Lap Band Fills and Adjustment

What is a fill?

The Lap Band is an adjustable device. It can be “filled” to achieve the level of restriction each patient requires to lose weight.

When do I need a fill?

A properly adjusted band should restrict your eating to about a third of your pre-procedure intake. If you can eat more than a third, you may need a fill. Remember, you must be eating mostly solid foods since the band is designed to restrict only solids. If you are eating mostly soft or liquid foods, we cannot evaluate the need for a fill since these foods will easily pass through the band even when properly restricted. After about a year, some patients find while they are eating only a third of their volume, selecting their food wisely and eating only solid foods, but still not loosing weight. This may also mean they require a small adjustment to “fine tune” their band to resume weight loss.

How much is right for me?

The precise fill can only be determined for each individual at that moment in time. This means, if your fill volume (1 to 3 mls) results in the perfect restriction, this may not be the case several weeks or months later. A number of things determine the right fill such as your weight, (the more you weigh, the thicker your stomach is). As you lose weight and your stomach gets thinner, you may need a tighter adjustment. The adaptation of your esophagus and stomach also play a role in restriction. Sometimes when air is caught in your band (when your band is new), the amount of fill may vary after a couple of weeks. Thus the liquid does not seep out, but air will diminish the total fill volume.

What to expect

We perform fills in our office. We do this by accessing the port under the skin with a thin needle. This is a quick and painless procedure. The whole procedure takes only a few minutes.

We will expect you to be on liquids for a day in order for you and your body to get used to your new fill.