Uhm... interesting response.

[tnm75]

I have my first fill scheduled for January 16. I asked about how long between first and second fills... wanting to schedule my second fill so that I can purchase an airline ticket as soon as possible. I live in the twigs and the sticks... and, flying out of itty-bitty-teensy-tiny airports can cost an arm and a leg. I was hoping to purchase a ticket for mid-February for my second fill as tickets are already approximately $500-$600... yikers. My response from the OCC was six months after my first fill for my second fill?! Perhaps I'll hold off on purchasing an airline ticket and risk paying a higher price.

So confused, Kristy

[DaGreen]

I was told yesterday 5-6 WEEKS I'd be confused too.

[Guest mansaw]

6 MONTHS!?!?!? WOW - I will definately be watching this topic as thats crazy...I dont want to have to wait that long if I dont have enough restriction!

[BrandNewDawn]

Kristy

I am pretty sure that they MEANT 6 weeks.

And, even then, I think it is more of a case by case thing. My husband has had fills less than 6 weeks apart at OCC.

Dawn

[AngelaAnn]

I have my first fill scheduled for January 16. I asked about how long between first and second fills... wanting to schedule my second fill so that I can purchase an airline ticket as soon as possible. I live in the twigs and the sticks... and, flying out of itty-bitty-teensy-tiny airports can cost an arm and a leg. I was hoping to purchase a ticket for mid-February for my second fill as tickets are already approximately $500-$600... yikers. My response from the OCC was six months after my first fill for my second fill?! Perhaps I'll hold off on purchasing an airline ticket and risk paying a higher price.

So confused, Kristy

The OCC makes you wait 4 weeks between fills (that's what they told me when I tried to schedule my second fill 7 days after the first)--trust me, within a week, you will know if you have restriction or not. I heard the front desk lady tell someone while I was waiting for my 2nd fill (four weeks after my first) who had the surgery the day before that they would probably only need 1 fill a year, maybe two and it made me and my dad chuckle. This usually is NOT the case (from what I've read on this forum). My advice to you is plan for your second fill--you will probably need it. And you will almost definitely feel a difference with your second one. It's been 9 weeks since my second one and I'm going to need a third one soon since my restriction is loosening. And yes, the OCC will charge you another $100 under fluoro. I don't have the guts to do a blind fill.

[Will T]

If you look at older bandsters, at the bottom where the signature is, many have dates of fills. There was a mistake. The first fill is not advised within 6 weeks of the surgery. My surgery was in April, and I've had fills within a 6 month period.

I would recommend calling TJ again and confirming it before you purchase plane tickets. A call is much cheaper than re-scheduling a flight.

There is also no "set" time limit between fills, though there are recommended times. I feel restriction within 24 hours of a fill. I've seen a couple of people get filled twice within a month. It all depends on your schedule, how well you respond to your fill, how aggressive you are towards acheiveing your goal, and your pocketbook.

Good luck with it.

[AngelaAnn]

If you look at older bandsters, at the bottom where the signature is, many have dates of fills. There was a mistake. The first fill is not advised within 6 weeks of the surgery. My surgery was in April, and I've had fills within a 6 month period.

I would recommend calling TJ again and confirming it before you purchase plane tickets. A call is much cheaper than re-scheduling a flight.

There is also no "set" time limit between fills, though there are recommended times. I feel restriction within 24 hours of a fill. I've seen a couple of people get filled twice within a month. It all depends on your schedule, how well you respond to your fill, how aggressive you are towards acheiveing your goal, and your pocketbook.

Good luck with it.

I don't understand your first paragraph. My first fill was 6.5 weeks after surgery--that's when the OCC scheduled it.

[nothereanymore]

I’ll take a stab; I’m pretty good at deciphering Will T

“If you look at older bandsters, at the bottom where the signature is, many have dates of fills.”

This means that many of the tickers have fill dates and the first one you see is normally 6 weeks after surgery (as long as we can get in) the second within 6 months and so on.... You wont find a ticker on mine – I’m the anti ticker queen…..

“There was a mistake.”

This means you should be able to get a fill sooner than 6 months – (like you did at 6 weeks) the six month statement was a mistake, you can have a second before 6 months....

“The first fill is not advised within 6 weeks of the surgery.”

This means that Dr. Ortiz generally recommends you to get your first fill 6 weeks after surgery, (Unless you have restriction and don’t need it)

“My surgery was in April, and I've had fills within a 6 month period.”

This means he didn’t wait 6 months and has had several fills within the 6 month time frame, most likely had the first right around 6 weeks if I remember correctly and his second 8 weeks after that..... or there abouts.

Best,

Lisa

[JazzyJude]

I’ll take a stab; I’m pretty good at deciphering Will T

“If you look at older bandsters, at the bottom where the signature is, many have dates of fills.”

This means that many of the tickers have fill dates and the first one you see is normally 6 weeks after surgery (as long as we can get in) the second within 6 months and so on.... You wont find a ticker on mine – I’m the anti ticker queen…..

“There was a mistake.”

This means you should be able to get a fill sooner than 6 months – (like you did at 6 weeks) the six month statement was a mistake, you can have a second before 6 months....

“The first fill is not advised within 6 weeks of the surgery.”

This means that Dr. Ortiz generally recommends you to get your first fill 6 weeks after surgery, (Unless you have restriction and don’t need it)

“My surgery was in April, and I've had fills within a 6 month period.”

This means he didn’t wait 6 months and has had several fills within the 6 month time frame, most likely had the first right around 6 weeks if I remember correctly and his second 8 weeks after that..... or there abouts.

Best,

Lisa

YOU'RE HIRED Lisa! LOL

I was going to take a stab too and you beat me to it. The only thing I was going to add is I was advised my first fill between 6 to 8 weeks post op. I had mine at 6.5 weeks out. Also was advised, after each future fills, you had to wait a minimum of 4 weeks before the next one, like AngelaAnn said.

Again, we are all different and react/respond differently like WillT said. My 2nd fill, I didn't feel my true restriction until 6 days later and I am still feeling the same a week later. So, it is hard to pin point a time frame for YOU. You will just have to listen to your band and if you feel you are using more willpower than bandpower, schedule a fill appt.

Hope this helps...

[tnm75]

YOU'RE HIRED Lisa! LOL

I was going to take a stab too and you beat me to it. The only thing I was going to add is I was advised my first fill between 6 to 8 weeks post op. I had mine at 6.5 weeks out. Also was advised, after each future fills, you had to wait a minimum of 4 weeks before the next one, like AngelaAnn said.

Again, we are all different and react/respond differently like WillT said. My 2nd fill, I didn't feel my true restriction until 6 days later and I am still feeling the same a week later. So, it is hard to pin point a time frame for YOU. You will just have to listen to your band and if you feel you are using more willpower than bandpower, schedule a fill appt.

Hope this helps...

I'm thinking perhaps it was a typo. Dr. Martinez is calling me today... I'm having issues with my large incision and he wants to talk to me --- I'll ask him about second fills. I'm looking for airline tickets mid-February for my second fill. I'll just be sure to purchase insurance incase I need to move it back or move it forward.

Kristy

[Will T]

Lisa was 100% right-on, and I'll bet Jude was going to hit it right-on too. Good luck Kristy and Happy New Year everyone!

[determination]

I'm thinking perhaps it was a typo. Dr. Martinez is calling me today... I'm having issues with my large incision and he wants to talk to me --- I'll ask him about second fills. I'm looking for airline tickets mid-February for my second fill. I'll just be sure to purchase insurance incase I need to move it back or move it forward.

Kristy

Kristy, I also had some issues with my large incision. I emailed Dr. O and he responded almost immediately. I did do what he said, plus I went to my local doctor like he suggested if I continued to have problems. They are so attentative at the OCC. When they give you that packet of phone numbers and email addresses, they truly do follow up. Good luck with your problem, I am sure that you will get the advice or help that you need.

Southwest Airlines is having a great deal on their tickets right now. I am booking my flight for 2/11/09 and it will cost me round trip $184.00 plus taxes and fees. Check it out. I also live in the boon docks. I have to drive 4hrs to the airport.

[snowbird]

You get subsequent fills when you need them. There is no schedule. I don't see how you can schedule a fill for months in the future, since who knows what your restriction level will be?

As everyone else says, the first fill is usually about 6 weeks after surgery. After that, they usually want you to wait 4 weeks before another fill, as your feeling of restriction may fluctuate. Sometimes you need an unfill, because the fill was too much.

As I've mentioned before, DH and I were banded the same day, over a year ago. I've had two fills total, and he's had five. We both seem to have about the same level of restriction right now, which we are happy with. This really isn't anything you can plan out way ahead of time.

[tnm75]

Kristy, I also had some issues with my large incision. I emailed Dr. O and he responded almost immediately. I did do what he said, plus I went to my local doctor like he suggested if I continued to have problems. They are so attentative at the OCC. When they give you that packet of phone numbers and email addresses, they truly do follow up. Good luck with your problem, I am sure that you will get the advice or help that you need.

Southwest Airlines is having a great deal on their tickets right now. I am booking my flight for 2/11/09 and it will cost me round trip $184.00 plus taxes and fees. Check it out. I also live in the boon docks. I have to drive 4hrs to the airport.

I noticed Southwest was having some great deals on prices! However, I have quite a drive to get to an airport that Southwest services. The planes from my area are those without overhead bins, no airline stewards except for the pilot, no bathroom and no drinks until I change plans in Denver!

[tnm75]

You get subsequent fills when you need them. There is no schedule. I don't see how you can schedule a fill for months in the future, since who knows what your restriction level will be?

As everyone else says, the first fill is usually about 6 weeks after surgery. After that, they usually want you to wait 4 weeks before another fill, as your feeling of restriction may fluctuate. Sometimes you need an unfill, because the fill was too much.

As I've mentioned before, DH and I were banded the same day, over a year ago. I've had two fills total, and he's had five. We both seem to have about the same level of restriction right now, which we are happy with. This really isn't anything you can plan out way ahead of time.

Snowbird,

Thanks for the information. I have my first fill on January 16 which is six weeks post-op. And, just purchased my flight for my second fill for mid-December... just waiting for Gloria to email me my appointment time for that Friday the 13th!

Kristy