New to site ~ banded 6/12/06

blessed · January 21, 2007

Hello!

I am new to this site. I was banded on 6/12/06 in Pompton Plains, NJ. My surgeon is Vadim Gritsus. As of today, I have lost 75 pounds! I have had 1 complication resulting in a total unfill 2 weeks ago. I had a fill of 2cc in September and then another fill of 1cc in early October in my 4cc band. After the second fill, I had repeated problems with keeping anything down. I returned to the doctor in early November regarding this issue and was advised to give it time and go to a liquid diet for a couple of days and then resume the solid diet. I had good days when I had no problems in keeping small amounts of solids down but other days when nothing solid would stay down. I was losing weight very quickly. 2 weeks ago I called the doctor with my concerns and I went in the next morning for a swallow test under flouroscopy. The test showed a total blockage and that my pouch was very stretched! My doctor immediately emptied my band and we repeated the swallow test and the Barium went through just fine. I felt immediate relief and have not had any problems since the unfill. I am scheduled to return to the doctor'e office this week and then a repeat swallow test in 2 more weeks. We are hoping that the pouch shrinks back to normal. I am just concerned that there was a slippage. I couldn't get a clear answear from the doctor as to whether he thinks it is a slippage or just a stretched pouch. Does anyone know how to tell the difference? I do still feel some restriction and am continuing to lose but I do have to be careful as I can comfortably eat much more than with my fills! I sure hope that this isn't something that would require another surgery of worst ~ removal of the band! Any insight? Many Thanks ~blessed