Lap Band Fills

The proper adjustments of your lap band have proven to be equally as important as the band surgery itself. If your series of band adjustments is not successful, you are very likely to be unsuccessful in losing weight.

Most medical practices use a cookbook or a recipe for typical band fills for a patient at your stage post-op. Oftentimes this is sufficient, but many times, this technique can be inadequate and might not suit your individual needs. It could end up being too tight which will require you to come back after a few days and have fluid removed, or it may be too loose and you won’t feel the restriction that you need.

At BMI of Texas, each of our lap band fill procedures are done under direct vision using a fluoroscopy (x-ray) machine. The advantages of this method include:

1. Easier port access- During the procedure, we can actually see the port, so it is very easy and only takes a few seconds. This also leads to less pain when accessing your lap band port.
2. Personalized band adjustments- We are able to see exactly how your lap band is working. We provide you with the exact amount of fluid that you need, which leads to maximized weight loss potential and less need for band unfills.
3. Comprehensive understanding of your band and how it works- Band fills can be very reflective visits. Using our x-ray, occasionally we are able to detect eating behaviors that may be adversely affecting your weight loss journey. We can talk to you about how to modify your eating and help ‘re-teach’ you healthy eating habits.
4. Early detection of complications or conditions requiring intervention- Adjustable band surgery is very safe, however, there are life-long risks of erosion, slippage or swallowing problems. At BMI of Texas, each of your lap band adjustments will be done using the fluoro machine, which is able to test for each of these potential complications each and every time you have a band adjustment. This way, these issues can be detected and prevented or treated before they become a difficult problem.

The amount of radiation exposure involved in this procedure is minimal. Each visit usually only involves just a few seconds of radiation.

We will gladly offer EMLA-cream to anesthetize the skin prior to the procedure for patients that are afraid of needlesticks.

At BMI, we frequently have patients asking us to make sure their band doesn’t need to be tighter. This technology allows us to see how tight your band is at any given moment.

Our personalized aftercare program at BMI of Texas will help you maximize your weight loss after Lap Band surgery. We welcome patients from other practices, even after surgery, who are in need of comprehensive follow-up care. Call for your appointment today, 210-615-8500!