Ok heres my question. Is it possible to loose without getting fills. The reason i ask is ive lost a fair amount of weight since my post up diet. I have never had a problem loosing, just keeping it off. Im pretty motivated to start exexrcising and getting in shape. The band so far has gave me a great start. I just dont see the point in getting fills if you are loosing and can keep loosing comfortably. I know its there if i need it and i know i will need it to keep the weight off, but not so much to take it off

I was banded on March 24 2009 and I have lost 51 lbs since surgery, I have not had a fill and my surgeon says " enjoy the ride" If I am losing and am satisfied then fills can wait. I am able to eat anything with the exception of fluffy breads, toasted is fine. I have great restriction if I stay away from slider foods, and a fill will not stop the slider foods. So my plans are to just hold off until it's a must. My surgeon said that I have a 10cc band and it was put on snug. .

Some great insight on this topic. I think I have pushed the envelope faster then I should of, but I am already playing while walking 18 holes of golf and I am 9 days post op, at about 80% golf swing speed as before, no pain at all. I posted early on this topic that I too questioned about a fill since I am still losing weight.

Well, LOL, I am still losing weight, but I am now getting hungry more often, and found that I can eat with little restiction. I still eat in moderation, but feel I could still go on. I still plan on waiting till the weight loss stalls, but, maybe a little more restriction could be in order for me.

Thanks,

Mike

Mike, 9 days post op you're probably still on mushies, it makes sense that you are not staying full very long. I noticed that once I stuck with solids like chicken, turkey and pork, I stayed full until my next meal. If I eat puddings, or too many Protein drinks I am hungry too soon.

This may be the same for you as well. Just my thoughts :cursing:

Julie

The psych lady at my surgeons office mentioned that some people (usually men) find that they get enough restriction just by having the band there and never feel the need for fills. She said that women typically need fills because of all the estrogen. I'm not sure how the estrogen comes into play, but I thought it was interesting.

Well for whatever reason, I will be canceling my upcoming apointment, I still have great restriction with no fill yet.... And I'm a female.

I think it can be just as much mental as physical. It makes me wonder if some banders rely on the fills too much..

You don't have to have a fill. You are the one that controls whether or not you feel you need one. Based on the information that you can only eat tablespoons of food, it sounds like you don't need a fill. Just because you are scheduled for one, don't feel as though you need to. You have lost a lot of weight in a short time. I think you are doing great!! Let us know how you do

The psych lady at my surgeons office mentioned that some people (usually men) find that they get enough restriction just by having the band there and never feel the need for fills. She said that women typically need fills because of all the estrogen. I'm not sure how the estrogen comes into play, but I thought it was interesting.

I don't know how the estrogen comes into play, but I do remember my surgeon telling me that women tend to carry their fat closer to the skin while men's fat is more internal and around their organs. He said that makes placing the band an easier procedure on a woman then a man....so I guess that as far as feeling restriciton goes this could go toward explaining why some men my feel more restriciton with little or no fill (possibly more pressure on the band from surrounding fat tissue).

Just my personal insight....lol

Mike, 9 days post op you're probably still on mushies, it makes sense that you are not staying full very long. I noticed that once I stuck with solids like chicken, turkey and pork, I stayed full until my next meal. If I eat puddings, or too many Protein drinks I am hungry too soon.

This may be the same for you as well. Just my thoughts

Julie

juju you are absolutely right. I had this problem for almost a year now. I became too tight in the band and forced me to go toward more liquidy foods, and higher in sugar. It was no fun and made me almost resent the surgery.

I recently got some taken out. Now I can eat solid foods once again, small portions and I'm done in 20-30 minutes *WITHOUT PAIN*. I don't believe you should feel any pain while eating as long as you take small bites and chew really well. My solids now last up to 4-5 hours. This is how the band was designed to work.

Anyone out there, if you feel you may not need a fill THEN YOU DEFINITELY DONT! Do not risk becoming too tight. Too many bad things will happen, up to the possibility of losing your band altogether. Take it easy and slow.

I was banded on March 24 2009 and I have lost 51 lbs since surgery, I have not had a fill and my surgeon says " enjoy the ride" If I am losing and am satisfied then fills can wait. I am able to eat anything with the exception of fluffy breads, toasted is fine. I have great restriction if I stay away from slider foods, and a fill will not stop the slider foods. So my plans are to just hold off until it's a must. My surgeon said that I have a 10cc band and it was put on snug. .

Wow! Great job!:smile: