Dr won't fill tight enough...

[Sheer 1]

So I had my surgery in June and have lost a little weight (15 pounds). I have had 4 fills. I am going in again Thursday. When I ask my Dr. what the size of my band was he was weird about telling me. Making me feel like I was weird for asking. He finally told me it was a 14 cc band. Then when I ask how much he is putting in for a fill he avoids the subject and tells me it doesn't matter as long as it is tight. The problem is it's not. And I swear he makes me feel like I am crazy for saying its not. Near as I can figure he fills 2 cc's at a time. So I am about 8/9cc's. Anyone else have a weird situation like this? I would find another dr but I have free fills till Oct. And to go to a new dr would cost me about 600.00 It's just alot of driving and time off work.

[bgn 0]

my dr normally does 2cc at a time.

the closer i got to restriction, the fills got smaller.

as you get closer even .5cc can make a lot of difference and be enough.

slow and steady wins the race.

[vlp1968 83]

Your doc. should be listening to you more. I would say get a new doc. but you explained why you don't want to. I would go in with specific "data". Tell the doc. exactly what your eating and how long you stay full (if you get full at all. Don't let the doc. make you feel wierd for asking questions, it is a very legitament one. My doc. is totally upfront about the size of my band and always tells me how much he's going to put in and what that brings me up to. Don't be afraid to stick up for yourself! Good luck.

[ElfiePoo 109]

Sheer,

Why do you feel it is not tight? I have a 14 cc Realize Band and was told that most get restriction between 7 and 8cc although it varies by individual.

.

[Sheer 1]

So maybe he was filling. I just found out I have a leak in the balloon part of my band. I have to have the surgery over again. I am so sad!

[ElfiePoo 109]

So maybe he was filling. I just found out I have a leak in the balloon part of my band. I have to have the surgery over again. I am so sad!

Look on the bright side. At least the problem will be solved! :thumbup:

.

[BetsyB 9]

Well, the fill process is, indeed, a gradual one--they can't simply fill 'er up all at once, because a too-large fill causes excess swelling.

So, the process of achieving appropriate restriction is frustrating.

My doctor uses fluoroscopy for all fills--when I leave his office, my band is always appropriately "tight."

Until I was toeing the line of restriction, though, I never felt that way--as the swelling receded (if there even was swelling; very early on, there was not), I felt the same as I had before.

But eventually, you do reach a point where those incremental little fills start making a big difference. My doctor started out with 4 cc fills; now I think he's giving me 1 cc or less each time. (As you approach and reach your sweet spot, you might lose track of how much you have in your band and how much you get---it's not something I pay attention to any more, now that we're just fine-tuning.)

I agree that your doctor's lack of communication is odd--bariatric surgeons tend to break the paternalistic, I-know-what's-best mold typical of surgeons in other specialities, and usually are more forthright. But it seems as though you've got an old-school dude who doesn't think patients "need" that pesky information.

In your shoes, I'd very simply say, "I know you don't feel it's necessary for me to know, but I disagree. It's my body, and my band--and while I know you are doing things just the way they should be done, to me, information is important---and when you are reluctant to share it with me, it sends the wrong message. Again, I know you're doing things correctly--but your reticence to share sends my information-needing mind in a different direction. To work together effectively, I really just need some simple information. Not because I don't trust you, but because that very information is what allows me to trust you. In exchange, I will share with you information that allows you to make decisions about my care."

And then do provide that information. Tell him what and how much you eat, and how often. Tell him how long you are satisfied. Tell him how many hours elapse, after eating, before you become ravenous again. This information will help guide him as he helps you achieve the appropriate level of restriction.