What is a LAP-BAND Fill?
Posted by Adam Yarbrough on Mon, Jan 11, 2010 @ 01:12 PM
A common term among LAP-BAND Patients is a LAP-BAND Fill. Actually, a better term is a LAP-BAND adjustment, because sometimes a LAP-BAND Fill visit is actually an unfill.
How a LAP-BAND is Filled
An adjustable gastric band (commonly referred to under the brand names LAP-BAND System or REALIZE Band Solution) is a weight loss device that has three main components: a band that restricts the upper portion of the stomach, a catheter port that sits on the muscle wall of your abdomen (underneath the skin and fat) and a catheter tube that connects the band to the port.
When a patient visits a LAP-BAND fill center for an adjustment, the medical provider will stick a needle through the skin and fat to the port. Don't worry about this hurting, because at Weight Loss Surgical Center, our providers use a numbing agent on the skin. You may feel movement, but it should not be painful.
Also, at Weight Loss Surgical Center, we access the port under fluoroscopy guidance. Fluoroscopy is like a live X-Ray, and the provider can watch the needle go into the port, so he or she can hit it on the first try without less risk for an unsuccessful fill or accidentally hitting the catheter tube. All of our port sticks are done with X-Ray guidance at Weight Loss Surgical Center so we can reduce those risks and make sure your fill is effective to help you lose weight.
Once the needle is securely in the port, the provider will inject saline, which travels through the port and catheter tube and into the inner part of the band. The band's soft core inflates like a sturdy water balloon to increase the band's restriction on the patient's stomach, so food will flow through more slowly, and he or she will feel fuller longer with less food.
How much should a LAP-BAND be filled?
I see a lot of people on websites posting how many CCs of saline are in their bands, though this is not the best idea. Every LAP-BAND Patient's sweet spot is different. Some may achieve feelings of restriction with only a few CCs and some others may need a full band.
It is important for LAP-BAND Patients to remain patient while first waiting to get that feeling of restriction, as some people may take months to achieve it.
In most practices, there is a set standard of how many CCs a patient should get at each visit after their band is placed. Each month a few CCs are added until the band gets to that person's sweet spot. If it becomes too tight during the process, the provider may perform a small unfill to get the fit just right.
At most of our locations, Weight Loss Surgical Center uses the flouroscopy machines to check the tightness of your band and bases the fill amount on how your band is interacting with your stomach on an individual basis, instead of a set protocol. The practitioners who use this method prefer it because it helps them spot complications early and it helps patients reach their sweet spot sooner.
Why would I get an unfill?
If your band is too tight, you'll probably notice because it will be uncomfortable when you eat, and you may have trouble keeping food down, even if you make sure to chew food very thoroughly and in small bites. This can be a distressing experience, but once the band is loosened, relief is nearly instant.
There are a number of other reasons people get fluid removed from their band, including:
- Pregnancy
- Major illnesses
- Hitting the goal weight
During pregnancy or a major illness, your provider may recommend removing fluid to ensure you get the extra nutrition you may need during those trying times. And once you hit your goal weight, it might be appropriate to reduce the restriction a bit so you can maintain your weight without losing more.
Though it may seem complicated at first, that adjustability of the LAP-BAND is one of the major reasons why it is a popular choice and why it works for long-term weight loss success.
Make an LAP-BAND Fill appointment with one of our providers to learn how we can help you lose weight.