Lap Band Fills Control Weight Loss

What is a Lap Band Fill?

The Lap-Band System is a silicone ring designed to create a new smaller stomach pouch that can hold less food while maintaining a sense of fullness. The band controls the stoma (stomach outlet) between the new upper pouch and the lower part of the stomach, regulating the flow of the food. The surgeon can change the stoma size by adding or subtracting saline inside the inner balloon through the access port. This adjustment process, known as a fill, helps drive the rate of weight loss.

Preparing for a Fill

There should be NO food in the upper pouch when a patient arrives for their fill. It is suggested that only liquids be ingested on the day of the fill procedure to flush the stoma and ensure that there is no food remaining in the pouch.

The Lap Band Fill Procedure

Fills are performed at our facility along with a fluoroscopy. This test allows the surgeon to see the band placement and stomach before and after administering the fill, to ensure that the fill amount is sufficient to provide the restriction level required for continued weight loss. The procedure takes no more than 15 minutes on average and is relatively painless.

The First Fill

Following the Lap-Band System placement procedure, the band is usually left empty or only partially inflated. This enables the patient to get acquainted with their band and allows healing to occur around the new band site. Adjustments are not usually performed until 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, although the exact time will vary from patient to patient. To determine this, Dr. Kuri will consider current weight loss, the amount of food the patient can comfortably eat, their lifestyle adjustments, as well as the amount of fluid currently in the band.

Lap Band Fill Frequency

It is important to remember that some time prior to your first, second or third fill, you may not feel any restriction to eating at all. This is quite normal. You may feel that you can eat anything and everything. Try to focus on a high-protein, low-carb diet during these periods. While it's rare, there have been a number of cases where patients only need one fill to lose all their excess weight. If everything is working properly and your restriction level is good, you should not require additional visits.

If you require a fill, please contact our office.

Dr Kuri administering a fill

The band is adjusted to control the intake of food and thus the rate of weight loss.