Post Surgery: Why Am I Seeing More And More Surgeons Put Saline In The Band At The Time Of Surgery?

[Summerrain 520]

I had 4.2mls put in my 12ml band at surgery, have had three fills and am now at 6.2mls seven weeks after my op and have hit the green zone , so far have had no problems.

[Riker990 6]

I had 3cc in my band post-op. What my surgeon told me was she puts saline in to make sure nothing is leaking, and leaves it in there, generally 2-3cc. At the first fill, they take out everything to measure how much is in there and then add it back with the new extra amount. I'm curious now, does everyone do a barium swallow post-op? I'm wondering if maybe that's taking extra precaution because there is some Fluid in the band already?

[Puppypaws57 137]

I had a barium swallow post op. I thought it was because my first band was defective and they were just checking to make sure things were ok.

[sharklove82 10]

I was banded in the us, and my surgeon but almost 6 cc during surgery, without me knowing. I had somewhat of a set back due to tightness and lump in my throat feeling. My other doctors " his colleges", emptied my band and we babied my process...

[prettysmart1913 48]

My surgeon said he does it to flush the band to avoid installing a faulty band. He also has some 1500 surgeries and has found very few people who have hit the green zone at 2-3 CCC's which is what they put in. My first fill is at 4 weeks and I'll get taken to 5cc's. They feel on average that it takes between 6-8 to get to green.

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

i think jean pretty much explained (why/how come etc).

and allowing myself to (chime in), i would assume it is up to the individual surgeon to if they wanted to fill the band at time of surgery. (i would assume during the placement of it). my surgeon did (not sure how much until i get my first fill). i think practicing Portion Control and good sense can help 100% until someone reaches (their green zone if they ever do).

(again, bandwagon author jean stated that pretty clearly).

[pcosmommyof4 13]

I had 3 ccs put in my bamd at tge time of surgery. I was,told that the purpose was because my band holds 14 or16 ccs, I dont remember which.

[kll724 3,055]

When I had my surgery done in 2009, my surgeon did not pre-fill the band at surgery. But, when my son had his surgery done, same surgeon, he pre-filled his. I am not sure why he changed his procedure. Karen

[justathing2me 146]

I did ask my Surgeon before surgery if he was going to put anything in my band at the time of surgery and he said he was going to give me a "head start". He did put 3.6 cc's in my 10 cc band. So far, I have not eaten over 1/2 cup of food at a meal and I can go about 3 hours (sometimes longer) between meals. I am also averaging about 600 calories a day and that is up from last week when I returned to the gym. My calorie goal is 1000 and I'm sure the more I go to the gym the easier that will be. I have lost 15.5lbs since my surgery 8/1. If needed, my first fill is scheduled for 9/17.

[kll724 3,055]

I did ask my Surgeon before surgery if he was going to put anything in my band at the time of surgery and he said he was going to give me a "head start". He did put 3.6 cc's in my 10 cc band. So far, I have not eaten over 1/2 cup of food at a meal and I can go about 3 hours (sometimes longer) between meals. I am also averaging about 600 calories a day and that is up from last week when I returned to the gym. My calorie goal is 1000 and I'm sure the more I go to the gym the easier that will be. I have lost 15.5lbs since my surgery 8/1. If needed, my first fill is scheduled for 9/17.

Sounds like you are doing fine! Congrats to you and your weightloss! Karen

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

I had 3cc in my band post-op. What my surgeon told me was she puts saline in to make sure nothing is leaking, and leaves it in there, generally 2-3cc. At the first fill, they take out everything to measure how much is in there and then add it back with the new extra amount. I'm curious now, does everyone do a barium swallow post-op? I'm wondering if maybe that's taking extra precaution because there is some Fluid in the band already?

I didn't get a primer fill during my band surgery. I had a barium swallow the next morning. My surgeon said it was to check that my band was in the correct position and draining freely.

[marketingdude 79]

I did ask my Surgeon before surgery if he was going to put anything in my band at the time of surgery and he said he was going to give me a "head start". He did put 3.6 cc's in my 10 cc band. So far, I have not eaten over 1/2 cup of food at a meal and I can go about 3 hours (sometimes longer) between meals. I am also averaging about 600 calories a day and that is up from last week when I returned to the gym. My calorie goal is 1000 and I'm sure the more I go to the gym the easier that will be. I have lost 15.5lbs since my surgery 8/1. If needed, my first fill is scheduled for 9/17.

I hope I get my "head start" when my surgery date comes. Because my doctor is TJ and aftercare doctor is 4 hour drive away here in Illinois (and the cost of the first couple inititial fills)....seems to me.....(in a person in my scenario) its wise to get a "head start" and get a primer during surgery.

HOWEVER, my doctor will know what is best....and will gladly yield to his recommendations.

[Maddysgram 6,159]

I hope I get my "head start" when my surgery date comes. Because my doctor is TJ and aftercare doctor is 4 hour drive away here in Illinois (and the cost of the first couple inititial fills)....seems to me.....(in a person in my scenario) its wise to get a "head start" and get a primer during surgery.

HOWEVER, my doctor will know what is best....and will gladly yield to his recommendations.

Marketingdude, Do you know what kind of band Dr. Kuri uses?

When discussing different bands with my Bariatric Surgeon, my choices being Realize or LapBand, he told me that the Lapband sees to have more restriction from the get go than Realize. I have talked with a number of people that have lost 100lbs. with Lapband and have never had a fill. I'd be afraid to have a Lapband and a fill and find out it was too tight right from the start.

Just thoughts I'd chime in... Thoughts???

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

Marketingdude, Do you know what kind of band Dr. Kuri uses?

When discussing different bands with my Bariatric Surgeon, my choices being Realize or LapBand, he told me that the Lapband sees to have more restriction from the get go than Realize. I have talked with a number of people that have lost 100lbs. with Lapband and have never had a fill. I'd be afraid to have a Lapband and a fill and find out it was too tight right from the start.

Just thoughts I'd chime in... Thoughts???

I know your question wasn't addressed to me, but I thought I'd chime in too and mention that the old 4 cc band (no longer in use in the USA) is favored by some Mexican surgeons because Allergan sells it there at a deep discount.

[Maddysgram 6,159]

I know your question wasn't addressed to me, but I thought I'd chime in too and mention that the old 4 cc band (no longer in use in the USA) is favored by some Mexican surgeons because Allergan sells it there at a deep discount.

You can chime in with me any day!!!! :wub:

I heard that too Jean. These are the questions people need to ask before going into surgery.