Big fill - 1.5CC for total of 7.75CC but no different restriction...

[claire0823 0]

I'm VERY concerned! I had a fill on Tuesday of 1.5CC in my band that already had 6.25CC in it for a total of 7.75CC. It's only a 10CC band. My weight loss had completely stopped for four months which is why i got the fill. I was able to eat way more than 4oz also. I switched back to regular food today and the band doesn't seem to be any tighter than it was before the fill. I'm worried that I've stretched my pouch which is why things don't feel any different with this fill. Can anyone offer some insight please?

[Pipa 0]

Hi,

I am kind of having the same problem , I am at 8cc and can still eat like normal. And my Dr. wont give me any more fills, I am so upset ans sad. I all ready gained back 10 pounds. I could also use some support. Good luck with your journey too.

[Jill 1821 1]

Claire-- I've only lost 31 lbs in 6 mo. my loss is very slow and i also have gotten very discouraged. I have talked with my nurse and have an appt for tomorrow to sit down and talk to them about my concerns. (Not just in and out with a fill) I have my food log that I am taking in as well. I have 7.5 cc in a 14 cc band. I can eat about anything I want. still having to use all willpower. Hopefully they will help. But you have to have your medical team behind you. Mine have beenn good to work with me. good luck.

[SherryW 4]

Jill sounds like you're doing the right thing and doing it timely. I waited far too long to get the "sit down" help from my provider. Anyway......it's great that you're going to bring your food journal and go from there. Everyone is so different in their band journeys but, the best one to know how it should be going is YOU. Be truthful in what you put on your journal, in what you tell the nutrionist/surgeon whoever you're meeting with and that way they can help you. Another thing is to really discuss how the fills are done and when they say you have 7.75ccs in your band is it truly in your band or is part of it in the tubing etc. I just had a go round with my provider and the administrator of the surgical department. Long long story but, in short...fills and unfills, revision surgery, fills and unfills for me. Four years later and I FINALLY was told some information about how fills work. There is no true science in putting in a fill so if they say they put in say 2ccs the next time they draw out only 1.75...that .25 is a big difference. As it was finally explained to me each provider does it differently but, when my provider says there is 2.5 in my band he means in addition to the "priming" saline that is in my tubing and my band. He said when he starts the band he primes it.....draws Fluid out and lets the band/tubing take the Fluid back in without him pushing the syringe plunger so it regulates or balances itself then he pushes in the "fill". Hence for me 2.5 on top of the primed liquid. So ask your doc how he/she does yours for a better understanding. I think it's great that you've made that appointment and I wish you the best!

Pipa same thing for you really. Do you know for sure how much is in the band versus tubing etc? Have you kept a truthful journal of your food intake? Your provider is there to help you give them a call Good luck!

[blksuperwoman40 0]

I dont normally reply to post, but I truely hope I can send a word of encouragement. I was banded in december 2007. In the first 6 months i lost about 30 pounds then came to a standstill. I went back for a fill and the guy told me he gave me 2 additional cc's which would have taken me up to 7.0. I felt no restriction and gained about 7 pounds back. 6 months later i finally went back for another fill. I was discouraged but also realized that without my band I proberly would have gained more. Anyway, when I went back a different person did my fill. She also told me that I did not have 7cc's in my band but more like 5.5. I did not have a leak, the other person just simply didnt do my fill correctly the previous time! Anyway, I had some restriction for a little while, lost only a few more pounds but did not give up. Now here it is 1 1/2 years later and i was only down about 30 pounds from my surgery weight.

I then realize that the band is a TOOL and i must use it correctly. i went for another fill and I decided that i needed to watch what I ate (healthy foods), the amount of calories i took in and I started going to the Gym or doing some type of exercise everyday. That was October 2009. I went to the doctor last week for a slight fill and I was down 25 more pounds! I lost almost the same amount of weight in 3 months that it took me in 1 1/2 years. I feel awesome...I have great restriction finally. I watch what i eat but i dont deprive myself. I treated myself to "bad" food over the holidays, but all in moderation. I can now eat a bite of cookie and be satisfied, versus needing to eat the whole cookie. Yes, the restriction helps, but i also realize that the Band is not the ultimate answer, but a tool to help you in this journey. Try to eat foods that are filling. Limit the junk food....I have learned to just say no and EXERCISE is the key!

I hear everyday, you are skinny...you are getting skinny! I still have 45 more pounds to go but i feel awesome!

Dont be discouraged. My band is finally working after 2 years! Well...ok, I am finally working my band after 2 years!

Surgery- 245

Current 193

Goal 150

[Jill 1821 1]

Just wanted to update those who wrote to me- and thanks by the way... The dr says my food journal look good, even a little under calories. So now we are going to look into my thyroid and have it checked. I know I am eating what I am told, I am not cheating! So for anyone else out there with this problem, there could be a secondary problem. My thyroid is very low. Going to try meds for that. Hope that is the answer.