A Lap-Band fill---a minor procedure that allows your doctor to customize the fit of your band---occurs during routine office visits and takes only 10 to 15 minutes, according to the NewHope Bariatrics (NHB) website.
Frequency
After an adjustment period---four to six weeks after surgery---you have your first fill procedure. Most patients have five to eight fills during the first year, reports NHB, and occasional fills over the years.
Adjustment
Using a thin needle, your doctor will access the band through your port to inject or remove saline. The goal of an adjustment is to reach the optimal "green zone" for portion control and weight loss.
The Green Zone
The green zone refers to the ideal fit of the band, explains NHB. Patients in the green zone have the correct amount of fluid in their bands, feel satisfied after small meals and are losing an appropriate amount of weight.
The Yellow Zone
Patients who do not have enough fluid in their bands are in the "yellow zone," eating without feeling full and not losing weight. These patients need to have fluid added to their bands.
The Red Zone
Patients in the "red zone" need to have fluid removed from their bands, according to NHB, due to difficulty eating, regurgitation and/or night coughs.
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