6 years post-op bander needs advice

[Teakwood 0]

I've not been on the site lately. I am 6 years post op and have maintained a 40lb weight loss, 65 total (including pre-surg loss). I decided to have a fill this past week because I've felt like I had no restriction and could eat whatever, whenever I wanted. I try to follow the rules but it's been hard. Again, I've been maintaining but I'd like to lose a bit more. I currently have 1.2cc in a 4cc band. The dr added .3. I know that I can't go much higher because it will be too tight where Water doesn't go down. The first few days after this fill were great. Felt like I had my precious tool back. I've been drinking lots of Fluid, eating small amounts of Protein and veggies with no vomiting. However, I had bad reflux that started about 2 days after. It's constant burping. I made an appt for wed to have some removed if necessary. Anyone with a 4cc band find that finding the sweet spot is really tough? For me we're talking .3cc. I don't know if my dr will take out .1 or.2 or just want put me back to 1.2 where I had no restriction but no side affects. If you were me would you have some removed or since I'm drinking and eating keep going a bit longer to see if it will loosen? Or hold out a little longer and see if it loosens? I just don't want the reflux to damage the throat, stomach or band. Any advice for an out of touch old-time-bander?Thank you

[rn2012 6]

Hi, Im glad to see someone on here has had the band for 6 years on here. How has the band itself been holding up for you, meaning any erosions, slippage or rebanding???

I've not been on the site lately. I am 6 years post op and have maintained a 40lb weight loss, 65 total (including pre-surg loss). I decided to have a fill this past week because I've felt like I had no restriction and could eat whatever, whenever I wanted. I try to follow the rules but it's been hard. Again, I've been maintaining but I'd like to lose a bit more. I currently have 1.2cc in a 4cc band. The dr added .3. I know that I can't go much higher because it will be too tight where Water doesn't go down. The first few days after this fill were great. Felt like I had my precious tool back. I've been drinking lots of Fluid, eating small amounts of Protein and veggies with no vomiting. However, I had bad reflux that started about 2 days after. It's constant burping. I made an appt for wed to have some removed if necessary. Anyone with a 4cc band find that finding the sweet spot is really tough? For me we're talking .3cc. I don't know if my dr will take out .1 or.2 or just want put me back to 1.2 where I had no restriction but no side affects. If you were me would you have some removed or since I'm drinking and eating keep going a bit longer to see if it will loosen? Or hold out a little longer and see if it loosens? I just don't want the reflux to damage the throat, stomach or band. Any advice for an out of touch old-time-bander?Thank you

[Teakwood 0]

Hi, Im glad to see someone on here has had the band for 6 years on here. How has the band itself been holding up for you, meaning any erosions, slippage or rebanding???

Overall is has been very successful. I've had no slippage, erosion, or rebanding. I've only had one overfill and I was back in the dr office within an hour to get an unfil. A few years ago I had to have the band completely unfilled because of a stomach flu (not band related) and it seems like we've never hit that sweet spot again. But this past year I feel like I have no band. Like I said in the original post. Minus the reflux I feel like I have good restriction again.I'm happy to share my experiences with anyone.

[Teakwood 0]

Hi, Im glad to see someone on here has had the band for 6 years on here. How has the band itself been holding up for you, meaning any erosions, slippage or rebanding???

Overall is has been very successful. I've had no slippage, erosion, or rebanding. I've only had one overfill and I was back in the dr office within an hour to get an unfil. A few years ago I had to have the band completely unfilled because of a stomach flu (not band related) and it seems like we've never hit that sweet spot again. But this past year I feel like I have no band. Like I said in the original post. Minus the reflux I feel like I have good restriction again.I'm happy to share any of my experiences with the band.

[Jachut 487]

I've been banded almost 6 years and I was unfilled for 9 months of this pat year for another surgery. I've had trouble getting back to where I was - I've got more fill now (3.4cc) than I had taken out (3.2cc) but less restriction, very frustrating. My doc has been giving me 0.2cc fills and I'm going back on Friday and will ask for 0.1cc, so yes, you can have just 0.1cc taken out. I'm hoping this next fill does it - I dont have much left, although the tighter you get the more smaller increments make a difference, but I can eat a whole tuna sandwich (2 pieces of bread, a small can of tuna, lettuce)! There's not really a problem with that, its hardly a lunch that will turn me into a whale, but it just doesnt seem right.

I always say to people to be careful with trying to go too tight because I've seen from years on here that once you unfill your band, it does tend to work a bit differently when you refill it. I know mine isnt leaking and its been seen on CT scan and xrays for my cancer treatment which I was able to show my lapband doc, and its all in place and fine. Its just different. Its going to take more to get good restriction that it did. Although that might be because I'm about 10lb lighter than when I was unfilled. And that's 10lb off an already very thin frame, so there's probably no fat round my stomach at all now.

[Mimilou2004 13]

I think just 0.1 removed would work wonders....I wish you luck...the one thing you didn't mention was cutting off food and fluids at least 2 hours before lying down.....that can work wonders and eliminate the need for an adjustment.

Mimi

[Teakwood 0]

I think just 0.1 removed would work wonders....I wish you luck...the one thing you didn't mention was cutting off food and fluids at least 2 hours before lying down.....that can work wonders and eliminate the need for an adjustment.

Mimi

I am feeling better today. Not burping ALL the time so my chest isn't as sore.I'm still drinking fluids and eating soft and solid food and feeling full after a small meal. I will see how the next two days go but I think I want the dr to take out .1, the reflux is causing my throat and chest to be sore.The reflux has also brought post nasal symptoms back. I appeciated the advice. Wouldn't it be nice to have a 5 yr post op group? It's nice to talk with people who are at the same like stage in the band. Have a great night!!!!

[Cindy C 150]

I have a 10cc band and .2 can be a huge difference!

[Teakwood 0]

Wish me luck everyone,I have my appointment tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully a small amount of unfill will make the difference. I am still getting plenty of Water and eating small amounts of solid food but relying on soft foods. The reflux has greatly improved from the weekend so the band must be loosening. However, I still think it's too tight. This is going to sound gross but I have sinus/post nasal drip issues (it's what I had surgery and the unfill for) and the post nasal drip is back, a definite GERD side-affect. I'm back to feeling like I'm drowning in phelgm! LOL! Thank you again everyone for the responses. It's weird, I've been banded so long I forgot some of the headaches that come with adjustments!