Should I know the size of band I have and is it important to focus on how much "fill" I have in the band to determine whether or not I have restriction? Would it be better to not know ANY of the above information and just concentrate on how I feel in regards to satiety and fullness after eating a small amount of food? If I stay full after eating for 4 hrs does that mean I am appropriately restricted? I am trying to figure out the variables in order to figure out when/if to get another fill (I am very early in the game and trying to figure out how it is determined if you get another fill). Then you have to also factor whether or not there has been any weightloss..............It seems confusing and I like things very concrete!!!!

Hi. I've seen this debate on here before. Some people want to know everything about their band and fills (me) and some don't think the the numbers matter. If you are eating a small amount of food, staying satisfied for 4 hours, and losing weight, then I would see no reason to get a fill. The times I've gone to get fills were when I was not full after eating the amount I was supposed to be eating, not staying full for anywhere near 4 hours, and not losing weight - they kinda all go together in my mind. It took 3 fills to get real close and 4 to get there for me.... but as you know from reading posts on here - we are all different, our bands are different, our bodies are different, and our doctors are different. Well now that I've made that as clear as mud for you.... I'll say good luck to you. It can be confusing and I, like you, like things to be more concrete... black and white... working on getting over that since getting banded :)Take care. Becky

I think you should probably know the info, in case you're ever in a medical situation where you need to give someone the info (just like you know what you're allergic to, or you know your insurance even if you don't know exactly what's covered etc). Otherwise I don't think it much matters; totally up to you. They all function essentially the same and the "perfect" fill level is different for every person, and it changes for every person too depending on weight, life situation, etc. So it just depends on your personality, besides the basics.

I agree, I think the info is important, but I also agree that sometimes you can know too much.

I totally disagree with fluoro as a filling tool for example. It makes the doctor think HE knows best what the right fill is, it makes the doctor thinks HE knows when you're overfilled, it leads to overly agressive fills that 'work' whilst you're there in the office drinking Water but then tighten up way too much over the coming days. Ditto to drawing out fill to check the level before filling - my doctor's surgery has a policy NOT to do this because it leads to way more overfill/swelling/overtightness problems that just adding a tiny bit of fill to the top of it.

I personally believe its best just to go slowly and cautiously rather than thinking all this information means its OK to put in a big fill.