Tip for today: How to Get a Good Lap Band Fill

How to Get a Good Lap Band Fill

First off, fills are usually given 6 weeks to two months after having lap band surgery.  Most people will need a fill, a few do not.  Talk to your doctor to determine if you are in need of a fill.  If you are needing to have a fill, which is just a short way of saying having saline added to the band, this article tells you what you need to know as far as prepping to get a successful fill.

Water is your friend.  You need to be well hydrated when you get a fill.  Make sure you are getting six to eight full glasses for several days prior to your fill.  Critically important is to make sure that you have enough fluids on the morning of your fill.  If you fly in make sure to drink eight ounces of water for every hour your journey takes.  You can bring an empty water bottle through the security check point and get it filled on the plane.

Do not eat any solid foods within six hours of the fill and do not have a big or later dinner on the evening before.  Fluids the night before are indicated if you've been having any trouble with slipping or reflux.  Nothing but fluids should be consumed following the dinner.  Any food left in the pouch at the time of fill will make it impossible to obtain a good fluoroscope image or fill.  You'll still pay for the fill, so make it worthwhile by following these directions.

Avoid cold liquids an hour before the fill because they can cause the stomach to shrink and mess up the fluoro reading.  Room temp is fine.

It takes about two hours post fill for swelling to develop.  When it does you may need to come back if you are over filled.  If you travel a great distance it's best to stay overnight if possible.  This is in case you are overfilled a little fluid can be extracted before you leave.  Overfills are not common, but they do happen.  If you were home before you found out, you'd need to travel back to have the unfill performed.  This is especially important if you are going to Mexico or other country to get your fills.  Last minute plan fares are super expensive.

Following your fill you should only consume fluids for at least twenty four hours.  This gives the stomach time to heal and get used to the tighter band.   After the fluids a day of soft food should be undertaken and then finally solid foods.

When you should not get filled.  If you are having any trouble such as PB or vomiting with your current fill more often than once per week at the most or if there is any regular pain or if you are unable to eat or drink properly as it is.  A fill may worsen things.  As always a doctor needs to be consulted.  You might even need to have your current fill reduced if you are suffering from these things.

Other things about fills that are good to know.

If you are a woman, do not get a fill during or just before your menstrual period as the water retention will cause the fluoroscope and fill to be inaccurate.

You should live with a fill at least two weeks before deciding you need more.  If you are maintaining a healthy weight loss, that is the ultimate indicator rather than a feeling restriction usually.  Remember what you eat is very important.  If you are choosing soft foods, junk foods, sweets, high calorie liquids, the restriction will have little impact.  Only solid foods are useful for telling if the band is filled the right amount.  Try a test meal of 2-4 oz of meat and one half cup veggies.  You should be able to eat this and stay satisfied for three to four hours.  Also remember to eat regularly.  If you are hungry five hours after lunch it's not because your band isn't tight enough, it's because your really hungry and need to eat.  Regular meals help you avoid snacks and convenient calories that sabotage your weight loss efforts with lap band and work to normalize your metabolism.

Review the eating / food guidelines before fills.  The fuller your band, the more it's necessary to be very strict with your eating.  Things you might have eaten before will now cause discomfort or PB's.  You really need to learn to recognize when you've eaten enough.  Common signs you've eaten enough can include tightness in the chest or a feeling of fullness, a hiccup, a burp, etc.  When you see these signs it's time to stop eating.  Continuing to eat that this point can cause PB or slimming or other undesirable consequences not limited to, but including not losing weight.