[redE2b1lessphatchick]

I believe this "thread" is out to any lap band person but if anyone knows the answers I appreciate any input. I was reading the boards up top just for lap band people and what they had written concerning the questions they had pertaining to "fills" and knowing when it was right? The right amounts? The amounts their surgeons put in the band at a time? So how does this become determined? Was all this stuff that I should have interviewed my surgeon pre-operation that I failed to do? Should I have found out how agressive he was going to be with my fills and how involved he was going to be with me in my journey of success pre-operation? I understand that my success if practically all dependent on my own choices that I am making for myself, but obviously I went through what I went through for a reason. I know that I am responsible for me, but he is supposed to be along for this journey with me. I understand the questions that I stated above are a few of the questions that I need to be asking my surgeon on Wednesday when I see him. What are some other important questions. I was trying to brain storm with some of my family and friends and they were coming up with a few questions but they were more questions directed toward the nurtionist. It appears that I draw a blank. I keep re-reading the entries from above and am in-shock at what a "guessing game" and "educational process" it is. It appears that you maybe getting a fill more than every three months to get the fill right ... to fine tune it? I do not remember the member's name off hand but for example how she was doing her part and exercising and watching what she was eating but because she was her surgeon would not fill her band so she had to sabotage her self and gain 2lbs just to get her band filled??? What kind of sh*t is that??? I do not want to have to encounter that.

Any information would be great. Good questions that I can ask would be so very helpful, because like I said I am drawing a blank and you know how at the doctor's office they like to treat you like an assembly line and get you in and out and I want to be able to get the time I am paying for!

[missangelaks]

oops, sorry! I posted on the wrong one... I have not had the band, I am having the RNY.

But, I do know that the surgeon or an associate does do your follow up fills, putting a few cc's of fluid by needle in the ballon part of the band through a bladder under the skin to adjust the size of and time it take the food to leave, the pouch area. If you are at a plateu or have gained or if you are unable to keep more then liquids down...they put in or take out the fluid.

i wish I could help more, but I am very, very sure that someone more knowledgable then I will answer your thread! LOL

Good luck, my friend.

Angela

[TheStorySoFar]

My surgeon goes by how much weight is lost in the amount of time between appointments (usually 6-8 weeks) as well as how much food you are able to eat (should only be like 1-2 cups, if that. I can rarely even eat that much at this point. ) to determine if a fill is needed.

For me, it took three fills to be done (not including the small amount of saline put in my band during surgery) for me to get the "full" feeling without having to tell myself to stop eating. Seems that most folks that are banded at my surgeon's office have had the same number of fills done on their band.

As far as amounts go, my surgeon determines how much to use by the size of the band that was used. I had no clue there were different size bands until I went in for a follow-up about three months ago.

I hope this helps in a little way at least.


~Story