Odd colored saline?

[lauragshsu 6]

I went in for a fill today. I haven't had a fill since May of last year, but have had several unfills. I thought I was at about 2 CC. When the Dr pulled out the saline, there was only about 1.7cc, but that's not the weird thing. The weird thing is my saline was an orange-iish yellow and very cloudy looking. The Dr thought it was odd and completely emptied the band, filling me with new, fresh saline. Has anyone else experienced saline discoloration?

[Dave_NW 92]

I haven't had that problem, but the PA who does fills at my surgeon's office told me she always draws out some saline when doing a fill to check the color. She said discolored saline may indicate a leakage of some sort, especially if the volume in the band is lower than expected. Since you had less in your band than you expected, as well as the discoloration, you may want to explore the possibility of a leak with your doctor.

Good luck!

Dave

[Kalipso2 25]

hmmm that IS strange! all my unfills have been clear. usually they take all the fill out and refill with the increased amount to make sure there is no leakage.

did your doc think that the color was the only thing strange and not that you were missing .3cc?

i guess if your doctor isn't worried you shouldn't be either but i think i'd go back in and have it checked in a month or so.. if you don't have to pay for fills.

[lauragshsu 6]

The doctor seemed a bit surprised by the color (not the quantity) but didn't seem concerned. Then again, this is the same surgeon (not mine, but the other one in the practice) who didn;'t seem at all concerned that my initial lapband incision hadn't closed up after more than seven months.

[ER_Nurse32 0]

Strange....I havent had my first fill yet..but Im a nurse so your post interested me. When I hear your color has changed I think..hmmm there is some sort of contanmination. Saline bags sit for years and remain clear, Unless there is some way of bacteria (I.E hole) getting in. You have not had any flu symptoms, pain or changes? It should be a completely sealed system so there should be no sort of saline loss. Im not a doctor, but I would follow up with that closely and may have them do a change again in a month or so (Thats if you are not having any symptoms of infection) just to check the amount and color.

I hope all stays well!!

Lisa

[mountain 0]

The saline in my band is a dark electric blue colour. (I just had my surgery last week, but needed a defil a few days later as I couldn't even drink water! They put 2cc into my band during the surgery itself). The nurse told me they colour it so that it's easy to ensure you are pulling out the right fluid!

Maybe yours was intentionally coloured as well?

[AlienBandit 10]

For the first few months after I was banded my saline would come out blue. My doc said it was coloured to make sure there was no leaking. Now it comes out clear because he changes the saline and gives me fresh saline each fill.

Once I was having problems with my stomach and he suspected a leak, infection or erosion so he checked my fill and said if the colour of the saline was different ( not clear or blue) it could mean something was wrong like one of those three things.

Maybe you should have an endoscope check? I dont mean to freak you out, but usually a change in colour means something is going on.

Good luck and keep us posted

[lauragshsu 6]

The filled me under flouroscopy this past time. Every other time they've filled or unfilled me, my saline was clear. I'm not having any other odd symptoms. Might call the office tomorrow and ask to speak to my surgeon to see what he thinks, to see if there's a leak somewhere. I hope not: I've already had three surgeries (first surgery and two to remove an infected port {let me heal} and then replace the port).