Do you have to get fills for the rest of your life.

ladysplenda · September 25, 2005

How often the first year do you have to get fills?

Do you have to do this for the rest of your life?

Why do you lose restriction over time?

thanks

ladysplenda

It's me-Debbydo · September 25, 2005

Everyone is different so whatever is said just know it's propable not exactly for you.

Most people will have several adjustments within the first year. My Md said not much more after that. He also said most people will lose all their excess weight within the first 1-2 years. Which seems to be pretty acurate from what I've seen on this board.

I've had two fills up to 2cc in total. Going from one to 2 was way tooo much for me. I had an unfill down to 1.5cc and I really think it's still too restrictive but I am making band friendlyier food choices for now. I'm sure after the holidays if it's still the same I'll have .25cc out again.

Hope it helps.

Good luck on your journey! Keep us posted.

Fauxnaif · September 25, 2005

It depends on the person. I've had my band over 3 years and I think I have had 4 fills.

Potentially, yes, we have to have fills the rest of our lives. For its adjustability (its best feature), the band does require more follow-up than any other surgery.

Alexandra · September 25, 2005

Fills are a matter of personal need and want. Once you've lost the amount of weight you want to lose, no additional adjustments should be necessary. The good news is, though, that if you WANT to have your band adjusted--either tighter or looser--you always CAN.

In the active weight-loss phase people can experience significant lessening of restriction as they lose weight, because there's less fat in the stomach area as well as everywhere else. As the stomach tissue thins out the restriction may ease, allowing the patient to eat more and slowing the weight loss. So at that time a small tightening might be in order.

Most people do need multiple adjustments during the active weight loss phase. But it's entirely personal as to how many adjustments that means, and how long after surgery that goes on.

La_madam · September 25, 2005

That is totally up to the individual, I had 3 fills and lost 90 lbs, then I was unfilled for 2 months back in April and had two fills since June 20th. I have 1.5 cc's in a 4 cc band. I could use more fill most likely since my weight loss is very slow, but for me personally, I'm trying to do alot of this on my own and not rely on my band since I have lost the majority of my weight all ready. It's also nice to know I still have over half capacity left in my band for future fills in the event I do ever choose to get another one. I was going to get one on OCt 31 when I go down to TJ for my endoscopy but I have changed my mind and I'm not going to get one, I still have times with this 1.5 when eating is tough for me. I know most of my problem is what I eat, not whether or not I have restriction. I just need ot make better choices. This past week I posted my meals on the food journal thread and for me that really makes a difference in my choices and how much I eat. SO Iam going to continue doing that for a while and see if I can get that darn scale to move again downwards

ladysplenda · September 26, 2005

Thank you all so much.

Jachut · September 26, 2005

I dont quite get this. If you get to goal still losing 1lb, 2lb a week, wouldnt you perhaps require a slight unfill to halt weight loss?

Alexandra · September 27, 2005

I dont quite get this. If you get to goal still losing 1lb, 2lb a week, wouldnt you perhaps require a slight unfill to halt weight loss?

That is theoretically possible, of course, but I've never heard of anyone actually needing to do that. As you lose weight the restriction tends to lessen by itself, and of course there's the simple fact that the smaller you are the fewer calories it takes to sustain you. The same exact diet on which a person loses weight slowly at 200 lbs might not cause weight loss if that person weighed 150 lbs.

Jachut · September 27, 2005

Ah of course, I hadnt taken into account the lessing of restriction as you lose weight. So you might only be able to eat say 1200 calories a day at 200lb but maybe 1500 at 130lb type of thing.

princess_n_thep · September 27, 2005

My doctor recommends that even if you don't need a fill, you should have a flouro check at least once a year.

Fills are very individual. Try not to compare yours to others. I was obsessed about getting a "normal first fill" then about getting a "normal second fill". Its all up to the person. I feel perfect right now and I have 2.6 cc's. But even if I don't get a fill, I will go back within a year to get a check done.

Parvathi · September 27, 2005

One of the things that the doctor stressed before I went into this, was that I would require follow ups, for the rest of my life. Whether this will include fills or not, only time will tell, but I am at peace with the fact that every so often, I'm going to have to go in and have a sit down with the doc and talk about my band.

To me, its a small price to pay, considering the new lease on life it's given me.