointment". I told them it was my 7 week follow-up. They said that he probably wouldn't give me a fill and that he'll want to assess the situation before he gives me anything. I'm so angry because I had this surgery so I wouldn't have to starve myself or feel hungry all the time. My doctor thinks I should have restriction even without a fill. He told me that he has one patient who's just over 6 months with no fill and still has awesome restriction--well good for her, but I don't!!!! Can I demand a fill? And what do I do if he still won't give me one?

Tricia H

Thanks for your comments and help. I just returned from a support group that my doc leads and it turns out that he is very new to the lap band and hasn't done very many surgeries. He was seriously asking the lap band patients (3 of us out of 65+ people) about our experiences and feelings because he's so new. He's trying to learn more from our experience to help his future banders.

I do have a good doctor--I believe he's one of the best because he's very meticulous about his work as a bariatric and general surgeon. After talking with them regarding frustrations and everything tonight, I think they're just so new at lap band surgeries that they don't know what's normal or not normal. I also don't think there's a good line of communications between him and his office staff so lines get crossed often. He did mention one patient 6 months out again, but also mentioned that she's struggling too. I never knew until I came to this site that most people don't have restriction until they've had a fill. That was good news to me because before I read that detail, I felt like a failure because I was soooo hungry all the time. Now I know that I'm not a failure, I just need a fill!! Thanks again.......

I know my post came across as impatient, but actually, I have not felt any restriction for almost 5 weeks. I am to the point of feeling desperate. I just came here to vent my feelings because I thought that's what this whole site was about. I have since read other posts pleading for answers and advice, they too felt discouraged and desperate and I was honestly seeking help. I am only trying to stand up for myself and get what I paid for. I didn't pay $17,000 to be hungry all the time, starve myself or return to taking diet pills.

I'm terribly sorry you felt like you were not getting the support you wanted. Part of support is giving you the honest truth. Sometimes it isn't what we want to hear, but often it is what we need to hear.

If you are hungry, EAT. The time in-between is the toughest. The band cannot work without a fill, but if you are not healed, a fill can hurt you.

That is all I am trying to tell you. You will get your fill, but you have to trust your doctor.

You have every right to be pissed & frusterated. The begining of my 7th week is when I had my first fill. I told the doctor that I hadn't lost any weight for the last two weeks which was true. Also even though I had only tried bread one time- that an entire pita went down with no problems at all. He said that normally if his patience can eat anything at this point he gives them a 1.5 cc of a fill. I said I was leaving for a trip the next week & didn't want to be too filled so only to give me 1.cc. He agreed. well since my trip was delayed, I now think I may go back for that .5cc- I don't have too much restriction but will wait to see if I am losing 1 to2 pds a week first. I think its crappy what your going through. You need straight answers & need to be able to reach the Doctor when you need him. Confusion isn't what you paid for. Even in the inamed handbook it stated that the normal fill is "around" 8 weeks out - that means give or take a week in my book. I hope you get your fill & do incredible with it!

Christina -

Thank you so much for your support!! I don't think I need a fill because I'm not losing weight--but because of how hungry I always am and because I can eat white bread, dry Jerky, anything I want since 3 weeks out and I have never PB'd. (From what I hear that's a good thing)!!!

I am doing a Protein only diet right now and even though I'm eating more times than I should be with the band, I am trying to keep it to 3 oz. at one sitting. Back to dieting until I get my fill. I have also started taking diet pills to help curb my hunger. I don't want to gain back what I've already lost but I don't want to go hungry all the time either. Good luck to you on your journey and thank you again for your encouragement.

Tricia H