I had my surgery on 10/15/09 and I am three weeks out of surgery. So far so good. I went to the Dr yesterday for my first post-op appointment and he told me to come back in two months. I told him what about a fill? ( I just have the band on, no fill at all. He said 25% of patients never need a fill and just to come back in two months for a check up. Has anyone heard of this? By the way. I have lost 24 lbs in 3 weeks! Im so happy and can feel it.:thumbup:

I have never heard of band patients never needing a fill. Most surgeons make their patients wait until 4-6 weeks post-op for the first fill. Unless you have restriction you will most likely be hungry all the time and have to rely solely on your own will power to lose weight. If this is the case, why would any of us get banded?

I think you need to talk with your doctor again and ask him "why" get banded at all if you don't need fills. If you don't need fills, according to him, is he just doing surgeries to take money from people? Something isn't right here.

My Doctor told me that some people never get a fill that the band in place is mind set enough.

Edited November 5, 200916 yr by wonderwoman2009

I had my surgery on August 31 and had my first fill on November 2nd. I lost 35 pounds during that time. Also, my band was drained during surgery. So, I had no fluid in it at all. I thought that I wouldn't need a fill either. I hadn't lost in 3 weeks and I was pretty much able to eat whatever I wanted. I now have restriction again and feel awesome

I don't think that he was saying YOU won't need a fill, just letting you know not to worry about it yet. I had my surgery in January and have not had a fill. Unless I start gaining weight, I don't think I am going to get one! Good luck!!!

I'd imagine the 25% statistic is a bit unrealistic and way higher than reality. Some people dont need fills, but it depends an awful lot on your internal anatomy vs the band you have.

I didnt need one for a good 12 weeks after surgery and have never ever needed to be very tight as I really got the exercise bug and run and do circuit training and boot camp and am very active generally so I can lose weight on a good 1500 calories a day. So I dont need a lot of fill to be satisfied on what is really an amount of food I could stick to for extended periods even before banding.

Others who need to eat only 800 to 1000 a day to lose obviously need more restriction - there's two parts to that - the ball is in your court in one way in that you control what you decide to eat and how much exercise you do but also your metabolism is what it is and you may have to eat very little to lose well.

I had my surgery in August and I haven't gotten a fill yet either. I have had two different fill appointments but the doctor and I both agree that I didn't need one. I have been losing steadily and I feel satisfied from the right amount of food. Everyone is different!!

I had my surgery in March and just got my first fill 2 weeks ago, up untill last month I had good restriction, lost 70lbs.

There is definately a mental aspect to it as well. When I got my fill I told my surgeon not to tell me how much he was putting in.. Again this is also something that can be mental, I see people focus too much on the amount if their fill and comparing it to other bandsters fills and I just don't want to put myself through that.

i have heard this. the nurse who took care of me lost 47 lbs in 7 months with no fill. its not necessarily a mental thing, its physical. the band is still creating a ton of restriction. its tight on the upper portion of your stomach and is cutting off most of your stomach. it makes sense and to say its just for the money is really ridiculous. there are some cases where the band alone creates enough restriction without any fills. then there are others who get filled, filled, and filled. it just depends on the person. some need more fills, some less, some none. each individual person is different. if you are losing steadily and your surgeon and you agree that you dont need it yet, then trust him. if you are plateuing, then that is another story. good luck!

My surgeon had me go back within a week post-op and again about 5-6 weeks after. At the 5-6 week point I did get a fill although I couldn't eat what I used at that point, but I could eat more than the recommended amount, and I had continued to lose weight even post-op, which I have been told is not the usual case. At each appointment since then he suggests I come back in 1 month, and I can call in anytime and come in sooner if I want. I did go back early and have a 2nd fill 3 weeks later. Since then I have been going back once every 4 or 5 weeks. No more fills but that's because we think I'm in about the right spot, or maybe a little tight.

That's my story - I think you should see how you are eating at about the 6 week point - if you can still eat more than the recommended amount without any discomfort - I would call and return sooner. My surgeon has also said that the ones who keep coming back for follow-ups do better.

Hope this helps

Funny this subject just came up with me. I was banded on Oct 1st. I called my facilitator yesterday and she said she knows several people who have never gotten a fill and some have lost up to 200 lbs.

The surgeon told me as long as I keep to 3 meals a day, follow the rules and continue to lose weight there is no reason to get one.

So I am going to do what he says and listen to my body and not follow some kind of calendar.

I like the idea of asking the fill person not to tell me how much they are putting in the band. One less thing to obsess over.

There are different size bands and some need very little in the fill category. My daughter was banded almost 2 years ago. She has a small 4cc band and has had some fill from time to time, but at this point, she feels that no fill is better. She has lost 95lbs. I am going for my first one this Monday, but I don't want very much, I just need a little help in the hunger department. We will see how it goes... Best of luck.....

My doctor made me wait 8 weeks to make sure the swelling went down, and I've done well with only 2.5cc in a 10cc band, but I have never heard of anyone not getting a fill.

What kind of band do you have with all thos restriction? I went to Mexico and got the Allergan VG band, It holds 14cc, I am 2 months post op and have only lost 18 pounds, I feel like I have no restriction! I have had 1 fill and have lost no more weight, should I ask for more saline?

my doctor told me the same thing some patients with the band lose weight with no fill. I actually met a woman who lost 60 lbs with no fill. For some people just the band being there is enough. No in my case I have three fills and have lost 143 lbs.

Rae