Advice on band sizes and fills - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

waterbottle · 04-06-2008, 04:01 AM

I wanted to ask you all who have had gastric bands who decides when the band is full enough.

I have got a AP Small Band which I am told holds 10cc in total.

I have got 7.5 cc in my band and wondered as I have still got over 30lbs to loose if it still possible to have more in it? I have been told I am nearly full so were does that leave me?

Some people seem more worried about over filling yet I have never had that problem, I want to get al my weight off by August which will be the 12 months before I will have to start paying for the fills?

Any one offer me any advice please or tips and ideas to speed up the process to get to my target

JulieCzar · 04-06-2008, 08:42 PM

I wish I could help you, I have some of the same questions myself. It is my understanding though, that the fluid will evaporate and need to be filled up from time to time, even if it was full previously.

mine66 · 04-07-2008, 10:55 AM

hiya
I have been banded for 14mths, now i think it depands on how you feel and what you can eat, if you feel you can have a bit more put in without it being too tight ie not being able to drink water or swolow your own spit then go ahead, but do be very careful as being over filled is so not nice,or you could have a fill under Xray that way they can see was your restriction level is without over filling your band, trust me you dont want to be overfilled do hope this helps
mine

waterbottle · 04-12-2008, 04:04 PM

I have been told that I have a Ap Small Band and that the 7.5cc i have is about the fullest I can be.

I guess it comes down to what we eat and how we eat it now.

I have another 2 stone to loose yet and will tryto eat less and different foods.

Patsy · 06-09-2008, 12:34 PM

You have done so well ...but I understand you wanting to get to your goal.

I only got 2 free fills when I had my band....you must have paid more than me maybe?

I think you have to find the 'sweet spot' which is a fill that only lets you eat a very small amount, but I'm sure you know all about that already.

Berry · 06-19-2008, 06:22 AM

What exactly is that sweet spot? Is it when you eat a small amount of food you feel full and can't possibly eat another bite?? If so, I don't think I'm there yet! I can still eat a good portion (not as much as before the band) and still not feel full. I have a 10cc band, filled to 1.75 cc. Perhaps I need another fill? I got that fill last Wednesday. How long must I wait for another?

Patsy · 06-19-2008, 09:20 AM

Yes Berry thats just it I believe.

The thing is, each time I had a fill, some time later the restriction I felt at first would go and I really think that it was because of the 'slow puncture' thing I had...I may be wrong.

But my surgeon always used to take out whatever was in my band before he refilled just to check how much was actually in there.

Always... some had evaporated...now i dont know if that happens to everyone or not, he did say that it sometimes happens, the fluid just disappears into the body.

What I'm trying to say is this...you may have had a fill of say 2mls for example but next time you had a fill there may only be 1.5 mls left.

I'm sure someone will correct me if this is wrong, but I have read similar on another weight loss forum.

imwiththeband · 06-20-2008, 05:02 PM

You'll know when you hit the spot or the "green zone." I have a lg band (I believe it holds 10ml) - got a fill of 4ml about 5 weeks post op. Still felt like I could eat whatever. Then last week (a month later) I got another 1.5ml...what a difference. I now know what "restriction" means. Can you say "death by bread?" I could eat bread a month ago, now it makes me ill. I am not complaining, I just think that I finally have enough restriction to have to be much more careful. Doc took the original 4ml out and it was still there. Just like Patsy said...they'll withdraw it to see how much is left, than put it back in, plus the new amount.

Good luck to all of you band members!

Linda

imwiththeband · 06-23-2008, 11:14 PM

When did you have your lap band surgery? Was this your first fill? I had to wait a month between fills, but am not sure how long you really need to wait. I think you can go in again right away, but am sure it depends upon your doctor. They all seem to have differing opinions on the lap band.

Worked4me · 07-06-2008, 04:28 PM

I am have heard that the 10cc bands can hold up to 15cc's. I have the smaller 4 cc band and my last fill (9 months ago) brough me to 4cc's and I was told that the 4cc could go to 5.5 cc's. I hope that helps some.