Just got a fill and have no restriction

Chelleanne · July 11, 2006

I just went in for my third fill. I was at 1.8 still with restriction, but wanted to be tighter so I could lose more weight. My old fill was removed and a new one of 2.3 was put in. However, the next day I had practically no restriction. Why is that? I can eat much than I could before the new fill. Can anyone explain this to me? I'd appreciate it.

3rd Fill 2.3

Now at 232 lbs.

Morsaille · July 11, 2006

Do you get "blind" fills?

I went in for my second fill to a new cheaper doc who does not use fluoroscopy (blind). He supposedly gave me a 1cc fill. I had no restriction so I scheduled another fill for a month later with my fluoro doc. The band was dry! Apparently he was in the port to pull my old fill, but never made it back in to give the new saline. $200 well spent.

I paid $350 for my next fill and found some restriction at last.

Alexandra · July 12, 2006

Chelleanne, it's very common for fills to take some time to make themselves felt. Give it a week or three and you may be surprised with restriction when you least expect it.

My theory about why this happens is that the soft tissues of the stomach wall "thin out" in reaction to the increased pressure. Then with time they return to the pre-fill thickness, which results in a smaller stoma than before the fill. People's reaction times are different, of course, but for me I know it took about three weeks each time for my fills to become evident.

So don't panic yet. :biggrin1:

niki · July 12, 2006

Don't worry, it will probably come after a while. Some fills need some extra time to kick-in (2 or 3 weeks maybe), while others are felt almost immediately. I often asked myself why, but never came to a precise conclusion... I even have somedays when I feel a good restriction, and then BANG! the day after, it is as if it's completely gone...

After having a new fill, I go on liquids, followed by purée/mushy food, for 4 or 5 days, before going back to solid food.

niki

gunghang · July 13, 2006

My fills have always been free. This may in part be because I visit the team that did my surgery when I'm in Manila.

To give you an idea of medical costs in Thailand, I bought needles today. They were one baht each. (about three cents)

Sometimes I "open up" and sometimes I "close." Once, eating some food with peppers while walking and not following the food with Water resulted in my puking three times (one requring a motorcycle taxi to stop). Vomit and public transportation go together so well!

I've been "open" for close to a year now and that is unacceptable. Still, with the band I've maintained about 85% of my weight loss and still plan to get back to my low point and continue on to my goal.

I'd like to say that I'm not suggesting you go out of your way to upset your stomach, but that's exactly what I'm suggesting. Maybe some raw onions will have the desired effect.

I once had reflux (my surgeon disagreed, he thought I was "challenging the band"). That was no fun. It started up about less than a year after surgery and then stopped by the one year anniversary.

Good luck with your continued loss