I am in the process of all my pre surgical tests....the doctors have not really talked about fills but I am curious so here are the questions I have if anyone has any answers!

Is your band empty when you come out of surgery?

How long do you wait before your first and in between fills?

How much saline does the band hold?

Does anyone have a full band?

If you ask your doctor to be aggressive with the amount he puts in your band for optimal weight loss will he/she?

Can you request a fill or does the doctor have to advise it?

Anything else you want to tell me please do and thank you!

Is your band empty when you come out of surgery?

Mine was, some surgeons do put a little saline in though.

How long do you wait before your first and in between fills?

My first fill was 6 weeks post-op. I have to see my doctor once a month for the first year (whether I think I need a fill or not). But if I feel that I need a fill sooner than a month I can get one. He only recommends that I wait at least one week after a fill before I go back.

How much saline does the band hold?

Depends on what kind of band you have, mine holds 10cc's

Does anyone have a full band?

I don't, it is about half full right now.

If you ask your doctor to be aggressive with the amount he puts in your band for optimal weight loss will he/she?

That is an individual thing some doctors are agressive and other are too cautious. My doctor allows me to decide (within reason).

Can you request a fill or does the doctor have to advise it?

Another individual thing. I have seen some people say that they must wait at least a month between fills, some six weeks, regardless of how well they are doing.

I can request a fill any time I think I need it. Of course my doctor will ask the necessary questions to make sure that I fill is what is needed (am I eating right, how long do I stay satisfied, am I losing weight etc.) but so far he has never turned me down.

Thanks Jodi! That was very helpful!

Is your band empty when you come out of surgery?

Yes.

How long do you wait before your first and in between fills?

I didn't have to wait long. My surgery was 12.02.08 and I had my first fill on 12.28.08. I have an appt for the end of January. My first fill was 2.8cc.

How much saline does the band hold?

Mine holds 10cc.

Does anyone have a full band?

Yikes, not me.

If you ask your doctor to be aggressive with the amount he puts in your band for optimal weight loss will he/she?

Absolutely. He will allow me to make most decisions within reason.

Can you request a fill or does the doctor have to advise it?

Well my first fill my doc recommended and during that appt we scheduled my next appt. He definitely makes it known that it's a individual thing and to let him know how I'm feeling in terms of hunger, weight loss, etc. He wants me to be happy and successful, so he's willing to do whatever it takes. I really love my surgeon. :thumbup:

I have found so much desparity between docs that you could get a million different answers to your questions so I think the best thing to do is ask your doc these questions. Good luck. I was banded 11/10 and have had 2 fills, my 10cc band has 5.2 in it and I am ready for more:)

Is your band empty when you come out of surgery?

my doctor filled mine to 3cc

How long do you wait before your first and in between fills?

My first fill is going to be 6 weeks after surgery. After that its about every 4 weeks.

How much saline does the band hold?

I think mine holds 10cc

If you ask your doctor to be aggressive with the amount he puts in your band for optimal weight loss will he/she?

normally they will fill a little and let you sip on Water to figure out how much would be the best for you

Can you request a fill or does the doctor have to advise it?

My doctor just says every month until you reach your sweet spot and then after that you request it but every doctor is different.