Fills at beginning

When you first started getting your band filled, how often did you wait before fills if you didn't yet feel restriction?

I have an 11cc Realize Band that was placed empty.

i got my first fill at 4 weeks post op (saw my surgeon at the 1 week mark and was released to go back to work).

Before leaving the office, I scheduled another follow up for 3 weeks later and got a smaller fill.

As I left each appointment, I scheduled my next one ....3-4 week intervals for the first few months and then 6 week intervals until I got to goal.

 

Most visits I got a small fill, but sometimes I just visited with my surgeon and decided that my fill level was fine.

i don't put much stock in the word or concept of "restriction".

i weighed and measured my food and ate small bites, small amounts and stopped eating and waited for satisfaction to kick in.

i lost weight slowly but consistently for 18 months following that model.

Great details!! Thanks!!

How much did you get at your fills in the beginning? When did you feel your band working for you?

I read that some surgeons base it on weight loss- if you're losing no fill. That seems silly. Everyone can diet, its just not sustainable.

My first fill, he tried 5cc ...and that was too much, so he removed 1cc

The 

Realize Band fill protocol is more aggressive because it is a little more pliable than Lapband.

Honestly, I always assumed the band was working for me.

i visualized it like a belt and that even empty, it was more help than I had before it. So I assumed it was helping me eat less and so I ate less.

i made a point to cut sweets out of my life about 10 weeks before surgery and when I started to eat protein first, and such tiny bites,food became much less interesting and I got a bit bored with it.

once I started losing big (3-5 pounds per week), I just kept going.as I was losing, every 15 pounds or so, I needed more fill because my  stomach was shrinking.

I went in once a month for a checkup the first year and we'd discuss whether I felt I needed a fill and there were a few times I didn't feel I needed one. It is always better to go on the loose side with fills because being too tig, ever! That is a scenario for disaster! My band was put in empty so my first fill was 2 or 3 ccs and then either .5 or a full cc on the trips after that until I hit about 7 ccs then I didn't need anymore for months until it started getting tight on it's own. Then it was unfill time a couple of times at 1 cc each time. After that it was still feeling tight so I had it emptied since it wasn't doing anything to help me anyway. Just remember that a tight band is NOT what you want.

Thanks for the info. I'm absorbing what everyone is saying about "tight" and the fine line and fluctuations.

To be transparent, I worry about arguing with the doctor. It's partially the "fat brain" (always trying to convince people that I wasn't gorging on pizza and donuts, etc), and partially legit. After a foreign surgery and strict dieting for 6 weeks, I'll be a lightweight (still overwright). I want to be sure I'll actually be allowed to use my tool so getting to a semi functional fill level will be important early.

Thanks!

Its been awhile...I think I went every month. I believe he started with 3cc in 10cc band, then 1cc each month. I liked being conservative. Gave me time to learn the band and band foods. I don't remember feeling much until around 7cc in the 10cc band but back then I was on the boards all the time and everyone was so different in feeling the restriction. It is very individual. Some felt restriction right away and some took a while. Its trial and error. Most important thing is not to be too tight. I wish you the best on your band journey!

Thanks!!

I'm used to the post op diet since this is the second rodeo so I want to get the show on the road! After healing of course, and not for vanity, but I need to stay engaged. Harder in some ways with revision (easier in others).

Your info is helpful and I appreciate it!

When they placed my band they "primed" it with 3cc.  The band held 10cc but the tubing and port hold fluid also.  Than we got a 3cc fill at 8 weeks, after that you could get a fill every 4 weeks.