Band sizes??

Sultana · May 8, 2004

Hi All,

Two days ago I had my third fill. It was odd because my doctor had the saline syringe in my port where she would inject a little and then have me drink. I never had a problem drinking but she only added .7. She did say that my two other fills of .6 and .7 were still there. So I have a total fill right now of 2.0. I think she is conservative because I live in the Phila. area and commute to NYC to see her. Having to have an unfill could be problematic. I do notice a little difference, but I can still chug liquids and eat a decent amount. My doctor did say that I have a large band (I think she said a 10). Does anyone know about band sizes and why I might have a larger one? How does that affect fills? Thanks.

Sultana

GeezerSue · May 8, 2004

Sultana,

Even though I don't want to be a smart ass so early in the morning, I'm going to warn about this anyway, even though I know you know. Jessie Ahroni, the noted band guru, says there are only three adjustments we need to worry about: too loose, too tight and just right.

I know that a lot of people--usually Americans, we're famous for it--get hung up on the numbers. And I have observed, ususally among the newly banded, that people want "as much of a fill as" someone else has. But the number of cc's of saline we have is essentially irrelevant. What IS relevant to me is how much restriction I have. In my case, with a 9.75cm band, my ideal fill is around 1.4 to 1.6 cc's, right now, subject to change as my weight and fat and anatomy change. I think my band holds around 4.0 cc's, but all I need to focus on is the level of restriction I have.

And, IMHO, whether a fill (or adjustment) is conservative or aggressive is not a function of how many cc's of saline we have, even if we have identical bands, but of how much restriction there is. In other words, your 2.0 would have me completely shut down. Given my anatomy and where my band is placed and all that, 2.0 would be so aggressive as to be malpractice! And yet, you may be underfilled.

SOOOOO, it sounds to me as though your doctor was trying to give you a lot more restriction than you had as of the second adjustment. Now you may have to wait. Because I've learned that many people become more restricted a week later. (I don't get that, but it happens.)

Sultana · May 8, 2004

Hi Sue,

Thanks for your reply, and it was not smart-assed at all. I absolutely know that fills are very individual. I guess what I really wanted to know, and didn't make clear, is what is the different fill capacity between bands--kind of a percentage or number comparison. I was not even aware that bands came in sizes! I know that I have not yet reached effective restriction, so I have to speak in numbers at this point. I find it imformative when I hear people say (like you did) that your magic number is 1.6. Or better yet, that they didn't get desirable restriction until 3.0. That gives me hope that I just have to be patient, and I will reach my "happy spot". I guess, since I am new to this, I feel frustrated because I am following all the rules, but the band is not doing its job yet. Numbers are just part of band language, and like any language, open to interpretation. I sure hope that the week later fill kick-in applies to me!!

I have read many of your posts, and you are always a great help!