Slow Leakage? Is This Normal???

[Xann77 0]

Hi! Well I went in for my second fill today -- had a first fill of 1.3 cc's a little over a week ago. When she put in my second fill, she noticed that I only had about .5cc's left in there!! So, where did it go!!? She told me NOT to jump to the conclusion that I have a leak yet because evidently this is pretty common (about 50% ) in her patients between the first and second fills. And it's been noted in the medical journals/conferences -- a mysterious disappearance of the first fill. Some people think it has to do with air bubbles being left in your band after surgery... I've heard some people talk about osmosis, dehydration, etc.??? I'm trying really hard not to freak out and worry that I have a leak. When she put in the fill today, she ran three "tests"... injecting it and then pulling it back out again, in order to confirm that the same amount was still there... and it WAS! (thank heavens!). So, at the very least, it's not a major leak...

Anyway, she filled me up and I think I'm feeling restriction for the first time ever... my question is, has anybody gone through the same thing or have any information about the possible causes of leakage after the first fill?? What's the deal with "osmosis, dehydration, etc"?? Thanks!!!

Suzanne

[Xann77 0]

So I guess no one has any experience with this? I'm the lone leaker! :)

[mini_me 3]

I have heard of this before. I've read about it here on LBT. I bet if you keep bumping this, someone will notice and direct you to more information. Do not worry yourself just yet! Hang in there. I wish I had more information to give you.

[DonnaB 3]

I haven't had a fill yet Xann, sorry, I can't help ya. It's only been a couple of hours though - give it some time.

[bandayed 0]

You are not the lone leaker! My friend had the same thing happen to her first fill and they said the same thing -- about air bubbles............hang in there -- hopefully at your next fill it will all be in there...............

[Xann77 0]

I'm buminh

[Kryssa 1]

It's air. The saline evaporates into the air trapped in your band. My doc tried and failed to get all the air out at my first fill, I lost most of it that time, but it hasn't done it again.

[fiveholts714 0]

Man, oh man. I really need my first fill and I am cash paying. I will be so upset if it "disappears" or doesn't work. I can't afford to keep doing it over and over. And I really need restriction badly!

[Xann77 0]

Thanks everyone! So far so I good I think. I'm now back to eating solids and had to go pretty carefully with my lunch and stayed away from bread. At a business meeting for lunch so didn't want to PB all over the conference table!!! HAHAHAHAHA :):eek:

Anyway, I definitely feel something different going on down there but it's not pain or anything... is the restriction supposed to feel painful??

[niche 0]

no restriction isn't supposed to be painful. it is supposed to make you feel full after 1/2 cup or less of food. it's not the same type of full feeling for me. it's more like i feel that the food is going to back up into my esophagus if i eat more. it feels 'harder' than feeling full did before. it's hard to describe. but like pornography, i guess you know it when you see it! feel it? good luck to you. i'm glad to see you're feeling less down than yesterday. hope this fill helps you feel more in control of your destiny.

[Xann77 0]

Thanks! 1/2 cup or LESS??? I thought the standard was 1 cup?? I think I'm able to get more than one cup down pretty easily.. but it's only been a few days since my fill so I'll see how it goes. Still so worried that I have a leak though

[Pandora75 0]

Went for my 2nd fill within a month after getting my first fill and all the Fluid had leaked out. Got my second fill and am feeling some restriction now. I'm hoping that I didn't wast 13 grand on getting this thing. I hope it holds the fills from now on. Is yours holding the Fluid now? What's going on with your lap band fluid at this point?

Looked all over the internet for an explanation and called my doctor's office. Although theories and analogies to filling a tire are given, there seems to be no medical explanation as to what is causing the leakage. I don't buy the theory that the fluid "evaporates" into "air" INSIDE THE BAND. If we were talking about a huge room, yeah ok, but that's a tiny little space of air and there is such a thing as saturation meaning nothing can evaporate in 100% humidity. It has to go somewhere. That explanation sounds like someone who has no idea of what they are talking about making up a story since they really don't know. Good to hear the half of lap band patients experience this mysterious loss of fluid between the first and second fills though. I was hoping for an update from you since we haven't heard from you since August of 2007.

Pandora

[KarenG. 0]

No this is normal. I have an 11cc vanguard band. Between 1-2 I lost about 1cc. Between 2-3 I lost another 1 cc. Between 3-4 I lost only about 1/2 cc. Many people have some loss - I specifically discussed it with my surgeon and he said it is normal. Frustrating ... but normal. Good luck!

Hi! Well I went in for my second fill today -- had a first fill of 1.3 cc's a little over a week ago. When she put in my second fill, she noticed that I only had about .5cc's left in there!! So, where did it go!!? She told me NOT to jump to the conclusion that I have a leak yet because evidently this is pretty common (about 50% ) in her patients between the first and second fills. And it's been noted in the medical journals/conferences -- a mysterious disappearance of the first fill. Some people think it has to do with air bubbles being left in your band after surgery... I've heard some people talk about osmosis, dehydration, etc.??? I'm trying really hard not to freak out and worry that I have a leak. When she put in the fill today, she ran three "tests"... injecting it and then pulling it back out again, in order to confirm that the same amount was still there... and it WAS! (thank heavens!). So, at the very least, it's not a major leak...

Anyway, she filled me up and I think I'm feeling restriction for the first time ever... my question is, has anybody gone through the same thing or have any information about the possible causes of leakage after the first fill?? What's the deal with "osmosis, dehydration, etc"?? Thanks!!!

Suzanne

[pammycakes 1]

Yes it is normal. I lost saline after my first and second fill. On the third fill they used the "sticky" stuff. Not sure what it actually is but it isnt suppose to evaporate out of the band. Hopefully someone else will be able to give you more information about it.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

This has happened to me several times. We were just discussing this tonight at support group.

My dr. was convinced I had a leak so he filled me up. Bad idea. I felt like I had an elephant on my chest.I waited for some to leak out and it never did. I had to have an unfill.

We have decided that it evaporates, or part of the fill doesn't make it into the band. I have had a lot of trouble getting restriction this past year. It's only since this last fill that it feels like it's not going anywhere. It's probably my 7th fill? I stopped counting.

I made a post awhile ago. You could do a thread search if you wanted. I think that one was called got a fill and lost restriction.