Is my lap band working ?

I had my lap band put in 2 weeks ago. During the first week I couldnt eat much before I felt so full. Now it seems I can eat almost as much as I could before. Has anyone else experienced this problem? I told my Dr and she said she likes to wait to do fills until about 4-5 weeks after surgery. Should a "fill" fix this problem ? Any info would help. Thanks, Steve

Hi Steve, I'm pre-op and not doing a band, so feel free to take my post with a grain of salt here, but I think bands aren't even filled with saline until 4-5 weeks post surgery. The "full" feeling you got initially was from swelling around the band in response to the surgery alone. Therefore, it would seem that how you are feeling is completely normal and that after your band is filled you will notice more assistance from the tool.

Steve, You need to post this on the lap band message board. They can give you a lot more advice. A few months ago someone did ask about eating right after having her band put in (I think she went and ate a steak) and they told her she could hurt herself and stretch out her pouch by eating so much. You need to give everything a chance to heal. Good Luck, Peggy

Steve, This is totally normal. Your band is empty now, it shouldn't really be doing much. Your first fill won't be a magic bullet either, it takes about 3-5 fills to get it right. Be patient, you are right on track! Dr. C

But, Dr. C, should Steve be eating as much as he is? ( I'm also looking into this procedure and am trying to find out as much as I can about the band.) Won't it hurt him? Peggy

As long as he's not eating until he's uncomfortably full, he won't hurt anything. Might not lose a lot of weight, but won't likely hurt anything. C