small fill and having major problems.

[lynmcg 9]

Hi..... About a month ago I had 3cc taken out of my band with only 1cc remaining because of problems created when I had the flu the end of March. My doctor took xrays to make sure the band hadn't slipped because of the coughing and heaving I did with the flu. It ended up showing that the band was sitting mainly horizontal on my stomach instead of a slight angle but not a definite sign that it had slipped and my lower esphogus was slightly swollen due to food piling up above the band when I was to tight. A month went by and everything was fine and I went to my appt. Friday had about 1cc put back in. Now I'm struggling with acid reflux, which kept me up all night even after taking a prilosec, eating is a chore and drinking liquids is iffy at the most. Now back to the doctors again to see what going on. So I'm not sure what happend but now it seems that I went from 4.5 cc in my band to only being able to handle 1cc. The flu did a number on my band and now everything is screwed up. Kind of disappointing. Has this happened to anyone else? Thanks for listiening.

[PrincipalsOffice 16]

I haven't had this issue due to the flu per se, but I have had issues with teeny tiny fills... it seems the band is really very fincky and once you start messing with it, it takes a lot of time to settle down. For me anyway.

Back in the fall, I had an Upper GI for my Crohns disease. Everything looked great for both my crohns as well as the band placement and pouch. However, the barium was taking FOREVER to go through the opening. The technician was concerned and even though My Dr nor I had any concerns... it was 8 am, it was barium (YUCK!) and my band is super tight in the morning, my dr took out 1.25 cc (at that time I had 9.75 cc in an 11 cc band).

So I was down to 8.5 ccs. Now mind you, it had taken me 6 fills and almost 10 months to start losing weight to begin with, so I was not happy with this prospect....

I gained weight immediately. 5 pounds in a WEEK! So I went back in and we inched back up. I got .5 cc and a month later another .5 ccs. So, 2 months later, I was .25 ccs lower than I had been (I had been at 9.75 for about 2 months before the unfill with no problems). I started having reflux, constant coughing every night, all night long. Vomiting after meals. It was awful. This despite the fact that I take nexium for my Crohn's. I stuck it out for about 3 weeks, and finally went back for another unfill. Back down to 9.0.

The problems went away immediately. Slept like a baby that night. A month later got .2 put in. Did fine. That was a month ago. I've been very hungry in between meals and only losing about a half pound a week. So I went in last week and got anohter .2 cc. putting me at 9.4 cc. Remember, still below 9.75 where I was 6 months ago and doing great.

Well, guess what? For the last 5 days, nothing but vomiting, night coughs, reflux. The whole 9 yards again. Now, I've lost 7 pounds, but I also thought I was going to lose my mind. So, back to the doctor this afternoon and back down to 9.0.

So, I just think my band has a mind of it's own. My eating habits and the way food goes down, the amounts I can eat, and the hunger I feel says it is not too tight. But the side effects I am having says it is....

[lynmcg 9]

Hi, Sorry to hear your having problems. You are so dead on about the band having a mind of its own, I mean how crazy is that? I did see my doctor yesterday and she was so wonderful about listening and adjusting the band again. She told me anytime I need her to adjust something to have her paged and she'll meet me at her office. I did learn though that they would rather have you be comfortable than to tight and swollen. So, now I'm feeling soooo much better but at the same time very loose. I actually ate chicken tonight for supper without any problems at all. It was kinda of a nice feeling not to get stuck but now I need to be very, very careful until my next appt.

As I was reading your reply I was thinking maybe you need another 1 cc taken out so you can also feel better? Just a thought. Thanks for your reply and take care.

I haven't had this issue due to the flu per se, but I have had issues with teeny tiny fills... it seems the band is really very fincky and once you start messing with it, it takes a lot of time to settle down. For me anyway.

Back in the fall, I had an Upper GI for my Crohns disease. Everything looked great for both my crohns as well as the band placement and pouch. However, the barium was taking FOREVER to go through the opening. The technician was concerned and even though My Dr nor I had any concerns... it was 8 am, it was barium (YUCK!) and my band is super tight in the morning, my dr took out 1.25 cc (at that time I had 9.75 cc in an 11 cc band).

So I was down to 8.5 ccs. Now mind you, it had taken me 6 fills and almost 10 months to start losing weight to begin with, so I was not happy with this prospect....

I gained weight immediately. 5 pounds in a WEEK! So I went back in and we inched back up. I got .5 cc and a month later another .5 ccs. So, 2 months later, I was .25 ccs lower than I had been (I had been at 9.75 for about 2 months before the unfill with no problems). I started having reflux, constant coughing every night, all night long. Vomiting after meals. It was awful. This despite the fact that I take nexium for my Crohn's. I stuck it out for about 3 weeks, and finally went back for another unfill. Back down to 9.0.

The problems went away immediately. Slept like a baby that night. A month later got .2 put in. Did fine. That was a month ago. I've been very hungry in between meals and only losing about a half pound a week. So I went in last week and got anohter .2 cc. putting me at 9.4 cc. Remember, still below 9.75 where I was 6 months ago and doing great.

Well, guess what? For the last 5 days, nothing but vomiting, night coughs, reflux. The whole 9 yards again. Now, I've lost 7 pounds, but I also thought I was going to lose my mind. So, back to the doctor this afternoon and back down to 9.0.

So, I just think my band has a mind of it's own. My eating habits and the way food goes down, the amounts I can eat, and the hunger I feel says it is not too tight. But the side effects I am having says it is....

[peaches36 0]

Yes I know exactly how you feel. I just had a complete unfill 2 days ago.(5cc) I had a virus and was very sick as well with heavy coughing and a lot of throwing up. Which got me very swollen. I have been banded now for almost 2 years and have been very successful with my band,so this is very scary for me since I can eat a lot more than usual. However I am doing GREAT. Good luck and hang in there.